In a significant strategic shift, video game publisher Ubisoft has announced the complete cancellation of its highly anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. This decision forms part of a broader organisational reset that has seen a total of six games discontinued by the company.
A Major Portfolio Reshuffle
The announcement came as Ubisoft revealed it was discontinuing development on multiple titles that failed to meet new, enhanced quality standards and more selective portfolio prioritisation criteria. According to an official press release from the company, the cancelled projects include the Prince of Persia remake alongside four unannounced titles, three of which were new intellectual properties, and one mobile game.
Ubisoft stated: "Ubisoft has discontinued 6 games that do not meet the new enhanced quality as well as more selective portfolio prioritization criteria at Group level. These include Prince of Persia The Sands of Time remake as well as 4 unannounced titles, including 3 new IP's, and a mobile title."
The Sands of Time Remake's Troubled Journey
The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake had experienced a particularly troubled development cycle since its initial announcement in 2020. Originally developed at Ubisoft's Mumbai and Pune studios with a target release date of January 2021, the project was eventually delayed indefinitely before being transferred to Ubisoft Montreal in 2022.
A refreshed trailer in 2024 had provided renewed hope that the game might finally see release in 2026, with recent rumours suggesting a potential January 2026 launch date before being pushed to March. Despite over half a decade of development time and significant anticipation from fans, the project will now never reach completion.
In a statement posted on the official Prince of Persia social media account, Ubisoft explained: "While the project had real potential, we weren't able to reach the level of quality you deserve, and continuing would have required more time and investment than we could responsibly commit. And we didn't want to release something that fell short of what The Sands of Time represents."
Organisational Restructuring and Future Plans
The cancellations form part of a wider organisational reset at Ubisoft that includes significant structural changes. The company will now operate through five distinct 'Creative Houses', each responsible for different areas of the publisher's output:
- Vantage Studios - Largest and established franchises (Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six)
- Creative House #2 - Co-op shooters (The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell)
- Creative House #3 - Live experiences (For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, Skull & Bones)
- Creative House #4 - Fantasy worlds and narrative-driven experiences (Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia, Beyond Good & Evil)
- Creative House #5 - Casual and family-friendly (Just Dance, Uno, Hasbro, etc.)
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot commented on the changes, stating: "Ubisoft is entering a new phase – one designed to reclaim creative leadership and build value for players and stakeholders over the long term."
Additional Delays and Job Implications
Alongside the cancellations, Ubisoft has also delayed seven other games to ensure they meet enhanced quality benchmarks, including the rumoured Assassin's Creed Black Flag remake that was reportedly scheduled for March release. The company's press release indicated: "The Group will allocate additional development time to 7 games in order to ensure enhanced quality benchmarks are fully met and maximize long-term value creation."
The restructuring appears likely to result in job losses across the company. Ubisoft's CFO Frederick Duget acknowledged: "There are some people who will be refocused on other big projects, and some may leave the company." The scale of potential redundancies remains unconfirmed, though the company recently closed its Halifax studio at the beginning of January.
Despite cancelling the Sands of Time remake, Ubisoft has clarified that this "does not mean we're stepping away from the franchise," leaving the door open for future Prince of Persia projects, potentially following the successful model of the recent The Lost Crown metroidvania title.
