Ubisoft Cancels Six Games, Closes Studios in Major Restructure

Ubisoft has executed a sweeping company-wide restructure that will fundamentally reshape its development pipeline and operational strategy. The gaming giant announced the cancellation of six projects, including its long-anticipated Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake, alongside delays to seven additional titles.

The changes also include the complete closure of two studios and the implementation of mandatory five-day in-office work requirements for all teams. This represents one of the most significant corporate overhauls in Ubisoft's recent history, driven by what the company describes as an increasingly competitive market landscape.

The company has fully scrapped six games, though only one has been publicly identified. The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake, which had already been rebooted once, will not proceed to release. Of the remaining five canceled projects, three were new intellectual properties, while one was a mobile title.

Seven additional games have been delayed, though specific titles remain undisclosed. Industry speculation suggests the Assassin's Creed: Black Flag remaster is among the delayed projects, originally scheduled for release before March 31, 2026. This title will now launch in the coming financial year, before March 31, 2027.

The company's strategic pivot is clear: moving forward, Ubisoft will concentrate its resources on open-world games and live-service experiences. This represents a significant narrowing of the company's creative portfolio, focusing on established genres where it has demonstrated market success.

Two Ubisoft studios will be completely shuttered as a direct result of the restructure. Ubisoft Stockholm, which previously collaborated on Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, will close entirely. The mobile development studio Ubisoft Halifax will also cease operations.

Beyond these closures, significant restructuring has occurred at multiple locations. The company's Abu Dhabi offices, the RedLynx studio known for the Trials series, and Massive Entertainment (home to The Division) have all undergone reorganization. These changes will result in further layoffs across the affected teams.

In a move that will impact all employees, Ubisoft has mandated a return to five-day in-office work for all teams. However, the company has provided an annual allowance for remote-working days, offering some flexibility within the new policy.

The financial implications of this restructure are substantial. Ubisoft has withdrawn its previous guidance for the full financial year, now projecting net bookings of approximately €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion). This represents a reduction of €330 million ($386 million) from its earlier forecast.

Frederick Duguet, Ubisoft's chief financial officer, attributed the decision to a thorough review of projects conducted throughout December and January. The review was conducted with the "current market evolution in mind—which is consistently more selective."

You've seen the last quarter showing a never-before-seen level of competition. Competition is here to stay.

The company explained that the massive reduction in financial guidance reflects changes to its upcoming release pipeline following the implementation of its updated development roadmap. Additionally, Ubisoft has decided to "postpone negotiations on certain partnerships" in the context of its new operating model.

The restructure coincides with the implementation of a new five-division creative framework. These "Creative Houses" will operate as independent business units, each with a distinct thematic focus. The previously-established Vantage Studios already encompasses Ubisoft's three biggest brands: Assassin's Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six.

The remaining four creative houses will be organized as follows:

• Creative House 2 - Dedicated to shooters, managing The Division, Ghost Recon, and Splinter Cell
• Creative House 3 - Focused on live experiences including For Honor, The Crew, Riders Republic, Brawlhalla, and Skull & Bones
• Creative House 4 - Centered on narrative-driven and fantasy series including Anno, Might & Magic, Rayman, Prince of Persia, and Beyond Good & Evil
• Creative House 5 - Dedicated to family and casual gaming, covering Just Dance, Uno, Hasbro, Idle Miner Tycoon, Ketchapp, Hungry Shark, and Invincible: Guarding the Globe

This structure suggests that while the Prince of Persia remake has been canceled, the franchise itself remains active within Creative House 4, indicating potential future projects for the series.

Ubisoft's sweeping restructure signals a decisive shift toward a more focused, sustainable business model in an increasingly challenging market. By consolidating resources around proven genres and established franchises, the company aims to navigate what it describes as an unprecedented level of industry competition.

The cancellation of six projects and delay of seven others will reshape Ubisoft's release calendar for years to come, while the studio closures and workforce reductions will have immediate operational impacts. The mandatory return to office work represents a significant cultural shift for the company's global workforce.

As the new five-division creative structure takes shape, the industry will be watching closely to see how Ubisoft balances its commitment to open-world and live-service games with the creative diversity that has defined its portfolio. The financial targets have been reset, the organizational chart redrawn, and the company's strategic priorities clarified—2026 will be a critical year for Ubisoft's transformation.