After five years of delays, reboots, and radio silence, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake might finally be ready to launch. According to prominent Ubisoft leaker Zephryss, the game’s web domain has undergone significant updates in recent weeks, fueling speculation that Ubisoft could be gearing up for a surprise announcement or even a shadow drop release.
Domain Updates Point to Imminent Release
The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake’s website domain has seen major backend updates, a telltale sign that something is brewing behind the scenes. Leaker Zephryss shared this information on January 14, 2026, suggesting that Ubisoft is preparing the digital infrastructure for a public release. This type of activity typically happens in the weeks leading up to a game launch when publishers update storefronts, pre-order pages, and official websites.
The timing is particularly interesting given that Ubisoft has already confirmed the remake will launch by March 31, 2026, the end of the company’s current fiscal year. Industry insider Tom Henderson previously reported that the game was targeting a mid-January 2026 release, specifically around January 16. While the game didn’t appear at The Game Awards in December as some expected, Henderson noted that plans may have shifted internally.
The Shadow Drop Theory
Speculation is running wild that Ubisoft might shadow drop the remake without a traditional marketing campaign. A shadow drop, where a game is released with little to no advance notice, has become an increasingly popular strategy for publishers. It generates instant buzz and allows companies to avoid prolonged marketing cycles for titles with complicated development histories.
Given the remake’s troubled past, including multiple delays, a complete development reboot in 2023, and the shift from Ubisoft Pune to Ubisoft Montreal, a shadow drop might be the cleanest way to finally get the game into players’ hands. Ubisoft CFO Frederick Duguet described the remake in July 2025 as coming “very soon,” and the company positioned it as a low-investment reactivation of an iconic brand that could help stabilize finances.
What Happened to This Remake
The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake has had one of the most turbulent development cycles in recent gaming history. Originally announced in September 2020 with a January 2021 release date, the game was initially being developed by Ubisoft’s India studios in Pune and Mumbai. It would have been Ubisoft’s first full-scale remake, bringing back the beloved 2003 action-adventure classic with updated visuals and gameplay.
However, after fan backlash over the initial reveal trailer and subsequent delays, Ubisoft pulled the project from its Indian studios and handed development to Ubisoft Montreal in 2023. The game was completely rebooted, though Ubisoft has never publicly explained why. Four studios have now touched the project at various stages, turning what should have been a straightforward remake into a six-year saga.
The official Prince of Persia X account has occasionally reassured fans that development continues, stating in June 2025 that the team was “deeply immersed in the game” and “ensuring the sands move with purpose.” Ubisoft also quietly dropped the word “Remake” from the title, now calling it simply Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which has led to speculation about whether the game has evolved beyond a traditional remake.
Assassin’s Creed Connection
Adding fuel to the fire, Ubisoft has also been making moves with Assassin’s Creed Black Flag around the same time. The company recently began re-uploading Assassin’s Creed Black Flag music to YouTube, and a PEGI rating appeared for “Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced,” the rumored remake of the pirate-themed adventure. Like the Prince of Persia remake, this project has been one of gaming’s worst-kept secrets.
Some fans speculate that Ubisoft might announce both remakes together or release them in close proximity as part of a larger strategy to revitalize classic franchises. The company registered a domain for Black Flag Resynced in early January 2026, mirroring the same pattern now happening with Prince of Persia.
What to Expect From the Remake
While Ubisoft has shown very little of the rebooted remake, we know it will feature returning voice actor Yuri Lowenthal as the Prince and Supinder Wraich as Princess Farah. The game promises a fresh approach to combat, puzzle solving, and the signature time-rewinding mechanics that made the original so memorable. The ninth-century Persian setting will be fully reimagined with modern graphics and new camera angles.
The remake is confirmed for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Given the development challenges and extended timeline, expectations are high that Ubisoft Montreal has significantly upgraded the visuals and potentially expanded the gameplay beyond what was shown in the original 2020 reveal.
FAQs
When is Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake releasing?
Ubisoft has confirmed the game will launch by March 31, 2026. Industry insiders suggest a mid-January 2026 release is possible, potentially around January 16, though this has not been officially confirmed.
What platforms will the remake be available on?
The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake will launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC simultaneously.
Why has the remake taken so long to release?
Originally announced in 2020 with a January 2021 release date, the game was delayed multiple times before being completely rebooted in 2023. Development shifted from Ubisoft’s India studios to Ubisoft Montreal, and four different studios have worked on the project at various stages.
Is this a remake or a remaster?
Ubisoft originally called it a full-scale remake, but recently dropped “Remake” from the official title. It’s confirmed to be more than a remaster, featuring completely reimagined visuals, new camera angles, and updated gameplay mechanics.
What is a shadow drop?
A shadow drop is when a game is released with little to no advance marketing or announcement, often revealed and made available on the same day or within a very short timeframe. This strategy has been used successfully for games like Apex Legends and Hi-Fi Rush.
Will the original voice actors return?
Yes, Yuri Lowenthal returns to voice the Prince, the same role he played in the 2003 original. Supinder Wraich has been cast as Princess Farah.
What is the significance of the domain updates?
Domain updates typically indicate that a company is preparing digital infrastructure for launch, including official websites, pre-order pages, and storefront listings. This activity usually happens in the weeks immediately before a game’s release or announcement.
Has Ubisoft officially announced a release date?
No official release date has been announced. Ubisoft has only confirmed the game will launch within fiscal year 2025-26, which ends March 31, 2026.
Conclusion
Whether the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake arrives as a shadow drop or through a traditional announcement, all signs point to an imminent release. The domain updates, combined with Ubisoft’s previous statements about launching by March 2026 and insider reports of a January target, suggest fans won’t have to wait much longer. After five years of uncertainty, the Prince might finally be ready to rewind time once more.