cancellation Archives

AppWizard

February 1, 2026

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Got a Remastered Mod

Ubisoft announced the cancellation of the remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, which was initially unveiled in September 2020 and faced multiple delays. The project was ultimately halted due to not meeting quality standards. In response to this cancellation, a mod called Sands of Time Remastered Mod has been released for PC gamers, enhancing the original game with high-quality textures and improved HD cutscenes. The mod also revamps the Dagger of Time's appearance and allows for additional visual enhancements using Reshade. The mod is available for download, but installation instructions can be found on the NexusMods page. Screenshots of the mod have been shared, showcasing the improvements.

AppWizard

January 31, 2026

After joking about buying Amazon MMO New World, Rust boss says to “keep hope” as he signs NDA with an “unnamed company”

Alistair McFarlane, head of Facepunch Studios, has expressed interest in reviving the canceled Amazon MMO, New World, and has made a light-hearted offer for its rights. He is entering a non-disclosure agreement with an unnamed company, urging fans to keep "low expectations." McFarlane engaged with the New World community by jokingly tagging Amazon Games and discussing the planned shutdown of the New World: Aeternum servers in January 2027. He believes in empowering the community through public server hosting if a deal occurs. McFarlane has acknowledged the game's rough start and lack of long-term support but sees potential for its revival. Facepunch Studios prioritizes community engagement, as demonstrated by the ongoing success of their game Rust. The identity of the unnamed company remains undisclosed, but speculation points to Amazon Games. McFarlane emphasizes that discussions are confidential and that there are no confirmed deals or announcements at this time.

BetaBeacon

January 26, 2026

Ubisoft’s game cancellation announcement leads to sinking share prices

Ubisoft shares have fallen by as much as 35% after the cancellation of six upcoming games and the restructuring of the company, which includes layoffs and the closure of two studios.

AppWizard

January 22, 2026

Ubisoft axes six games, including the Prince of Persia Sands of Time remake that felt like it was finally within reach

Ubisoft has announced a comprehensive organizational and operational reset, which includes the cancellation of six in-development projects, notably the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake. This remake, initially unveiled in 2020, has faced development challenges and is now shelved indefinitely. The company's strategic pivot is a response to changes in the gaming industry, focusing on open-world games and "Games as a Service" (GaaS) experiences, supported by investments in generative AI. Ubisoft has created "Creative Houses" for dedicated teams to enhance brand focus and streamline development. Despite the cancellations, Ubisoft is developing four new intellectual properties, including March of Giants. Additionally, seven upcoming titles have been delayed, with speculation surrounding the remake of Assassin's Creed: Black Flag and other potential candidates like The Division 3 and the remake of Splinter Cell.

Winsage

January 19, 2026

Hytale modder gets Windows 95 OS up and running inside the actual game — other projects include running Minecraft, and Hytale inside itself

Modders have begun showcasing achievements in Hytale, a sandbox RPG that launched into Early Access on January 18, 2026. Engineer Sadat Sahib, known as iamcxv7, successfully ran Windows 95 and Minecraft within Hytale. Running Windows 95 revealed some cumbersome interactions, likely due to using a joypad instead of a mouse and keyboard. A modder also managed to run Doom inside Hytale before its official release. Hytale attracted 2.8 million players on launch day and over 420,000 viewers on Twitch, making it the most-watched game globally. The game was developed by the Hypixel Minecraft team and emphasizes modding capabilities.

AppWizard

January 19, 2026

Hytale Is Becoming What Minecraft Used to Be

Hytale has been released after a tumultuous development journey that included its acquisition by Riot Games and a subsequent cancellation. The game, initially seen as a competitor to Minecraft, is still a work in progress but has foundational elements of a great gaming experience. The developers aimed to create a standalone game for greater creative freedom, and despite initial disinterest, the author chose to support Hytale after its revival. The game offers a crafting-focused RPG adventure, contrasting with the monetization strategies of Minecraft under Microsoft. While there are issues with the current build, the author remains excited about Hytale's potential for future updates and content.

AppWizard

January 18, 2026

Minecraft-like Hytale got a huge dinosaur update just a few days after release

Hytale has launched as a playable title with positive early reception and has generated enough revenue to support two additional years of development. The game received praise for its engaging gameplay, and a significant update was released just four days post-launch, which included the addition of dinosaurs. The Hytale Team has been transparent about the game's lore and design, sharing information on their official website. The project saw rapid progress after Simon Collins-Laflamme took over following its cancellation by Riot Games, with gameplay footage released shortly after the acquisition. Hytale is currently available for purchase in early access on the developer's website, although it has not yet launched on Steam.

AppWizard

January 17, 2026

Facepunch Studios COO says he’ll buy New World for $25 million, and he might not be joking: ‘We’re always looking for new opportunities and we are open to all avenues’

Amazon is set to discontinue its New World MMO on January 31, 2027. Alistair McFarlane, COO of Facepunch Studios, has expressed interest in purchasing the game, stating that "games should never die." He humorously suggested a purchase price of "25m" on social media. Simon Collins-Laflamme, known for reviving Hytale, offered his expertise in acquiring canceled games. Popular streamer Gothalion also showed support for the idea of saving New World. McFarlane mentioned that his company is opening a publishing arm and is looking for new opportunities, emphasizing a commitment to preserving gaming experiences.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Minecraft inspired Hytale starts 2026 with a comeback story, becoming the most popular game on Twitch hours after entering Early Access

Hytale was developed by Hypixel Studios, established in 2018 as a spinoff of the Hypixel server. The game features procedurally generated biomes with unique quests and monsters. In 2020, Hypixel Studios partnered with Riot Games, which later acquired the studio. However, in July 2025, Riot Games announced the cancellation of Hytale due to escalating costs. In November 2025, Hypixel Studios regained the rights to the game. Hytale entered Early Access on January 13, 2026, with pre-purchases ensuring development funding for at least two years. Upon release, it peaked at over 420,000 viewers on Twitch, although viewership dropped to just under 100,000 by January 14.

AppWizard

January 16, 2026

Hytale Feels Like Little More Than A Neat Minecraft Texture Pack

Hytale is an early access game that has been in development for a decade, facing a cancellation by Riot Games before its revival in November. The game features mechanics such as jumping two blocks high and a combat system that requires timing for attacks, which are similar to potential mods in Minecraft. Hytale includes familiar mobs like skeletons, spiders, zombies, and golems, alongside new creatures like goblins and Kweebecs, and a mysterious area known as the Void. Crafting in Hytale is more complex than in Minecraft, requiring multiple workstations, and workbenches can recognize adjacent chest contents. Despite its unique elements, Hytale often feels derivative of Minecraft, with similar sounds and inventory mechanics. Future updates, including an anticipated Adventure Mode, aim to introduce RPG-like storylines and quests. The game currently faces balancing issues but remains visually appealing, though it has not surpassed Minecraft's foundational elements.