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Ubisoft ditching Steam for Uplay?

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No ubi on steam

If there’s one thing PC gamers hate, it Uplay. Console gamers also aren’t too fond of Ubisoft’s DRM distribution service, but it’s far, far worse for PC gamers, resulting in broken games and horrible experiences. Now Ubisoft is pulling some new releases from the UK’s Steam client – could this be a sign of things to come?

Speaking to PCGamesN (thanks VG247), and Ubisoft rep explained that Ubisoft’s new games aren’t available on Steam in the UK, but customers can purchase the game by visiting the Uplay store.

We’ve been in discussions with Valve about Assassin’s Creed Unity but for the time being the game is not available via Steam in the UK.

The same goes for Far Cry 4 and The Crew. Rest assured – the rest of the world isn’t included in this, it’s just the UK. It’s presumed that this is an issue about pricing; Ubisoft has set the price of the game on PC at £50, a price tag that’s rather steep compared to other games available on Steam. Because it’s limited to the UK, it makes sense for it to be a pound specific problem. However, it worries me for the future.

If Ubisoft is willing to do this in the UK, could this be a sign of things to come in the future? Will they move away from Steam as a platform in general, pushing for only Uplay support, much like EA with Origin? With so many PC gamers worshipping at the altar of GabeN, I’m not sure that this would be a wise move. I doubt GoG would partner with them considering their strong no-DRM stance, which would leave Ubisoft needing to publish and distribute their PC games themselves.

Would you still play Ubisoft games on PC if you had to use Uplay to get them? Uplay is already the reason many PC gamers are avoiding Ubisoft’s titles, but cutting out Steam might just drive them completely away.

Last Updated: November 6, 2014

65 Comments

  1. RinceThis

    November 6, 2014 at 17:11

    Eish. I cast Ryanza!

    Reply

    • Jedi Consular Kromas

      November 6, 2014 at 17:46

      You got some lag? The spell seems to not have been cast yet. 😛

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        November 6, 2014 at 18:22

        He must be casting through Uplay.

        Reply

    • Ryanza

      November 6, 2014 at 19:22

      These are the type of articles I love to comment on. Some logic, sense, alternative thinking, and some fucking craziness.

      But it’s not worth it anymore. So don’t expect the true Ryanza comments.

      Ryanza casts Quen.

      Reply

  2. Quo Vadis?

    November 6, 2014 at 17:19

    DLC. DRM. I give up!

    Reply

  3. Viking Of Divinity

    November 6, 2014 at 17:20

    Well, They are trying to be like EA, so… yeah…. not surprised.

    Reply

    • SuperBeautifulNoise .

      November 8, 2014 at 01:40

      They are now worse then EA!

      Reply

  4. Jedi Consular Kromas

    November 6, 2014 at 17:20

    Pulling your games from Steam = Massive dropped sales.

    Good job Ubisoft.

    As a side note I hope Valve buys some of their IP’s when they go under.

    Reply

    • Mark Treloar

      November 6, 2014 at 17:41

      Problem is like EA enough fan-boys will continue to buy their products keeping them in business. So many people will tell you how they hate EA but will sacrifice and install Origin for their favorite IP.

      Reply

      • Jedi Consular Kromas

        November 6, 2014 at 17:44

        I tend to disagree. EA did pull quite a few stunts back in the day but you can’t even bad-mouth Origin anymore. Their system works and they are making amends for their faults. Things might change but so far EA has been trying hard not too look like a piece of trash anymore. Ubisoft however is just one bad practice after the other Starting with that horrible piece of crap called StarForce.

        Still Steam is the best. Keep it up Valve.

        Reply

        • Mark Treloar

          November 6, 2014 at 17:58

          Too many people will endure UdontPlay for titles like Far Cry 4 and Assassins Creed for them to fail.

          Reply

          • z1n

            November 7, 2014 at 11:05

            Perhaps. Personally, I will pirate this instead of buying through UPlay. So that’s one less sale at least. I think this has different implications for Console/PC. I’ll even buy it through Steam and would be happy to pay a little more if they had that option.

