Ubisoft's decision to cancel the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake has sparked reactions from creator Jordan Mechner. He described the cancellation of a game, especially after years of dedicated work, as a "brutal experience" that profoundly impacts the development team. This comes as Ubisoft undergoes a significant restructuring, which has included layoffs and project shutdowns.
Context of the Cancellation
Ubisoft announced the cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake last month. The company stated that despite six years of development, the project was still too far from completion to justify further investment. This announcement came as a surprise to many, as other reports suggested the game was nearing its release. The cancellation was part of a larger corporate reorganization that led to layoffs at several studios and the termination of multiple other game projects.
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Key Information
Project Status: Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake canceled by Ubisoft after six years of development.
Ubisoft's Stated Reason: Project was too far from completion to fund further.
Creator's Reaction: Jordan Mechner calls the experience "brutal," particularly for developers.
Broader Impact: Cancellation occurred during Ubisoft's wider restructuring, including layoffs and other project shutdowns.
Creator's Perspective on Developer Impact
Jordan Mechner, the original creator of Prince of Persia, shared his sympathies for the development team. He highlighted that the cancellation is particularly devastating for those who have invested years of their lives, including extensive personal sacrifices such as working nights and weekends.
Mechner noted that artists pour their "hearts into their work," making the loss of a completed project a significant emotional blow.
For younger team members, the cancellation means that years of effort and acquired skills may not be recognized on their professional resumes, as their work will not be released.
He stated that the "memories of nights and weekends spent in studio crunch instead of at home with loved ones" can be especially painful in retrospect when the project for which these sacrifices were made no longer exists.
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Developer Sacrifice
Years of work and personal time (nights, weekends).
Emotional investment ("hearts into their work").
Potential career impact for younger developers.
Industry Restructuring and Project Cancellations
The cancellation of the Sands of Time remake is not an isolated event. Reports indicate that other projects, including an online Assassin's Creed game, have also been axed as part of Ubisoft's widespread restructuring. This broader context suggests a challenging period for game development studios facing difficult business decisions.
Ubisoft's restructuring involved layoffs at three development studios, the closure of two studios, and the shutdown of five other game projects.
The cancellation of games close to their anticipated release, like Sands of Time remake, exposes a rarely seen, "brutal" side of the industry to the public.
Industry Trends
Widespread restructuring in the gaming industry.
Project cancellations impacting development teams.
Discrepancy between project timelines and eventual release or cancellation.
Conflicting Views on Project Viability
While Ubisoft stated the remake was too far from completion, other reports suggested it was nearing release. This creates a divergence in understanding the project's actual status and the rationale behind its cancellation.
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| Viewpoint | Stated Rationale | Implication |
|---|---|---|
| Ubisoft | Project too far from completion to justify further funding. | Investment deemed unsustainable given the projected time to market. |
| Other Reporting (Implied) | Game was nearing release. | Cancellation suggests a sudden shift in business strategy or a significant unforeseen issue. |
Expert Insights
Jordan Mechner articulated the emotional and professional toll of game cancellations. His commentary emphasizes the human element behind game development, a facet often overlooked by the public. He expressed sympathy for the development team, recognizing the deep personal investment involved.
"Having a project killed is a brutal experience. Words like loss and grieving might seem exaggerated, but artists put their hearts into their work." - Jordan Mechner
"It’s an aspect of the video game industry that the public doesn’t usually see, but one that developers are very familiar with." - Jordan Mechner
Conclusion and Implications
The cancellation of the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake has revealed the difficult realities faced by game developers when projects are terminated, particularly after extended periods of work and personal sacrifice. Jordan Mechner's reflections underscore the profound impact on creators, especially younger team members who may lack extensive career portfolios. The event also highlights ongoing trends of industry-wide restructuring and project cancellations, raising questions about the sustainability of long-term development cycles and the transparency surrounding project statuses within large gaming corporations.
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The implications extend to how the public perceives game development, shifting focus from the final product to the often-unseen struggles and dedication of the individuals involved. Further examination of Ubisoft's restructuring and its broader impact on development studios would be pertinent.
Primary Sources:
IGN: 'Having a Project Killed is a Brutal Experience': Prince of Persia Creator Reacts to Sands of Time Remake Cancelation - Published shortly after the event, provides immediate reactions and context from Jordan Mechner.
PC Gamer: Prince of Persia's creator reacts to Ubisoft's cancellation of The Sands of Time remake: 'Having a project killed is a brutal experience' - Offers Mechner's sentiment and connects it to the series' recent successes.
Rock Paper Shotgun: Prince of Persia creator shares his sympathies with The Sands of Time remake devs: "Artists put their hearts into their work" - Focuses on Mechner's empathetic response to the development team's situation.
GamesRadar: Original Prince of Persia creator Jordan Mechner reacts to Ubisoft's "brutal" cancellation of Sands of Time remake: "Words like loss and grieving might seem exaggerated, but artists put their hearts into their work" - Details Mechner's view on the impact, particularly on younger developers.
Gamereactor: Prince of Persia creator comments on "disappointing" last-minute cancellation of The Sands of Time Remake - Reports on Mechner's "disappointing" reaction and mentions recent positive game releases in the series.
Kotaku: Prince Of Persia Creator Reacts To Canceled Sands Of Time Remake - Covers Mechner's public statement on his personal blog and the general "reeling" of fans and developers.
vgtimes.com (via AOL): Four Years of Work Thrown Away and Careers Ruined: Prince of Persia Creator on the “Brutal” Cancellation of the Sands of Time Remake - Provides Mechner's perspective on the effort and sacrifices involved, framing the cancellation as a significant loss.
theGeek.games: Ubisoft Killed the Sands of Time Remake - and Jordan Mechner Says That’s the Brutal Part You Never See - Highlights Mechner's commentary on the hidden impact of cancellations on developers, drawing from his personal blog.
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