# Ubisoft Connect finally gets out of the way

> Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the first Ubisoft game on Steam that skips the second launcher and second login.
- Title: Ubisoft Connect finally gets out of the way · PCMAG | Shortify
- Summary: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the first Ubisoft game on Steam that skips the second launcher and second login. Ubisoft is unbundling its launcher from…
- Keywords: ubisoft, steam, pc gaming, game launchers, prince of persia, technology, Connect, finally, gets, way, PCMAG
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/rip-ubisoft-connect-new-tool-replaces-game-launcher-only-on-1-game-to-start
- Author: Jon Martindale
- Published: 2026-09-11T15:11:34+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ubisoft, steam, pc gaming, game launchers, prince of persia, technology
## One less launcher to open
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the first Ubisoft game on Steam that does not need the Ubisoft Connect launcher. A background tool called Ubisoft Connect Services takes its place.
## The features still come along
Cross-progression, cross-play, player safety, challenges and rewards all keep working. Ubisoft split the services from the app you had to log into.

> without requiring the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher to be installed or launched
## Ubisoft calls it step one
The company frames this as a first version and says it will keep iterating. Read that as: more games should follow if this one goes well.

> This first version is an initial step toward a smoother and more streamlined launch experience on Steam
## Nobody loved the middleman
Ubisoft Connect, the EA app, even the well-liked GoG Galaxy. Almost nobody opens a second client by choice just to reach a different shelf of games.

> You can use Ubisoft Connect to launch your games... but if you tell me you do, I'd think you a liar.
## Steam Machine is the real target
Handhelds and Steam Machine run games through Proton, where extra login layers break things. Killing the second client makes Ubisoft games work there and cuts support tickets.
## Steam comments went positive
The announcement thread is almost all praise, with some players saying they will buy Ubisoft games again. Goodwill is something Ubisoft has been short on lately.
## The catch nobody fixed
The Connect service underneath is unchanged, so family sharing may still misbehave and single-player games will likely still want an internet connection.
## Key takeaway

Ubisoft is unbundling its launcher from its services, so Steam players get cross-progression without a second app, though the online requirement probably stays.