Phrasemaker

Ubisoft is facing one of the most turbulent moments in its history. The publisher confirmed a major internal reset this week that includes cancelled projects, delayed releases, two studio closures, and a full reorganization of its creative teams. Markets reacted instantly. Ubisoft shares fell by up to 35 percent in a single day. This was the biggest one day drop since the company entered the stock market in 1996. It also brought the stock to its lowest level in about fourteen years.

Six Games Cancelled

Ubisoft confirmed that six games have been cancelled. Only one of them is publicly known. The remake of Prince of Persia The Sands of Time has officially been stopped after years of troubled development.

The five other cancelled projects had never been announced. According to Ubisoft, they include three new IPs, one mobile title, and another unannounced game. These cancellations follow an internal review of priorities, budgets, and quality expectations.

Seven Games Delayed

Alongside the cancellations, Ubisoft revealed that seven games are being delayed. The company did not name any of them. One project that was originally planned for release before April 2026 will now arrive closer to April 2027.

Some outlets have speculated that the long rumoured remake of Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag could be among the delayed titles. Ubisoft has not confirmed this, so it should be treated as speculation rather than fact.

A Company Wide Restructure

The reset goes far beyond individual titles. Ubisoft is reshaping how it works at the highest level. The company is reorganising into five creative houses, each with full responsibility for a group of franchises or genres. The goal is to reduce internal overlap and create clearer production pipelines.

Two studios are closing as part of this plan. Ubisoft Halifax in Canada and Ubisoft Stockholm will both shut down. The company is also tightening its work from home policy and expects more regular presence in the office across its teams.

This overhaul arrives after years of rising production costs, long development cycles, and inconsistent releases. For many players, the prolonged development struggles behind Skull and Bones or Beyond Good and Evil 2 have come to symbolise some of Ubisoft’s wider challenges. The new structure is meant to bring more stability and predictability.

Why the Stock Collapsed

The financial reaction was immediate and severe. Investors saw the cancellations, delays, and restructuring as a sign that Ubisoft’s development pipeline is weaker than expected. The company also revised its revenue expectations for 2026 downward. Combined, these announcements triggered a drastic loss of confidence. Shares dropped by more than one third over the course of the day.

What It Means for Players

In the short term, players should expect longer waits between major releases and fewer experimental projects. Ubisoft is putting more attention on its strongest franchises and cutting anything that does not meet its new criteria.

At a broader level, the situation highlights the growing pressure on AAA development. Projects keep getting bigger and more expensive, and even major publishers are finding it difficult to manage large pipelines.

If the reset succeeds, Ubisoft may emerge with a clearer identity and more consistent output. For now, the future of several long rumoured games remains uncertain, and the entire industry is watching to see whether this dramatic shift will be enough to pull the company back to stability.