Prince of Persia
The Prince of Persia franchise isn't just a series of video games; it's a saga that has captivated players for decades, evolving through groundbreaking animation and compelling storytelling set in ancient and medieval Persia. From its revolutionary origins to its modern iterations, the 'Prince' has navigated countless traps and foes, leaving an indelible mark on gaming history. Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of this iconic hero. The original Prince of Persia revolutionized character animation in games through the innovative use of rotoscoping, setting a new standard for fluidity. The franchise has undergone significant creative reboots and shifts, adapting its narrative and gameplay to remain relevant across multiple gaming generations. Beyond its own success, Prince of Persia profoundly influenced other major titles, notably serving as the conceptual foundation for the critically acclaimed Assassin's Creed series.
AI Summary
The Prince of Persia franchise isn't just a series of video games; it's a saga that has captivated players for decades, evolving through groundbreaking animation and compelling storytelling set in ancient and medieval Persia. From its revolutionary origins to its modern iterations, the 'Prince' has navigated countless traps and foes, leaving an indelible mark on gaming history. Join us as we explore the enduring legacy of this iconic hero.
- The original Prince of Persia revolutionized character animation in games through the innovative use of rotoscoping, setting a new standard for fluidity.
- The franchise has undergone significant creative reboots and shifts, adapting its narrative and gameplay to remain relevant across multiple gaming generations.
- Beyond its own success, Prince of Persia profoundly influenced other major titles, notably serving as the conceptual foundation for the critically acclaimed Assassin's Creed series.
The Original Legacy
A Royal Debut
Our journey begins in 1989 with Jordan Mechner, the visionary creator behind the first Prince of Persia. Fresh off the success of Karateka, Mechner sought to craft an adventure inspired by the timeless tales of One Thousand and One Nights and classic films like Raiders of the Lost Ark. To achieve unprecedented realism, he used rotoscoping—filming his brother performing movements and tracing them frame by frame for lifelike animation.
The original Prince of Persia wasn't just innovative; it was a phenomenon. Its clever puzzle design, precise platforming, and engaging combat captivated audiences worldwide. This immediate success led to it becoming one of the most ported games in history, appearing on over 20 different platforms.
The Shadow and the Flame
Mechner later supervised the development of the eagerly anticipated sequel, Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame. Developed internally at Broderbund, the sequel continued the Prince's epic journey with even more detailed environments and complex challenges. Much like its predecessor, it garnered critical acclaim and strong sales, cementing the franchise's early success.
A Faltering Step into 3D
As gaming evolved, the franchise attempted its first leap into three dimensions with Prince of Persia 3D in 1999. Released for PC and Dreamcast, this installment unfortunately faced significant criticism for its buggy gameplay and was a commercial disappointment. This stumble ultimately led to Broderbund's gaming division—and with it, the Prince of Persia rights—being acquired by Ubisoft.
The Sands of Time Era
Rebirth of a Prince
After the struggles of Prince of Persia 3D, Jordan Mechner, still owning the intellectual property, was approached by Ubisoft to reboot the series. Skeptical but intrigued, he joined a team, many of whom were also working on the seminal Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell. Their ambitious aim was to 'breathe new life into the action-adventure genre' with this new vision, resulting in the acclaimed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in 2003.
This game masterfully blended acrobatic platforming, fluid combat, and a charming narrative, introducing the iconic ability to rewind time. This groundbreaking gameplay mechanic instantly became a hallmark of the series. The Prince could correct mistakes, dodge deadly traps, and strategically outwit foes, influencing countless games thereafter.
Creative Departures
The subsequent installment, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, took a notably darker and grittier turn, both in tone and violence. Mechner himself expressed finding this new direction unappealing, creating a rift among fans. While critics offered mixed reactions, the game was a strong commercial success, proving the franchise could experiment with its identity and still draw a large audience.
Seeking a balance, the developers crafted Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, aiming to combine the vibrant charm of The Sands of Time with the mature edge of Warrior Within. This third main entry in the 'Sands of Time' trilogy concluded the compelling narrative arc, delivering a satisfying blend of both styles. It brought the story full circle, offering a powerful conclusion to the Prince's saga.
Expanding the Story
In 2010, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands arrived, filling narrative gaps between The Sands of Time and Warrior Within for its console versions. Released as a tie-in to the major film adaptation, this installment offered varied storylines across different platforms. It further enriched the 'Sands of Time' universe, exploring new magical powers and ancient conflicts.
