Since 2019, Ubisoft has chosen to launch its PC games through its own shop, Ubisoft Connect, as well as the Epic Games Store, instead of releasing them on Steam like it used to. But things are changing, since Assassin’s Creed Valhalla just showed up on Steam today with a December 6 release date.
There are more Ubisoft games that will return to Steam as well, according to Eurogamer, including Anno 1800 and Roller Champions. The only Assassin’s Creed game with a Steam launch date is the most recent installment. Oddly enough, Valhalla will receive its last update on the same day, bringing an end to the two-year-old saga of Eivor.
Keep in mind that Anno 1800 has already been available on Steam, albeit only as a pre-order. Although those early pre-orders on Steam were honored, the game was taken off the shelves upon launch and has only been available for purchase on Ubisoft Connect and the Epic Games Store since.
With EA returning in 2019, Ubisoft is not the first major publisher to recently tap into Steam’s sizable following. Even Activision-Blizzard has chosen to once again make Call of Duty available on the platform alongside Battle.net.
It will be interesting to see if Ubisoft intends to bring its upcoming games to Steam on day-one — with more Assassin’s Creed, Splinter Cell, and Avatar on the way — or if it will use the platform as a way to double-dip on its more established live-service games. Although Ubisoft hasn’t made any announcements regarding its future PC plans as of yet.
