Ubisoft, one of the world’s leading video game publishers, has unveiled a sweeping reorganization plan that will impact its development strategy for years to come.
Citing the industry’s increasingly competitive environment—especially within the AAA games and shooter genres—and rising development costs, the French publisher is making major changes to its operations, portfolio, and workforce.
This realignment has led to the official cancellation of six titles, most notably the long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. Announced as part of Ubisoft's comprehensive press release, these measures will center around three strategic pillars: the introduction of a new operating model, a tighter, purpose-driven portfolio with a revised three-year roadmap, and organizational adjustments to align with new business realities.
According to Ubisoft, these decisive actions are necessary to navigate the challenges posed by "the continued shift toward a persistently more selective AAA market and an increasingly competitive shooter landscape, combined with the growing challenge for publishers to create brands in a context of higher costs." The cancellation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake marks the end of a challenging development journey for the anticipated title.
Originally unveiled during Ubisoft’s 2020 UbiForward presentation, early looks at the remake drew criticism for repeated use of character models and perceived lack of polish.
Initially developed by Ubisoft Mumbai and Ubisoft Pune, the project later returned to Ubisoft Montreal, the original developer behind the 2003 classic, in an effort to restore fan faith and elevate quality standards. After a short teaser was shown in June 2024, expectations were high that the title would launch within the same year, potentially on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch.
However, Ubisoft has now confirmed that The Sands of Time Remake failed to reach the level of excellence expected from its teams and was thus discontinued.
Alongside this high-profile cancellation, four other unannounced projects—including three new intellectual properties and a mobile game—were also shelved as part of the portfolio reset. Ubisoft’s restructuring underscores the evolving nature of the video game industry, where publishers are continuously adapting to shifts in consumer preference, market saturation, and escalating production costs.
While these changes are not without disappointment for fans eagerly awaiting new content, Ubisoft asserts that the new strategy will enable greater focus and creativity among its remaining studios, such as Ubisoft Montreal. As Ubisoft refines its release roadmap and operational structure, all eyes will be on its major franchises and upcoming announcements, particularly those showcased in Nintendo Direct presentations or releasing on flagship platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop.
The publisher’s commitment to quality and sustainability signals a pivotal moment, not only for the iconic Prince of Persia series but for its entire development slate moving forward.
Citing the industry’s increasingly competitive environment—especially within the AAA games and shooter genres—and rising development costs, the French publisher is making major changes to its operations, portfolio, and workforce.
This realignment has led to the official cancellation of six titles, most notably the long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake. Announced as part of Ubisoft's comprehensive press release, these measures will center around three strategic pillars: the introduction of a new operating model, a tighter, purpose-driven portfolio with a revised three-year roadmap, and organizational adjustments to align with new business realities.
According to Ubisoft, these decisive actions are necessary to navigate the challenges posed by "the continued shift toward a persistently more selective AAA market and an increasingly competitive shooter landscape, combined with the growing challenge for publishers to create brands in a context of higher costs." The cancellation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake marks the end of a challenging development journey for the anticipated title.
Originally unveiled during Ubisoft’s 2020 UbiForward presentation, early looks at the remake drew criticism for repeated use of character models and perceived lack of polish.
Initially developed by Ubisoft Mumbai and Ubisoft Pune, the project later returned to Ubisoft Montreal, the original developer behind the 2003 classic, in an effort to restore fan faith and elevate quality standards. After a short teaser was shown in June 2024, expectations were high that the title would launch within the same year, potentially on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch.
However, Ubisoft has now confirmed that The Sands of Time Remake failed to reach the level of excellence expected from its teams and was thus discontinued.
Alongside this high-profile cancellation, four other unannounced projects—including three new intellectual properties and a mobile game—were also shelved as part of the portfolio reset. Ubisoft’s restructuring underscores the evolving nature of the video game industry, where publishers are continuously adapting to shifts in consumer preference, market saturation, and escalating production costs.
While these changes are not without disappointment for fans eagerly awaiting new content, Ubisoft asserts that the new strategy will enable greater focus and creativity among its remaining studios, such as Ubisoft Montreal. As Ubisoft refines its release roadmap and operational structure, all eyes will be on its major franchises and upcoming announcements, particularly those showcased in Nintendo Direct presentations or releasing on flagship platforms like the Nintendo Switch and eShop.
The publisher’s commitment to quality and sustainability signals a pivotal moment, not only for the iconic Prince of Persia series but for its entire development slate moving forward.
