In an exciting development for fans of the Prince of Persia franchise, recent leaks have provided a tantalizing glimpse into what’s on the horizon. A well-known industry insider has allegedly revealed key details about Ubisoft and Evil Empire’s upcoming title, marking a significant addition to the storied series.

The Rogue Prince of Persia: A Fresh Spin on a Beloved Franchise

According to the leaks, the new game, titled “The Rogue Prince of Persia,” is slated for a release on May 14, 2024. This title is expected to diverge from the main storyline, offering players a unique spin-off experience rather than a continuation of the traditional Prince of Persia narrative. The game’s development is being helmed by Evil Empire, the French studio renowned for its stewardship of the critically acclaimed Dead Cells. Since 2019, Evil Empire has expanded the Dead Cells universe with a wealth of post-launch content, demonstrating a commitment to enriching the gaming experience for its community.

An Anticipated Announcement and Early Access Launch

Insider Gaming’s Tom Henderson, the source of the leak, has indicated that the official announcement for The Rogue Prince of Persia is set for April 10, closely followed by its launch in May. Unlike its predecessors, this new entry in the Prince of Persia saga is rumored to debut as an early access title on Steam. This approach would mark a departure from Ubisoft’s recent strategy of bypassing Valve’s platform at launch, signaling a renewed interest in leveraging Steam’s vast user base for early feedback and iterative development.

However, this early access strategy implies that PlayStation console owners may have to wait longer to get their hands on the game, as the PlayStation Store currently does not support early access releases. While the Xbox ecosystem could potentially accommodate the game through its Game Preview program, no official announcements have been made regarding such plans.

Development Insights and Artistic Influences

The Rogue Prince of Persia has reportedly been in the works since around 2019, suggesting that Evil Empire has invested considerable time and resources into the project. The game’s art direction is said to draw heavy inspiration from bandes dessinées, or Franco-Belgian comics, promising a visually distinct and stylistically rich gaming experience. As with Dead Cells, The Rogue Prince of Persia is expected to receive extensive post-launch support, though it remains to be seen how the developers will balance free content with paid DLC.

Final Thoughts: A Promising Future for Prince of Persia

Assuming the accuracy of these leaks, Ubisoft is poised to rejuvenate the Prince of Persia franchise with not just one, but two new titles since the announcement of The Sands of Time remake in 2020. While fans eagerly await further developments on the remake, The Rogue Prince of Persia and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown are set to keep the franchise vibrant and engaging. With an ambitious content roadmap and a fresh gameplay experience on the horizon, the Prince of Persia series seems well-positioned to captivate both long-time fans and newcomers alike.

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