Prince Of Persia Remake Images Surface After Ubisoft's Surprise Cancellation
Leaked images and concept art from the cancelled Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time remake have emerged online, revealing what could have been as sources claim the project was '99.99% finished' when Ubisoft pulled the plug. The gaming giant's decision to cancel the long-awaited remake earlier this month sent shockwaves through the industry, particularly affecting those directly involved in its development.
Voice Actor's Devastating Revelation
The cancellation blindsided even the game's performers, with actor Eman Ayaz – believed to have voiced Farah in the remake – describing it as 'the most devastating moment of my acting career' in a recent video. Ayaz explained she learned about the project's cancellation through a news article her brother showed her, stating she was 'in total shock' upon discovering the game had been 'shelved forever.'
Despite being under a non-disclosure agreement that prevents her from naming the project specifically, Ayaz revealed she had filmed marketing material just two months prior to cancellation and had been cast in what she called a 'life-changing role' approximately three years ago. She described her performance as the 'best of her career' – work that now 'nobody is going to see.'
Ambitious Plans Revealed Through Leaked Documents
The leaked materials paint a picture of an ambitious remake that was far along in development. Concept art from an internal Ubisoft presentation dated 2024 shows various locations, while slides outline comprehensive plans that included:
- Rebuilding levels 'from the ground up'
- Revamping the combat system entirely
- Adding 'more effective time powers'
- Making Farah 'a true ally' to the prince
- Implementing new features including air control mechanics
- Introducing new acrobatic and cooperative moves
- Adding two new locations to the game world
- Creating new puzzle elements with enhanced physics
An alleged image of the prince himself, leaked by online source xj0nathan, shows a character design that appears closer in style to a Disney animated film than the original 2003 release.
Six Years of Development Troubles
The remake of Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time has been plagued by difficulties since its initial announcement in 2020. The project suffered from poorly received early trailers and underwent multiple development reboots over its six-year lifespan. Despite these challenges, the sudden cancellation came as a surprise to industry observers and participants alike.
Ubisoft framed the cancellation as part of a wider restructuring effort that saw six games axed in total – five of which were unannounced – and seven others delayed. The company suggested the cancelled titles, including the Prince Of Persia remake, 'were not good enough' to meet their quality standards, though the leaked materials indicate significant resources had been invested in the project.
Future of the Franchise Uncertain
With the remake officially off the table, the future of the Prince Of Persia franchise remains unclear. Ubisoft disbanded the team behind last year's well-received Prince Of Persia: The Lost Crown in 2024, and the most recent series entry was the spin-off title The Rogue Prince Of Persia released last year.
The cancellation represents a significant loss for fans of the original game, widely regarded as one of the greatest action titles of all time. As Ayaz poignantly noted in her video, the hardest part for those involved is that 'you can't really openly grieve about it' and must accept that their work has effectively become 'as if it never existed.'
While the full extent of what could have been may never be known, the leaked images and documents provide a tantalising glimpse into an ambitious remake that appeared to be on the verge of completion before meeting its unexpected end.
