The Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake saga took another turn this week when a video from an unreleased press kit surfaced online. Coming just weeks after Ubisoft officially canceled the long-awaited project, the leak offers fans a tantalizing glimpse of promotional material that was never meant for public eyes.
The Cancellation That Shocked Fans
Ubisoft dropped a bombshell earlier this month when they announced the cancellation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake as part of a broader “major reset” across multiple projects. First announced in 2020 with a January 2021 release date, the remake faced endless delays, scrapped builds, and complete reboots before finally meeting its end after six years of development.
The project had reportedly reached pre-alpha status by early 2024, with motion capture sessions, concept art, and even marketing materials completed. A former developer claimed the game was “close to the finish line” when internal issues led to its cancellation. The leaked press kit video appears to be from this late-stage development period, showcasing polished promotional content.
What the Leaked Video Reveals
The press kit footage circulating on Reddit’s GamingLeaksAndRumours shows high-quality renderings of the Prince and Farah, environmental art from Azad’s palace interiors, and cinematic sequences highlighting the game’s time manipulation mechanics. Fans immediately noticed the updated character designs that aimed to better reflect Persian heritage compared to the original 2003 game’s more generic fantasy aesthetic.
Notable changes include a more acrobatic combat system blending parkour with swordplay, expanded time powers beyond the original Dagger of Time (including enemy time-freeze abilities), and co-op segments where players control both the Prince and Farah. The presentation also hinted at puzzles rebuilt using Assassin’s Creed engine technology rather than the AnvilNext engine from early development.
Years of Development Hell
The Sands of Time remake’s journey reads like a cautionary tale of game development gone wrong. Announced with great fanfare in 2020, the game immediately faced criticism for its generic character redesigns and uninspired 2020 gameplay demo. Ubisoft Montreal pulled the project from full production in 2022, retooled it as a “remake” with a fresh vision, and moved development to a smaller team.
By 2024, leaks suggested substantial progress with mocap footage and alpha builds, but internal misalignment reportedly doomed the project. The actor playing Farah, Eman Ayaz, revealed she’d completed a major marketing promo just two months before cancellation, calling it her best performance that would never see release.
Technical Features That Never Were
From the leaked materials, the remake promised significant upgrades over the PS2-era original:
- Full AnvilNext 2.0 engine rebuild with ray-traced lighting
- Expanded parkour system inspired by Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- New time manipulation powers (time freeze, rewind chains)
- Co-op gameplay segments controlling Prince and Farah
- Fully voiced dialogue with motion-captured performances
- 4K/60fps target across PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC
The double file size compared to similar Ubisoft titles suggested substantial content additions beyond visual polish.
| Milestone | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | September 2020 | January 2021 target |
| First Delay | 2021 | 2022 target |
| Production Halt | 2022 | Full reboot |
| Alpha Build | Early 2024 | Mocap completed |
| Cancellation | January 2026 | Project terminated |
Ubisoft’s Aggressive Cleanup
True to form, Ubisoft issued immediate DMCA takedowns after the press kit video appeared on YouTube. The original upload lasted mere hours before disappearing, though screen captures and re-uploads quickly spread across Twitter, Reddit, and Discord servers. Fans preserved frame-by-frame breakdowns analyzing lighting, animations, and UI elements.
The company simultaneously canceled five other unannounced projects in the same reset, signaling broader restructuring. Prince of Persia fans particularly feel burned after watching the franchise languish since 2010’s critically acclaimed Sands of Time prequel, The Forgotten Sands.
What Comes Next for Prince of Persia?
With the remake officially dead, attention shifts to other Prince of Persia projects. The Rogue Prince of Persia entered Early Access in 2024 to positive reception, while The Lost Crown earned solid reviews earlier this year. Both games feature 2.5D gameplay rather than the 3D platforming fans associate with Sands of Time.
Some speculate Ubisoft might license the IP or rebuild the remake at a different studio, though the publisher’s current focus on live-service titles makes this unlikely. The leaked press materials represent the closest fans will likely get to seeing the full vision after six years of anticipation.
Fans React to the Final Nail
Community response splits between disappointment and vindication. Long-time followers who called the project cursed after years of missteps feel validated, while newer fans mourning the lost potential lament what could have revived the dormant franchise. The press kit’s polish suggests the game was indeed nearing completion before corporate decisions intervened.
“Seeing that marketing reel hit different knowing it’ll never drop,” one Redditor commented. “Ubisoft had something special cooking but couldn’t get out of their own way.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake completely canceled?
Yes, Ubisoft officially canceled the project in January 2026 as part of canceling six total unannounced games. The company confirmed development has stopped permanently.
What did the leaked press kit video show?
The video featured cinematic sequences, character renders of the Prince and Farah, environmental art, time manipulation effects, and promotional slides highlighting new parkour and combat systems. It was created for internal Ubisoft use in 2024.
Why did the remake fail after six years?
Multiple factors including poor initial design choices, full production halts, engine changes, internal misalignment, and shifting corporate priorities doomed the project. Former developers claimed it was near completion when canceled.
Will we ever see this version of the game?
Unlikely. With cancellation confirmed and aggressive DMCA takedowns in progress, official releases won’t happen. Leaked materials represent the only public access to this build.
What other Prince of Persia games exist?
The Rogue Prince of Persia (Early Access roguelite) and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2.5D Metroidvania) both released recently to solid reception, though neither matches the 3D Sands of Time formula.
Has Ubisoft commented on the leak?
Ubisoft issued standard DMCA takedowns but hasn’t publicly addressed the press kit leak specifically. The company previously confirmed cancellation without detailing internal development status.
Was the game actually playable before cancellation?
Yes, leaks from 2024 showed alpha builds with motion capture, completed cinematics, and core gameplay loops. The press kit suggests marketing readiness alongside technical progress.
Conclusion
The leaked Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake press kit serves as a bittersweet final chapter for a project that captured gamers’ imaginations for six years. What began as nostalgic promise devolved into development legend status through delays, reboots, and ultimate cancellation. While the polished promotional materials hint at revival potential that never materialized, they also underscore systemic issues plaguing AAA remakes. Prince of Persia fans cling to Rogue Prince and Lost Crown as lifelines, but the internet will preserve these leaked glimpses of what might have successfully bridged classic platforming with modern sensibilities – had Ubisoft’s stars aligned differently.