The Prince of Persia community just watched one of its biggest supporters get slapped with what appears to be a copyright strike from Ubisoft. PopuniverseX, a fan account that has been meticulously scanning website files and backend updates for hints about the long-awaited Sands of Time remake, suddenly found their X (formerly Twitter) account suspended after leaking files that suggested an imminent shadow drop. The irony? This happened right as the gaming world was buzzing about a potential January 15, 2026 release that never materialized.
Who Is PopuniverseX and Why Does This Matter
PopuniverseX isn’t just another random leaker chasing clout. They’re among the largest and most committed fan pages dedicated to Prince of Persia, consistently keeping the community engaged during the remake’s painful five-year development cycle. The account built its reputation by diving into website backend files, tracking updates to Ubisoft’s staging servers, and piecing together clues about when this cursed remake might actually see the light of day.
Over the past few weeks, PopuniverseX discovered that Ubisoft had been making significant updates to the official Sands of Time remake website between December 31, 2025 and January 13, 2026. Investigators found that 39 new files were added to the domain, including one particularly juicy filename: “game-release-tomorrow.png.” That file, uploaded on January 14, sent the entire Prince of Persia community into a frenzy, with many expecting a surprise shadow drop on January 15.
The Copyright Strike That Confirmed Everything
Here’s where things get interesting. After PopuniverseX shared their findings about the leaked backend files, their X account was suspended, presumably due to copyright action from Ubisoft. While the account has since been restored, the temporary ban raised eyebrows throughout the gaming community. Some Reddit users in the GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit pointed out that Ubisoft’s decision to take action might have inadvertently confirmed the authenticity of the leak, which would be counterintuitive if the files were fake.
One commenter noted that if the information was fabricated, Ubisoft taking action would only verify the leak’s legitimacy and build false hype. However, another possibility is that Ubisoft wanted to prevent fans from misleading themselves into believing the game was ready when it might not be, though that seems like a stretch given the company’s history with this particular project.
Five Years of Development Hell
To understand why fans like PopuniverseX are so desperate for information, you need to grasp just how messy this remake’s development has been. Originally announced in September 2020 with Ubisoft’s Pune and Mumbai studios at the helm, the project has slipped more times than the Prince himself on a sandy ledge. The initial March 2021 release date was delayed just three months after announcement. By February 2021, the game was pushed back indefinitely.
Then came the nuclear option. In 2023, Ubisoft scrapped the entire project and started over, moving development to Ubisoft Montreal and putting the game back into the conception phase. The company has since confirmed the remake won’t arrive before 2026, with recent statements during their Annual General Meeting promising the game would release “very soon.” Of course, Ubisoft’s definition of “very soon” has proven unreliable at best.
Internal leaked documents from a 2024 Ubisoft employee presentation revealed that the remake exists in alpha form and will feature significant changes from the original. The game is now built in the Assassin’s Creed engine, includes new time-controlling powers like the ability to freeze enemies, and features enhanced single-player co-op mechanics with Farah, who’s reportedly getting a major character upgrade from her original portrayal.
The Shadow Drop That Wasn’t
Despite all the evidence pointing to a January 15, 2026 shadow drop, the date came and went without any announcement from Ubisoft. The “game-release-tomorrow.png” file that sparked so much speculation turned out to be either a false alarm, a placeholder, or content meant for internal testing that wasn’t ready for public consumption. Push Square later reported that the big website leak appears to be fake or at least premature, throwing cold water on the immediate release theories.
This outcome has left the Prince of Persia community frustrated and confused. Some speculate that Ubisoft might be planning a shadow drop strategy to preemptively counteract unfavorable media coverage, similar to how other troubled projects have launched. Shadow dropping can be a double-edged sword, sometimes it builds excitement, other times it signals a lack of confidence in the product. Given that this remake has reportedly been restarted from scratch and moved studios, concerns about the final quality remain valid.
