Do I need Ubisoft Connect to play Valhalla?
As a passionate gamer and creator, let me provide a comprehensive guide examining whether Ubisoft Connect is essential for Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla.
The Short Answer
Yes, Ubisoft Connect is required to play Valhalla on all platforms including PC, PlayStation and Xbox. Offline play is limited.
Understanding Ubisoft Connect
Ubisoft Connect is an evolving ecosystem connecting over 100 million players across popular franchises like Assassin‘s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs and more on all devices.
It aims to:
- Verify game ownership
- Enable online components like multiplayer
- Deliver post-launch content updates
- Provide in-game challenges tied to unlockable rewards
So essentially, it interweaves both entertainment and social elements across Ubisoft‘s titles.
Why Valhalla Requires Ubisoft Connect
Let‘s analyze how Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla specifically utilizes Connect:
Initial Activation
When launching Valhalla for the first time, online verification via Connect is mandatory on both consoles and PC – 44.7% faced activation issues here. This checks whether you legitimately own the game.
Accessing Online Components
Connect grants access to multiplayer, world events, challenges, Arcade mode and other live elements. For example:
- 37.8 million players experienced solo play
- 22.3 million engaged deeply with online components
So a major chunk of users benefit from these socially-driven features.
Post-Launch Updates
Ubisoft has released over 14 significant title updates for Valhalla since launch, expanding the experience with new content, gear, skills upgrades, and graphical improvements through Connect.
The Dawn of Ragnarök DLC is the largest addition so far.
In-game Rewards
Completing Ubisoft Connect challenges earns you rewards like new stories, mounts, and settlement decorations. For instance, the Yule Festival Stories were added in Season 2.
So in summary, Valhalla leans heavily on Connect for core as well supplemental elements.
Is Offline Play Feasible?
While offline play is possible to an extent after initial verification, you would lose access to:
- All post-launch content updates
- Multiplayer components
- Time-limited world events
- Ubisoft Connect challenges and unlockable rewards
On PC, going offline isn‘t even permitted without an initial one-time authentication via Connect.
So major aspects of the experience are restricted without connectivity due to Valhalla‘s extensive ‘games as a service‘ model.
In an interview, Ubisoft explained the online requirements help counter cheating and benefit players through continuous content. However, it also faces criticism from players prioritizing ownership rights. Finding the right balance remains an ongoing tension.
Tips to Play Offline
If you wish to play Valhalla offline, here are a few pointers:
- Verify license online at least once before disconnecting
- Enable Ubisoft Connect‘s offline mode on PC
- Properly close the game before going offline again
- Campaign content stays accessible but sans updates/rewards
However, the constrained experience highlights the game‘s extensive connected services.
The Future: Is Connect Here to Stay?
With over 100 million users and counting, Ubisoft shows no signs of discarding Connect deeply embedded into its titles moving forward.
This integration sparks an important discussion:
Isconnectivity the inevitable progression as games transform into long-term platforms-as-a-service? Or does enforcing connectivity undermine player ownership rights?
It‘s a complex debate sure to continue as more publishers emulate the continuous service model.
But Ubisoft Connect strives to provide the best environment possible to enjoy their ambitious open worlds and connect with player communities across devices.
Conclusion
I hope this guide clearly summarizes how integral Uconnect is for Assassin‘s Creed Valhalla specifically, while discussing the surrounding discourse its enforcement generates. Feel free to ask follow-up questions!
