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Ubisoft has announced a "major reset" of its operations, resulting in the cancellation of six video games, including the highly anticipated Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake. The French publisher, known for major franchises like Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, also confirmed the closure of two development studios and the delay of seven other titles. CEO Yves Guillemot stated that these drastic measures are necessary to "create the conditions for a return to sustainable growth.”
The firm's shares plunged by 33% on Thursday morning following the announcement.
The move comes at a time when studios are increasingly turning to video game remakes and remasters, with new versions of Super Mario Galaxy, Oblivion and Metal Gear Solid 3 proving popular in 2025. So the decision to bin the remake of Sands of Time - which sold millions of copies in 2003 - has left many fans scratching their heads.
Ubisoft has not specified which titles it has discontinued alongside the Prince of Persia remake. But it says among them are four unannounced titles, including three based on new intellectual property, and a mobile game.
Ubisoft has closed its studios in Stockholm, Sweden and Halifax, Canada as part of the move, which will include restructuring three others.
The developers were working on a new intellectual property (IP) and mobile titles for Assassin's Creed, respectively.
The closure of Ubisoft Halifax was previously announced in January - the same week the studio formed a union.
"While these decisions are difficult, they are necessary for us to build a more focused, efficient and sustainable organisation over the long term," Guillemot said.
"Taken together, these measures mark a decisive turning point for Ubisoft and reflect our determination to confront challenges head-on to reshape the Group for the long term".
It is the second restructure from Ubisoft in subsequent years, after the firm cut 185 jobs across Europe in 2025. In the UK, it closed its office in Leamington and restructured another in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Guillemot said the new move was in part due to a competitive market for triple-A games - blockbuster titles which cost millions to develop and dominate large studios' offerings.
