Steam has always been the go-to video game storefront for PC gamers ever since its launch and it has now become the largest and most reliable store for PC gamers. However, recently, more and more gaming companies have started to launch their own storefront and launchers. In the same manner, Ubisoft has also launched its alternative to Steam called “Ubisoft Connect”.
In terms of raw game library Steam wins easily as it offers multiple AAA games from many other developers while Ubisoft Connect only has games by Ubisoft. However, it cannot be decided for sure which store is better than the other as it depends on the user and their needs
Read on for a thorough look at both launchers.
What is Steam?
Steam is a digital distribution platform tailored to gamers and game developers. While it initially catered to PC games, the platform soon expanded its availability to home video game consoles such as the Xbox and Sony PlayStation.
In Steam, gamers can log in to the website to conveniently purchase and play games online, a better alternative to buying physical copies of the games and manually downloading them on the computer.
Steam is also a convenient platform for game developers, whether for huge gaming companies or small indie creators. Any developer can partner up with Steam to add their games to the platform, as well as easily engage and inform the gaming community through a store page.
If game developers wish to update or fix their game, they can use Steam to release “game patches” for players to download. This allows game developers to improve their games without enforcing a recall of their product.
Steam was created in 2003 by the same company that created video game juggernauts such as the Half-Life series, Left4Dead, and Counter-Strike. In an article written by Kotaku, the platform was developed in 2002 when Valve needed a platform where they can easily update their multiplayer games.
What is Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft Connect is the ecosystem of player services for Ubisoft games across all platforms. It aims at giving the best environment for all players to enjoy their games and connect with each other whatever the device.
Ubisoft Connect is a free service available on all devices. You can access it on your PC, through a mobile app, or on the console directly from your games. All you need to log in is a Ubisoft Account.
Whether you play on PC or console, you’ll be part of a global network of Ubisoft players with access to all the same services. Regular updates will provide you with more ways to interact with an ever-growing community.
The Uplay reward system was first introduced alongside the release of Assassin’s Creed II on 17 November 2009. The Uplay reward system allowed players to connect with other gamers, and to earn rewards based on achievements (called “Actions”) in Uplay-enabled games.
On October 27th, 2020, Ubisoft changed Uplay’s name to Ubisoft Connect from Uplay.
Does Ubisoft Work In Unison With Steam?
It is in fact true that Ubisoft and Steam work together and have been for quite some time now even though Ubisoft has its own launcher and store where they sell its own games.
Ubisoft instead of making their games exclusive to their own platform made them also available to buy on steam.
However, even when you buy these games from Steam there is a process in which they link the steam account directly to the Ubisoft Connect account or Uplay account, and your game is then bought through Ubisoft Connect anyways.
Ubisoft Removing Games And DLC from Steam
Ubisoft announced that close to one hundred games would see their online services shut down by 1 September this year. These titles include older games such as Just Dance, Far Cry 2, and older Splinter Cell games.
While it is completely normal to delist games from online servers after they are no longer played by gamers, Ubisoft is taking new steps to remove games from Steam.
Players reported that a handful of Ubisoft titles on Steam included a shutdown notice claiming that from 1st September this year, owners would no longer be able to access the game. We are talking about these games being completely delisted from your account even if you purchased them in the first place.
While at first users thought the issue was simply related to Assassin’s Creed: Liberation, that wasn’t the case. Other Ubisoft games including Silent Hunter 5, Prince of Persia, and Splinter Cell also showed this message.
It read: At the request of the publisher, Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD is no longer available for sale on Steam. Please note this title will not be accessible following September 1st, 2022.
Once users caught onto the issue, they immediately hit back at Ubisoft and began review-bombing these games with negative comments regarding the game’s removal from Steam.
The thought of losing access to your purchases and DLC definitely got everyone hot and bothered. However, it seems that the situation wasn’t as bad as everyone thought and Ubisoft is really to blame for this outburst.
Ubisoft released a statement soon after the issue went viral online. The company claims that, sadly, the games listed on Steam with the notices will no longer be available to purchase on the platform.
The good news is that gamers who already own any of these titles will still be able to play them regardless of them being removed from the marketplace. So while you can’t buy these games, you can still play them at least.
Conclusion
For a long while, Ubisoft and Steam operated together, but recently, Ubisoft has begun removing its games from Steam and is planning to shut down online services for many of its games. It is impossible to say which store is superior to the other because it is dependent on the person and their demands.
We hope the comparison above gave you the information you need to know to decide which launcher is better for you.
