Ubisoft Tests Dropping Launcher Requirement on Steam

Ubisoft has begun testing a new system that removes the need for its standalone PC launcher when playing its games on Steam, starting with Prince of Persia The Lost Crown. The company announced a tool called Ubisoft Connect Services Steam, which allows players to access Ubisoft game features on Steam without the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher being installed or launched. According to the announcement, the tool preserves features players use, including crossplay, cross-progression, challenges, rewards and player safety, while eliminating the second application that Steam players have long been required to open. Ubisoft described the first version as an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined launch experience on Steam, saying it will continue to iterate and improve Ubisoft Connect Services over time with the goal of making the Steam experience as seamless as possible. The company said the system will progressively evolve and roll out to more Ubisoft games on Steam in the future. The announcement surfaced through a Steam-hosted patch note that is visible only to owners of The Lost Crown, with users sharing its contents on Reddit.