Ubisoft Launches Uplay PC Distribution & Social Platform
Move over Steam and Origin: here comes Uplay PC from Ubisoft with loads of discounts in tow.
Ubisoft officially launched Uplay PC on Thursday during Gamescom 2012, its own digital distribution and social platform for PC gamers.
According to Ubisoft, Uplay PC replaces individual game launchers and lets players access all their Uplay-enabled PC games and Uplay services in the same place. But like Steam, users must download a desktop app which enables friend chat and enhances shopping right from the desktop. Game saves and serial keys are stored in the cloud, allowing users to install their favorite titles anywhere and resume where they left off.
“Uplay PC is a great way for customers to discover Ubisoft’s games, connect with their friends and gaming communities, and win achievements and content that’s not available anywhere else.” said Stephanie Perotti, Worldwide Director for Online Games, Ubisoft. “For PC gamers that are already fans of Ubisoft’s titles or have been considering trying some of our classics, this promotion is a great deal, and our way of saying thank you for their support.”
To celebrate the launch of Uplay PC, the company is offering PC versions of Driver: San Francisco, From Dust, Silent Hunter 5 and Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X. 2 for just $1 USD for a limited time. Other popular titles -- including Anno 2070, Assassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood, Assassin's Creed Revelations, Might & Magic: Heroes VI, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction -- are discounted up to 75-percent, also for a limited time.
Ultimately through the PC client, Ubisoft customers can browse and re-download their games (without having to worry about OS-crashing DRM), redeem rewards for all platforms, play supported titles offline, browse through the integrated shop, and discover free-to-play games and demos. Sound familiar? It should -- that's similar to what Steam and EA's Origin offers. What this new platform launch means for Ubisoft's support on Valve's Steam service is unknown at this point, and we've reached out for a comment.
For more information about Uplay PC, or to download the actual client, head here.
UPDATE: "Today’s Ubisoft’s Uplay PC announcement does not change our ongoing support of Steam," a rep told Tom's Hardware in an email.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.