      • Christopher

        November 8, 2014 at 13:10

        It’s true, i held out for a long time but I was weak, I’m so ashamed of it. ???? I downloaded Origin for mass effect!

        Reply

    • Neox

      November 6, 2014 at 23:45

      Valve never bought big IP’s.
      Why should they now?

      Reply

  5. Jean-Pierre Jp Matthee

    November 6, 2014 at 17:24

    :/ and here i was thinking of upgrading my pc to handle AC Unity and now this… not so sure anymore…

    Reply

    • Jedi Consular Kromas

      November 6, 2014 at 17:45

      Don’t worry you can use your upgrade for Evolve/DA or Witcher now 😛

      Reply

  6. Matewis Jubilai

    November 6, 2014 at 17:31

    Hate UPlay, hate it! When I bought anno2070 I wasted two days trying to install two mandatory 500mg patches through UPlay. I had to manually download and install the patches from fileplanet to get the game running. I thought that it had to do with my meagre 384kb shaped adsl line. Do the people with less pathetic connections also have problems with UPlay?

    Reply

    • Zander Boshoff

      November 6, 2014 at 20:28

      I just wanted to play the single player on Splintercell blacklist. UnoPlay gave me so much issues that i just ended up cracking it and all the problems went away.

      Reply

      • Matewis Jubilai

        November 6, 2014 at 20:44

        If you don’t mind me asking, what sort of issues? Problems connecting/logging in/downloading? What type of connection did you have?

        Reply

        • Zander Boshoff

          November 6, 2014 at 20:50

          Registered and logged in easily enough. Then it wanted to update before i could play. I use 3G so cap is very limited but I’m willing to buy extra if its really needed but anyway the game starts updating and its in bytes so i didn’t really know how big it was. After a while my cap ran out. Bought more and then the update started from scratch. I then bought more cap and downloaded the update manually which just crashed when i tried to run it. At this point i was annoyed and just cracked it.

          Reply

          • Matewis Jubilai

            November 7, 2014 at 00:17

            Ah I see, that is why I really like steam. It allows me without complaint to pause downloads. It’s as if these people don’t want to acknowledge that there are people out there without connections fast enough to download any update in under an hour. I had the same problem with Battlenet (WoW) and with GFWL. At least with Battlenet I could easily get WoW working with manually downloaded game files.

  7. Mark Treloar

    November 6, 2014 at 17:36

    Ironically Steam may very well be the reason why this is happening. Their success as a digital platform and distributors only highlights the popularity of the medium. So why pay fees to steam to do the same thing you can do, while maintaining the same cost per game. Extra money in your pocket, by cutting out the middleman.

    Reply

  8. Hammersteyn

    November 6, 2014 at 18:26

    Everything is better on PC, well except ported games that needs Uplay to work. So almost everything then.

    Reply

  9. Ceyber, Hans

    November 6, 2014 at 18:49

    Witcher 3: 16 FREE DLC’s to be released! Goddammit I love CDPR.

    http://thewitcher.com/news/view/867

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 6, 2014 at 18:56

      I just read that. It makes me glad I supported them. CDPR & GOG are the boss.

      Reply

      • Ryanza

        November 6, 2014 at 19:04

        Day 1 DLC for the witcher 3 – not a good sign.

        Horse armor DLC – are you fucking kidding me.

        Day 1 dlc and dlc released every week after that = all that shit should have been in the game in the 1st place.

        News like this is not good news. Sorry to say.

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          November 6, 2014 at 19:39

          You left out one little fact… all free.

          Reply

          • Ceyber, Hans

            November 6, 2014 at 19:52

            Thanks. Didn’t think I had to point that out!

          • Ryanza

            November 6, 2014 at 19:57

            Free or not. Day 1 dlc promotes something much more sinister. And announcing these DLC’s now long before the game has gone gold, makes me wonder.

