How to Change Ownership of a Game on Ubisoft: A Comprehensive Guide

The burning question: How do I change ownership of a game on Ubisoft? The direct answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. Officially, Ubisoft doesn’t offer a simple “transfer ownership” button for its games. However, there are scenarios where transferring game activation might be possible, and it all hinges on contacting Ubisoft Support directly.

Here’s the nuanced breakdown:

• Activation Transfer (Limited Circumstances): In specific cases, such as transferring a game from a compromised account or consolidating games onto a single account you own, Ubisoft Support may assist in transferring the activation of the game to a different account.
• Contacting Ubisoft Support is Key: The first and most important step is to open a support case through the Ubisoft account that currently owns the game. You’ll need to provide a compelling reason for the transfer request.
• Proof of Purchase is Mandatory: You MUST include a valid proof of purchase with your support case. This can be a digital receipt, a scanned copy of the physical game box’s receipt, or any other documentation that clearly demonstrates you legally acquired the game.
• Activation Only, Not Everything Else: Keep in mind that even if Ubisoft Support approves the transfer, it typically only applies to the game activation itself. Other in-game content, like rewards, challenges, achievements, and progress, are generally not transferable. These are tied to the original account.
• Digital vs. Physical Copies: The process might be slightly different depending on whether you have a digital copy of the game (purchased through the Ubisoft Store, Steam, or Epic Games Store) or a physical copy with an activation key.
• Linked Accounts and Considerations: If the game is linked to a platform account (e.g., Steam, PlayStation, Xbox), you might need to consider the implications of unlinking those accounts before requesting a transfer. Unlinking may not automatically transfer the game; it only disconnects the accounts.
• Gifting is Not Transferring: It’s important to clarify that the inability to gift already owned games through the Ubisoft Store doesn’t equate to a way of transferring ownership. Gifting is only available for new purchases.

In essence, changing ownership of a game on Ubisoft is not a user-friendly, self-service process. It requires contacting Ubisoft Support, providing a legitimate reason and proof of purchase, and even then, the transfer is not guaranteed and limited only to the game activation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I transfer a Ubisoft game to another Ubisoft account?

As mentioned before, Ubisoft games are linked to the account they were activated on. However, in certain circumstances, Ubisoft Support may consider a transfer of the game activation to another account. Contact them directly with your request and provide a valid proof of purchase. In-game progress, achievements, and other content will not be transferred.

Can I gift a Ubisoft game to a friend if I already own it?

No, it is currently not possible to gift games you already own to friends through the Ubisoft Store. The gifting feature only applies to new purchases. You could consider purchasing a Ubisoft gift card for your friend instead, allowing them to buy the game themselves. This would be a great gift.

Can I merge two Ubisoft accounts?

Unfortunately, Ubisoft does not support merging accounts. The only possible solution for consolidating games is to contact support and request a transfer of game activation, as described above. This process has no guarantee, and is up to the decision of Ubisoft Support.

Can I move games to another drive in Ubisoft Connect?

Yes, you can move the installation files of your Ubisoft games to another drive on your computer. This is done manually through File Explorer (or Finder on macOS). Locate the game folder (usually under C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchergames) and copy it to your desired drive. After moving the files, you may need to tell Ubisoft Connect where the game is now installed. This might require downloading a few files, but not the entire game again.

Can you transfer games from one computer to another?

Yes, you can transfer game files from one computer to another. The method depends on the platform. For Ubisoft games, you’ll need to copy the game folder from the original computer to the new computer (as explained above). Then, in Ubisoft Connect, point the launcher to the new location of the game. If you are using Steam, you can move the steamapps folder from your old computer to your new computer. Steam will automatically download any updates, missing files, and reinstall redistributables.

How do I fix “authenticating ownership” errors in Rainbow Six Siege?

If you encounter an “authenticating ownership” error in Rainbow Six Siege, especially when launching through Steam, first ensure that you’re logged into Ubisoft Connect with the correct account – the one the game is activated on. Logging out and back in can often resolve this issue. If the problem persists, verify the game files through Steam, or contact Ubisoft Support.

Can you family share Rainbow Six Siege?

Rainbow Six Siege generally does not support family sharing through Steam. This is because it often relies on a third-party service (Ubisoft Connect) for authentication and DRM. Games that require external services for launching do not work with Steam family sharing.

Can I unlink a game from my Ubisoft account?

You can unlink linked accounts (like PlayStation, Xbox, or Twitch) from your Ubisoft account via the Account Information page. However, unlinking a game itself is not the same as transferring ownership. Unlinking only breaks the connection between your platform account and your Ubisoft account.

How do I change ownership of Rainbow Six Siege on Steam?

If you want to change the ownership of Rainbow Six Siege on Steam from one Steam account to another, you would need to contact Steam Support. It is only through Steam that you can change ownership, and only for the Steam Account that owns the game.

Can you transfer Ubisoft saves?

Many Ubisoft games support cloud saving through Ubisoft Connect. This means your progress is automatically synced online, and you can continue playing on another system without manually transferring save files. However, some older games might require manual save file transfers. These files are typically in C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchersavegames.

Where are Ubisoft games stored?

By default, Ubisoft game installation files are stored in C:Program Files (x86)UbisoftUbisoft Game Launchergames. You can change the default installation directory in the Ubisoft Connect settings.

Does Ubisoft Connect backup save games?

Yes, Ubisoft Connect supports cloud saving for many games. If a game supports cloud saving, your progress is automatically backed up to Ubisoft’s servers, allowing you to seamlessly continue playing on different computers.

What happens if you unlink a Ubisoft account from another platform account?

Unlinking a platform account (e.g., PlayStation, Xbox, Steam) from your Ubisoft account simply breaks the connection between the two. Your platform username remains visible in the Linked Accounts section, and you’ll need to contact Ubisoft Support if you wish to link a different platform account of the same type to your Ubisoft account. The games do not transfer to the other platforms.

How do I transfer my Ubisoft account to another email?

To change the email address associated with your Ubisoft account:

1. Go to the Account Information page and log in.
2. In the Private information section, choose Edit.
3. Select Change next to your email address, then choose Send.
4. Follow the instructions sent to your current email address to verify the change.

Can you play Ubisoft games on two computers simultaneously with one Ubisoft+ subscription?

No, a single Ubisoft+ subscription only allows you to play games on one device at a time. To play on multiple devices simultaneously, you would need a separate subscription for each device or account.

Conclusion

Changing ownership of a Ubisoft game isn’t a straightforward process. It heavily relies on contacting Ubisoft Support, providing compelling reasons, and having valid proof of purchase. Even then, a transfer of game activation isn’t guaranteed. Understanding these limitations and following the steps outlined above gives you the best chance of successfully navigating the complexities of Ubisoft game ownership.

To understand more about the importance of games, visit the Games Learning Society website at GamesLearningSociety.org.