Ubisoft’s Return to Steam: A Rollercoaster Romance
Yes, Ubisoft is back on Steam, marking the end of a three-year hiatus that left many PC gamers scratching their heads. After a period of exclusivity on its own Ubisoft Connect platform and the Epic Games Store, the French gaming giant has started re-releasing its titles on Valve’s storefront. This isn’t a full fire sale of their entire back catalog all at once, but a strategic re-engagement. Let’s unpack the factors behind this fluctuating relationship and what it means for gamers.
The Breakup: Why Ubisoft Left Steam
In 2019, Ubisoft, following the example of companies like EA with Origin and Activision-Blizzard with Battle.net, decided to pull its newly published titles from Steam. The primary motivator was economic: the Epic Games Store offered a significantly more attractive revenue split, taking only a 12% cut compared to Steam’s 30%. For a publisher the size of Ubisoft, this difference translates into millions of dollars in increased profits. It was also an attempt to drive traffic and usage to Ubisoft Connect, their own PC gaming platform, giving them complete control over distribution and a direct line to their player base.
The Rise of Ubisoft Connect and Epic’s Enticements
The allure of a larger piece of the revenue pie, coupled with the desire to build a strong ecosystem around Ubisoft Connect, proved too tempting to resist. Exclusivity deals with Epic Games further sweetened the pot, ensuring that newer titles like Far Cry 6 were initially unavailable on Steam. This created a fractured PC gaming landscape, requiring players to manage multiple launchers and storefronts to access their favorite games.
The Reconciliation: Why Ubisoft Returned
So, what prompted Ubisoft to reconsider its Steam-free strategy? Several factors likely played a role.
Reaching a Wider Audience
Despite the economic advantages of exclusivity, Ubisoft undoubtedly lost access to a massive segment of the PC gaming market. Steam remains the dominant platform, boasting a vast user base and a powerful network effect. Returning to Steam allows Ubisoft to reach players who might have been unwilling or unable to use other platforms.
The Steam Deck Factor
The success of Valve’s Steam Deck may have been a crucial catalyst. The Steam Deck is designed around the Steam ecosystem. Having games available through Steam makes them instantly accessible and playable on this popular handheld PC. This is a big market.
The Importance of a Unified Ecosystem
While Ubisoft Connect is a solid platform, it hasn’t achieved the same level of widespread adoption as Steam. Returning to Steam allows Ubisoft to integrate its games into a more unified PC gaming ecosystem, making them more visible and accessible to a wider range of players.
Evolving Market Dynamics
The digital distribution landscape is constantly evolving. The revenue splits offered by various platforms, the preferences of gamers, and the overall business strategies of publishers are all subject to change. Ubisoft’s return to Steam suggests that they are constantly evaluating their options and adapting to the evolving market dynamics.
What Games are Back on Steam?
The first wave of Ubisoft games to return to Steam included Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Anno 1800. Since then, titles like Far Cry 6, Rainbow Six Extraction, and Riders Republic have also made their way to Steam. It’s a mix of recent releases and older titles, indicating that Ubisoft is testing the waters and gauging player interest before fully committing to bringing its entire catalog back to Steam.
What Does This Mean for Gamers?
Ubisoft’s return to Steam is generally good news for gamers. It means more choice, more convenience, and easier access to a wider range of games. However, it’s important to remember that Ubisoft is still maintaining Ubisoft Connect, and some games may still be exclusive to that platform or the Epic Games Store. The situation remains fluid, and gamers will need to stay informed about the availability of specific titles on different platforms.
Ultimately, Ubisoft’s relationship with Steam is driven by business considerations. They are constantly evaluating the best way to reach their audience and maximize profits. While the return to Steam suggests a more open and inclusive approach, it’s likely that Ubisoft will continue to experiment with different distribution strategies in the future. It’s up to gamers to vote with their wallets and support the platforms and games that they value most.
To learn more about the broader trends shaping the gaming industry and its impact on education, be sure to check out the work of organizations like the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Ubisoft permanently back on Steam?
While there is no 100% guarantee, Ubisoft has shown a clear willingness to return to Steam. It is likely that many of their future games will be released on the platform, although some titles may still remain exclusive to Ubisoft Connect or the Epic Games Store for strategic reasons.
2. Will all Ubisoft games eventually come to Steam?
It’s unlikely that every single Ubisoft game ever made will be released on Steam. Some older titles may be deemed too niche or commercially unviable to warrant the effort of porting them to the platform. However, it’s reasonable to expect that a significant portion of their back catalog will eventually make its way to Steam.
3. Can I transfer my Ubisoft games from Ubisoft Connect to Steam?
Unfortunately, you cannot directly transfer games purchased on Ubisoft Connect to Steam. They are two separate platforms with their own licensing and ownership systems. You would need to repurchase the game on Steam if you want to play it through that platform.
4. Why is Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag not available on Steam?
According to Ubisoft, Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag is currently unavailable on Steam due to a “technical issue”. The company has denied that this is related to any potential remake or remaster of the game. The hope is that it will return in the future.
5. Will Far Cry 6 be free on Steam?
While Far Cry 6 has been offered as a free trial on various platforms, including Ubisoft Connect, there’s no guarantee that it will be permanently free on Steam. Keep an eye out for promotions and limited-time offers.
6. Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla cross-platform?
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla supports cross-progression between all platforms, including Steam. This means that you can continue your game progress on different platforms seamlessly.
7. Why was Far Cry 6 initially an Epic Games exclusive?
Far Cry 6 was initially exclusive to the Epic Games Store due to a deal between Ubisoft and Epic, which involved a favorable revenue split for Ubisoft.
8. What is Ubisoft Connect?
Ubisoft Connect is Ubisoft’s own PC gaming platform, similar to Steam and Epic Games Store. It allows players to purchase, download, and play Ubisoft games, as well as access various features such as cloud saves, rewards, and social features.
9. How do I activate a Ubisoft game on Steam?
To activate a Ubisoft game on Steam, you need to obtain a valid product key. Then, open Steam, go to the “Games” menu, select “Activate a Product on Steam,” and enter the product key.
10. What are the best Assassin’s Creed games?
There are many fan-favorite Assassin’s Creed titles, but some of the most highly regarded include Assassin’s Creed 2, Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag, Assassin’s Creed Origins, and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
11. What happens to games Ubisoft removes from Steam?
When Ubisoft removes a game from Steam, it is no longer available for purchase on the platform. However, players who already own the game can usually still download and play it.
12. Why did Ubisoft cancel Ghost Recon Frontline?
Ubisoft canceled Ghost Recon Frontline because it was entering the battle royale genre too late, and the market had become saturated.
13. Is Far Cry 6 ever ending?
Though credits often signify the ending of a story, Far Cry 6’s narrative continues after the credits roll, with a mysterious conversation between Juan and a character called “Smuggler”.
14. Are Ubisoft games cheaper on Ubisoft Connect?
The price of Ubisoft games can vary depending on the platform and any ongoing promotions. It’s always a good idea to compare prices on Steam, Ubisoft Connect, and other retailers before making a purchase.
15. Will the Games Learning Society cover more Ubisoft games?
The GamesLearningSociety.org focuses on the intersection of games and learning. While they might not explicitly cover specific Ubisoft games, they are likely to explore how Ubisoft’s titles contribute to the broader understanding of game-based learning and its impact on education.