Ubisoft is testing a major change for its PC games on Steam by removing the need to install and launch Ubisoft Connect before playing.
The rollout begins with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Ubisoft says a new tool will keep key game features working without requiring the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher to be installed or opened separately.
If the test works as planned, Ubisoft intends to expand the system to more of its Steam games over time.
Prince of Persia is the first game in the test
Until now, many Ubisoft games purchased through Steam still depended on Ubisoft Connect for features such as account services, progression syncing, and stat tracking.
That meant players often had to launch Steam, start a Ubisoft game, and then wait for Ubisoft Connect to open before the game itself could begin.
The new approach is designed to remove that extra launcher step.
| Detail | Current approach | New test |
|---|---|---|
| Steam purchase | Launches through Steam | Launches through Steam |
| Ubisoft Connect app | Usually required | Not required for tested game |
| Ubisoft features | Managed through launcher | Handled by new tool |
| First supported game | Not applicable | Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown |
| Wider rollout | Existing launcher model | Planned for more Steam games |
Ubisoft says the new system will preserve its game features while removing the requirement for the full Ubisoft Connect PC launcher.
More Ubisoft games could follow
The company says the system will progressively expand to additional Ubisoft titles on Steam if the initial test is successful.
However, Ubisoft has not confirmed which games will be added next.
It is also unclear whether older releases will be updated retroactively. Games such as Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs, Far Cry, and other long running Ubisoft series currently rely on Ubisoft Connect in different ways, so support may vary by title.
For now, any wider compatibility beyond Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown should be treated as planned rather than confirmed.
Ubisoft accounts may still be part of the process
Removing the launcher does not necessarily mean removing Ubisoft accounts or Ubisoft services entirely.
The supplied information indicates that the new tool is intended to keep existing Ubisoft game features working without launching the standalone client. That could allow account linking, cross progression, and related services to continue in the background.
The key change is therefore the removal of the separate launcher requirement, not necessarily the removal of Ubisoft's account infrastructure.
Steam players have long criticized secondary launchers
Secondary launchers have been a common complaint among PC players because games purchased through Steam can sometimes require another application before they start.
The extra software can also create additional login steps, update requirements, and compatibility problems on devices such as Steam Deck.
Ubisoft's test suggests the company is willing to reduce that friction while keeping its own services connected to Steam releases.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will be the first title to use the new setup. Ubisoft has not announced a schedule for the wider rollout, but says more Steam games are expected to follow in the future if the system performs as intended.
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