Baldur’s Gate 3 Dev Pinned the Blame on Corporate Greed for a Promising Ubisoft Game’s Cancelation

Since its debut, Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia series has captivated players with its innovative gameplay, rich storytelling, and stunning visuals, establishing itself as one of the defining titles in the studio’s portfolio. Its latest installment, Prince of Persia The Lost Crown was aimed to rejuvenate this beloved franchise once again, presenting players with a fresh platforming experience that garnered positive feedback.

However, shortly after its release, the team behind the game was disbanded, ruining hopes for future installments and highlighting a troubling trend: the gaming industry’s increasing emphasis on short-term profits. Michael ‘Cromwelp’ Douse, the publishing director of Baldur’s Gate 3, shared his insights on this disbanding, shedding light on the impact of corporate greed on creative potential.

How Corporate Greed is Undermining a Beloved Franchise at Ubisoft

In a recent discussion surrounding the video game industry, Michael ‘Cromwelp’ Douse pointed out the troubling trends of corporate greed and mismanagement, particularly in light of the disbanding of the team behind the highly anticipated Prince of Persia The Lost Crown.

Douse pointed out that Ubisoft’s release strategy has become increasingly increasingly problematic. The last major title on their platform (that was fairly successful) was Far Cry 6 in 2021. Since then, the studio has been struggling to capture the market with its underwhelming titles.

He went so far as to say that if The Lost Crown had been launched on more accessible platforms like Steam, it likely would have found greater commercial success. According to him, the main issue lies in the corporate greed within the gaming industry.

The last notable game on their platform was arguably Far Cry 6 in 2021. The Crew, Mirage and Avatar came in 2023 and didn’t perform, so you can assume subscriptions were at a lull when PoP released by 2024. Which means people wouldn’t be launching their store all too much.

If it… https://t.co/uiC167uxGG

— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) October 23, 2024

He further commented that if this continues, developers will have to learn the truth the hard way.

If the statement “gamers should get used to not owning their games” is true because of a specific release strategy (sub above sales), then the statement “developers must get used to not having jobs if they make a critically acclaimed game” (platform strategy above title sales) is…

— Very AFK (@Cromwelp) October 23, 2024

Developers nowadays prioritize profit over creative vision and player experience. Due to this, franchises like Prince of Persia risk falling by the wayside. The industry is slowly becoming narrow-minded, focusing on short-term gains rather than the potential for long-term growth through the establishment of robust, beloved franchises.

If Ubisoft focused more on long-term goals, it would have recognized that the franchise has a great legacy and can capture players’ attention. With The Lost Crown receiving a positive reception from players, it had the foundation to set the stage for sequels or spin-offs that could have further expanded the franchise. However, due to the corporation’s short-term greed, players might have lost another beloved series.

A Call for Change in the Industry

With a solid foundation and a dedicated fan base, Prince of Persia has the potential to evolve into a thriving series once again. Douse’s comments should serve as a poignant reminder for the industry to start thinking about recalibrating its priorities.

The first lesson should be to foster creativity and innovation rather than succumb to the relentless pursuit of profit. The cancellation of promising projects not only robs players of thrilling new adventures but also jeopardizes the job security of developers, who poured their passion into creating these experiences.

While Ubisoft has stated that the disbanded developers are working on different projects, it doesn’t mean it won’t affect the franchise. As the gaming community reflects on what could have been if the developers had not been disbanded, it is time for Ubisoft to step up and show why it was once one of the most beloved studios in the gaming industry.

In the end, the entire gaming industry should take Douse’s words as a reminder that poor corporate decisions are slowly overshadowing the creative potential within the industry, and this should not be seen merely as a jab at one studio, even though it was aimed at Ubisoft.

What installment from the Prince of Persia series was your favorite? Tell us in the comment section below.