Ubisoft is removing the requirement to use the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher for games purchased on Steam, starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, according to an announcement reported by Feber and Eurogamer. Players will no longer need to run the separate desktop application in the background every time they launch a supported game through Steam, addressing a long-standing point of contention highlighted in user reviews across digital storefronts, as noted by TheGamer.
How Ubisoft Connect Services Replace the PC Launcher on Steam
According to Ubisoft’s official statement cited by Insider Gaming, the publisher is introducing a new “Ubisoft Connect Services Steam tool” that handles essential backend features without forcing players to install or run the full Ubisoft Connect desktop client. This new system maintains cross-progression, cross-play, player safety tools, challenges, and rewards natively through Steam. The company described the change as an initial step toward a streamlined user experience, with plans to roll out the updated service to additional titles over time, according to Eurogamer.
Industry coverage highlights that this structural shift mirrors how Ubisoft titles operate on home consoles such as the PlayStation 5 and Xbox series, where players interact with network services via a simple login rather than a redundant secondary application, according to TheGamer. While the full desktop launcher is bypassed, players will still utilize a background sync utility for cloud saves that operates with a lighter footprint than the previous client, as reported by Feber.
Player Reception and Industry Context on Steam Launchers
For more than a decade, mandatory third-party launchers have drawn criticism from PC players for cluttering systems and delaying game startup times, as detailed by TheGamer. Community discussions on platforms like the Insider Gaming Discord server show players advocating for similar updates to older titles in the catalog—such as various installments in the Assassin’s Creed franchise—while also questioning whether other major publishers might follow suit with software like AE Play and Rockstar Games clients, according to Insider Gaming.
Ubisoft’s return to Valve’s platform began in 2022 with the release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla following a three-year absence, and the publisher has steadily integrated Steam-friendly features like native achievements into legacy games including The Division 2, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Wildlands, For Honor, Watch Dogs, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and Far Cry 3, according to TheGamer.
Pro Tip: Check your Steam library settings and ensure your games are fully updated to benefit from the new streamlined tool as it rolls out to more titles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I still need a Ubisoft account to play games on Steam?
Yes, network-dependent features like cross-progression and rewards still require account connectivity, but the separate Ubisoft Connect desktop application is no longer mandatory to boot up supported games, according to Ubisoft announcements cited by Eurogamer and Insider Gaming.
Which games support the new Ubisoft Connect Services tool?
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the first title confirmed to use the new Steam tool, with a phased rollout planned for additional Ubisoft games in the future, according to reports by Feber, Eurogamer, and TheGamer.
Will my cloud saves still work without the launcher?
Yes, a lighter background sync utility handles cloud saves and core profile data without requiring the full client to run in the background, as reported by Feber.
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