The Prince of Persia Sands of Time Remake might finally see the light of day. According to Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, the long-delayed project is scheduled to launch in mid-January 2026, with an official reveal expected at The Game Awards on December 11. If true, this would end one of the most troubled development cycles in recent gaming history, spanning over five years of delays, complete studio changes, and near-total silence from Ubisoft.
The remake was first announced in September 2020 with a CGI teaser and a planned January 2021 release date. That obviously didn’t happen. Instead, the project has been caught in an endless loop of delays, reassignments, and rebuilds. Now, sources claim the finish line is finally in sight.
January 2026 Release Window Narrowed Down
Tom Henderson’s sources indicate the remake is targeting a mid-January 2026 launch, which would put it ahead of the rumored Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake expected in late March 2026. This timing aligns with Ubisoft’s recent earnings report that confirmed four games launching in Q4 of their fiscal year, which runs from January 1 to March 31, 2026.
One of those four titles remained unnamed in the official presentation, but it’s widely believed to be the Sands of Time Remake. The other confirmed projects include Six Siege Mobile, The Division Resurgence, and what’s almost certainly the Black Flag remake. For Prince of Persia fans who have been waiting since 2020, this is the most specific release timeframe they’ve received.
Ubisoft has been careful not to overpromise after multiple delays damaged fan confidence. The company previously confirmed a 2026 release window during earnings calls earlier this year, but refrained from providing a specific month or quarter. Henderson’s report represents the first insider claim pinpointing an actual launch period.
Game Awards Reveal Expected in December
Sources believe Ubisoft will use The Game Awards platform to finally show substantial new footage and announce the official release date. This would be the first real gameplay reveal since development moved to Ubisoft Montreal. The last update fans received was a brief 30-second teaser showing candles and environmental shots, which didn’t exactly set the internet on fire.
The Game Awards has become one of gaming’s premier announcement stages, with millions of viewers tuning in for world premieres and surprise reveals. If Ubisoft wants to rebuild hype after years of silence, there’s no better venue. The timing also makes sense from a marketing perspective, giving the company roughly four to five weeks between the reveal and launch to build pre-order momentum.
What Went Wrong
The remake’s troubled development reads like a case study in what not to do with a beloved franchise. The project was originally assigned to Ubisoft’s studios in Pune and Mumbai, marking what was supposed to be their chance to lead a major release rather than serve in support roles. The September 2020 announcement trailer immediately generated backlash over the visual quality and dated presentation.
Fan reaction was harsh enough that Ubisoft delayed the game from January 2021 and eventually made the decision to completely restart development. In 2022, the project was reassigned to Ubisoft Montreal, the studio that created the original 2003 game. This wasn’t just a studio change but a complete rebuild from the ground up using different technology and vision.
The decision to pull the remake from the Indian studios was controversial. Yuri Lowenthal, the original voice of the Prince, had recorded new dialogue for the Pune version that ended up scrapped when development restarted. The Mumbai team had reportedly struggled with technical challenges, particularly around the memory requirements for the time rewind mechanic, which forced them to simplify character models below expectations.
Rebuilt on New Technology
Ubisoft Montreal is developing the remake using the Jade engine, the same technology powering Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade. This represents a significant shift from whatever engine the Pune team was working with. The Jade engine was specifically designed for mobile platforms but has been adapted for console and PC development with modern rendering capabilities.
The goal is a faithful yet modernized recreation of the 2003 classic that defined action-adventure gaming for a generation. The original Sands of Time was revolutionary for its acrobatic platforming, wall-running mechanics, and innovative time manipulation gameplay. The story of a young prince who accidentally unleashes the Sands of Time and must undo his mistake became an instant classic, earning an 8.4 rating on IMDb and widespread critical acclaim.
Preserving the core gameplay feel while updating visuals and controls for modern expectations is the challenge. Fans want the game to look contemporary without losing the precise platforming and combat rhythms that made the original special. The last attempt clearly didn’t hit that mark, which is why Ubisoft opted for a complete do-over.
