Ubisoft Connect is no longer needed to launch Ubisoft games on Steam

Ubisoft Connect has never been the most troublesome PC launcher, but having to install it alongside Steam games has long been an unnecessary extra step. Ubisoft now appears to be addressing that complaint with a new solution called Ubisoft Connect Services, which has made its debut in Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

Rather than requiring players to install the full Ubisoft Connect application, Ubisoft Connect Services integrates the publisher's online features directly into the game. Steam users can still access features such as cross-progression, cross-play, achievements and rewards, but without having another launcher sitting between Steam and the game.

For now, Ubisoft is testing the system with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. The company describes this as an "initial step towards a smoother and more streamlined launch experience on Steam" and says the service will gradually expand to additional Ubisoft titles on the platform.

That's potentially a welcome change for anyone with a large Steam library. Buying a game through Steam generally creates an expectation that the Steam client should be enough to launch it. Having to download another launcher, create or connect another account and occasionally deal with separate login problems can make the experience unnecessarily cumbersome.

Ubisoft Connect Services should also retain much of the functionality that Ubisoft's launcher provides. Players who rely on cross-save or cross-play won't necessarily have to give up those features just because the dedicated application is gone. A Ubisoft account will likely still be required for certain online functionality, however.

There is still a long way to go. Most Ubisoft games currently available on Steam continue to require a separate Ubisoft Connect installation, and Ubisoft hasn't provided a detailed timetable for bringing Ubisoft Connect Services to its broader catalog.

Still, this is a step in the right direction. Ubisoft's launcher isn't necessarily terrible, but there's little reason for Steam buyers to need a second application just to play a game they've already purchased. If Ubisoft can successfully roll this system out across its Steam library, it could make the PC experience considerably cleaner.

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