The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake just took a major step toward actually existing. After years of delays, studio changes, and complete development reboots, the game has received an official ESRB rating – a clear signal that Ubisoft’s troubled remake is finally approaching release. The timing aligns perfectly with insider reports claiming the game will launch in mid-January 2026, potentially as soon as January 16.
ESRB ratings typically appear 1-3 months before a game’s release, making the January timeline increasingly credible. The rating confirms the game is rated T for Teen, citing Blood, Violence, and Suggestive Themes – consistent with the original 2003 classic. For a project that’s been delayed since 2020 and completely restarted at least once, this represents the most concrete evidence yet that Ubisoft might actually deliver on its promise.
Five Years of Development Hell
The Sands of Time Remake’s journey has been nothing short of chaotic. Ubisoft first announced the project in September 2020 with Ubisoft Pune and Mumbai leading development, targeting a January 2021 release. The initial reveal trailer was met with harsh criticism over its dated visuals and stiff animations, leading to an immediate delay to March 2021. That deadline also slipped, pushing the game to fiscal year 2023.
In May 2022, Ubisoft made the dramatic decision to transfer the entire project to Ubisoft Montreal, the original creators of the 2003 game. Development essentially restarted from scratch, with all previous work reportedly scrapped. According to a 2024 report from Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, Ubisoft Montreal abandoned everything from the initial reveal and rebuilt the game from the ground up with new visuals, animations, and mechanics.
At Ubisoft Forward in June 2024, the publisher finally re-announced the remake with a brief teaser and a vague 2026 release window. By May 2025, Ubisoft’s earnings report confirmed the game would release before March 31, 2026, narrowing the timeline to the current fiscal year. In July 2025, Ubisoft CFO Frederick Duguet told investors the remake would launch “very soon” – though at the time, March 2026 was still eight months away.
The January 16 Rumors Gain Traction
Multiple sources have pointed to a mid-January 2026 release date, with Tom Henderson specifically claiming January 16, 2026 as the target. Henderson reported in late 2025 that Ubisoft plans an extremely short marketing campaign for the remake, potentially explaining why we haven’t seen much promotional material despite the supposed proximity to launch.
The strategy would be unusual but not unprecedented – shadow drops and short marketing windows have become more common in recent years. For Ubisoft, releasing in January makes strategic sense. The month is typically quiet for major releases, giving the remake room to breathe without competition. More importantly, launching by January ensures the game contributes to Ubisoft’s fiscal year 2025-26 revenue, which ends March 31, 2026.
However, some observers remain skeptical. A December 2025 statement from the official Prince of Persia Twitter account confirmed the game would not appear at The Game Awards, dashing hopes for a trailer reveal and firm release date announcement. This silence has fueled speculation that another delay might be coming, despite Ubisoft’s repeated assurances.
What Changed in Development
Beyond the visual overhaul, reports suggest significant gameplay changes from the original reveal. Kotaku reported in November 2025 that leaked internal documents showed the remake reimagining Farah, the Prince’s companion, as a more capable and active character rather than the helpless damsel from the 2003 original. The leaked alpha footage demonstrated modernized combat and traversal mechanics while maintaining the spirit of the time-manipulation gameplay that made the original iconic.
Voice acting has also reportedly changed. Despite Yuri Lowenthal (Spider-Man, the original Prince voice actor) appearing in the initial reveal trailer, sources claim he won’t reprise the role in the final game. Ubisoft has neither confirmed nor denied these reports, maintaining their standard “we don’t comment on rumors and speculation” stance.
Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia Struggles
The remake’s troubled development exists within a broader context of Ubisoft’s struggles with the Prince of Persia franchise. In 2024, Ubisoft released Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, a critically acclaimed 2D Metroidvania that earned praise from reviewers and fans alike. Despite the positive reception, the game failed to meet Ubisoft’s sales expectations, leading to the disbanding of the development team and cancellation of a proposed sequel.
The Lost Crown’s commercial disappointment raises questions about whether there’s still mainstream appetite for Prince of Persia. The franchise hasn’t seen a major 3D entry since 2010’s Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, which itself underperformed. Ubisoft is betting that nostalgia for the beloved Sands of Time will drive interest, but the remake’s rocky development and muted marketing don’t inspire confidence.
What Comes After?
If the Sands of Time Remake succeeds, it could pave the way for additional remakes in the trilogy. Warrior Within and The Two Thrones both have devoted fanbases who would welcome modern reimaginings. Some insiders have also suggested Ubisoft is exploring an Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag remake, which would follow a similar playbook of reviving beloved classics with modern production values.
However, Ubisoft’s current financial struggles mean every release carries heightened importance. The company has faced multiple high-profile delays, including pushing Assassin’s Creed Shadows from November 2024 to February 2025 (and now reportedly to March 2025). The Prince of Persia remake needs to justify its five-year development cycle and multiple restarts, or it could become another cautionary tale about mismanaged projects.
FAQs
When is Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake releasing?
While Ubisoft hasn’t announced an official release date, the ESRB rating and insider reports point to mid-January 2026, possibly January 16. Ubisoft has confirmed the game will launch before March 31, 2026, but hasn’t narrowed the window further.
Why has the remake been delayed so many times?
The remake faced harsh criticism after its 2020 reveal, leading Ubisoft to completely restart development in 2022 under Ubisoft Montreal. The project was essentially rebuilt from scratch with new visuals, animations, and mechanics, causing years of additional development time.
Which studios are developing the remake?
Ubisoft Montreal leads development after taking over from Ubisoft Pune and Mumbai in 2022. Ubisoft Toronto, Ubisoft Bucharest, Ubisoft Pune, and external studio E-Studio are providing support across various aspects of production.
What does the ESRB rating mean for the release date?
ESRB ratings typically appear 1-3 months before a game launches, as they’re required before physical copies can be manufactured and distributed. This timing strongly supports a January or February 2026 release.
Will this be a faithful remake or a reimagining?
Based on leaked footage and reports, the remake appears to modernize gameplay and character portrayals while maintaining the core story and time-manipulation mechanics. Characters like Farah are reportedly receiving updated characterization to avoid outdated tropes from the 2003 original.
Is Yuri Lowenthal voicing the Prince again?
Despite appearing in the initial reveal trailer, reports suggest Yuri Lowenthal will not reprise his role as the Prince in the final game. Ubisoft has not officially confirmed or denied this information.
Why wasn’t the game shown at The Game Awards?
The official Prince of Persia Twitter account confirmed the remake wouldn’t appear at The Game Awards 2025. This decision aligns with reports of an extremely short marketing campaign, though it also fueled speculation about potential delays.
What happened to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?
Despite critical acclaim, The Lost Crown underperformed commercially. Ubisoft disbanded the development team and canceled plans for a sequel, raising concerns about the franchise’s mainstream viability.
The Final Countdown
After five years of delays, false starts, and development reboots, the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake appears to finally be approaching the finish line. The ESRB rating represents the clearest sign yet that Ubisoft will deliver on its promises, potentially within weeks if the January 16 date holds true.
Whether the final product justifies the wait remains to be seen. Ubisoft Montreal has a strong track record with the franchise, having created the original masterpiece in 2003. If anyone can successfully modernize the Sands of Time for 2026, it’s them. But the complete lack of substantial gameplay footage or marketing materials this close to a rumored January release is concerning. Fans have been burned by this project before, and many are adopting a “believe it when I see it” mentality. If Ubisoft truly plans to launch in January, the next few weeks should finally provide the answers fans have been waiting five long years to receive.