Watch Dogs requires Uplay on PC

Watch Dogs will require a Uplay log-in and client install even when you purchase it through Steam, Ubisoft has confirmed.

Uplay was listed under "third party DRM" when Watch Dogs' PC system requirements were officially released over the weekend, but some had held out hope Ubisoft would make its unpopular software optional.

IGN reports Ubisoft confirmed the DRM suite is mandatory, providing the following statement:

"Like some of our other AAA releases, including Far Cry 3, Splinter Cell Blacklist, and Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag. Watch Dogs will be available on Steam and will leverage Uplay to support the games services," a representative said.

Uplay, like most other DRM services besides Steamworks, is pretty unpopular; its insistence on loading up even when you launch games through Steam is particularly criticised. With Games for Windows Live retiring in a few months, Uplay is probably in the running to hold the wooden spoon of PC DRM, although it faces strong competition from EA's Origin.

Watch Dogs arrives on PC, PlayStation 3, PS4, Xbopx 360 and Xbox One on May 27, with Wii U release still to be dated.