The cancellation of Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake has reverberated throughout the gaming industry and now, the original creator of the franchise, Jordan Mechner, has publicly shared his reaction. Mechner, who developed the original Prince of Persia in 1989 and served as a designer on The Sands of Time (though not the remake), described the news as disappointing for fans – and himself.
In a blog post, Mechner expressed his sympathy
for the development team at Ubisoft Montreal. He acknowledged the profound impact of having a project terminated after years of dedicated work, stating, Having a project killed is a brutal experience.
This sentiment highlights a reality often unseen by the public: the emotional toll project cancellations take on developers.
The cancellation stems from a larger restructuring effort within Ubisoft, which also led to the termination of other in-development titles. While Ubisoft maintains its commitment to the Prince of Persia franchise, the immediate future of the remake remains uncertain. The timing of this decision is particularly notable given the recent successes of other titles within the series, namely Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown and The Rogue Prince of Persia. These releases demonstrate continued player engagement and a strong community surrounding the franchise, suggesting a viable path forward despite the setback.
Mechner’s statement specifically acknowledges the particular hardship faced by junior developers. He points out that for those early in their careers, a cancelled project represents more than just lost work. it’s the loss of a key portfolio piece, a demonstration of their skills and dedication. It’s tough to suddenly absorb that the past four years of hard work you were proud of, and looking forward to seeing out in the world as your new calling card, will now never see daylight,
he wrote. He further noted that the emotional response – words like loss and grieving might seem exaggerated, but artists put their hearts into their work.
– is a natural consequence of the creative investment involved.
The Sands of Time remake was initially announced in , generating considerable excitement among fans of the original game. The original Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, released in , is widely considered a classic of the action-adventure genre, lauded for its innovative gameplay mechanics, compelling narrative, and memorable characters. The remake aimed to modernize the experience for contemporary platforms while preserving the core elements that made the original so beloved.
However, the development process was plagued with challenges, including significant delays and a complete restart of the project in . These difficulties ultimately contributed to Ubisoft’s decision to cancel the remake, citing the need to streamline its development pipeline and focus on more strategically aligned projects. The cancellation underscores the inherent risks and complexities involved in large-scale game development, particularly remakes that attempt to recapture the magic of beloved classics.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the remake’s cancellation, Mechner remains optimistic about the future of the Prince of Persia franchise. The success of The Lost Crown and The Rogue Prince of Persia, both released in , demonstrates the enduring appeal of the series and the potential for continued innovation. He believes the passion of both the player base and the developers involved will ensure the franchise’s legacy endures.
The situation also highlights a broader trend within the gaming industry: the increasing pressure on developers to deliver high-quality games within tight deadlines and budgetary constraints. Project cancellations, while often necessary from a business perspective, can have a devastating impact on the individuals involved, particularly those who have dedicated years of their lives to a single project. Mechner’s statement serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of these decisions and the importance of recognizing the emotional investment that developers pour into their work.
The cancellation of the Sands of Time remake is a loss for fans eager to revisit a beloved classic. However, the continued success of other Prince of Persia titles suggests that the franchise is far from over. The industry will be watching closely to see what Ubisoft’s next move will be, and whether they can capitalize on the momentum generated by their recent releases to revitalize the series for a new generation of players.