            I would rather have had an expansion pack released that could have been sold in retail than free DLC for internet users.

            These stupid DLC’s should be in the final game not DLC.

          • Ceyber, Hans

            November 6, 2014 at 20:09

            *sigh*
            Again with the cynical attitude…
            So you’d rather pay for something you can get for free? Hmm… cut off your nose much?

            Did you stop for a second and think maybe they’re taking a stab at industry counterparts and competitors? That they might be releasing FREE DLC to poke EA and Ubi’s ribs?
            Maybe they’re making a point of how bad the industry has become?

            Seeing the silver lining means you get to see the hidden message, which in this case is a hard-working developer yet again giving the big guys the finger.

            But no, your fog of negativity blocks out any light AND observation potential.

          • Ryanza

            November 7, 2014 at 08:13

            I have not even began to lay down a Ryanza comment. I don’t do that anymore.

            Expansions and DLC are two different things and yes I would pay for witcher expansion packs.

            The real logical reason that there is free dlc on launch day is because they need to push Galaxy client on people.

            So just because i say a half a thing. Doesn’t mean I don’t know the whole picture.

          • Ryanza

            November 7, 2014 at 08:17

            and flower child hippie much.

          • Ceyber, Hans

            November 7, 2014 at 08:38

            Everything I’ve said to you has been aimed at opening up what you have to say to debate. I’ve challenged your thinking in a mature way and you get defensive. It’s hypocritical to appeal to people about DRM but then disregard any other opinion on the matter. As for the Galaxy client nonsense, read this:

            “Q: What do I have to do to receive the 16 free DLCs?
            A:
            The only thing you need to do to receive the 16 DLCs is purchase The
            Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. All of the DLCs will be available for free on
            every platform (i.e. Xbox One, PC, and PlayStation 4)…and is applicable to all versions (digital or physical, standard or Collector’s)”

            Did you just say Expansion and DLC are different?? So if I wrap DLC up in a physical box does that make it okay? I understand what you’re trying to say, but putting expansion DLC and horse armor DLC under the same umbrella is just a factual symptom of industry capitalism. Deal with it.

            Keep making nonsensical comments and I’ll “flower child hippie” the fuck out of them because you’re say something shortsighted, and I’m trying to be nice so I beat around the hippie bush a bit. Again and for the last time, not once have I said you don’t know anything, get that massive chip on your shoulder sorted.

          • Ryanza

            November 7, 2014 at 08:51

            I don’t debate anymore. I couldn’t care any less anymore.

            It’s funny that I did anti DRM comments, anti EA and Ubisoft comments, anti Call of Duty comments and anti Xbox One comments. I will say anything damn thing to make a comment.

            If you want sense and logic and flower power. Best not to look for them with me. Other people do comment on here as well. But I get trolled. easy target. label and judge. fuck it. im not interested in this shit anymore.

            go look for your debate elsewhere.

          • Ceyber, Hans

            November 7, 2014 at 09:14

            Yes I want sense and logic. Flower power is optional for cynics like you. And not every comment has to be crazy funny nonsense that makes people laugh.
            Your “oh woe is me” attitude and the fact that you can’t reply in a constructive way show a lot. You replied to MY comment here, not the other way round. As much as you’d like it to be the case, I haven’t trolled you or labelled you.

            I’m not saying you haven’t had to endure being judged and labelled. But this is the internet and it kinda goes with the territory. You gave the DRM label to yourself, grow up and wear it. I can’t promise I won’t debate but I promise there’ll be no more “hippie”. You kinda don’t deserve the effort.

            We’re done here.

          • Ryanza

            November 7, 2014 at 09:23

            attack the person not the topic.

            I don’t think I have ever replied in a constructive way. And looking for that from me, oh woe is me.

          • Ceyber, Hans

            November 7, 2014 at 09:31

            Then don’t go all cry-baby when I challenge something you have to say.
            Don’t say you won’t comment when you will comment.
            And don’t be a smart-ass when the smart part comes from the person you’re trying to be an ass to.

