It appears that Ubisoft is undergoing yet another internal restructuring, and unfortunately, some long-awaited projects are being caught in the crossfire. In an effort to streamline their massive portfolio, the company has reorganised into five distinct “Creative Hubs,” each focused on a different pillar of what’s left of their gaming empire.
Ubisoft Reshuffles the Deck
The headline news for many will be the casualties of this new strategy. Reports indicate that the long-troubled Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake has, unfortunately, officially been axed. Furthermore, the rumoured remake of Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag, a fan favourite, has reportedly been pushed back as the studio refocuses its resources on “billionaire brands.”
This shift comes as Ubisoft moves away from a broad, generalist approach and towards specialised divisions. Here is how the new internal structure breaks down:
- CH1 (Vantage Studios): Tasked with turning the heavy hitters like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and Rainbow Six into annual, billion-dollar franchises.
- CH2: Dedicated to tactical and competitive shooters, managing The Division, Ghost Recon, and the long-dormant Splinter Cell.
- CH3: Focused on “Live” experiences and ongoing service games, including The Crew, For Honour, and Skull & Bones.
- CH4: The home of narrative-driven fantasy worlds, housing Anno, Rayman, and Beyond Good & Evil.
- CH5: Aiming to reclaim the casual market with titles like Just Dance and mobile hits like Hungry Shark.
Tell Me More
The move signals a clear intent to prioritise financial stability over experimental projects. By putting Assassin’s Creed and Far Cry into a dedicated “Vantage Studios” hub, Ubisoft is essentially doubling down on the “Ubisoft Formula” that has proven successful in the past.
While it is disappointing to see Prince of Persia disappear from the schedule again, the dedication of a specific hub (CH4) to narrative universes suggests that titles like Rayman and Might & Magic aren’t being forgotten; they might have to wait their turn behind the bigger earners.
What We Think
It’s a bit of a “good news, bad news” situation for fans. On one hand, seeing Splinter Cell and Rayman explicitly mentioned in these new hubs gives us hope that those franchises still have a pulse. On the other hand, the cancellation of the Sands of Time Remake feels like the end of a very long, very messy road.
Focusing on “billionaire brands” sounds great for shareholders, but for us gamers, it often means more of the same and fewer risks. Hopefully, this new organisation allows Ubisoft to polish its releases a bit more than we’ve seen in recent years.
Where to Buy
As these internal shifts are still ongoing, there are no new titles to pre-order just yet. However, you can keep up with the current Ubisoft catalogue and any upcoming sales over at the Ubisoft Store or via Ubisoft+.