Timeless Collections
Fans were later treated to the Prince of Persia Trilogy, collecting The Sands of Time, Warrior Within, and The Two Thrones. Initially released on PlayStation 2, these beloved titles received a high-definition remaster for PlayStation 3. Complete with 3D support and PlayStation Network Trophies, this collection brought the classic adventures to a new generation of players.
Modern Iterations
A Second Reboot
In 2008, Ubisoft decided on a second franchise reboot, simply titled Prince of Persia. This game presented a new art style and a fresh take on the Prince and his companion, Elika, focusing on cooperative platforming and a stylized, cel-shaded aesthetic. It harkened back to the original's pure platforming while introducing an engaging new combat system.
Diverse Spin-offs
The series has also seen numerous spin-offs, including Battles of Prince of Persia for the Nintendo DS, a turn-based strategy game set between Sands of Time and Warrior Within. Mobile gaming also embraced the Prince, with Gameloft developing many adaptations, including an HD remake of the original 1989 game that visually echoed The Sands of Time. Ubisoft's Ketchapp even released the runner game Prince of Persia: Escape in 2018, followed by a sequel in 2022, showcasing the brand's reach into casual gaming.
The Lost Crown
A significant return came in January 2024 with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. This 2.5D side-scrolling platformer introduces a new protagonist, Sargon, a member of the elite Immortals, showcasing a vibrant art style and a fresh storyline. It proved the agility and adaptability of the Prince of Persia universe, earning critical praise for its gameplay and innovation.
The Rogue Prince of Persia
Looking ahead, The Rogue Prince of Persia, a 2.5D roguelike developed by Evil Empire, is slated for release in 2025. Inspired by Franco-Belgian comics, it will offer a constantly changing challenge, marking Ubisoft's first day-one Steam Early Access release in years. This new title further expands the franchise's genre footprint, promising endless replayability.
Paths Not Taken
Redemption's Unseen Play
Not all journeys come to fruition. A project codenamed 'Osiris,' and later revealed as Prince of Persia Redemption, saw a compelling gameplay pitch trailer surface in 2020, years after it was initially created. This ambitious concept for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, however, never progressed beyond that initial pitch, leaving fans to wonder what might have been.
The Sands of Time Remake
Similarly, a highly anticipated remake of The Sands of Time, formally announced in 2020, faced significant development hurdles. After multiple delays and a change in studios, Ubisoft ultimately canceled the project in January 2026 as part of a major company restructuring. This decision closed a chapter on what could have been a nostalgic return to a beloved classic.
Beyond the Games
Expanding the Mythos
The Prince's adventures extend beyond the digital realm. In 2008, a graphic novel, penned by Jordan Mechner himself, was released. It explored two Princes across different centuries, offering a standalone narrative that enriched the franchise's lore without directly tying into any specific game continuity.
Hollywood's Prince
The cinematic world also welcomed the Prince in 2010 with Walt Disney Pictures' film adaptation, Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, the movie garnered mixed reviews but still commanded a substantial $336 million at the box office, bringing the iconic story to a wider global audience. Accompanying the film was 'Before the Sandstorm,' a one-shot comic, and a series of Lego sets based on the movie, complete with a short animated film.
Lasting Influence
A Global Phenomenon
The enduring success of the Prince of Persia series has been recognized globally, earning six Guinness World Records in the Gamer's Edition 2008. These accolades include 'First Motion-Capture Animation in a Video Game' and 'Highest Rated Platformer on PS2 and Xbox.' They highlight its profound impact on the industry, cementing its place in gaming history.
The Prince's influence wasn't limited to gaming alone. South Korean singer-songwriter Kim Kwang-Jin penned the song 'Magic Castle' with lyrics directly inspired by the original game's storyline. Russian author Victor Pelevin even explored the game's existential themes in his short story 'Prince of Gosplan,' where the hero questions his reality through the lens of the game.
Even other legendary games took inspiration from the Prince. The developers of the original Tomb Raider explicitly aimed to evoke the feel of the Prince of Persia's gameplay in their own design. This emulation was a testament to the fluid, engaging movement and acrobatic platforming that Mechner's creation pioneered, setting a high bar for action-adventure titles.