          • Ryanza

            November 7, 2014 at 09:34

            When I say I am not commenting. I am talking about the normal way in which I comment.

            So please give up. make some1 else your mission.

          • Ceyber, Hans

            November 7, 2014 at 09:58

          • Brady miaau

            November 6, 2014 at 21:56

            No, I think you are looking at this wrong. Just because you have something planned for the future, does not mean it can fit in the timescale for the product release. And remember, the product must be finalised sometime before it is finally released to us, the unsuspecting public

            We do this sort of thing all the time (development of any sort of product,, kettles, knifes, software), have a release but still knowing what is coming next, a bit of planning and a bit of crystal ball gazing. Always enhance your product, no complacency. I like it.

          • DM

            November 7, 2014 at 01:08

            Its FREE you fool, FREE, as in COSTS NOTHING…and its on the same day you can start playing it.
            Fuck me some people are fucking sad.

          • Ryanza

            November 7, 2014 at 08:15

            You sir seems like a person who would pump drugs into your veins just because it’s free. Try it out by the nearest dealer. The first hit is always free.

      • Ceyber, Hans

        November 6, 2014 at 19:09

        Same here. It’s odd, I’ve adjusted to digital shopping pretty well thanks to Steam yet I always get box copies of the games that really resonate with me… maybe it’s the tangible satisfaction that comes with having the product in my hands. Witcher 3 will definitely be one of those for me.

        Reply

    • Ghost In The Rift

      November 7, 2014 at 08:32

      I belive CDPR is for the gamers,not the gaming monopoly,they still understand what a gamer needs,the witcher 3 is gonna be epic,dont care about the hype train,makes you wonder what they gonna do with cyberpunk 2077!!

      Reply

      • Ceyber, Hans

        November 7, 2014 at 08:44

        Do we have to talk about Cyberpunk?

        My body can’t handle the hype 🙁

        Reply

  10. Alien Emperor Trevor

    November 6, 2014 at 18:58

    Sure go ahead & do that if you want to, and I won’t buy any more of your games. Although I don’t think that’s what they’re going to do.

    Reply

  11. icedragon15

    November 6, 2014 at 19:00

    they be stupid enough because they lose their sale

    Reply

  12. BacchusZA

    November 6, 2014 at 20:36

    You’re already forced to use uPlay, no matter where you buy an Ubisoft title from, Steam, brick&mortar or uPlay directly.

    So all they’re doing if they move away from Steam is making it even easier for me to not buy or even take notice of Ubisoft titles in futre.

    **Slowclap

    Reply

  13. UltimateNinjaPandaDudeGuy

    November 6, 2014 at 21:16

    Can’t seem to find Far Cry 4 and AC Unity on Steam… Only the Season pass… They are in my wishlist, but redirect to the home page. I think it might already be happening? o.O

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      November 6, 2014 at 23:10

      Yip, same thing with me.

      Reply

  14. Brady miaau

    November 6, 2014 at 22:01

    likely a business driven rather than a technical decision.

    Perhaps they did not want to give Steam a slice of the sales pie? Figured with marques like Assasins creed and so forth, they could attract punters to their site instead of Steam. Is it wise, for the Ubisoft Shareholders? I am not convinced? Is is good for the gamers? Bloody well convinced it is not. Steam is not quite the evil overlord here (I think, but what do we actually know about how big the slice is they take from AAA games?)

    Reply

  15. FollowTheORI

    November 6, 2014 at 22:13

    At this moment it seems worldwide, not just UK. 🙂

    Reply

  16. Letoile

    November 6, 2014 at 22:49

    all of these games have been pulled off the US store as well

    Reply

  17. Randy_Thompson

    November 6, 2014 at 23:55

    I’m not usually too interested in Ubisoft’s titles in general, but there are a few I dig. Having to go to another service would completely talk me out of considering a purchase. If they don’t want my money, they don’t have to have it. Lost sales across the board from me.

