Ubisoft Reportedly Rejected Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown Sequel
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – A Gem That Didn’t Shine Bright Enough for Ubisoft
- What Went Wrong for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?
- Ubisoft’s Bigger Problems: Strikes, Stock Prices, and Beyond Good and Evil 2
- What Does This Mean for Prince of Persia Fans?
- Lessons from Final Fantasy 7: What Ubisoft Could Learn
- What’s Next for Ubisoft in 2025?
- FAQ: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Hey, gamers! Buckle up, because we’ve got some spicy news about Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown that’s got the gaming world buzzing—and it’s not the good kind of buzz. If you’ve been searching “Why was Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sequel canceled?” or asking your smart speaker, “Hey Google, what’s the latest on Prince of Persia in 2025?”—you’re in the right place. Ubisoft has reportedly pulled the plug on a sequel and expansions for this Metroidvania gem, and the dev team at Ubisoft Montpellier has been disbanded.
But don’t worry, we’re diving deep into what went down, how this ties into Ubisoft’s bigger struggles, and what it might mean for fans of iconic RPGs like Final Fantasy 7. Let’s break it all down in this 1000-word deep dive!
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – A Gem That Didn’t Shine Bright Enough for Ubisoft
Let’s start with the bad news: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown isn’t getting a sequel. According to French journalist Gautoz, who’s known for his insider scoops on Ubisoft, the company rejected pitches for both a sequel and additional expansions for the game. Released in January 2024, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was a critically acclaimed Metroidvania that brought the franchise back to its 2D roots with slick platforming, challenging combat, and a vibrant world. It scored an impressive 87 on OpenCritic and was hailed as “one of the best entries in the series” in a 4/5 review. So why the cold shoulder from Ubisoft?
The answer lies in the sales numbers. Despite the praise, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown only sold around 1.3 million copies in its first year, as reported by Push Square in January 2025. For a company like Ubisoft, which often expects blockbuster numbers, that just wasn’t enough. Gautoz revealed that Ubisoft execs decided to abandon the project shortly after its release, believing that a sequel or more expansions would “cannibalize” the long-term sales of the original game.
Instead, they disbanded the team at Ubisoft Montpellier and reassigned them to other projects with “better sales potential.” Search “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sales 2025” and you’ll see why this decision has left fans heartbroken.
What Went Wrong for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown?
So, what’s the deal? Why did a game as good as Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown fail to meet Ubisoft’s expectations? For starters, the Metroidvania genre, while beloved by many, is a bit niche compared to the 3D action-adventure games that dominate the market—like, say, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, which has been a massive hit for Square Enix. Final Fantasy 7 has a huge, dedicated fanbase that’s been following Cloud Strife’s journey since 1997, and its remake trilogy has sold millions thanks to its blend of nostalgia and modern gameplay.
In contrast, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown had to fight for attention in a crowded market, especially since Ubisoft didn’t release it on Steam at launch—a move that Baldur’s Gate 3 director Michael Douse called a “broken strategy” on X.
Douse argued that if Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown had launched on Steam, it could’ve been a “market success” and likely earned a sequel. Instead, its delayed Steam release hurt its visibility, and Ubisoft’s focus on its own platform didn’t help. This isn’t the first time Ubisoft has struggled with sales lately—games like Star Wars Outlaws and XDefiant also underperformed in 2024, adding to the company’s woes. Search “Ubisoft sales struggles 2025” and you’ll see a pattern of commercial disappointments that’s got fans worried about the future of their favorite franchises.
Ubisoft’s Bigger Problems: Strikes, Stock Prices, and Beyond Good and Evil 2
The cancellation of a Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sequel isn’t just about the game—it’s a symptom of bigger issues at Ubisoft. The company is facing a rough patch in 2025, with falling stock prices, internal drama, and even employee strikes. Just last week, around 50 employees at Ubisoft Montpellier and other studios went on strike to protest return-to-office mandates, according to the SJTV union. The union claims Ubisoft broke promises about work-life balance, leaving staff frustrated. This unrest has only added fuel to the fire for a company already struggling to keep its fans happy.
Meanwhile, Ubisoft Montpellier is still working on Beyond Good and Evil 2, but let’s be real—there’s been no major update on that game in years. It’s been 21 years since the original Beyond Good and Evil dropped, and many fans are starting to think the sequel might never see the light of day. Compare that to Final Fantasy 7, where Square Enix has kept fans engaged with a steady stream of updates, from Final Fantasy 7 Remake in 2020 to Rebirth in 2024, and now the third part of the trilogy on the horizon. Final Fantasy 7’s success shows how a clear vision and fan engagement can keep a franchise thriving, something Ubisoft might want to take notes on.
There’s also talk of a potential buyout. Reports suggest that the Guillemot family and Tencent, both partial owners of Ubisoft, are considering buying out other shareholders to take the company private. This move could help stabilize Ubisoft’s declining value, but it’s a risky play—and it doesn’t guarantee a brighter future for franchises like Prince of Persia. Search “Ubisoft buyout rumors 2025” and you’ll see the gaming community is on edge about what’s next.
What Does This Mean for Prince of Persia Fans?
For fans of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, this news stings. The game was a breath of fresh air for the series, blending classic 2D platforming with modern Metroidvania elements. It even got post-launch support with three free updates and a DLC, Mask of Darkness, released in September 2024. But with the team disbanded and no sequel in sight, it looks like this might be the end of the road for this chapter of Prince of Persia—at least for now.
That said, Ubisoft hasn’t given up on the franchise entirely. They’re still working on Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake, slated for a 2026 release, though that project has had its own share of delays and drama. And some of the devs from The Lost Crown team are reportedly working on a Rayman remake, which could be a silver lining for fans of Ubisoft’s classic franchises. But for now, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown fans are left wondering what could’ve been.
Lessons from Final Fantasy 7: What Ubisoft Could Learn
If there’s one thing Ubisoft could learn from Final Fantasy 7, it’s the power of listening to your fans. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth has been a massive success because Square Enix knows how to balance nostalgia with innovation—something Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown did well, but didn’t get the support it needed to shine. Final Fantasy 7’s remake trilogy has kept fans hooked with its stunning visuals, expanded story, and deep character development, while Ubisoft’s decision to abandon The Lost Crown feels like a missed opportunity to build on a solid foundation.
Maybe Ubisoft needs to take a page out of Square Enix’s book and give their smaller, critically acclaimed projects more time to grow. Final Fantasy 7 didn’t become a legend overnight—it took years of fan love and developer dedication to make it the icon it is today. Search “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth success 2025” and you’ll see how a well-loved franchise can thrive with the right support.
What’s Next for Ubisoft in 2025?
As we roll into April 2025, Ubisoft is at a crossroads. The cancellation of a Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sequel, combined with their other struggles, has fans worried about the future of the company. Will they double down on safe bets like Assassin’s Creed, or take a risk on something new? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—gamers aren’t giving up on Prince of Persia just yet. If you haven’t played The Lost Crown, now’s the perfect time to check it out and see what all the fuss is about. Who knows? Maybe a surge in sales could convince Ubisoft to bring it back!
FAQ: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Why was the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sequel canceled?
Ubisoft rejected the sequel due to poor sales—only 1.3 million copies sold, far below their expectations.
How many copies did Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown sell?
It sold around 1.3 million copies in its first year, as reported in January 2025.
What happened to the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown dev team?
The team at Ubisoft Montpellier was disbanded and reassigned to other projects with “better sales potential.”
Is Ubisoft still working on other Prince of Persia games?
Yes, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is in development, set for a 2026 release.
