Can't Open the Game

[Vox]

According to Steam, I have 22 hours playtime and last launched the game sometime in the year 2020. This is the same device the game was previously launched on, the game has never been removed, I did not need to download and reinstall the game to play again as its still sitting here, fully intact, on my device, owned by me.

Yet I just tried to launch again and it makes a short download with Ubisoft and throws up a big Ubisoft screen asking for an account and password which I do not have. I have further checked all my email addresses and have no record of ever having any Ubisoft account, yet somehow I have successfully played this game previously without any said account.

How can I relaunch this game which I have previously launched with no problems and for some reason now cannot access what I have already paid for?

[valerie.anne999]

Yeah, it won't even let me create an account with Ubisoft to play the game! Why is it unplayable?

[Ubi-Orion]

Hey there folks,

Just to double check as I can see you're both experiencing similar issues, Have you both downloaded the latest version of Ubisoft Connect? Some of our older titles download an older version of Uplay as part of the game package which will no longer function as intended. You can grab the latest version of Ubisoft Connect from here[connect.ubisoft.com]. Just to note that a Ubisoft account and login is required for almost all Ubisoft titles.

Valerie I responded to you on the other post also, Please let me know if you're still experiencing an error and you've double checked the above too.

Thanks,

- Ubisoft Support

[Vox]

Originally posted by Ubi-Orion:

Some of our older titles download an older version of Uplay as part of the game package which will no longer function as intended.

So your game was previously playable in 2020 with no issues, has never been removed from this device, has all the same save files as before, but then it automatically downloaded an update from you that made it unplayable? Do you offer refunds for people unable to access items they legally bought from you?

Originally posted by Ubi-Orion:

Just to note that a Ubisoft account and login is required for almost all Ubisoft titles.

Indeed, that's why this title is the only one that I own from Ubisoft. I don't imagine I will own any others anytime soon either, for you see, I already have a launcher called Steam and I'm not in need of a launcher launcher. I'm also curious why launching your launcher with my Steam launcher counts as 'play time' in regards to steam refund policies.

Originally posted by Ubi-Orion:

You can grab the latest version of Ubisoft Connect from here.

When I clicked on your link, I got a full-page warning message from Steam, my game launcher, that I was about to head into unsafe and unverified areas of the internet, and so I turned back immediately.

[Tux]

Ubisoft introduced Ubisoft Connect after October 2020. It may have been possible to play the game without any Ubisoft intermediary software. Currently, the only way to access your game is via Ubisoft Connect.

You can link your Steam account to Ubisoft Connect by following this
guide[www.ubisoft.com]. After linking the two accounts, Steam will perform the login process for you every time you launch a Ubisoft game through Steam.

Bear in mind that during launch, you'll see Anno 1404 run then terminate, Ubisoft connect run, then finally you'll have access to the game window.

[Tux]

Originally posted by valerie.anne999:

Yeah, it won't even let me create an account with Ubisoft to play the game! Why is it unplayable?

Make sure you have the Uplay Activation DLC on for Anno 1404 - History Edition.

1. Open your Steam Library window
   
2. Navigate to "Anno 1404 - History Edition"
   
3. Right Click on "Anno 1404 - History Edition"
   
4. Select Properties from the drop down menu
   
5. Navigate to the "DLC" side tab
   
6. Tick the Install checkbox for "Anno 1404 - History Edition - Uplay Activation"

If the problem persists, remove Ubisoft Connect from your system, then reinstall the game via Steam. Steam will automatically download Ubisoft Connect during the First Time Installation process.

[76561199205081135]

Originally posted by Tux:

Ubisoft introduced Ubisoft Connect after October 2020. It may have been possible to play the game without any Ubisoft intermediary software. Currently, the only way to access your game is via Ubisoft Connect.

You can link your Steam account to Ubisoft Connect by following this
{LINK REMOVED}guide. After linking the two accounts, Steam will perform the login process for you every time you launch a Ubisoft game through Steam.

Bear in mind that during launch, you'll see Anno 1404 run then terminate, Ubisoft connect run, then finally you'll have access to the game window.

Originally posted by Tux:

Originally posted by valerie.anne999:

Yeah, it won't even let me create an account with Ubisoft to play the game! Why is it unplayable?

