Ubisoft Cancels Prince of Persia Remake in Major Restructure

The long-awaited return to a beloved franchise has been officially abandoned. Ubisoft confirmed the cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake during a virtual media briefing, marking the end of a troubled development cycle that began with its announcement in 2020.

This decision represents just the tip of the iceberg in a sweeping corporate overhaul. The French publisher announced it was scrapping a total of six games from its release slate while simultaneously delaying seven others. The move signals a dramatic shift in strategy for the gaming giant, which is grappling with mounting development challenges and shifting market demands.

The briefing revealed that the company is undertaking one of its most significant reorganizations in recent history, affecting not just its game pipeline but its entire studio structure.

While the Prince of Persia remake cancellation has captured headlines, it represents only one-sixth of the projects eliminated. The company has officially named this single cancellation, though the briefing confirmed five additional titles were also scrapped. Three of these were original intellectual properties, while one was a mobile game, demonstrating the breadth of Ubisoft's pruning across multiple platforms and genres.

The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake had become notorious in gaming circles for its extended development troubles. First unveiled in 2020, the project had been shuffled between studios and undergone multiple redesigns, earning a reputation as vaporware among frustrated fans.

Perhaps most notably, the company remains silent about the status of another high-profile project that has also faced years of uncertainty:

Beyond Good & Evil 2, which we were assured is still in development last year.

The gaming community has watched this project languish with growing concern, though Ubisoft has not included it in this latest round of cancellations.

The restructuring extends beyond cancellations to impact seven additional games facing new delays. One title, originally scheduled for release in the first quarter of this year, has been pushed back significantly to a new window before April 2027. The company has declined to name any of these delayed titles, leaving industry observers to speculate about which projects remain in limbo.

Among the most prominent rumors is the potential Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remake, which has been heavily rumored for several months. While never officially confirmed by Ubisoft, industry sources suggest this beloved pirate-themed entry is likely one of the games that has slipped in the schedule.

The lack of official names for the delayed projects has created uncertainty around Ubisoft's entire upcoming portfolio, with fans left wondering which of their anticipated titles will actually materialize.

Beyond the game slate changes, Ubisoft is fundamentally restructuring its entire corporate organization. The company will split into five independent creative houses, each functioning as a separate business unit with its own operational autonomy.

One of these new divisions is Vantage Studios, which was previously announced and is backed by Tencent. This studio will oversee several of Ubisoft's most valuable franchises, including:

• Rainbow Six series
• Assassin's Creed franchise
• Far Cry collection

The reorganization will also result in studio closures and restructurings across the company's global footprint. Ubisoft confirmed it is shutting down its Stockholm and Halifax locations, with the Halifax closure particularly notable as it recently unionized. Other studios, including Massive Entertainment—the developer behind Star Wars Outlaws—will be restructured under the new model.

The human impact of these changes remains unclear. When pressed for details, Ubisoft declined to specify how many employees will be affected by the layoffs resulting from this large-scale reorganization.

These announcements represent a pivotal moment for Ubisoft as it attempts to stabilize its operations and refocus its creative efforts. The cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, after years of anticipation, will undoubtedly disappoint fans who waited patiently for the classic game's return.

The restructuring into five creative houses suggests the company is betting on smaller, more agile teams to deliver results, while the studio closures indicate a consolidation of resources. With seven games delayed and six canceled, Ubisoft's release calendar has been dramatically reshaped, creating opportunities for the remaining projects to receive more focused attention.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, Ubisoft's ability to execute this new strategy while maintaining the quality of its flagship franchises will be closely watched by players and investors alike. The true test will come in the years ahead, as the reorganized company begins to release titles under its new creative structure.