Ubisoft appears to be taking a major step toward making its PC games easier to launch through Steam. The publisher is testing a new system called Ubisoft Connect Services, starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, that removes the need to have the full Ubisoft Connect PC launcher installed or opened when starting the game through Steam.
In brief:
- Ubisoft is testing launcher-free Steam launches with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
- The new Ubisoft Connect Services tool replaces the need to launch the full Ubisoft Connect PC client.
- Ubisoft features can still be supported through the new service.
- The company plans to gradually bring the system to more Ubisoft games on Steam.
Ubisoft Connect Services Removes an Extra Step on Steam
According to Ubisoft’s Steam announcement, the new Ubisoft Connect Services tool is designed to retain features such as cross-progression, cross-play, player safety systems, challenges, rewards, and other Ubisoft services without requiring the standalone Ubisoft Connect launcher to be installed or launched. These are examples of features the service can support, rather than confirmation that every feature applies to The Lost Crown specifically.
SteamDB also lists Ubisoft Connect Services as a separate Steam tool and shows it included with both the Standard and Complete Editions of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The tool currently has its own depot and is tied directly to the game on Steam.
As many players dislike opening Steam only to wait for another launcher to start, this could make Ubisoft games considerably more convenient. Community reaction has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic in several Steam and PC gaming discussions, with many players saying the Ubisoft launcher was one reason they avoided buying the publisher’s games on Steam.
More Ubisoft Games Could Drop the Launcher Requirement
Ubisoft describes this first version as an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined Steam experience. The company says Ubisoft Connect Services will continue to evolve before progressively rolling out to additional Ubisoft games on Steam.
So, that does not mean Ubisoft Connect itself or Ubisoft accounts are disappearing. As of writing, Steam players may no longer need to install and open Ubisoft’s full PC launcher just to start supported games.
If the experiment proves successful, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown could be the beginning of a much broader change to how Ubisoft handles its PC releases on Steam.
