Ubisoft appears to be testing a major change to how its games work on Steam. The company is reportedly working on a system that would allow Ubisoft Connect features to work directly with Steam games without requiring players to install or launch the separate Ubisoft Connect PC launcher.
The change is currently being tested with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. According to a message reportedly posted by Ubisoft on Steam, the company is introducing “Ubisoft Connect Services” as a way to provide features such as cross-play and cross-progression while making the Steam experience more seamless.
The move could finally address one of the biggest complaints about Ubisoft games on Steam. Players have traditionally had to launch a Ubisoft game through Steam and then wait for Ubisoft Connect to open in the background. They may also need to sign in to a separate Ubisoft account before they can play.
Ubisoft does not appear to be removing its online services or account system. Instead, it is separating those services from the standalone launcher. This means features that require Ubisoft’s infrastructure can continue to work without forcing players to use another PC application.
That is a sensible approach, especially for games purchased through Steam. Steam already handles the game library, downloads, updates, and launching process. Requiring another launcher adds another point of failure without providing much benefit to the player.
Ubisoft also appears to be planning to expand the system beyond Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The company says Ubisoft Connect Services will gradually roll out to more Ubisoft games on Steam. However, it has not yet confirmed which existing games will receive the change or whether the launcher requirement will be removed from older releases.
The change could be particularly useful for Steam Deck and other handheld PC users. Third-party launchers have often made these devices more complicated to use because players have to deal with additional software and login steps outside Steam. A Steam game that can use Ubisoft’s required services without launching Ubisoft Connect should provide a much cleaner experience.
There is also a bigger shift behind this decision. Ubisoft has been bringing more of its games back to Steam after spending years prioritizing its own PC storefront. Removing the separate launcher requirement suggests the company is becoming more willing to treat Steam as the primary interface for players who buy its games there.
If Ubisoft eventually applies this to its wider Steam catalogue, it would remove one of the most unnecessary barriers from its PC games. Players are already choosing Steam to buy and manage their games. There is little reason to make them open another launcher just to start a game they already own.
