After a lengthy period of quiet, the much-anticipated remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has shown a promising sign of life, sparking fresh hope among fans for an imminent release.
A Silent Signal: Domain Update Sparks Hope
The renewed optimism stems from a subtle but significant online move. In early December, a Prince of Persia domain name separate from Ubisoft's current live site was quietly updated. This technical change, spotted by an observant fan on the game's subreddit, is a classic indicator that a publisher is preparing new web content in the background, often ahead of a major announcement or launch.
This discovery follows earlier industry rumours, notably from Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson, which suggested Ubisoft might be planning a shadow drop for the remake. The speculation pointed towards a potential surprise launch in January 2026.
A Long and Winding Development Road
The journey to this point has been far from straightforward. Ubisoft first announced the Sands of Time remake in 2020, but the project faced several delays and reported development challenges. The last official word came during the Ubisoft Forward event in June 2024, where a new CG teaser trailer was shown and a broad 2026 release window was confirmed.
At that time, Ubisoft stated the project had entered full production at Ubisoft Montreal, with support from studios in Toronto, Bucharest, Paris, and Pune. The stated goal is to remain faithful to the beloved 2003 original while modernising elements like combat and storytelling. Despite this, concrete gameplay footage has yet to be revealed to the public.
The Shadow Drop Strategy and What's Next
The absence of a gameplay reveal at The Game Awards 2025 has only intensified the shadow drop theory. This surprise release tactic has grown in popularity, with titles like The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remaster and Hollow Knight: Silksong seeing swift releases post-announcement. Ubisoft may be looking to replicate that successful model for its own nostalgic franchise.
Furthermore, the Prince of Persia remake is rumoured to be scheduled ahead of another major Ubisoft remake: Assassin's Creed Black Flag, which is itself tipped for a release towards the end of March 2026.
One thing is clear: if Ubisoft successfully stealth-launches remakes of two cherished classics in quick succession, 2026 could shape up to be one of the publisher's strongest years in recent memory.
