Prince of Persia Creator Shares Thoughts on Sands of Time Remake Cancellation

Jordan Mechner, the creator of the iconic Prince of Persia series, has shared his sentiments about Ubisoft's recent decision to cancel the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. The announcement came just last month, indicating that the project was nearing completion. In a post on his personal blog, Mechner articulated that the termination of any game project can be a devastating experience for developers. Many individuals invest significant amounts of time and effort into their work, and the realization that their creation will never be released can be particularly hard-hitting. While Mechner did not focus solely on the Sands of Time Remake, he acknowledged that such cancellations can be especially challenging for junior team members who had dedicated years to a project that they can no longer showcase in their portfolios. He expressed deep empathy for the development team in Montreal, stating, "I can only imagine how they must feel. Having a project killed is a brutal experience. This is an aspect of the gaming industry that the public often overlooks, but it is something developers know all too well." Mechner highlighted the pain that comes with having poured countless hours into a project only to see it vanish, especially for those who might not have an extensive list of completed titles to their name. "It's hard to accept that after four years of hard work, what you were looking forward to sharing with the world is now lost," he wrote. He concluded with poignant remarks about the emotional toll of such losses, noting, "Terms like loss and grieving may sound dramatic, but artists truly invest their hearts into their creations. The memories of sacrifices made, such as late nights spent in the studio rather than with loved ones, are only intensified by the loss of the project." Ubisoft announced the cancellation of the Sands of Time Remake as part of a broader restructuring initiative that included layoffs at three studios, the closure of two, and the scrapping of five additional game titles. Alongside this, several unnamed projects have been delayed, with speculation suggesting that a remake of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag may be among them. Ubisoft communicated with fans, explaining that even after six years of development, the remake of Sands of Time was still not at a quality level that justified further investment. "We weren't able to reach the level of quality you deserve," the company stated, emphasizing the need for more time and resources than they could commit responsibly. In a related note, actress Eman Ayaz, who is believed to have played the character Farah, mentioned that she had filmed promotional material as recently as November of the previous year, and lamented the loss of three years of her work. She remarked, "Unfortunately, the entertainment industry is not solely about creativity; it also revolves around ensuring a steady cash flow. This leads to decisions that often disregard the impact on people's lives and treat art as expendable. This project existed, even if it never reached the public eye." Recently, Ubisoft confirmed that a collectible dagger seen for sale online was indeed a promotional item related to the Sands of Time Remake, although it dates back to 2020. The circumstances surrounding its recent emergence remain unclear.