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Ubisoft just broke their games on Linux desktop and Steam Deck

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Update 21:17: Looks like Proton developers have updated the "bleeding-edge" Beta for Proton Experimental, that works around the issue. Note: using it can cause other issues, the Beta doesn't have a lot of testing, you've been warned.

If you go into the Properties on Proton Experimental in your Steam Library, and opt into the "bleeding-edge" Beta, then set your Ubisoft games to use Proton Experimental it will fix it for now until a proper Proton update is out. 

Update 22:11: Valve released a Proton Experimental (no Beta needed) fix for this.


Original article below

Third-party launchers on Steam are once again being a massive nuisance. First it was EA breaking everything on Linux and Steam Deck and now it's Ubisoft telling everyone to hold their beer.

Valve fixed the EA App in Proton after a while, and it's likely we're going to need to wait on a fix from Valve again for whatever Ubisoft changed in the latest Ubisoft Connect update.

When you go to launch any game on desktop Linux or Steam Deck that uses Ubisoft Connect, it will do an update and then you'll be greeted with this:

That picture above is from my Fedora Linux desktop trying Ghost Recon Breakpoint today.

After testing The Division 2, Watch Dogs Legion, Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Ghost Recon Breakpoint on my Steam Deck too, they all also gave the exact same problem as you'll see in the screenshot below from my Steam Deck:

So it seems that every title that uses Ubisoft Connect, is now left broken on Linux desktop and Steam Deck. This comes only two weeks after Ubisoft fixed The Division 2 for Steam Deck / Linux. Meanwhile, Breakpoint still needs manual fixes.

Why do developers and publishers keep forcing these absolutely useless third-party launchers on us? Never once have I, or anyone I've spoken to, actually wanted them. They only ever cause problems and solve basically nothing that Steam cannot already do directly.

I've logged an official bug report with Valve and notified their developers about it.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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I am the owner of GamingOnLinux. After discovering Linux back in the days of Mandrake in 2003, I constantly came back to check on the progress of Linux until Ubuntu appeared on the scene and it helped me to really love it. You can reach me easily by emailing GamingOnLinux directly. Find me on Mastodon.
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69 comments
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parkerlreed Feb 1, 2023
Looks to be working on Experimental Bleeding Edge

https://github.com/ValveSoftware/Proton/issues/6498#issuecomment-1412643957

I can confirm here with Trackmania 2020
steveoa3d Feb 1, 2023
The users in The Division 2 subreddit found a temporary fix for the issue, it involves installing an old version of Ubisoft connect and editing a text file. Verified works on the Steam Deck !

https://www.reddit.com/r/thedivision/comments/10qupof/ubisoft_connect_update_crashes_steam_deck/
Soulprayer Feb 1, 2023
IF (in capital letters) i buy an EA/Ubisoft title, I do it for my console. Not my PC. And I wait for the next sale.
zgillet Feb 1, 2023
This is why I like having and Xbox Series S as a side console as well as a gaming PC and a Deck. Any of these BS jump-through-hoops games usually are on Game Pass, and I'll just bypass all this and play them there.
Mohandevir Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: zgilletThis is why I like having and Xbox Series S as a side console as well as a gaming PC and a Deck. Any of these BS jump-through-hoops games usually are on Game Pass, and I'll just bypass all this and play them there.

Doing similar with GeForce Now. This said, the few Ubisoft games I have and played (AC Origin, AC Odyssey and Immortals: Phoenix Rising), I bought them on sale and never found the energy to finish them... They all feel... Souless? ... Empty? ... Like trying too hard? I can't put the finger on it... I've been spoiled by Witcher 3 and God of War, I guess. The only EA or Ubisoft game that I might miss, if ever a launcher issue lingers on, is Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (EA).


Last edited by Mohandevir on 1 February 2023 at 9:34 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Feb 1, 2023
Article updated to note bleeding-edge Beta workaround.
StoneColdSpider Feb 1, 2023
QuoteUbisoft just broke their games on Linux desktop and Steam Deck
STiAT Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: kaimanGood I've been boycotting Ubisoft (and EA) for the past 15 years or so.

Though, I would have been really, really hard pressed to keep it up, had Ubisoft released the new Settlers as originally announced. Luckily, they botched that, too!

I did not. But the last one I really enjoyed was Dragon Age: Origins. All others feel so... same cookbook, and if I even play them through (I rarely do), I have regretted buying them in the end.
STiAT Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: Mohandevir
Quoting: zgilletThis is why I like having and Xbox Series S as a side console as well as a gaming PC and a Deck. Any of these BS jump-through-hoops games usually are on Game Pass, and I'll just bypass all this and play them there.

Doing similar with GeForce Now. This said, the few Ubisoft games I have and played (AC Origin, AC Odyssey and Immortals: Phoenix Rising), I bought them on sale and never found the energy to finish them... They all feel... Souless? ... Empty? ... Like trying too hard? I can't put the finger on it... I've been spoiled by Witcher 3 and God of War, I guess. The only EA or Ubisoft game that I might miss, if ever a launcher issue lingers on, is Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (EA).

GeForce Now ... I really struggled with their setup (no copy/paste, didn't remember the steam account, ...).

And filling in my paswords without copy/paste is essentially impossible, especially since I do not have am english keyboard.

Maybe it got better in the past year, but I decided to buy a gaming rig since I could not find an adequate streaming service. My connection with 250 mbit fibre would be good enough depending on the servers location (preferrably central europe).


Last edited by STiAT on 1 February 2023 at 10:07 pm UTC
Liam Dawe Feb 1, 2023
Article updated, Proton Experimental (no Beta needed), landed a fix already.
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