During the last console generation, the Prince of Persia series redefined action-platforming.  Innovations like wall-running and time manipulation made the series debut, The Sands of Time, one of the most important tiles for the PS2.  Its influences can be seen in games like Assassin’s Creed and … well, Assassin’s Creed, mostly.  The series began to go downhill from there, making the formerly genial and distinctive Prince into a gruff, hard-edged, unlikable brute, indistinguishable from countless cookie-cutter video game antiheroes, but the impact of and affection for the first game is undeniable.

For years, fans have anticipated a return to the innocence and fun of the first game, and an announcement by Ubisoft today might just be the glimmer of hope we’ve been waiting for.  A new Prince of Persia title is coming later this year for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.  No official date has been announced, but the press release does state that the game will be arriving “towards the end of 2008.”  The press release also gives a brief description of what to expect from the game, stating,

 “Prince of Persia is opening a new chapter in the Prince of Persia universe, featuring a new breed of gameplay. The game is poised to rejuvenate the action-adventure genre in addition to introducing a brand-new illustrative art style.”

Ubisoft Montreal, developers of all of the first three games, is back on the job for this one, so at least we know the franchise is in fully capable hands.  Whether or not they plan to bring back the fun and whimsy of Sands of Time is unknown, but the new character art seems more reminiscent of the young prince than his older, more 5-o-clock-shadowed version, so that’s promising.

We’ll keep you updated on this project when more details become available, including anything relating to the fact that Ubisoft has registered the domain, Princeofpersiaprodigy.com.  As of yet, we can’t confirm that that will be the actual title of this game, but it sure sounds likely.


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