Ubisoft is remastering ‘Prince of Persia: Sands of Time’, announcing a major corporate restructuring

Ubisoft canceled the program Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, along with five other axed games. Announced on Wednesday, the cancellations come as part of the company’s major restructuring aimed at improving its growth and finances – as cost-cutting has already been carried out through layoffs.

I Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time The remake was originally scheduled to launch on Jan. 21, 2021 when it was first announced in 2020. That day came and went, with Ubisoft announcing multiple delays before moving game development from its Mumbai and Pune studios to Montreal in 2022. Unfortunately, the delay continued even after the studio change, again in 202 The Sands of Time it will arrive in 2026.

Now there will be no release at all, with Ubisoft shutting down production of the game six years after it was announced.

“Although the work had real potential, we could not reach the level it deserves, and continuing would require more time and money than we could have done,” reads the statement sent by the official. Prince of Persia X account on Wednesday.

“Prince of Persia as a whole and the legacy continues to be very important to us, and this decision does not mean that we are leaving the kingdom.”

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Fans responded with disappointment, taking to social media to express their anger. Wednesday’s announcement left many saddened, as expected The Sands of Time remade since its announcement half a decade ago.

Ubisoft announces a major redesign

The Sands of TimeThe cancellation comes as part of a significant structural shake-up at Ubisoft. Reviewing its three-year roadmap, the company is refocusing on open world and live service games, and plans to make “rapid investment behind Generative AI facing the player.”

A key part of Ubisoft’s restructuring is its new operating model, centered around five specialized “Creative Houses”. These new units within each company will focus on a different type of game, and take care of the production and publishing of the title themselves. Ubisoft is also establishing two new internal organizations, Creative Network and Core Services, which will provide production support to all five Houses.

Each one [Creative House] is built around a clear brand and product focus, with full responsibility and financial ownership, led by dedicated leadership teams,” said Ubisoft founder and CEO Yves Guillemot. “It’s a strong move, relying on a more dispersed creative organization that makes quick decisions and high-quality collaborative services that support and serve each Creative House.”

CH1 aka Vantage Studios will be dedicated to promoting major Ubisoft franchises such as Assassin’s Creed, Far Cryagain The Sixth Rainbow. CH2 will focus on competitive and cooperative shooters alike WingGhost Recon, again Splinter cell. CH3 will host live shows like With honorThe group, again Skull and Bones. CH4 will cater to games that are narrative driven or take place in a fantasy world, incl Anno, Rayman, Beyond Good and Evil, and yes, Prince of Persia. Finally, CH5 will work on mainstream and family-friendly brands Just Danceyou have and Hasbro.

However, not all of Ubisoft’s games will fit into one of these Houses as well The Sands of Time and five other titles were canceled — a “strategic decision to refocus its portfolio” after reviewing its content pipeline. Four of the canceled titles had yet to be announced, three of which were brand new IPs. According to Ubisoft, the six games were axed because they “did not meet the new improved quality and selective portfolio prioritization process.”

Guillemot said that while Ubisoft’s restructuring will have a significant financial impact over the next two years, he expects it to come out stronger. Unfortunately, not all of its employees will be around to enjoy it. The company has made steady layoffs in an effort to cut costs over the past few years, reducing its headcount from about 21,000 in 2022 to 17,097 in its earnings call last November.

More layoffs are expected as Ubisoft continues its cost-cutting program in earnest, with its studios in Halifax and Stockholm already closed. The company laid off another 29 employees after restructuring its Abu Dhabi studio earlier this month, and confirmed it expects to cut 55 jobs at its Massive and Stockholm studios.