Prince of Persia Creator Jordan Mechner Responds as Ubisoft Stops Sands of Time Remake

Ubisoft has officially stopped development of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, ending one of the publisher’s most troubled projects in recent years. The company confirmed the decision in an official developer statement, bringing clarity after years of delays and silence. Shortly after the announcement, series creator Jordan Mechner shared a rare public response, choosing empathy over criticism as the project came to a close.

Ubisoft Confirms Development Has Been Stopped

Ubisoft announced that it has stopped work on the Sands of Time remake following an internal review of priorities and resources. The company stated that the project would not continue in its current form, effectively closing the door on further development. This confirmation ends a long period in which Ubisoft avoided giving clear answers about the remake’s future.

The full statement, published via Ubisoft’s official Prince of Persia update, leaves little room for interpretation. Although Ubisoft avoided the word “canceled,” the message confirms that active production has ended.

Jordan Mechner Responds With Sympathy, Not Criticism

After Ubisoft released its statement, Jordan Mechner addressed the situation publicly and expressed sympathy for the developers involved. Reporting from TheGamer highlights Mechner’s restrained tone and his focus on the challenges of modern game development. He avoided placing blame and instead acknowledged the difficulty of revisiting a beloved classic.

Mechner’s response carried weight because of his direct involvement in both the original Prince of Persia and The Sands of Time. Rather than mourning the remake, he framed the outcome as an understandable result of creative and technical pressure.

A Remake That Never Recovered From Its First Reveal

Ubisoft revealed the Sands of Time remake in 2020, with Ubisoft Pune and Ubisoft Mumbai leading development. Players reacted negatively to the early footage, criticizing visuals and animation quality. That response triggered multiple delays and forced Ubisoft to rethink the project’s direction.

As PC Gamer later confirmed, Ubisoft transferred development to Ubisoft Montréal and restarted the remake from scratch. Despite that reset, the company never released new gameplay or a revised release window. The remake then vanished from major Ubisoft showcases.

Why the Sands of Time Remake Failed

The Sands of Time earned its reputation through fluid animation, inventive level design, and time-manipulation mechanics. Modernizing those systems while meeting current visual standards proved far more complex than expected. Each delay increased pressure and raised expectations.

Analysis from GamesRadar shows how early backlash reshaped the project’s fate. Once confidence eroded, the remake struggled to regain momentum inside Ubisoft’s production structure.

What This Means for the Prince of Persia Franchise

The end of the Sands of Time remake does not end Prince of Persia as a brand. Ubisoft’s release of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown proved that smaller, focused projects can succeed without relying on large-scale remakes.

Jordan Mechner’s response reframes the remake’s failure as a lesson rather than a controversy. Ubisoft’s decision to stop development closes a long chapter of uncertainty and shifts attention toward new interpretations of the franchise.