If you are planning to play Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Steam, good news: You will not need to install Ubisoft Connect separately to launch the game! Ubisoft confirmed this detail during a recent PC-focused Q&A, and it is a welcome change for us players who prefer to keep things simple.
Instead, a lightweight version of Ubisoft Connect is embedded directly into the Steam installation, meaning no extra downloads or launchers are needed. You will still need to link your Ubisoft account the first time you play, but once that is done, you are good to go. It is a simple and seamless, one-time setup.
This integration also supports cross-save and cross-progression, giving players flexibility across platforms. And of course, you will still benefit from Ubisoft’s global loyalty program, including exclusive discounts and bonus rewards.
More PC Feature Highlights You Should Know
Next to this welcome Steam change, Ubisoft also shared a few other important takeaways in the PC & new-gen features Q&A:
- Scalable Graphics Settings
5 graphical presets (Low to Ultra High)
3 Ray Tracing modes: Hideout-only, Global Illumination, Full GI + Reflections - Upscaling Tech Support
DLSS 3.7, FSR 3.1, XeSS 2, and frame generation are fully supported
Mix and match technologies as you prefer - In-Game Benchmark & Performance Overlay
Test your rig with a built-in benchmark tool
Real-time performance overlay shows FPS, GPU usage, and more - Custom Software Ray Tracing for Older GPUs
GTX 1070 and other pre-RTX cards are still supported
Ubisoft developed a proprietary fallback system to keep Shadows accessible - Dynamic Weather and Seasons That Affect Gameplay
Rain muffles your footsteps, winter removes hiding spots, snow affects movement
Environmental effects now have actual gameplay impact
Ubisoft’s approach to scalability and accessibility in Assassin’s Creed Shadows is already looking like it is going to be one of the best in the series so far. And for many PC players, being able to launch directly from Steam without a second launcher is a huge win!
Keep an eye out for more news as we get closer to release. For deeper details, check out Ubisoft’s full PC tech Q&A thread on Reddit below.
TL;DR – Quick Recap
- Ubisoft Connect launcher not required on Steam
- One-time account link, no second launcher needed
- Cross-save, rewards, and progression still included
- Full support for DLSS 3.7, FSR 3.1, XeSS 2, Ray Tracing, and Benchmarks
- Dynamic weather/seasons affect gameplay
- Minimum specs include GTX 1070 (non-RTX supported)