Ending your Ubisoft membership made easy

About Ubisoft and its subscription services

Ubisoft Entertainment SA represents one of the most prominent video game publishers and developers operating within the United Kingdom market. Established in 1986, the company has evolved from a traditional game publisher into a comprehensive digital entertainment provider, offering various subscription-based services alongside its conventional game sales model. In accordance with UK consumer protection legislation, subscribers to Ubisoft's services maintain specific contractual rights that warrant careful examination.

The company's UK operations, headquartered in Guildford, Surrey, administer several subscription offerings including Ubisoft+ (formerly known as Uplay+), which provides access to an extensive catalogue of games and downloadable content. Furthermore, Ubisoft operates the Ubisoft Connect platform, which serves as the company's digital distribution service and social gaming network. These services constitute binding contractual agreements between the subscriber and Ubisoft Ltd, governed by both the company's terms of service and applicable UK consumer law.

Understanding the contractual framework surrounding these subscriptions proves essential when contemplating cancellation. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 establish fundamental protections for UK subscribers. Consequently, subscribers possess statutory rights that supersede certain contractual terms, particularly regarding cancellation procedures and notice periods.

The subscription model employed by Ubisoft operates on a recurring payment basis, typically charged monthly or annually, depending upon the selected plan. This contractual arrangement creates ongoing financial obligations that continue until properly terminated in accordance with both statutory requirements and the service agreement's specific provisions.

Membership options and associated costs

Ubisoft's primary subscription offering in the UK market comprises Ubisoft+, which provides subscribers with access to premium editions of games, including all downloadable content and expansions. The service operates under a straightforward pricing structure, though subscribers should carefully review the specific terms applicable to their chosen plan, as these constitute the contractual basis for the service provision.

Current subscription tiers

The contractual obligations associated with these subscription tiers differ substantially. Monthly subscriptions typically operate on a rolling basis, automatically renewing each billing cycle unless cancelled with appropriate notice. Conversely, annual subscriptions create a fixed-term contractual commitment, wherein the subscriber agrees to maintain the service for the entire twelve-month period, subject to specific cancellation rights during the initial cooling-off period.

Payment terms and billing cycles

In accordance with standard subscription service practices, Ubisoft processes recurring payments automatically using the payment method registered to the subscriber's account. The billing date corresponds to the date of initial subscription activation, creating a personalised billing cycle for each subscriber. This arrangement constitutes a continuous payment authority, which subscribers authorise upon accepting the service terms.

Nevertheless, subscribers retain the right to revoke this payment authority through their payment provider, though such action does not, in itself, constitute proper contractual cancellation. Consequently, subscribers must follow the prescribed cancellation procedures to avoid potential breach of contract claims or continued service charges.

Understanding your cancellation rights under UK law

The legal framework governing subscription cancellations in the United Kingdom derives from multiple statutory instruments. The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 establish a mandatory fourteen-day cooling-off period for distance contracts, which encompasses online subscription agreements. Furthermore, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 provides additional protections regarding service quality and contractual fairness.

Statutory cooling-off period

Subscribers possess an unconditional right to cancel within fourteen days of entering into the subscription agreement. This statutory cooling-off period commences from the date of contract formation, which typically corresponds to the date of subscription activation. During this period, subscribers may cancel without providing justification and should receive a full refund of any payments made, subject to deductions for services already consumed.

However, an important exception applies where subscribers actively use the service during the cooling-off period. In accordance with Regulation 36 of the 2013 Regulations, suppliers may charge for services provided during the cooling-off period if the consumer expressly requested commencement of service provision. Consequently, subscribers who access games through Ubisoft+ during the initial fourteen days may face proportionate charges for the service consumed.

Cancellation rights beyond the cooling-off period

After expiration of the statutory cooling-off period, cancellation rights derive primarily from the contractual terms established by Ubisoft's subscriber agreement. Nevertheless, UK consumer protection law imposes certain limitations on unfair contract terms. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 prohibits terms that create significant imbalance in parties' rights and obligations to the consumer's detriment.

Ubisoft's terms of service typically permit cancellation at any time for monthly subscriptions, with cancellation becoming effective at the end of the current billing period. This arrangement complies with consumer protection principles by avoiding lock-in periods for rolling contracts. For annual subscriptions, the contractual position proves more complex, as these constitute fixed-term agreements wherein the subscriber commits to the full twelve-month period.

Grounds for immediate cancellation

Certain circumstances may entitle subscribers to immediate cancellation with full refund, irrespective of the subscription type or elapsed time. These include material breach of contract by Ubisoft, such as failure to provide the contracted service, significant service degradation, or unilateral adverse changes to service terms. Furthermore, if Ubisoft implements price increases during a fixed-term contract without providing an exit right, subscribers may possess grounds for immediate termination under consumer protection principles.

Why postal cancellation provides optimal legal protection

Whilst digital service providers typically encourage online cancellation methods, postal cancellation via Recorded Delivery offers superior legal protection and evidential value. This methodology creates an independent, verifiable record of the cancellation request, which proves invaluable should disputes arise regarding cancellation timing or whether proper notice was provided.

Evidential advantages of postal cancellation

Recorded Delivery service provides official proof of posting and delivery, creating contemporaneous evidence that satisfies legal requirements for notice provision. In accordance with established contract law principles, notice becomes effective upon delivery to the recipient's registered address, not upon the sender's dispatch. Consequently, Recorded Delivery's tracking and signature confirmation features establish definitively when Ubisoft received the cancellation notice.

Furthermore, postal cancellation eliminates technical difficulties that may impede online cancellation attempts. Subscribers frequently report issues accessing cancellation functions within online account management systems, whether due to website errors, account access problems, or deliberately complex cancellation pathways. Postal communication circumvents these obstacles entirely, ensuring the cancellation request reaches the appropriate department regardless of technical impediments.

Legal recognition of postal notice

UK contract law has long recognised postal communication as a valid method for providing contractual notice. The postal rule, established in Adams v Lindsell (1818), creates specific legal presumptions regarding when posted communications take effect. Whilst modern contracts often modify these common law principles, postal notice remains legally effective unless expressly excluded by the contract terms.

Moreover, the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 specifically recognise postal communication as an acceptable cancellation method. Regulation 32 permits consumers to provide cancellation notice \