Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia Remake Amid Major Strategic Overhaul
In a decisive move to stabilize its future, Ubisoft has terminated development on six upcoming projects, most notably the long-delayed remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Alongside these cancellations, the publisher is pushing back seven additional titles as part of a sweeping “organizational, operational, and portfolio reset.”
As reported by Video Games Chronicle, the company is pivoting toward a leaner business model. This transformation is built upon three core pillars: implementing a fresh operating structure, narrowing its focus to a revised three-year roadmap, and “rightsizing” the global organization to improve efficiency and reduce overhead.
A Shift Toward Selective AAA Development
According to an official press release, Ubisoft’s decision stems from a “persistently more selective AAA market” and a crowded landscape for competitive shooters. The company acknowledged the escalating costs of building new brands but noted that exceptional AAA titles still hold immense financial potential. To adapt, Ubisoft is organizing its internal talent into five specialized “creative houses,” including the newly formed Vantage Studios.
This streamlined approach aims to prioritize “Open World Adventures” and “GaaS-native” (Games as a Service) experiences. The publisher also plans to accelerate its use of player-facing Generative AI to stay competitive. This new structural model is expected to take full effect by early April.
The End of the Sands of Time Remake
The cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake marks a somber conclusion to a project that has been in development limbo for years. Originally revealed in 2020 by Ubisoft’s Indian branches, the title suffered numerous setbacks before being handed over to Ubisoft Montreal in 2022. Despite a brief appearance at Ubisoft Forward 2024 and a 2026 launch window, the project has now been scrapped entirely.
Beyond the Prince, four unannounced projects—comprised of three new intellectual properties and a mobile title—were also shuttered. Ubisoft stated these games no longer align with their “enhanced quality” benchmarks or revised portfolio priorities.
Delays and Financial Context
Seven other unannounced titles have been delayed to maximize their market impact and ensure they meet strict quality standards. Among these is the heavily rumored remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, which recently appeared on rating boards under the title Black Flag Resynced. However, Ubisoft confirmed it still has four new IPs in active development, including the MOBA March of Giants, recently acquired from Amazon Games.
These drastic measures follow a string of commercial disappointments, including the launch performance of Star Wars Outlaws. Over the past year, Ubisoft has already begun consolidating its footprint, shuttering its Halifax studio and proposing significant layoffs at Massive Entertainment, RedLynx, and its Abu Dhabi office. This reset serves as an attempt to regain footing in an increasingly volatile industry.
