What you need to know
- Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a 2D Metroidvania platformer released earlier this year by Ubisoft. It’s available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows PC, PS5, PS4, and Nintendo Switch.
- The game reviewed very well with critics when it came out in January, and also has very favorable user review scores across all of its platforms.
- However, a new report claims that the development team at Ubisoft’s Montpellier office responsible for making it has been disbanded, with a sequel turned down and developers assigned to other projects.
- Reportedly, Ubisoft’s reasoning for the decision is financial, with the publisher choosing not to make a sequel due to The Lost Crown failing to meet sales expectations.
As a longtime video game enthusiast and researcher with over two decades of experience, I have seen countless instances where promising games are either shelved or discontinued due to commercial performance. It is disheartening to see this happen to Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which was one of the most enjoyable and critically acclaimed titles in recent memory.
Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was notably among the top-tier games Ubisoft has put out recently upon its release in January. However, it appears that the development team behind this game has since been dissolved by the publisher.
According to French game journalist Gauthier “Gautoz” Andres, who received the information directly from multiple developers within Ubisoft Montpellier (the studio responsible for the original title), there’s word that a new project is in the works. This news has been met with excitement as it offers an opportunity to create and work on something enjoyable, particularly since the development team behind Beyond Good and Evil 2 appears to have been disbanded due to its underperformance in the market. However, Ubisoft has yet to confirm whether this new project will be a sequel.
Andres explained that, following the release of the game, the outcome within the development team had been essentially decided a few weeks later. By spring, it was apparent that after launching some DLCs and cosmetics, the game’s lifespan would come to an end. A handful of core developers attempted to get a sequel approved, but this didn’t succeed. They then tried to push for two expansions, hoping for better results, but it wasn’t to be. Ubisoft required more personnel to aid on other projects that had higher sales potential, and unfortunately, Lost Crown didn’t meet the expected sales figures.
The game titled Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown was warmly received by critics upon its release earlier this year, earning a Metacritic score ranging from 85 to 88, depending on the platform you’re considering. It also boasts high ratings across Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. On Valve’s PC gaming platform, it holds a “Very Positive” rating, with 83% of its user reviews being positive.
In our review of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, my colleague Zachary Boddy awarded it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars. He described it as a clear victory for Ubisoft and an engaging, difficult, and intriguing Metroidvania-style 2D platformer. Furthermore, he recommended the game, suggesting that it’s not one to dismiss quickly.
It appears that many people chose to dismiss The Lost Crown as a commercial failure, following this report which seems to validate rumors of poor sales that surfaced shortly after the game’s launch. In the past couple of years, Ubisoft’s credibility has suffered due to multiple underperforming titles, and this negative reputation likely influenced how players received the game, hurting its appeal. Although the game’s quality might have helped restore some faith in Ubisoft, with the developers now disbanded and reassigned to other projects, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see another game like The Lost Crown from them again.
Analysis: Ubisoft has to be willing to take a hit
If the information in this report is accurate, it’s unfortunate news about the team behind Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown’s development. This game was one of the standout releases for fans of platformers and Metroidvania titles this year, and also ranked among the best Xbox games and best PC games overall. Granted, it didn’t sell as well as expected, but I firmly believe that Ubisoft’s tarnished reputation, rather than any issues with the game itself, was the primary cause of its underperformance.
Due to releasing numerous lackluster games in recent times, the publisher has gained a negative image among players, causing them to avoid its latest offerings. To regain the trust of these fans, Ubisoft must demonstrate its ability to produce enjoyable games consistently, understanding that some projects may not meet profit expectations as the company rebuilds its reputation.
Through disbanding the team responsible for one of Ubisoft’s rare recent successes due to falling sales targets, the company seems to signal to its audience that it’s ready to prioritize only its major franchises like Assassin’s Creed or Far Cry. Games like The Lost Crown might have been commercial triumphs if they were regularly produced by a company renowned for its creative and top-tier releases, but Ubisoft, at present, is not that company – and until its leadership is prepared to endure hardships as it strives to reach such a reputation, I doubt it ever will.
As a researcher delving into the realm of digital entertainment, I’m thrilled to share that the captivating title “Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown” is now accessible across various platforms for $39.99. This adventure awaits you on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One systems, Windows PC (either through Steam or Ubisoft Connect), PS5, PS4 systems, and Nintendo Switch. For PC users, there’s an added bonus – you can enjoy this game as part of the Ubisoft+ gaming subscription service, similar to Xbox Game Pass.
Read More
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- JASMY PREDICTION. JASMY cryptocurrency
- DOGS PREDICTION. DOGS cryptocurrency
- UXLINK PREDICTION. UXLINK cryptocurrency
- DOP PREDICTION. DOP cryptocurrency
- OKB PREDICTION. OKB cryptocurrency
- QUINT PREDICTION. QUINT cryptocurrency
- METIS PREDICTION. METIS cryptocurrency
- KNINE PREDICTION. KNINE cryptocurrency
- SQR PREDICTION. SQR cryptocurrency
2024-10-22 23:09