The cancellation of the eagerly anticipated remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time has shocked its fanbase. Ubisoft announced the decision, claiming the project was nearly finished, leading to widespread disappointment.

Jordan Mechner, the original creator of Prince of Persia, expressed his sadness about the cancellation, calling it a tough situation for both fans and creators. He mentioned, “Having a project killed is a brutal experience. It’s an aspect of the game industry that the public doesn’t often see, but developers are all too familiar with.”

His sympathy extends to the development team in Montreal, highlighting how such cancellations can be particularly hard for less experienced developers. He emphasized that despite this setback, the franchise has seen a resurgence in recent years.

“Having a project killed is a brutal experience.”
Translation: “Having a project killed is a brutal experience.”

The industry reaction reflects a broader concern, particularly from developer communities regarding the implications for future projects. As Ubisoft shifts its focus towards generative AI, many wonder how this will shape the future of game development and whether beloved franchises will be sidelined in favor of new technologies.