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Ubisoft just broke their games on Linux desktop and Steam Deck

By - | Views: 127,900

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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69 comments
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drjoms Feb 1, 2023
This is exactly what people were criticizing Proton before it even became a thing.
And its not first nor last game this will happen with.
B4B is another example from my personal library.
legluondunet Feb 1, 2023
Steam should never accepted a launcher in a launcher that launch another launcher...All I want, as a gamer, is Steam launching directly games and managing itself achievements, updates etc...


Last edited by legluondunet on 2 February 2023 at 5:24 pm UTC
Klaas Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: drjomsThis is exactly what people were criticizing Proton before it even became a thing.
According to Freejack's post on the first page this is not a Proton issue.
based Feb 1, 2023
Pointless launchers are convenience for the publisher, not the user
JustinWood Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: Dribbleondo
Quoting: christofinCase in point: The racing game they just announced yesterday has a nice little EGS logo at the end of the trailer. Ubisoft doesn't give a single crap about their Steam customers.

"Grrr, EOS is bad?" Last I checked, EOS has been working for ages with Proton and Wine, so this just comes off as an odd complaint.

I think you're confusing the Epic Game Store (EGS) with the Epic Online Services (EOS). I think Christofin's comment was specifically that despite having started to bring these games back over to Steam, it's clear that it's not a "we're going to release everywhere at the same time again", it's "we made all the money we were going to make through EGS and Ubisoft Connect, so now Steam users can have the games". It's blatant padding of their bottom line, maximizing their revenue. And yeah, that's every business, but it's why I refuse to support them anymore, and actively advise folks spend their money elsewhere.


Last edited by JustinWood on 1 February 2023 at 5:16 pm UTC
Dribbleondo Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: JustinWood
Quoting: Dribbleondo
Quoting: christofinCase in point: The racing game they just announced yesterday has a nice little EGS logo at the end of the trailer. Ubisoft doesn't give a single crap about their Steam customers.

"Grrr, EOS is bad?" Last I checked, EOS has been working for ages with Proton and Wine, so this just comes off as an odd complaint.

I think you're confusing the Epic Game Store (EGS) with the Epic Online Services (EOS). I think Christofin's comment was specifically that despite having started to bring these games back over to Steam, it's clear that it's not a "we're going to release everywhere at the same time again", it's "we made all the money we were going to make through EGS and Ubisoft Connect, so now Steam users can have the games". It's blatant padding of their bottom line, maximizing their revenue. And yeah, that's every business, but it's why I refuse to support them anymore, and actively advise folks spend their money elsewhere.

Okay, if that's the case, then I retract my former statement.
MadWolf Feb 1, 2023
imho there is no point in getting Ubisoft or EA games that use digital distribution software as a launcher
Abedsbrother Feb 1, 2023
Can confirm this happens with the Lutris install of Ubisoft Connect as well. Exact same error message.
Termy Feb 1, 2023
Quoting: legluondunetSteam should never accepted a launcher in a launcher that launch another launcher...

If only - that would have been almost as big of a service to humanity as making linux a viable gaming-plattform was.
scaine Feb 1, 2023
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The ONE time I bought an Ubisoft title, they do this. With their resources, not a single person at Ubi thought to QA this on a Deck?? It beggars belief. They are utterly inept. Beneath contempt. No more money from me, likely ever.
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