The Genesis of Assassin's Creed
Perhaps the most significant legacy of Prince of Persia lies in its direct role in the creation of Ubisoft's blockbuster Assassin's Creed series. Initial ideas for a sequel to Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time evolved into an open-world concept, driven by the capabilities of new console generations. The development team, originally working on a Prince of Persia game titled 'Prince of Persia: Assassin,' shifted the focus from a traditional Prince to a bodyguard character, inspired by research into secret societies and the novel 'Alamut.' The 'Animus' device was even conceived to explain gameplay elements, much like time-rewinding in Sands of Time, providing a narrative framework for player failures.
This transformation ultimately birthed Assassin's Creed, inheriting much of Prince of Persia's fluid parkour and stealth mechanics, but expanding them into vast, historical open worlds. It's a powerful reminder that even when a path changes, the seeds of greatness often come from unexpected places. The Prince's DNA continues to flow through one of gaming's most successful franchises.
A Timeline of Adventure
To truly appreciate the saga, here's a chronological look at the main installments and significant spin-offs across the years. It's a testament to how often the Prince has leaped, climbed, and battled his way into our hearts, enduring through decades of gaming evolution.
Year Game 1989 Prince of Persia 1993 Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame 1999 Prince of Persia 3D 2002 Prince of Persia: Harem Adventures 2003 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time 2004 Prince of Persia: Warrior Within 2005 Prince of Persia: Revelations 2005 Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones 2005 Battles of Prince of Persia 2006 Prince of Persia Trilogy 2007 Prince of Persia: Rival Swords 2007 Prince of Persia Classic 2008 Prince of Persia (2008) 2008 Prince of Persia: The Fallen King 2010 Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands 2010 Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Wii) 2010 Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (DS) 2010 Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (PSP) 2013 Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame (remake) 2018 Prince of Persia: Escape 2020 Prince of Persia: The Dagger of Time 2022 Prince of Persia: Escape 2 2024 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown 2025 The Rogue Prince of Persia
Article
Prince of Persia
Prince of Persia is a video game franchise created by Jordan Mechner. It is centered around a series of action-adventure games focused on various incarnations of the eponymous Prince, set in ancient and medieval Persia.
The first two games in the series, Prince of Persia (1989) and Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame (1993), were published by Broderbund. Prince of Persia 3D (1999), named for being the first installment to use 3D computer graphics, was developed by Red Orb Entertainment and published by The Learning Company on PC; the Dreamcast version was developed by Avalanche Software and published by Mattel Interactive. Ubisoft bought the rights to the franchise in 2001 and rebooted it with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2003). Ubisoft has since developed and published five additional entries in the series: Prince of Persia: Warrior Within (2004), Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones (2005), Prince of Persia (2008), Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (2010), and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2024), as well as a number of spin-offs and games for mobile devices (by Gameloft). A remake of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time had been announced in 2020 but later cancelled at the beginning of 2026
Outside of the games, the franchise includes a film adaptation, a graphic novel and the Lego Prince of Persia toyline. Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed franchise is considered to be the spiritual successor to the series.
Games
Prince of Persia
<table><thead><tr><th>1989</th><th>Prince of Persia</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>1990</td></tr><tr><td>1991</td></tr><tr><td>1992</td></tr><tr><td>1993</td><td>Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame</td></tr><tr><td>1994</td></tr><tr><td>1995</td></tr><tr><td>1996</td></tr><tr><td>1997</td></tr><tr><td>1998</td></tr><tr><td>1999</td><td>Prince of Persia 3D</td></tr><tr><td>2000</td></tr><tr><td>2001</td></tr><tr><td>2002</td><td>Prince of Persia: Harem Adventures</td></tr><tr><td>2003</td><td>Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time</td></tr><tr><td>2004</td><td>Prince of Persia: Warrior Within</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>Prince of Persia: Revelations</td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones</td></tr><tr><td>Battles of Prince of Persia</td></tr><tr><td>2006</td><td>Prince of Persia Trilogy</td></tr><tr><td>2007</td><td>Prince of Persia: Rival Swords</td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Persia Classic</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>Prince of Persia</td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Persia: The Fallen King</td></tr><tr><td>2009</td></tr><tr><td>2010</td><td>Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands</td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Wii)</td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (DS)</td></tr><tr><td>Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (PSP)</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td></tr><tr><td>2012</td></tr><tr><td>2013</td><td>Prince of Persia: The Shadow and the Flame (remake)</td></tr><tr><td>2014</td></tr><tr><td>2015</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td></tr><tr><td>2017</td></tr><tr><td>2018</td><td>Prince of Persia: Escape</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Prince of Persia: The Dagger of Time</td></tr><tr><td>2021</td></tr><tr><td>2022</td><td>Prince of Persia: Escape 2</td></tr><tr><td>2023</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown</td></tr><tr><td>2025</td><td>The Rogue Prince of Persia</td></tr></tbody></table>
Original trilogy
The first game in the series was created by Jordan Mechner after the success of Karateka. Drawing from multiple general sources of inspiration, including the One Thousand and One Nights stories, and films like Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Adventures of Robin Hood, the protagonist's character animation was created using a technique called rotoscoping, with Mechner using his brother as the model for the titular prince. The original Prince of Persia, with its more than 20 platform ports, is one of the most ported games in video game history.
