Huge disappointment for Prince of Persia fans. Remake development has been CANCELLED
Ubisoft is going all out – the Prince of Persia remake is dead, 5 other games have been cancelled, 7 delayed, and two studios closed. The company has regrouped into 5 "Creative Houses" and is targeting open-world hits and live service games. What does this mean for players? Let's dive in.
Ubisoft in a whirlwind of change: cancelled remake, delays, and closed studios
French giant Ubisoft has shattered fans' plans. The most painful news is for everyone who was impatiently waiting for the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time – the project is definitively cancelled. 😢
Původně na něm makala asijská studia Ubisoft Mumbai a Pune, datum vydání mělo být 21. ledna 2021. Po několika odkladech se vývoj přesunul do Ubisoft Montreal, ale ani tam remake nikdy nedošel do finální podoby.
Vývojáři k tomu říkají:
"“The project had potential, but the quality was not at the level that fans deserve. Continuing would cost more time and money than we are willing to invest.”"
But fans don't have to worry – Prince of Persia isn't ending entirely. Ubisoft plans to continue developing the series, just not with this specific project.
More cancellations and delays: Ubisoft is playing hardball
Prince of Persia isn't the only loss – Ubisoft has cancelled 5 more titles in recent weeks:
4 unannounced projects: 3 new IPs + 1 mobile game
1 title yet to be specified
Additionally, 7 games have been delayed, including the hyped remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which will be released no earlier than April 2026 and no later than March 2027.
According to VGC, the company has re-evaluated its roadmap for the next 3 years and wants to focus on:
open-world games with top quality
GaaS/live service titles that generate long-term revenue
Ubisoft is restructuring: studio closures and a new model
Ubisoft didn't just go after games – a major organizational change has also arrived. Two branches have closed: Stockholm and Halifax.
The Halifax situation is particularly sensitive – the studio closed shortly after 60 out of 70 employees founded Ubisoft's first North American union.
Ubisoft now operates through 5 "Creative Houses", each with its own responsibilities and brands:
| Creative House / Studio | Focus / Specialization | Main Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Vantage Studios | Mega-franchises | Rainbow Six, Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry |
| Creative House 2 | Competitive & cooperative shooters | The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell |
| Creative House 3 | Live service games | For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, Skull & Bones |
| Creative House 4 | Fantasy worlds & story-driven games | Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia, Beyond Good & Evil |
| Creative House 5 | Casual & family games | Just Dance, Idle Miner Tycoon, Ketchapp, Hungry Shark, Invincible: Guarding the Globe, Uno, Hasbro |
Each house has its own leadership and control over development, release, and finances. When needed, the Creative Network team provides development support, and Core Services handles technology, QA, and localization.
What does this mean for players?
Some games you're looking forward to are being delayed
Some projects are ending entirely
Ubisoft is focusing on quality and live service experiences
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is dead, but the franchise lives on
So, if you're a fan of open-world adventures, still expect something big, just maybe a bit later. 😎
Do you think the rapid increase in AI performance plays a role in this? Personally, I think it might a little bit 😉
Let me know what you think in the comments.
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