Ubisoft games on Steam may soon no longer require the pesky Connect launcher, according to an announcement post that's weirdly tough to pin down

Ubisoft reportedly intends to test a novel tool that will enable Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown players on Steam to utilize features typically accessible through the publisher's Connect launcher without needing to install or launch the launcher itself. This announcement surfaced on Steam, but appears to be visible only to owners of The Lost Crown on Valve's platform.

According to a Reddit version of the post, Ubisoft is implementing a new Ubisoft Connect Services Steam tool that will maintain game features like cross-progression, cross-play, player safety, challenges and rewards, among others, without necessitating the Ubisoft Connect PC launcher's installation or launch. The initial step is aimed at streamlining the launch experience on Steam, with further refinements planned to enhance the Ubisoft Connect Services and make the Steam experience as seamless as possible.

Ubisoft plans to gradually roll out these improvements to more of its games on Steam in the future. If this tool is eventually applied to Ubisoft's entire lineup, it would eliminate a persistent inconvenience. Many publishers have their own PC launchers, which often irritate players who prefer not to deal with additional steps to play games they've purchased on a different platform. While it's unusual for Ubisoft to downplay such a development, it could be a significant PR victory.