Ubisoft has mentioned that finishing its now-canceled Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake would have “required extra time and funding than we might responsibly commit,” after greater than half a decade of growth.
Yesterday, Ubisoft shocked followers by saying it had scrapped the long-awaited remake fully as a part of a significant enterprise reshuffle, almost six years after the undertaking was first introduced, and 5 years to the day after it was initially set to launch — on January 21, 2021.
Ubisoft has by no means absolutely defined why the remake has had such a tortured growth — first on the firm’s Mumbai and Pune studios, then at Ubisoft Montreal for the reason that undertaking was rebooted in 2022. What has been taking place behind the scenes since then, and why has the sport been scrapped now, after so lengthy attempting to get it proper?
A press release that is now been shared by way of the official Prince of Persia social media account holds few solutions. Right here it’s in full:
“To the Prince of Persia neighborhood, we needed to share this with you straight,” reads an announcement attributed to Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia group.
“We have made the tough resolution to cease growth on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. We all know that is deeply disappointing. The sport carries huge which means for followers and for the groups who labored on it.
“Whereas the undertaking had actual potential, we weren’t in a position to attain the extent of high quality you deserve, and persevering with would have required extra time and funding than we might responsibly commit. And, we did not need to launch one thing that fell wanting what The Sands of Time represents.
“Prince of Persia as a universe and a legacy continues to matter deeply to us, and this resolution doesn’t imply we’re stepping away from the franchise.
“Thanks to your ardour, persistence and love for Prince of Persia.”
Precisely what the long run has in retailer for Prince of Persia now’s unsure. Lackluster gross sales of 2024’s Prince of Persia: The Misplaced Crown meant a deliberate sequel to that recreation was additionally scrapped, and workers reorganized elsewhere throughout the firm. The franchise’s most up-to-date launch was 2025’s The Rogue Prince of Persia — made externally by Lifeless Cells co-developer Evil Empire.
Whereas most of the particulars round Ubisoft’s enterprise reshuffle stay to be seen, the corporate did not less than title the Prince of Persia franchise as a part of its new fourth “Inventive Home” division yesterday, suggesting it was certainly nonetheless an ongoing concern.
For the followers ready half a decade to play the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake, nevertheless, that is probably of little consolation.
“Fairly unhappy we’ll by no means get this,” wrote Ubisoft fan SynthPotato, “individuals had been satisfied its on the sting of releasing.” “Noticed this coming a mile away sadly,” added one other fan, 8biteric. “Please inform me you’re going to reverse time and take again this publish and make an announcement that the sport is finished and can launch later this yr,” instructed TheChrisLambert, hopefully.
5 different video games had been canceled yesterday as a part of Ubisoft’s reshuffle, whereas an extra seven titles have been delayed — together with the corporate’s equally long-awaited Murderer’s Creed: Black Flag remake.
Tom Phillips is IGN’s Information Editor. You possibly can attain Tom at [email protected] or discover him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social