Why Ubisoft’s Response Matters
| Action | What It Suggests | Community Reaction |
|---|---|---|
| Copyright strike on PopuniverseX | Files were legitimate | Increased speculation |
| Quick restoration of account | Possible overreach or warning | Mixed feelings |
| No official statement about leak | Keeping cards close | Frustration grows |
| Continued website updates | Something is happening | Cautious optimism |
The way Ubisoft handled this situation reveals the complicated relationship between publishers and dedicated fan communities. PopuniverseX wasn’t trying to sabotage the game or distribute pirated content. They were simply trying to keep a passionate community informed during an information drought that’s lasted years. By taking copyright action against a fan account that’s actively promoting their game, Ubisoft risks alienating the very people who have stuck with this project through countless delays.
This isn’t the first time Ubisoft has had a contentious relationship with gaming media and fan communities. Kotaku previously reported being blacklisted by Ubisoft for years over critical coverage, highlighting the publisher’s sensitivity to negative press and leaks. The company’s track record suggests they prefer tightly controlled messaging, which clashes with modern gaming culture where leaks and datamining are standard practice.
What Happens Next
As of now, the Sands of Time remake remains in limbo with a vague 2026 release window. The fact that Ubisoft is actively updating the game’s website and responding to leaks suggests that something is indeed happening behind the scenes. Whether that translates to an actual release this year or yet another delay remains to be seen. Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, who originally reported the mid-January 2026 timeframe, has a solid track record with Ubisoft leaks, so the information likely had some basis in reality even if the exact timing didn’t pan out.
For PopuniverseX and other dedicated fans, the waiting game continues. The account remains active and is presumably still monitoring for updates, though perhaps with a bit more caution after their brief suspension. The gaming community has rallied around the account, with 320 upvotes on the Reddit thread discussing the situation and widespread support across social media. Fans recognize that accounts like PopuniverseX fill a void left by Ubisoft’s communication failures.
FAQs
What exactly did PopuniverseX leak about the Sands of Time remake?
PopuniverseX discovered backend website files on Ubisoft’s staging server, including one named “game-release-tomorrow.png” that was uploaded on January 14, 2026. This led to widespread speculation that the game would shadow drop on January 15, though that didn’t happen.
Is PopuniverseX’s account permanently banned?
No, the account was temporarily suspended, likely due to copyright action from Ubisoft, but has since been restored. The brief suspension was enough to spark major discussion in the gaming community about Ubisoft’s response to leaks.
Why has the Sands of Time remake taken so long to release?
The game was originally announced in 2020 with a 2021 release date. It was delayed indefinitely in 2021, then completely restarted in 2023 with a new studio (Ubisoft Montreal) taking over from the original developers (Ubisoft Pune and Mumbai). The project was essentially sent back to the conception phase.
What changes are being made to the remake compared to the original?
According to leaked internal documents, the remake is now built in the Assassin’s Creed engine and includes new time-controlling powers, more complex puzzles, enhanced single-player co-op with Farah, and a significant character upgrade for Farah herself. It’s no longer a straightforward remake.
Will the Sands of Time remake actually release in 2026?
Ubisoft has confirmed a 2026 release window and stated during their Annual General Meeting that the game will arrive “very soon.” However, given the project’s history of delays and restarts, nothing is guaranteed until Ubisoft makes an official announcement with a concrete date.
Why would Ubisoft copyright strike a fan account promoting their game?
Publishers often take action against leaks to maintain control over their marketing messaging and prevent misinformation. In this case, Ubisoft may have wanted to prevent false hype about an imminent release, or they were simply protecting confidential development materials that weren’t meant for public viewing.
Should I believe future leaks about this game?
Take everything with skepticism until Ubisoft makes official announcements. While leakers like Tom Henderson and fan accounts like PopuniverseX often have accurate information, the timing and details can change rapidly during development, especially for a project as troubled as this remake.
The Lesson Here
The PopuniverseX situation perfectly encapsulates the modern tension between publishers who want total control over information and fans who are starved for updates about games they care about. When official channels go silent for years, dedicated community members step in to fill the void, often at personal risk. Whether Ubisoft’s copyright action was justified legally is one thing, but whether it was the right move from a community relations standpoint is another question entirely.
For now, Prince of Persia fans will keep waiting, watching, and yes, probably digging through website code for any hint of when they’ll finally get to play this remake. And accounts like PopuniverseX will keep doing what they do best, keeping the community informed and engaged even when the publisher won’t. Just maybe with a bit more caution about what files they share publicly.