Mechner enrolled in New York University's film department, producing an award-winning short film during his time there, before returning to design and direct a sequel to the original game. The sequel, Prince of Persia 2: The Shadow and the Flame, was developed internally at Broderbund with Mechner's supervision. The game, like its predecessor, received critical acclaim and high sales. Broderbund was subsequently purchased by The Learning Company, which was later acquired by US game company Mattel Interactive. In 1999, Prince of Persia 3D was developed and released under Broderbund's Red Orb label. Released for PC and the Dreamcast only, it was criticized by many users as being buggy, and was a commercial disappointment. The Broderbund/Learning Company's games division, the assets of which included the Prince of Persia franchise, was subsequently sold to Ubisoft.
The Sands of Time series
Mechner, who owned the Prince of Persia intellectual property, was brought in to work with Ubisoft on a reboot of the franchise, titled The Sands of Time, although he was originally wary after the failure of Prince of Persia 3D. The team they worked with was also working on Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: their aim with the game was to "breathe new life into the action-adventure genre".
Mechner did not take part in the production of the next game, Prince of Persia: Warrior Within, and he commented on finding the dark atmosphere and heightened level of violence unappealing. The changes also provoked mixed reactions from critics, but sales were strong and a third game, eventually titled Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones, went into production. For The Two Thrones, the developers and artists tried to strike a balance between the light, cartoon-like tones of The Sands of Time, and the grittier mediums of Warrior Within.
A fourth installment in The Sands of Time series, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, was released in May 2010. The Windows, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game filled in some of the narrative gap between The Sands of Time and Warrior Within, whereas the PSP, Wii, and the DS versions each feature their own alternative storylines. The game was released as a tie in to The Sands of Time film adaptation.
Trilogy collection
The Prince of Persia Trilogy (known as Prince of Persia Trilogy 3D on the remastered collection's title screen) is a collection of The Sands of Time trilogy released on the PlayStation 2 and subsequently on the PlayStation 3 as part of the Classics HD range. The collection includes The Sands of Time, Warrior Within and The Two Thrones, all previously released on the PlayStation 2, Xbox and Microsoft Windows. The games were remastered in high-definition for the PlayStation 3 with 3D and PlayStation Network Trophy support on one Blu-ray Disc. The PlayStation 2 collection was released on October 27, 2006, in Europe, while the remastered collection was released on November 19, 2010, on Blu-ray in PAL regions. The release marks the first Classics HD title to not be published by Sony Computer Entertainment.
In North America, the three games were originally released separately as downloadable-only titles on the PlayStation Store. The first, The Sands of Time, was released on November 16, 2010, while the other two games followed in December. The Blu-ray version was to be released in North America on March 22, 2011 but the collection ended up being delayed until April 19.
Prince of Persia 2008 reboot series
In 2006, concept designs surfaced hinting at another entry in the franchise. The game, titled simply Prince of Persia, is a second reboot of the franchise, with its level and combat design harking back to the original 1989 game. The game was released in December 2008, receiving positive reviews from most video game outlets and decent sales. Alongside the main game, Ubisoft's Casablanca branch developed a direct sequel and spin-off for the Nintendo DS, titled Prince of Persia: The Fallen King, which received fair reviews.
Spin-offs and remakes
The first spin-off of the series was developed alongside and released in the same year as The Two Thrones for the Nintendo DS. Battles of Prince of Persia is a turn-based strategy game set between The Sands of Time and Warrior Within. It received mediocre reviews from critics.
