Ubisoft appears to be testing a new Steam tool that will allow its games to work through the Valve storefront without you needing to install or use the publisher’s Ubisoft Connect launcher. Starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft Connect Services enables the use of features including cross-progression, challenges, and rewards on Steam without the requirement of another third-party app. If successful, the feature will reportedly be rolled out across the wider Ubisoft catalogue, meaning we could see it in the likes of Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry in the future.
Needing to install and run a second launcher has long been a common complaint for Ubisoft games. The likes of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown have, until now, required that you open Ubisoft Connect to log into the publisher’s ecosystem even when playing games through Steam. As of the latest update for the Metroidvania, however, this no longer appears to be the case.
The Lost Crown has now been connected to a backend application called ‘Ubisoft Connect Services,’ and if you own the game on Steam you should be able to see a post explaining the changes. Due to the way the tool works, the update message is only visible to owners of the Prince of Persia game via the Steam library, but users have shared it via Reddit.
The reported message notes that this soft rollout is “an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined launch experience on Steam.” It adds, “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.”
While you’ll seemingly still be required to use Ubisoft Connect to connect your account to Steam, you wouldn’t have to keep the standalone Ubisoft launcher installed if you want to play games that support this new system. If it proves a success, there’s a chance we could see it integrated into other series such as Assassin’s Creed, Rainbow Six Siege, The Division 2, or Far Cry. It’s a small step, but for those who hate launcher clutter it’ll certainly be a welcome one.
