The long-awaited Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is finally approaching its release after one of the most turbulent development cycles in recent gaming history. According to multiple insider reports published between November 21-25, 2025, Ubisoft is targeting a mid-January 2026 launch for the remake, with an official reveal trailer expected at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. This timing places the release exactly five years after the original January 2021 target date.
The Release Date Confirmation
Tom Henderson and Mike Straw from Insider Gaming revealed during their weekly podcast that sources close to the project confirmed the mid-January 2026 release window. The game is expected to launch simultaneously across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC, as previously announced. This January timing aligns with Ubisoft’s fiscal year guidance, which stated the remake would release before March 31, 2026.
According to the insiders, Ubisoft is planning to showcase the game at The Game Awards ceremony on December 11, 2025. This high-profile event would serve as the perfect platform to finally unveil updated gameplay footage, reveal the exact release date, and rebuild fan confidence after years of silence. The Game Awards typically attracts millions of viewers worldwide, making it an ideal venue for Ubisoft to reintroduce this long-awaited remake.
Why January 2026 Makes Strategic Sense
Launching in mid-January represents a calculated strategy for Ubisoft. This period typically sees fewer major releases compared to the crowded fall and holiday seasons, allowing Prince of Persia to capture attention without competing against massive franchises. Players also have post-holiday gaming budgets and new console hardware received as gifts, creating favorable market conditions.
The timing is particularly important given Ubisoft’s recent financial struggles and the company’s need for successful releases. By giving Prince of Persia breathing room away from blockbuster competition, Ubisoft maximizes the remake’s commercial potential. A quieter release window also means more media coverage and streaming attention focused on fewer titles.
| Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Original Announcement | September 2020 | Ubisoft Pune and Mumbai studios leading |
| First Planned Release | January 2021 | Delayed due to criticism of reveal trailer |
| Development Transfer | May 2022 | Moved to Ubisoft Montreal, rebuilt from scratch |
| Toronto Joins Project | 2024 | Additional studio support added |
| Expected Game Awards Reveal | December 11, 2025 | New trailer and release date announcement |
| Planned Launch | Mid-January 2026 | PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC simultaneous release |
The Development Journey
This remake has endured one of the gaming industry’s most dramatic development cycles. Announced in September 2020 after two and a half years of work at Ubisoft’s Indian studios in Pune and Mumbai, the game was initially scheduled for January 2021. However, the reveal trailer received harsh criticism for outdated visuals, stiff animations, and lack of polish that didn’t match expectations for a remake of such a beloved classic.
Following multiple delays throughout 2021, Ubisoft made the significant decision in May 2022 to completely transfer development to Ubisoft Montreal, the studio that created the original 2003 game. Montreal essentially started from scratch, rebuilding the game with new animations, revised combat systems, updated parkour mechanics, and a more realistic art style. In 2024, Ubisoft Toronto joined to provide additional development support.
What We Know About the Remake
A recent leak of internal presentation materials from Q1 2024 revealed significant details about the remake’s direction. The most notable change involves Princess Farah, who transforms from a character requiring constant protection into an independent combat ally. She now fights alongside the Prince with her bow, participates in cooperative attacks, and helps solve environmental puzzles.
The combat system has been completely overhauled to blend classic acrobatic attacks with modern mechanics. Time powers return with enhanced functionality including rewind, slow motion, time stop, and a new freezing power. The game features cooperative duo attacks where players can direct Farah to target specific enemies, similar to companion mechanics in God of War.
Platforming remains central with high-fidelity character control and fluid movement through complex environments. The world has been rebuilt from scratch and expanded with two brand-new locations beyond the original 2003 game. Puzzle design emphasizes time manipulation, physics, and duo coordination between the Prince and Farah.
Recent Confirmation from Ubisoft
While Ubisoft hasn’t officially announced the January release date, the company has been dropping hints about the game’s progress. Earlier in November 2025, Ubisoft took to social media to reassure fans that work continues on the title. The post stated that the team is still deep in development, exploring, building, and ensuring the sands move with purpose, emphasizing that the game is being crafted by a team that truly cares.
In Ubisoft’s May 2025 earnings report, the company confirmed the remake was on track to release during the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2026. CFO Frederick Duguet described the game as being on the horizon in July 2025, using language that suggested a relatively near-term release rather than something years away.
Budget and Scope Considerations
The development transfer from India to Canada likely significantly increased the project’s budget. Developer wages in Montreal are notably higher than in Pune and Mumbai, and starting development over from scratch after two and a half years of work added substantial costs. The overall budget has almost certainly far exceeded Ubisoft’s initial projections when the project began in 2018.
However, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake remains a more compact project compared to massive open-world games Ubisoft typically develops. The original 2003 game featured a relatively linear experience focused on acrobatic platforming and combat within palace environments. Even with expansions and modernization, the scope doesn’t approach something like Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry in terms of world size and content volume.
Community Reactions and Expectations
Fan responses to the insider reports have been cautiously optimistic. Many players appreciate finally having a concrete release window after years of uncertainty and vague statements from Ubisoft. The January 2026 timing feels realistic given the company’s fiscal year guidance and recent hints about the game’s progress.
However, some fans remain skeptical given the project’s troubled history. The original 2020 reveal created such negative impressions that Ubisoft essentially had to restart development, and there’s concern about whether three years of work at Montreal can fully deliver on expectations. The decision to launch in January with minimal marketing buildup also strikes some as unusual, though others see it as confidence in the product.
The potential Game Awards reveal has generated significant excitement. If Ubisoft showcases polished gameplay footage demonstrating fluid parkour, satisfying combat, and the enhanced Farah mechanics revealed in recent leaks, it could finally rebuild the goodwill lost during the 2020 announcement. Fans are eager to see how Montreal has honored the original while modernizing for contemporary audiences.
What Comes After Sands of Time
Insider Gaming’s podcast also touched on Ubisoft’s other remake projects. Mike Straw mentioned that the rumored Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag remake is still expected to launch after Prince of Persia, aligning with previous reports from Tom Henderson. This suggests Ubisoft is treating the Sands of Time remake as a testing ground for its remake strategy.
If Prince of Persia performs well commercially and critically, it could pave the way for remakes of Warrior Within and The Two Thrones, completing the beloved Sands of Time trilogy. Success would also validate Ubisoft’s decision to move development to Montreal and potentially influence how the company approaches future legacy projects.
FAQs
Has Ubisoft officially confirmed the January 2026 release date?
No, Ubisoft has not officially announced the specific January 2026 date. This information comes from insider sources speaking to Insider Gaming. The company has only confirmed the game will release before March 31, 2026, as part of its current fiscal year guidance.
Will the remake be shown at The Game Awards 2025?
According to insider sources, Ubisoft is planning to showcase Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. This would likely include a new trailer and the official release date announcement, though Ubisoft hasn’t confirmed this publicly.
What platforms will the remake be available on?
The remake is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC. There are no announced plans for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Nintendo Switch versions, as Ubisoft Montreal is building the game specifically for current-generation hardware.
Why did the original release get delayed so many times?
The September 2020 reveal trailer received overwhelming criticism for poor visual quality and outdated animations. After multiple delays in 2021, Ubisoft decided to transfer development from its Indian studios to Ubisoft Montreal in May 2022, essentially restarting the project from scratch to meet fan expectations.
How much will the remake cost?
Ubisoft hasn’t announced pricing yet. Most major remakes are priced between 40 and 60 dollars depending on scope. Given the extensive rebuilding and modernization effort, it will likely carry a full 60-dollar price tag or regional equivalent.
Is this a remake or a remaster?
This is a full remake, not just a remaster. Ubisoft Montreal rebuilt the game from the ground up with modern graphics, new animations, overhauled combat and platforming systems, expanded content including two new locations, and significant changes to characters like Farah. It’s not just enhanced visuals of the 2003 original.
Will other Prince of Persia games get remade?
Nothing has been announced regarding Warrior Within or The Two Thrones. Ubisoft is likely waiting to assess how the Sands of Time remake performs before committing to additional projects in the series. Strong sales and positive reception could lead to the entire trilogy being remade.
How long is the game expected to be?
While Ubisoft hasn’t specified length, the original 2003 game took approximately 8-10 hours to complete for most players. The remake will likely be similar in length, possibly extending to 12-15 hours with the two new locations and expanded content that have been mentioned in leaks.
Looking Ahead to December and Beyond
The next few weeks will be crucial for Prince of Persia fans. If the insider reports prove accurate, December 11 will mark the moment when Ubisoft finally pulls back the curtain on what Ubisoft Montreal has created over the past three years. A strong showing at The Game Awards could transform skepticism into excitement and set the stage for a successful January launch.
For Ubisoft, this remake represents more than just revisiting a classic. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate that the company can still deliver exceptional single-player experiences while honoring its legacy franchises. After enduring criticism, delays, development restarts, and years of silence, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is finally approaching the finish line. Whether it lives up to the weight of its troubled journey remains to be seen, but fans will soon find out if the wait was worth it.