is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme.
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Ubisoft is announcing a major reorganization, and with the changes, it’s refocusing its portfolio and canceling some games, including the beleaguered remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. With the reorganization, Ubisoft will focus its efforts on big open worlds and live service games and is making “accelerated investments” in “player-facing Generative AI.”
In the new structure, which goes into effect in April, Ubisoft’s new operating model will “be structured around five Creative Houses,” supported by a “Creative Network providing development resources, shared Core Services and a reshaped HQ.” The brands under each Creative House, which include the studio announced last year dedicated to Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six, will be focused on different genres:
CH1 (Vantage Studios), focused on scaling and extending Ubisoft’s largest and established franchises to turn them into annual billionaire brands; Brands: Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Rainbow Six CH2 dedicated to competitive and cooperative shooter experiences; Brands including The Division, Ghost Recon, Splinter Cell CH3 designed to operate a roster of select, sharp Live experiences; Brands including For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, Skull & Bones CH4 dedicated to immersive fantasy worlds and narrative-driven universes; Brands including Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia, Beyond Good & Evil CH5 focused on reclaiming position in casual and family-friendly games. Brands including Just Dance, Idle Miner Tycoon, Ketchapp, Hungry Shark, Invincible: Guarding the Globe, Uno, Hasbro
Ubisoft is also developing four new franchises, including March of Giants, the MOBA Amazon offloaded last year after its own recent gaming reprioritization. Ubisoft is revising its three-year roadmap and has canceled six games with the reorganization, including four unannounced games, three new franchises, a mobile game, and the Sands of Time remake.
“While the project had real potential, we weren’t able to reach the level of quality you deserve, and continuing would have required more time and investment than we could responsibly commit. And, we didn’t want to release something that fell short of what The Sands of Time represents,” according to the Prince of Persia X account. “Prince of Persia as a universe and a legacy continues to matter deeply to us, and this decision does not mean we’re stepping away from the franchise.”
Seven games are being delayed as well, including one unannounced game being pushed from fiscal year 2026 to fiscal year 2027. Ubisoft will bring employees back to the office five days per week, with an “an annual allowance” of work-from-home days.
The company has closed its Halifax mobile studio, its Stockholm studio, and is restructuring its Abu Dhabi, RedLynx and Massive studios.