Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake cancelled as Ubisoft struggles

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - 2 hours ago

Ubisoft has officially cancelled the long-delayed remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, bringing an end to a project that had become emblematic of the publisher's recent struggles. The decision is part of a broader restructuring driven by serious financial difficulties, which are forcing the company to close studios, lay off staff, and cut or delay multiple games across its portfolio.

Never-ending problems

Originally announced in 2020, the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake faced immediate criticism over its visual quality and production values, followed by repeated delays and a change of lead development studios. Despite assurances from Ubisoft over the years that the project was still alive, the publisher has now confirmed that development has been terminated altogether. The remake is one of six games cancelled following an internal review of ongoing projects, as Ubisoft seeks to reduce risk and rein in costs.

Restructuring the company

The cancellation comes amid a stark economic outlook for the company. Ubisoft has warned of a projected operating deficit of around one billion euros by 2026, a figure that highlights the depth of its financial challenges. This is occurring despite significant cost-cutting measures already implemented, including reduced spending, staff reductions, and a narrower release slate. According to the company, weaker-than-expected sales of recent titles and rising development costs have eroded profitability and forced a strategic reset.

As part of this restructuring, Ubisoft is closing several development studios and carrying out further layoffs, adding to job losses announced in previous years. Employees have also been instructed to return to office-based work more frequently, a move management says is intended to improve coordination and efficiency but which has been met with criticism internally. These measures reflect increasing pressure on the publisher to stabilize its operations in a highly competitive and volatile games market.

Ubisoft is also reshaping how its games are developed. The company plans to reorganize its teams into five so-called “creative houses,” each responsible for overseeing specific franchises and genres. This model is designed to streamline decision-making and focus resources on Ubisoft’s most valuable and reliable brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six. Smaller or riskier projects, particularly those with prolonged development cycles, are less likely to survive under this new structure.

Betting on AI

In parallel, Ubisoft has indicated that it will continue investing in technologies such as generative artificial intelligence, which it believes could help reduce production bottlenecks and improve efficiency in areas like asset creation and testing. Critics, however, argue that technological investment alone will not resolve deeper issues related to creative direction, project management, and market saturation.

For fans, the loss of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is particularly symbolic. The original 2003 game is widely regarded as a classic, and its troubled remake became a visible sign of Ubisoft's internal difficulties. The company has stated that the Prince of Persia brand itself is not abandoned. However, there are currently no announced plans for a new entry in the series despite the success of The Rogue Prince of Persia and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, two games that took a diffetent approach at the franchise and can be purchased at the best price with our comparator.

Looking ahead, Ubisoft faces a critical period as it attempts to restore financial stability and rebuild confidence among players, investors, and employees. The cancellation of high-profile projects and the scale of the restructuring underscore how dramatically conditions have changed for one of the industry's most prominent publishers, and how uncertain its near-term future remains.