Why This Remake Matters
The Prince of Persia franchise has been dormant for years outside of the recent roguelite The Lost Crown, which received positive reviews but didn’t generate blockbuster sales. The Sands of Time trilogy represents the series at its creative peak, and many fans consider the 2003 original one of the greatest action-adventure games ever made. A successful remake could revitalize the entire franchise.
The game introduced mechanics that influenced countless titles afterward. The parkour-style movement system directly inspired Assassin’s Creed, which Ubisoft created as a spiritual successor when Prince of Persia stalled. The time rewind feature allowed players to undo mistakes without traditional lives or continues, changing how action games approached difficulty and player death.
The narrative was also ahead of its time, featuring an unreliable narrator Prince who tells the story in retrospect and can rewind when you die because he’s correcting himself in the retelling. The chemistry between the Prince and companion character Farah created genuine emotional stakes. Modernizing these elements for contemporary audiences while respecting what made them work originally is a delicate balance.
Cautious Optimism
Five years is an extremely long development cycle for a remake, especially one that started and restarted. The extended silence from Ubisoft has been strategic, as the company doesn’t want to show anything until it meets quality expectations. The backlash from the first reveal clearly taught them a lesson about managing fan expectations.
Ubisoft Montreal bringing its experience and legacy connection to the original game is encouraging. The studio understands what made Sands of Time special because they created it. Having co-development support from studios in Toronto, Bucharest, Pune, and Paris also suggests significant resources are being allocated to get this right.
Still, nothing is guaranteed until Ubisoft officially confirms the date and shows gameplay footage. Henderson’s track record with industry leaks is generally solid, but plans can always change in game development, particularly with a project that has already faced this many challenges. The fact that sources are comfortable enough to share specific timing suggests internal confidence that the game is nearly finished.
FAQs
When will Prince of Persia Sands of Time Remake be released?
According to Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, the remake is scheduled to launch in mid-January 2026. This has not been officially confirmed by Ubisoft yet, but aligns with their stated Q4 fiscal year 2025-2026 release window.
Where will the remake be officially revealed?
Sources believe Ubisoft will reveal new footage and announce the official release date at The Game Awards on December 11, 2025. This would be the first substantial gameplay showing since development moved to Ubisoft Montreal.
Which studio is developing the remake now?
Ubisoft Montreal is leading development, with support from co-development studios in Toronto, Bucharest, Pune, and Paris. Montreal took over the project in 2022 after the initial version by Ubisoft Pune and Mumbai was scrapped following negative fan reception.
What engine is the remake being built on?
The remake is being developed using Ubisoft’s Jade engine, the same technology used for Assassin’s Creed Codename Jade. This represents a complete technical rebuild from the original version shown in 2020.
Why was the original remake version cancelled?
The September 2020 announcement trailer received overwhelmingly negative feedback from fans regarding visual quality and overall presentation. This led Ubisoft to delay the game indefinitely and eventually restart development completely under different leadership.
What made the original 2003 game so special?
Prince of Persia The Sands of Time revolutionized action-adventure games with its acrobatic parkour movement, innovative time manipulation mechanics, and compelling storytelling. It earned an 8.4 rating on IMDb and directly influenced the creation of the Assassin’s Creed franchise.
Will this release before Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Remake?
According to Henderson’s sources, yes. The Sands of Time Remake is scheduled for mid-January 2026, while the Black Flag remake is expected to launch the week of March 23, 2026.
Conclusion
After five years of development chaos, false starts, and complete studio changes, the Prince of Persia Sands of Time Remake appears to finally be approaching the finish line. The reported mid-January 2026 release window and planned Game Awards reveal suggest Ubisoft is confident enough to start marketing the game properly. Whether the Montreal-led rebuild successfully captures what made the 2003 original a masterpiece while modernizing it for contemporary audiences remains to be seen. Fans who have waited patiently through endless delays will find out soon enough if their patience pays off. For now, all eyes are on The Game Awards in December for what could finally be the proper unveiling this legendary game deserves.