Ubisoft is reportedly testing an update that would allow its games on Steam to support features like cross-play and cross-progression without requiring players to install or launch the Ubisoft Connect PC client. The initiative appears to be in its early stages, with the upcoming title Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown being the first game to trial the new system.
Details of the change surfaced via a Reddit post, though the linked Steam announcement was only accessible to users who had purchased The Lost Crown. A partial message from the alleged post stated, “This first version is an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined experience on Steam. 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.” The statement also indicated that this evolution of Ubisoft Connect Services would gradually roll out to more Ubisoft games on Steam in the future.
The prospect of a less intrusive launcher experience was met with enthusiasm by some PC players. On Reddit, users expressed hope that the change would extend to older Ubisoft titles, potentially simplifying their functionality on platforms like Steam Deck, which often requires workarounds for games with multiple launchers.
Mandatory PC game launchers have long been a point of contention for many players. Common criticisms include the added step of opening one application only to have another launch automatically, publisher-specific account requirements, and integrated digital rights management (DRM) systems. These often introduce friction for users who prefer a simpler, unified platform experience.
In some cases, the technical implementation of these launchers and associated services has been linked to performance issues. While not directly related to Ubisoft Connect, a recent example cited by Polygon involved the Sony-published Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, where players speculated that background PSN services negatively impacted the game's performance, leading to significant improvements after DRM was removed by modders. This case highlights broader player frustrations with the potential downsides of publisher-mandated software.