Ubisoft has confirmed that the development team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown has been disassembled and its members reassigned to other projects. This news comes after reports of disappointing sales for the action-adventure platformer, which launched earlier this year to a generally positive reception from critics and fans.
The initial report came from French gaming journalist Gauthier “Gautoz” Andres, who revealed that Ubisoft Montpellier, the studio behind The Lost Crown, had been disbanded and its members scattered to different teams within Ubisoft. Ubisoft later confirmed this in a statement, emphasizing that the move was not a layoff and that the developers were still employed, just working on different projects. This decision reportedly stems from The Lost Crown failing to meet Ubisoft’s sales expectations, despite its positive critical reception and the nostalgic appeal of the Prince of Persia franchise.
What went wrong?
- Marketing and Release Window: Some argue that The Lost Crown suffered from a lackluster marketing campaign and a poor release window, launching in a crowded period alongside major titles like Hogwarts Legacy and Forspoken.
- Franchise Fatigue: Others suggest that perhaps gamers are simply experiencing “Prince of Persia fatigue,” with the franchise having seen numerous iterations and reboots over the years.
- Shifting Trends: It’s also possible that the Metroidvania style of The Lost Crown, while well-executed, didn’t resonate with a broad enough audience in the current gaming landscape.
My Take:
As a long-time fan of the Prince of Persia series, I was personally disappointed by this news. I found The Lost Crown to be a refreshing take on the franchise, with its vibrant art style, engaging combat, and intriguing storyline. It’s a shame that the game didn’t achieve the commercial success it deserved. This situation highlights the challenges faced by developers in today’s competitive gaming industry, where even well-crafted games can struggle to find an audience.
What’s next for Prince of Persia?
Despite this setback, Ubisoft maintains that the Prince of Persia franchise is not dead. A remake of The Sands of Time is reportedly still in development, though it has faced multiple delays. Whether this remake will see the light of day remains to be seen.
The disbanding of the Lost Crown team is undoubtedly a blow to fans hoping for a resurgence of the Prince of Persia franchise. It serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of the gaming industry and the challenges of reviving classic franchises in a constantly evolving market.
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