Make sure you have the Uplay Activation DLC on for Anno 1404 - History Edition.

1. Open your Steam Library window
   
2. Navigate to "Anno 1404 - History Edition"
   
3. Right Click on "Anno 1404 - History Edition"
   
4. Select Properties from the drop down menu
   
5. Navigate to the "DLC" side tab
   
6. Tick the Install checkbox for "Anno 1404 - History Edition - Uplay Activation"

If the problem persists, remove Ubisoft Connect from your system, then reinstall the game via Steam. Steam will automatically download Ubisoft Connect during the First Time Installation process.

Thanks for sharing your insights regarding Ubisoft Connect !

Vox, should the problem persist after checking the steps shared by Tux, I invite you to reach out to us via our {LINK REMOVED}Help website, where a specialist will check with you what can be done, all while protecting your privacy.

Regarding your question about refunds, you can check our dedicated {LINK REMOVED}article for more information on the matter.

If you have other questions, or if there's anything else we can help you with, feel free to let us know !


- Ubisoft Support

[Vox]

Originally posted by Ubi-MrM:

Vox, should the problem persist after checking the steps shared by Tux, I invite you to reach out to us via our Help website[www.ubisoft.com], where a specialist will check with you what can be done, all while protecting your privacy.

Regarding your question about refunds, you can check our dedicated article[www.ubisoft.com] for more information on the matter.

Much in the same vein as my previous response, when I clicked on your links, I got a full-page warning message from Steam, my game launcher, that I was about to head into unsafe and unverified areas of the internet, and so I turned back immediately.

Could you please refrain from posting unsafe links on the Steam platform? That's 3 times already...

[Tux]

Originally posted by Vox:

Originally posted by Ubi-MrM:

Vox, should the problem persist after checking the steps shared by Tux, I invite you to reach out to us via our Help website[www.ubisoft.com], where a specialist will check with you what can be done, all while protecting your privacy.

Regarding your question about refunds, you can check our dedicated article[www.ubisoft.com] for more information on the matter.

Much in the same vein as my previous response, when I clicked on your links, I got a full-page warning message from Steam, my game launcher, that I was about to head into unsafe and unverified areas of the internet, and so I turned back immediately.

Could you please refrain from posting unsafe links on the Steam platform? That's 3 times already...

Steam has to warn you when you visit a non-steam link from its client/website. If you read the warning, all it's informing you about is that the link's destination isn't an official Valve site.
If the warning you are shown is different, please link a picture example or paste the text in the discussion.

[Vox]

Originally posted by Tux:

Steam has to warn you when you visit a non-steam link from its client/website. If you read the warning, all it's informing you about is that the link's destination isn't an official Valve site.
If the warning you are shown is different, please link a picture example or paste the text in the discussion.

I bought this game on Steam, if the solution is not on Steam then its not a solution.

[Tux]

Originally posted by Vox:

Originally posted by Tux:

Steam has to warn you when you visit a non-steam link from its client/website. If you read the warning, all it's informing you about is that the link's destination isn't an official Valve site.
If the warning you are shown is different, please link a picture example or paste the text in the discussion.

I bought this game on Steam, if the solution is not on Steam then its not a solution.

Before installation, you've agreed to a third party Ubisoft EULA.
Having visited the July 27th, 2020, Anno 1404 - History Edition Steam site, it is clear that Steam informed its users, even back then, that the game requires a Ubisoft account.

Web Archive[web.archive.org]

[Tux]

This is the old version you probably agreed to back then:

Originally posted by EULA:

