PC gamers may soon have one less launcher to worry about as Ubisoft is introducing new tools that break reliance on the Ubisoft Connect app.
Ubisoft today surprise-revealed that it's working on a new way to avoid having to download and run its proprietary launcher when playing Steam games. The info wasn't part of a big press release but instead nestled in an update post for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Steam, which is compatible with the new systems. Ubisoft says more games will be added in the future as its Steam tools expand.
"Starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, we are testing a new Ubisoft Connect Services Steam tool that keeps Ubisoft game features such as cross-progression, cross-play, player safety, challenges and rewards, among others, without requiring the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher to be installed or launched," the announcement reads.
"This first version is an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined launch experience on Steam."
Ubisoft Connect was launched five years ago as part of the company's dramatic shift to inject live services into all of its games. Since then, Ubisoft Connect has bridged consoles and PC with an account framework that attaches social features, content, and access in one singular app.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Will the Ubisoft Connect Services Steam tool still let players use cross-progression and cross-play without installing Ubisoft Connect PC?
Do Steam players need a Ubisoft account to use the new launcher-free setup for Ubisoft games?
Will save data, rewards, and challenges carry over if Ubisoft Connect PC is no longer installed on Steam?
What does Ubisoft mean by a smoother launch experience on Steam for its games?
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The launcher hasn't exactly been popular among PC users particularly due to the simple fact that Steam is much more prevalent, and gamers typically don't like splitting up their libraries across multiple programs and apps. Ubisoft famously pulled its games from Steam years ago, returning to the platform in 2022 with a Steam release of AC Valhalla.
