Ubisoft Connect launcher may no longer need to be installed after purchasing games on Steam

Many gamers have complained about separate game launchers bundled with games purchased on Steam. Ubisoft Connect, Ubisoft’s launcher, is one of the most notorious candidates and has been the subject of several review bombs on its games because of it.

A change in policy helped along by consumer demand

However, Ubisoft seems to be looking to revise the link between its bundled launcher and its Steam games. In a surprise announcement that should be welcomed by players looking for less bloat on their systems, Ubisoft said it's working on a new tool that lets the core functions of its launcher work for games purchased on Steam, without installing the launcher separately. The official announcement states:

“Starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, we are testing a new Ubisoft Connect Services Steam tool that keeps Ubisoft game features such as cross-progression, cross-play, player safety, challenges and rewards, among others, 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. 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 Connect Services will progressively evolve and roll out to more Ubisoft games on Steam in the future.”

This is similar to the console experience where players just log in and everything syncs in the background while they enjoy the game. While it is surprising it took this long to implement on PC, Ubisoft only began streamlining the Steam user experience with the release of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which launched on Steam after a divisive three-year hiatus.

Steam Achievements were only recently added to Ubisoft games, and with this tool, the clutter of multiple launchers for most players may soon end. Although the tool is still being tested and is currently only available for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Ubisoft said it is safe to assume other Ubisoft titles will support it in the near future.

Buy The Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Amazon here