With the next-generation of consoles right around the corner, Ubisoft is planning to up its game, so to speak, before they arrive. The company has announced that it will be combining both the Uplay app and Ubisoft Club service into a singular entity called Ubisoft Connect.
In the past, Ubisoft jumped into gaming streaming services through both Uplay and Ubisoft Club. There were some errors here and there, like when Uplay kept players from playing Watch Dogs, but the company would iron out the issues afterward. Unlike the previous two services, Ubisoft intends for Ubisoft Connect to have the strengths of both and none of their respective weaknesses.
Ubisoft Connect will be an evolution of both Uplay and Ubisoft Club, a cloud-based service possessing a variety of cross-platform features for gamers to enjoy. Especially with cross-progression in upcoming titles, notably the anticipated Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and Riders Republic. It will also have new social events and challenges for players on PC, consoles, and streaming devices so no one's left out of the loop. The goal is to provide better ease of access between players and Ubisoft's services on all platforms.
Both VP of Ubisoft's Online Services Stephanie Perotti and Creative Director of Ubisoft Connect Charles Huteau commented on the new gaming hub's features and cross-platform benefits. Essentially, Ubisoft is pooling its resources from both Uplay and Ubisoft Club together to create a more streamlined gaming service for players across all platforms. Both emphasized the cross-platform features such as a new in-game overlay, the Smart Intel system personalizing game tips and video recommendations, a dedicated newsfeed for players, and a revamped loyalty and reward system from Ubisoft Club.
Both Huteau and Perotti comment how the company has been working on Ubisoft Connect for 10 years of trial and error through the previous two services. Taking every success and failure learned from both Uplay and Ubisoft Club and using it to build the groundwork for Ubisoft Connect. Perotti says that Ubisoft Connect's cloud-based system will allow Ubisoft to update any game across all platforms without disturbing the developer game teams to do so. She would go on to state the company intends to support cross-play and cross-progression in many future Ubisoft titles through Ubisoft Connect.
Ubisoft is launching the new gaming hub with the release of Watch Dogs Legion on October 29, for present and next-generation consoles, as well as Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce, and the Amazon Luna. To mark the occasion, Ubisoft is currently releasing free 1,000 legacy Ubisoft Club points for all players to enjoy before Ubisoft Connect arrives.
Source: Ubisoft