Overview
- Ubisoft began testing a backend called “Ubisoft Connect Services” starting with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to allow Steam copies to run without opening the Ubisoft Connect desktop launcher.
- The service is designed to keep specific features—cross-progression, cross-play, player safety systems, in-game challenges and Connect rewards—while removing the need to install or launch the separate Connect app.
- The announcement first appeared in a Steam post visible only to owners and was shared publicly via a Reddit screenshot, and several outlets reported the original Steam post is currently inaccessible or returns 404 errors.
- Ubisoft says the tool will be rolled out progressively to more Steam games, but it has not confirmed whether older Ubisoft titles will be updated or whether Steam buyers will still need to link a Ubisoft account.
- Players responded positively to the news and coverage places the move in a wider industry trend of reducing publisher launcher friction, a change that could simplify play on PC and influence how other publishers handle third-party launchers.