Ubisoft has started testing a new way to launch its games on Steam, and it could signal a major shift in how players access the company’s titles on PC. Instead of requiring the full Ubisoft Connect application to be installed and opened, the publisher is experimenting with a lightweight background tool that runs directly through Steam.

The first game to use this new system is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Rather than launching a separate client, the game uses a tool called Ubisoft Connect Services, which is installed via Steam and runs in the background. This service handles cross-platform progress synchronisation, cross-play, trials, achievements, and security features.

According to Ubisoft, the current version is only the first step towards making it easier to launch games on Steam. The company plans to gradually improve the tool and roll it out to other projects, although no specific list of games or timetable has been confirmed yet.

Ubisoft Connect Is Not Disappearing Entirely

It is important to note that Ubisoft Connect is not being completely removed. The Steam page for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown still states that the game requires a Ubisoft account that can be linked to Steam. The change removes the need for a separate launcher, but it does not eliminate the publisher’s background services or ecosystem.

Previously, the Steam version of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown automatically installed a lightweight version of Ubisoft Connect, which launched alongside the game. The new Ubisoft Connect Services tool is designed to make this process less noticeable. Once the game has launched on Steam, players will no longer need to open a second client separately.

For now, testing is limited to a single game. There is no confirmation that all older Ubisoft releases, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, or Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, will receive the new tool.

A More Cautious Approach Than 2K Games

This move comes after 2K Games completely removed its own launcher from its games on Steam and the Epic Games Store in 2024. Ubisoft has taken a more cautious approach, replacing the full-featured client with a compact background service instead of removing it altogether.

For players who prefer to manage their Ubisoft titles through Steam, this change could make the experience smoother and less intrusive. It may also encourage more PC gamers to pick up Ubisoft titles on Steam rather than avoiding them due to launcher fatigue.

Where to Find Ubisoft Connect CD Keys and Game Keys

If you are looking to expand your Ubisoft library, z2u.com is a marketplace where you can find a wide range of digital game keys and credits. Whether you need Ubisoft Connect CD Keys to activate a new title or Ubisoft Connect Game Keys for older favourites, z2u.com offers a convenient way to compare listings and purchase keys for your account.

As Ubisoft continues to test its new Steam launch system, players may find it easier than ever to jump into their games without dealing with a separate launcher. For now, the change is limited to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, but it could pave the way for a broader rollout across Ubisoft’s PC catalogue in the future.