End of an Era — Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake Cancelled
With this, one of the messiest AAA game development stories in recent memory finally comes to a close. But honestly, it’s also a sign that Ubisoft’s priorities are shifting. The risks associated with big-budget games continue to rise, and Ubisoft's approach to handling its franchises is also evolving.
Why Ubisoft Pulled the Plug
Ubisoft didn’t beat around the bush: the game just wasn’t good enough. They said the remake needed more time, money, and technical fixes than they could justify. Rather than put out something that would drag down the original’s reputation, they decided to cut their losses.They did admit this was a tough call. Teams put years into the project, and the fans—well, expectations were sky-high for one of gaming’s most iconic action-adventure series.
This isn’t just a typical cancellation. It’s more like a strategic reset for Ubisoft than a single project going wrong.
A Messy Development From Start to Finish
From Reveal to Reboot
Ubisoft first showed off the remake during its 2020 Ubisoft Forward event and aimed for a 2021 release. But fans were quick to slam the early footage—graphics looked outdated, animations felt stiff, and the general direction seemed off. The game got delayed again and again, and then came the big move.In 2022, Ubisoft handed the project from their Pune and Mumbai teams to Ubisoft Montreal—the studio that made the original.
Full Production Came Too Late
By June 2024, the company finally said full production was underway, targeting 2026 for release. Even with the reboot, progress dragged. Internal reviews kept pointing out problems with gameplay, animation, and just overall feel.At that point, Ubisoft had to make a choice: keep sinking resources in, or walk away. They chose to walk.
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Ubisoft’s Big Restructure
This cancellation wasn’t a one-off. Ubisoft announced a major company overhaul, splitting its franchises into five new business groups. Along with Prince of Persia, they axed:- Four secret projects—including three new IPs
- One mobile game, which most people think was Assassin’s Creed Jade
Cancelled vs Delayed — Ubisoft’s Current Portfolio Snapshot
| Category | Games Affected | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Cancelled | Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake | Development stopped |
| Cancelled | 3 unannounced new IPs | Scrapped |
| Cancelled | Assassin’s Creed Jade (rumoured) | Mobile project halted |
| Delayed | Unannounced FY2026 title | Pushed to FY2027 |
| Survived | Beyond Good & Evil 2 | Still in development |
| Delayed | Multiple AAA franchises | Timeline extended |
What’s Next for Prince of Persia?
Ubisoft insisted the Prince of Persia series isn’t dead. They called it a legacy with real future potential. Sounds like they’re thinking about reinventing it, not just remaking old games.Look at Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. That game got great reviews and proved people still care about this series when developers try something new instead of just leaning on nostalgia.
So, the next Prince of Persia games probably won’t be big-budget remakes. Expect more stylised gameplay, smaller scopes, and quicker turnarounds.
Ripple Effects for Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six
Ubisoft also pushed back seven games across its next three years. Here’s what that means:- No release window yet for Assassin’s Creed Hexe
- The next Far Cry is still under wraps
- Rainbow Six projects are taking longer than planned
Why AAA Remakes Keep Failing
The Sands of Time mess isn’t unique. Remaking AAA classics is tougher than it looks:- Fans want upgraded graphics, but don’t want to lose the original’s magic
- Game engines keep changing, making remakes a moving target
- Costs get out of hand fast, with no guaranteed payoff
Could Sands of Time Still Make a Comeback?
A straight remake? Forget it. But a reboot or spiritual successor is still on the table. Ubisoft might return to the Sands of Time story, but with new mechanics, a fresh design, and a tighter focus.Honestly, that fits better with Ubisoft’s new way of running things—smaller teams, tighter scopes, and fewer bets on nostalgia alone.
FAQs
Why did Ubisoft cancel Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake?
Ubisoft just couldn’t hit the quality bar they wanted, at least not without sinking way more time and money into it.Was the remake close to coming out?
Not really. Even though the team was in full production mode, a lot of the core systems still needed a major overhaul.
Is Prince of Persia gone for good?
Nope. Ubisoft says they’re still interested in the series.What other games got cancelled?
They scrapped four unannounced projects, plus one mobile game—most likely Assassin’s Creed Jade.Are Assassin’s Creed games getting delayed?
Yeah. Some of the big Assassin’s Creed titles don’t even have release dates anymore.Conclusion — A Tough Call, But Maybe the Right One
Scrapping the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake closes the book on a messy chapter. Ubisoft could’ve pushed out a half-baked remake, but they decided to hold back instead of risking the franchise’s reputation. Sure, fans miss out on a game they’ve wanted for years, but this move might actually keep the series alive in the long run.Ubisoft’s shake-up means fewer games coming out, longer waits, and, hopefully, more focus and creativity. For Prince of Persia, that could mean something new and bold down the line, instead of just trying to redo what’s already been done.
Cheers!
