Launcher-Free Steam Support
Ubisoft begins testing launcher-free Steam game support starting with Prince of Persia
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Key Points
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The change does not remove Ubisoft Connect entirely: Ubisoft is separating the services players need from the standalone PC launcher, so account authentication and Ubisoft’s underlying ecosystem will remain in place.
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The update notice is reportedly visible only to owners of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown through their Steam libraries, which is why the announcement initially circulated via Reddit screenshots.
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Ubisoft’s planned Steam setup is intended to work more like its console experience, where players log in to Ubisoft services without downloading a separate launcher on PlayStation 5 or Xbox.
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The move follows Ubisoft’s return to Steam in 2022 with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, after a controversial three-year absence from Valve’s storefront.
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The separate-launcher requirement has been a longstanding source of criticism in Steam user reviews, with players objecting to installing an additional application simply to start games purchased through Valve’s store.
Ubisoft is testing a way to let Steam players skip the separate Ubisoft Connect launcher. The company's new tool, called Ubisoft Connect Services, will keep all the important features — cross-progression, cross-play, challenges, rewards, and safety tools — without forcing players to download and launch a second application. Destructoid reported that Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the first game getting this treatment.
The move addresses a longtime complaint in Steam reviews. Players have criticized having to install an extra launcher just to start games they bought on Valve's store. Ubisoft's account linking will still be required, but the friction of managing a separate application could finally disappear.
Why Ubisoft Connect Always Frustrated Steam Players
For years, buying a Ubisoft game on Steam meant downloading two things: the game itself and the Ubisoft Connect launcher. Rock Paper Shotgun noted that this extra step became a major pain point in user reviews. Players felt forced to juggle logins and applications just to play games they already owned.
The launcher requirement was especially confusing because consoles don't work this way. On PlayStation 5 or Xbox, you log into Ubisoft services within the game — no separate app needed. Gaming on Linux reported that Ubisoft Connect Services aims to bring Steam closer to that simpler console experience.
How Ubisoft Connect Services Actually Works
Ubisoft Connect Services separates the features players want from the PC launcher they don't. Cross-progression, cross-play, challenges, and reward tracking all stay — but without forcing a standalone application download. Players may still need to link their Steam and Ubisoft accounts once, but that's it.
GameGPU confirmed that Ubisoft's underlying ecosystem remains intact. Account authentication and backend services continue working normally. The company is essentially delivering the same connectivity without the friction of managing a separate launcher window.
Prince of Persia Test Signals Bigger Steam Plans
Right now, only Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown players see the update notice in their Steam libraries. DLCompare reported that Ubisoft is treating this as an initial trial before expanding to more games. If the test succeeds, the service could roll out across Ubisoft's entire Steam catalog.
This follows Ubisoft's return to Steam in 2022 with Assassin's Creed Valhalla, ending a controversial three-year absence from Valve's store. The new launcher-free approach could make Ubisoft's Steam games significantly more appealing and remove one of the biggest obstacles keeping players away.
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