In a surprise move, Ubisoft announced its intention to remove the need for Ubisoft Connect to start each time you launch one of its games on Steam. Ubisoft Connect, previously known as Uplay, is a store and launcher for Ubisoft’s games. It starts when you launch any Ubisoft game you own on Steam or the Epic Games Store.
But starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, this will no longer be required. Ubisoft explained in a Steam post – only available to owners of the game – it’s testing a new “Ubisoft Connect Services Steam Tool” that keeps Connect features like cross-progression, cross-play, rewards “without requiring the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher to be installed or launched”.
“This first version is an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined launch experience on Steam,” the publisher reportedly said, as shared by Reddit user NostalgiaKeeper007.
“We will continue to iterate and improve Ubisoft Connect Services over time, with the goal of delivering the features and services players use and expect while making the Steam experience as seamless as possible.”
Ubisoft said the same tool “will progressively evolve and roll out to more Ubisoft games on Steam in the future”, though it’s unclear whether the tool will require future buyers to link their Ubisoft account to Steam – something that’s needed today with Connect.
This dual-launcher approach is not unique to Ubisoft, but other publishers, such as EA, don’t tend to bundle their launchers with all games they sell on Steam. Usually a lighter, more invisible version starts alongside a game and doesn’t noticeably get in the way.