3. ACCESS TO THE PRODUCT
3.1 THE PRODUCT MAY BE PROTECTED BY DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE (“DRM SOFTWARE”). IN SUCH CASE, YOU HEREBY AGREE, ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONSENT TO THE FOLLOWING REGARDING THE DRM SOFTWARE: (I) THE INSTALLATION OF THE PRODUCT WILL CAUSE THE DRM SOFTWARE TO BE INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER; (II) THE DRM SOFTWARE MAY LIMIT THE NUMBER OF INSTALLATIONS OF THE PRODUCT; (III) THE DRM SOFTWARE MAY INSTALL ON YOUR COMPUTER ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS REQUIRED FOR COPY PROTECTION; AND (IV) DURING THE INSTALLATION AND/OR THE FIRST LAUNCH OF THE PRODUCT, AN ONLINE CONNECTION MAY BE REQUIRED TO UNLOCK THE PRODUCT THROUGH THE DRM SOFTWARE. IN NO EVENT SHALL UBISOFT BE LIABLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE COMPONENTS THAT MAY BE INSTALLED ON YOUR COMPUTER BY ANY DRM SOFTWARE. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE WEBSITE OF THE DRM SOFTWARE APPEARING DURING THE INSTALLATION OF THE PRODUCT. AN INTERNET CONNECTION, A UPLAY ACCOUNT AND INSTALLATION OF THE UPLAY CLIENT SOFTWARE (WWW.UPLAY.COM) AND REGISTRATION WITH ENCLOSED SINGLE-USE SERIAL CODE MAY BE REQUIRED TO PLAY AND ACCESS ONLINE SERVICES AND FEATURES OF THIS PRODUCT. RESTRICTIONS OF AGE MAY BE IMPOSED TO ACCESS ONLINE SERVICES AND FEATURES IN COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL LAWS.

[Helgart]

Just take Ubisoft connect like Steam, i.e. download client from the official site and log in to Ubisoft account. This is a first must have thing to deal with Ubisoft games and it highly advised to buy directly on Uplay store to avoid two-launcher issues.

[76561199205081135]

Originally posted by Vox:

Originally posted by Ubi-MrM:

Vox, should the problem persist after checking the steps shared by Tux, I invite you to reach out to us via our {LINK REMOVED}Help website, where a specialist will check with you what can be done, all while protecting your privacy.

Regarding your question about refunds, you can check our dedicated {LINK REMOVED}article for more information on the matter.

Much in the same vein as my previous response, when I clicked on your links, I got a full-page warning message from Steam, my game launcher, that I was about to head into unsafe and unverified areas of the internet, and so I turned back immediately.

Could you please refrain from posting unsafe links on the Steam platform? That's 3 times already...

Originally posted by Vox:

Originally posted by Tux:

Steam has to warn you when you visit a non-steam link from its client/website. If you read the warning, all it's informing you about is that the link's destination isn't an official Valve site.
If the warning you are shown is different, please link a picture example or paste the text in the discussion.

I bought this game on Steam, if the solution is not on Steam then its not a solution.

Hi !

I've taken note of your feedback regarding the links provided.

As Tux mentioned, the link filter is here to notify you that the link will direct you to a page that is not an official Valve page.

In the case of the links that were shared, which were links to our {LINK REMOVED}Help website, this meant that you were about to access a website that is not part of Valve / Steam.

To isolate the problem, as mentioned previously, installing the latest version of Ubisoft Connect from our {LINK REMOVED}dedicated guide instead of the version that was part of the Anno 1404 - History Edition will help determine the best possible solutions.

If you have questions, or additional feedback that you would like to share, do not hesitate to reach out !


- Ubisoft Support

[Vox]

Originally posted by Tux:

This is the old version you probably agreed to back then:

You're probably right, but nonetheless I used to click on the game on steam and the game used to open, I have the save files to prove it. Now I click the same button on steam and the game opens a Ubisoft launcher with 2 blank boxes asking for an account and password that I do not know of. The game has never been uninstalled, just sitting on the same PC for a couple of years unopened. So something Ubisoft did to their game made me unable to play what I was previously able to play regardless of any user agreements or anything like that.

Originally posted by Helgart:

Just take Ubisoft connect like Steam, i.e. download client from the official site and log in to Ubisoft account. This is a first must have thing to deal with Ubisoft games and it highly advised to buy directly on Uplay store to avoid two-launcher issues.

Yeah man, you're right this would work, but that's basically why I don't own any Ubisoft games on PC. This is literally the only one and I'd just as well not play this 13 year old game rather than cave to all their launcher demands. It's not just this company to be fair, I think most problems I've had with any games in recent years hasn't been with crashing or bugs or frame rate issues, its always with the company-specific launcher.