Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake Amid Major Company Restructuring
In a significant development for the gaming industry, Ubisoft has officially canceled the long-awaited remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, following more than five years in development.
This remake, initially slated for an early 2021 release, has faced numerous delays and mounting challenges since its announcement.
The decision comes in the wake of a broader strategic overhaul, signaling a transformative period for the renowned publisher behind franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time originally captured the imagination of players upon its 2003 release.
The remake, aimed to revitalize the classic for modern platforms, first appeared during a Ubisoft Forward presentation.
However, negative fan feedback regarding the release trailer’s visuals and design led to indefinite delays.
Sporadic development updates failed to build confidence, and after a 2023 announcement suggested a 2026 release window, Ubisoft has finally determined the project will not move forward. The cancellation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is just one facet of a sweeping restructuring at Ubisoft.
According to an official statement provided to IGN by Ubisoft’s Chief Financial Officer, Frederick Duguet, the publisher underwent a comprehensive review of its project pipeline between December and January.
He stated, “We have carefully assessed our in-development projects in light of evolving market conditions, which remain highly competitive and selective.
The current industry landscape is witnessing unprecedented levels of competition, and we expect this trend to continue.” Alongside the decision to end development on the Sands of Time remake, Ubisoft has also canceled five additional undisclosed titles, delayed seven more projects, and shut down two of its studios, including Ubisoft Stockholm—the team behind Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
These actions represent a significant shift in the company’s operational approach, as Ubisoft adapts to changing market demands and increased competition. Looking ahead, Ubisoft outlined a renewed focus on open-world adventures and games-as-a-service (GaaS) experiences.
The company’s latest press release underscores a commitment to leveraging advanced technologies, particularly generative AI, to enhance player engagement and support targeted investments.
"Our new operating model is designed to better execute our strategy, emphasizing Open World Adventures and native GaaS experiences, and will be supported by deeper specialization and technology investments, including a rapid expansion into generative AI for player-facing features," the press release explained. This move is part of Ubisoft’s broader strategy to remain competitive by consolidating resources and prioritizing innovation in live-service and open-world gaming.
While fans of Prince of Persia and the now-shuttered studios may be disappointed, Ubisoft’s pivot reflects the increasing complexity and competitiveness of the industry on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
The future direction will likely shape Ubisoft’s portfolio for years to come, as they aim to deliver on both shareholder expectations and consumer interest amidst a rapidly changing digital landscape.
This remake, initially slated for an early 2021 release, has faced numerous delays and mounting challenges since its announcement.
The decision comes in the wake of a broader strategic overhaul, signaling a transformative period for the renowned publisher behind franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time originally captured the imagination of players upon its 2003 release.
The remake, aimed to revitalize the classic for modern platforms, first appeared during a Ubisoft Forward presentation.
However, negative fan feedback regarding the release trailer’s visuals and design led to indefinite delays.
Sporadic development updates failed to build confidence, and after a 2023 announcement suggested a 2026 release window, Ubisoft has finally determined the project will not move forward. The cancellation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is just one facet of a sweeping restructuring at Ubisoft.
According to an official statement provided to IGN by Ubisoft’s Chief Financial Officer, Frederick Duguet, the publisher underwent a comprehensive review of its project pipeline between December and January.
He stated, “We have carefully assessed our in-development projects in light of evolving market conditions, which remain highly competitive and selective.
The current industry landscape is witnessing unprecedented levels of competition, and we expect this trend to continue.” Alongside the decision to end development on the Sands of Time remake, Ubisoft has also canceled five additional undisclosed titles, delayed seven more projects, and shut down two of its studios, including Ubisoft Stockholm—the team behind Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.
These actions represent a significant shift in the company’s operational approach, as Ubisoft adapts to changing market demands and increased competition. Looking ahead, Ubisoft outlined a renewed focus on open-world adventures and games-as-a-service (GaaS) experiences.
The company’s latest press release underscores a commitment to leveraging advanced technologies, particularly generative AI, to enhance player engagement and support targeted investments.
"Our new operating model is designed to better execute our strategy, emphasizing Open World Adventures and native GaaS experiences, and will be supported by deeper specialization and technology investments, including a rapid expansion into generative AI for player-facing features," the press release explained. This move is part of Ubisoft’s broader strategy to remain competitive by consolidating resources and prioritizing innovation in live-service and open-world gaming.
While fans of Prince of Persia and the now-shuttered studios may be disappointed, Ubisoft’s pivot reflects the increasing complexity and competitiveness of the industry on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC.
The future direction will likely shape Ubisoft’s portfolio for years to come, as they aim to deliver on both shareholder expectations and consumer interest amidst a rapidly changing digital landscape.
