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Will Ubisoft Games Be on Steam? A Comprehensive Guide

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Yes, Ubisoft games are returning to Steam. After a period of focusing on the Epic Games Store and its own Ubisoft Connect platform, Ubisoft has confirmed that it will once again be releasing some of its titles on Valve’s PC marketplace. This move marks a significant shift in Ubisoft’s distribution strategy and brings their games to a wider audience on Steam. While not every Ubisoft title is available on Steam, and some older games have been removed, the trend is clearly towards a broader presence on the platform.

Ubisoft’s Journey Back to Steam

The Initial Departure

For several years, beginning in early 2019, Ubisoft strategically moved its new PC game releases away from Steam. The primary focus shifted to the Epic Games Store and Ubisoft’s own Ubisoft Connect platform. This decision, as stated by a Ubisoft spokesperson, was a business decision aimed at supporting Epic’s third-party distribution model and to benefit both large and indie publishers. This move left many Steam users without access to Ubisoft’s latest titles upon their initial launch.

The Return

Fast forward to recent times, and Ubisoft has changed its course. They have confirmed that some of their recent PC releases will be making their way to Steam. This re-integration includes some of Ubisoft’s bigger recent releases, like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, which debuted on Steam in December of 2022, coinciding with its final content update, and Far Cry 6, which was released on Steam in May 2023.

This return is a welcome change for many Steam users and signals a more flexible approach by Ubisoft regarding distribution. It suggests a recognition of the broad reach and user base that Steam offers.

Key Games on Steam

Several significant Ubisoft titles have been released or are coming to Steam, including:

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla: The popular action RPG joined Steam in December 2022.
Far Cry 6: The open-world shooter is available on Steam since May 2023.
Riders Republic: The multiplayer extreme sports game is available on Steam.
Rainbow Six Extraction: The cooperative tactical shooter is available on Steam.
Monopoly Madness: The digital board game is available on Steam.

These titles represent a substantial portion of Ubisoft’s recent catalogue, and suggest a continuing trend of releases on Steam.

Technicalities and Ownership

How It Works

When launching a Ubisoft game purchased on Steam, the process is generally seamless. Typically, Steam will launch alongside the game, provided you are logged into the correct account. If the Steam account you are logged into does not match the account that purchased the game, you will be redirected to the game’s store page on Steam, indicating you need to launch the game under the purchasing Steam account.

Ubisoft Connect

It’s also important to note that Ubisoft Connect and a Ubisoft Account are required to play Ubisoft games on Steam, and that saves are synched across platforms through this service. This connection ensures that your progress is saved and available no matter where you play and is also essential for proper verification of ownership. Additionally, DLC purchased on Steam will not be compatible with base games owned through Ubisoft Connect, and vice-versa.

Cross-Progression

Ubisoft has enabled cross-progression for many of their titles. For example, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla supports cross-progression between all platforms. This means your save game is automatically uploaded to the cloud when you save, allowing you to pick up where you left off on different platforms. However, it’s important to check that this feature is supported for any specific title.

Games Removed from Steam

While many Ubisoft titles are returning to Steam, it’s also worth noting that some games have been removed from the platform, such as:

Anno 2070
Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD
Silent Hunter 5: Battle of the Atlantic
Space Junkies
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag

These removals often relate to technical issues, expired licenses, or a shift in distribution strategies. For example, Anno 1800 was pulled from Steam at the publisher’s request due to an exclusivity deal with Epic.

The Future of Ubisoft on Steam

Ubisoft’s return to Steam signals a positive shift for PC gamers. While some games may have been lost from the platform, the trend appears to be a broader integration with Steam. This means that fans will have more options when purchasing Ubisoft games, and that more titles are likely to make their way to Steam in the future. Whether all new releases will appear on Steam is yet to be seen, but, in the meantime, the presence of key titles like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6 makes a huge difference for users of the platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the situation regarding Ubisoft games on Steam:

Why did Ubisoft initially remove their games from Steam?
Ubisoft’s spokesperson stated that it was a business decision to focus on the Epic Games Store and their own Ubisoft Store. This move was seen as beneficial for both large and indie publishers in the long term.
Can I move a Ubisoft game I own on Steam to Ubisoft Connect?
No, transferring games from Steam to Ubisoft Connect and vice versa is impossible. However, a game purchased on Steam will be automatically activated on Ubisoft Connect.
If I buy a Ubisoft game on Steam, do I still need a Ubisoft account?
Yes, a Ubisoft account and Ubisoft Connect are required to play Ubisoft games purchased on Steam.
Why was Anno 1800 removed from Steam?
Anno 1800 was removed at the publisher’s request due to an exclusivity deal with the Epic Games Store.
Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla free on Steam?
No, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is not free on Steam. However, there are sometimes offers and subscription services where it might be available as a temporary download. The game Legends of Valhalla is F2P.
Can I buy DLC for a Ubisoft game on Steam if I own the base game on Ubisoft Connect?
No, DLC purchased on Steam will not work with base games owned through Ubisoft Connect, and vice versa, due to client incompatibilities.
Why was Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag removed from Steam?
Ubisoft confirmed that Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag was removed from purchase on Steam due to a “technical issue.” It was not removed due to plans to remaster the game.
Do I need to link my Steam account to Ubisoft?
A Steam purchased Ubisoft game is automatically linked to Ubisoft connect, and will require that the user be logged into Steam to play.
Can I play Assassin’s Creed Mirage on Steam?
Assassin’s Creed Mirage is not officially available on Steam. However, you can play it via Epic Games Store or Ubisoft Connect, and those versions are playable on Steam Deck, albeit at lower resolution.
Will all Ubisoft games eventually come back to Steam?
While there are no guarantees, the trend is moving towards a more significant presence of Ubisoft games on Steam. It is not certain if all Ubisoft titles will return.
What happens if I play a Steam Ubisoft game while logged into the wrong Steam account?
If your Steam account is not the same one you purchased the game on, you will be redirected to the game’s store page on Steam.
Why is Ubisoft shutting down some older game servers?
Ubisoft, like many publishers, shuts down servers for older games as their player counts decrease, making it economically unsustainable to keep them running.
Can I pirate DLC for a Steam game that I own?
No, pirated DLC will not work on Steam. Steam will detect cracked DLC and prevent you from playing the game.
Is Assassin’s Creed Valhalla still available on PS Plus?
No, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla was removed from the PS Plus Extra and PS Plus Premium libraries on December 20th.
Are Ubisoft games permanent if I have them through a subscription service?
No, games accessed through Ubisoft+ become unavailable when your subscription ends. You must purchase the games to have permanent access.