Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake Cancelled — Ubisoft Restructures Into 5 Creative Houses, More Layoffs Planned

Ubisoft has officially cancelled Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake.

The decision comes as part of a sweeping internal overhaul described by the company as a Ubisoft major reset — a wide-ranging restructuring effort that includes organizational changes, cost reductions, game cancellations, and a new model for managing its brands.

While the remake’s fate had been uncertain for months, the announcement still came as a bitter blow for many fans. Not long ago, Ubisoft’s official messaging pointed to a release window in the first quarter of this year, with multiple signs suggesting a January launch was increasingly likely… Well…

What Exactly did Ubisoft Announce?

According to Ubisoft’s official statement, the cancellation of the remake is only one piece of a much broader transformation. The company confirmed that it has discontinued a total of six projects and delayed seven others, including one title pushed from 2026 into fiscal year 2027, marking a clear FY27 delay.

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— Prince of Persia™ (@princeofpersia) January 21, 2026

Ubisoft says this shift is designed to enable better resource allocation and a sharper portfolio refocus, prioritizing fewer titles with higher ambitions rather than spreading development across too many projects at once.

This revised strategy is built around three pillars: a new operating model, a revised three-year roadmap affecting FY26 financials and beyond, and further rightsizing through cost reductions and targeted restructures across teams and studios.

Why Was the Remake Cancelled?

Ubisoft addressed the reasoning directly. According to the publisher, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake failed to meet its enhanced quality benchmarks as well as the company’s updated portfolio prioritization goals.

Continuing development would have required additional time and financial investment that Ubisoft was no longer willing to commit.

In messaging aimed squarely at fans, the company stressed that it did not want to ship a product that would fall short of the original game’s legacy. Rather than release something that didn’t live up to expectations, Ubisoft chose to shut the project down entirely.

A Turbulent Development History for Prince of Persia

This decision (unexpected, or perhaps inevitable… depending on perspective) is only the latest chapter in the remake’s long and troubled journey.

The project was first announced in 2020, with an original release target set for 2021. However, early trailers were met with heavy criticism, particularly around visuals that many players said looked outdated for the new-gen console standards.

Over the following years, the game was repeatedly delayed before entering a major rework phase that effectively turned it into a reboot. Ubisoft later suggested the remake would return stronger and more polished, targeting the first quarter of 2026.

In early January 2026, signs pointed to an imminent release. The game received an ESRB rating, updates appeared on its official website, and leaks began circulating, claiming a launch around January 15 or 16. Those hopes were short-lived. On January 21, Ubisoft issued an official statement confirming the complete cancellation of the project.

What Else Was Cancelled or Delayed?

Beyond the Prince of Persia remake, Ubisoft confirmed that four unannounced projects were cancelled, including three new IPs and one mobile title.

An additional seven games were delayed, though the publisher declined to name them or provide detailed timelines, aside from acknowledging one shift from 2026 to 2027.

Layoffs, Restructuring, and Studio Closures

The Ubisoft major reset also comes with difficult personnel decisions. The company announced accelerated cost-cutting measures, stricter hiring policies, and further fixed cost savings as part of its ongoing rightsizing strategy.

Ubisoft confirmed the closure of the Halifax mobile studio and the Stockholm studio, alongside restructures affecting multiple teams, including the Abu Dhabi restructure, RedLynx restructure, and Massive Entertainment restructure. These changes are part of a broader effort to reshape Ubisoft’s global studio footprint.

The company also signaled a shift in workplace policy, stating its intent to return to five days on site.

What are Ubisoft’s New Creative Houses?

A cornerstone of the restructuring is the introduction of five Ubisoft Creative Houses — described as integrated business units that combine game development with publishing and go-to-market responsibilities.

Each Creative House carries full financial accountability and ownership of its player relationships, reflecting Ubisoft’s ambition to become a more gamer-centric organization.

According to executives including Yves Guillemot and Frédérick Duguet, the new structure is meant to enable faster, more decentralized decision-making, while aligning teams around long-term brand growth, including investments in Open World Adventures, GaaS-native experiences, and selective Generative AI investments supported by shared Core Services and a global Creative Network.

The new organization is expected to begin operating in early April.

The Five Creative Houses and Their Brands

• The first Creative House, Vantage Studios (Ubisoft Nova SAS), focuses on scaling Ubisoft’s largest franchises, including Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, with an eye toward building billion-euro brand ecosystems.
• The second Creative House oversees competitive and cooperative shooters such as The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell.
• The third is responsible for select live-service titles, including For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, and Skull & Bones.
• The fourth Creative House covers immersive fantasy and narrative universes, bringing together Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, and Prince of Persia.
• The fifth Creative House handles casual and family-focused games, including Just Dance, Uno, and mobile brands.

What Does This Mean for Prince of Persia fans?

For us, the takeaway is clear: The Sands of Time Remake is not coming, and there is no reason to expect a surprise launch or shadow drop. At the same time, Ubisoft has emphasized that the Prince of Persia brand remains important and continues to exist within the Creative House responsible for fantasy and narrative-driven worlds.

That leaves the door open for future projects set in the universe — likely in a different form, and under new strategic assumptions shaped by Ubisoft’s broader portfolio refocus.

FAQ

• Is Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake officially cancelled?

Yes. Ubisoft has confirmed it is one of the six discontinued projects.

• Why did Ubisoft cancel the remake?

The company says the game did not meet its updated quality standards and player expectations, and continuing development would have required disproportionate investment.

• How many projects were cancelled or delayed?

Six projects were cancelled, and seven were delayed, including one pushed from FY26 to FY27.

• What are Creative Houses?

They are decentralized, integrated units combining development and publishing, with full responsibility for brands and financial performance.

• Does the restructuring include layoffs and studio closures?

Yes. Ubisoft has confirmed further cost reductions, selective studio closures, and ongoing restructures.