    Reply

  18. SteamPlayer

    November 7, 2014 at 06:39

    WTF!!??? I preordered assassin’s creed unity on steam and now they removed it!!!

    Reply

  19. L337J1MB0B

    November 7, 2014 at 07:54

    They probably got sick of their games being devalued like crazy… can’t blame them really.

    Reply

  20. loftie

    November 7, 2014 at 08:03

    well, now they cant take my money. :/

    Reply

    • Brady miaau

      November 7, 2014 at 10:16

      I believe, and I could be wrong, that you have to give them money, they do not take it

      Reply

      • loftie

        November 7, 2014 at 11:56

        lol! 5stars man 😛

        Reply

  21. Straye

    November 9, 2014 at 01:21

    The majority of people on steam waits for $5 dollar sales before buying games so it’s not like they’re losing much.

    Reply

  22. Donutz

    November 9, 2014 at 08:24

    If they got rid of Uplay, all games would probably work 100% without any problems. I was looking for a game yesterday, thought I try the “new” SC Blacklist. Bought it, downloaded it, installed it. Played it. Went to sleep. Wanted to play a bit before doing groceries etc… Guess what, doesn’t work anymore. It started with the autopatcher that didn’t do what it was supposed to do.. Patch. After that, Uplay thought it would be funny to not let me get into online mode and just randomly crash. After that, it didn’t even try to start. Reinstalled it, looking for updates, trouble connecting to the interwebs. Before I go any further, I just want to let you know, I downloaded Uplay via some third party shit, because guess what, Uplay doesn’t let you download Uplay from their own site. Yeah. You read that correctly. Tried to reinstall it again. No success. The funny thing though.. This is the daily struggle of someone who uses Uplay. If you want to play a game, lube up your butthole.

    Reply

  23. Citizen Kane

    November 9, 2014 at 17:49

    While Ubi has some of the greatest games, they have not put the same amount of detail in the DRM manager Uplay and it’s support. I have tried unsuccessfully to use 3 different games with Uplay and came up with limited success with one, the inability to start the other two and a virtually non-responsive dialog with their support team. Not allowing their games on Steam, or requiring Uplay and Steam is committing marketing suicide in my opinion. I know many who refuse to buy Ubi games as they have at one time or other, experienced less than stellar results trying to run the games through Uplay’s buggy overlay. Love their games, but Uplay, not so much…

    Reply

  24. K Hype

    November 14, 2014 at 05:23

    Luckily I was never a fan of Ubisoft games

    Reply

  25. Jesse Lacey

    November 30, 2014 at 02:15

    The more time goes on, the more I dislike Ubisoft because of UPlay and because of how they treat people who pre order via steam, people who paid Ubisoft thought UPlay get early access to The Crew and they’ve already been able to pre download it. For steam users, who paid the exact same price, no early access, and so far no pre download because of a key issue. Some people are blaming steam, but honestly I feel this is all on Ubisoft, trying to make people dislike steam and use UPlay instead sounds pretty smart. But for users like me I’m at wits end, if I could return the game I would, but it would just mean $80 something dollars in steam credits, which doesn’t help much right now. I think I’ll just skip over Ubisoft in the future, it’s not so bad on consoles, but on PC they are trying to mess with steam, and they’re foolish for doing so, I’ll never use any other program as much as I use steam, just because of how convenient it is. Activision has had every COD game up there for over 10 years without any issues, why does Ubisoft have to have so many issues with steam.

    Reply

  26. Lloyd Franklin

    March 13, 2015 at 12:46

    Who are you to tell me what I do and do not like. I like Uplay for your information and I like Origin, it’s Steam I can’t stand but use it because I’m forced to as a PC gamer. The sooner developers start taking their games of Steam the better in my opinion. My hate for Steam comes from the fact I LOVE Games for Windows – LIVE and Steam killed it. Screw you Steam.

    Reply

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