In 2007, Gameloft and Ubisoft released Prince of Persia Classic, an enhanced remake of the original Prince of Persia for Java ME, Android, iOS, Xbox 360 (XBLA), and PlayStation 3 (PSN). It is developed by Gameloft's internal studio Gameloft Montreal. The visual style was upgraded to resemble Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, and the Prince himself was given some additional moves, such as the ability to roll, backflip, wall jump and stop time briefly during combat. However, the core gameplay remains the same as the original – the player must defeat Jaffar within one hour while watching out for the many traps and defeating the guards they encounter.
There have been a number of mobile games for Java ME-based phones developed by Gameloft, some based on older PC or console titles with 2D graphics and others loosely based on contemporary games but with 2D graphics and different gameplay due to technology constraints. Gameloft has also developed some ports for both the iPhone and the iPad. The first spin-off by Gameloft was titled Prince of Persia: Harem Adventures, released for Java phones in 2003. Specifically, the company has developed (via its Gameloft Montreal studio) HD remakes of the original Prince of Persia in 2007, and its sequel (via Gameloft Pune, a studio which now belongs to Ubisoft) The Shadow and the Flame in July 2013.
In 2018, Ubisoft under the banner of its entity Ketchapp released Prince of Persia: Escape, a mobile game for Android and iOS. It is a runner game made up of different levels, and the player can customize the protagonist with outfits from past games. Reviewing for Pocket Gamer, Cameron Bald called Prince of Persia: Escape a "mundane game crushed under the weight of excessive greed". In August 2022, a follow-up, Prince of Persia: Escape 2, was released.
In January 2024, Ubisoft released the first major installment in the series since The Forgotten Sands, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. It is a 2.5D side-scrolling platformer and introduces a new storyline and protagonist, Sargon, a member of the Immortals.
The Rogue Prince of Persia is a 2.5D roguelike title developed by Evil Empire and released on August 20, 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud, and PC – through Ubisoft Connect, Steam, and the Epic Games Store – and will be coming to Switch 2 and Switch later in 2025. The game entered development around 2019, after a discussion between Evil Empire and Ubisoft at GDC, and its art direction is heavily inspired by Franco-Belgian comics. The game was Ubisoft's first day-one Steam release in five years, as well as their first title to be released in Early Access before a full release.
Canceled and unreleased games
Prince of Persia Redemption
In 2012, leaked images from a project entitled Osiris were assumed to be the next Prince of Persia title. Jordan Mechner even commented on his Twitter account that the images were not from a Prince of Persia game. A year later, Yannis Mallat, CEO of Ubisoft Montreal, said that the franchise was being "paused", saying that "as soon as we have something to show, we will". In the following months, Ubisoft confirmed that it was either planning or considering next-generation entries in multiple franchises, including Prince of Persia. A video uploaded by a Ubisoft Montreal artist in 2012 but only discovered in 2020 showed a gameplay trailer for Prince of Persia Redemption which would have been released for Windows, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. According to Jonathan Cooper, a former Ubisoft animator at the time, the trailer was a mockup of the planned gameplay for the title created by Khai Nguyen, used to pitch the game concept. The game never developed beyond that point, though the work on the pitch trailer was used to prepare a similar trailer for Assassin's Creed III.
The Sands of Time remake
A remake of the Sands of Time, formally announced at Ubisoft Forward 2020, was originally scheduled for release on January 21, 2021, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, but Ubisoft delayed the remake indefinitely. In its quarterly financial report, Ubisoft stated that the remake was expected to be out sometime during its 2022–23 fiscal year. The remake's development was moved to Ubisoft Montréal, a change from Ubisoft Mumbai and Ubisoft Pune. The company said the 2023 fiscal year release target was no longer being targeted. A new release window of 2026 was announced at Ubisoft Forward 2024. Ubisoft officially canceled the remake on January 21, 2026 with the announcement of a major restructuring of the company.
Adaptations
Graphic novel
Jordan Mechner finished writing the story for a graphic novel in 2007. The novel was written by A.B. Sina, and illustrated by Alex Puvilland and LeUyen Pham. It was released by First Second Books in autumn 2008. The story follows two Princes, jumping between the 9th and 13th centuries. Although it belongs to the franchise the plot is not related to any of the game continuities or that of the 2010 film.
Film adaptation
In 2010, a film adaptation of The Sands of Time was released by Walt Disney Pictures. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Prince Dastan, it would go on to receive mixed reception, but still gross $336 million in theaters. Besides The Sands of Time, the film also incorporated elements from Warrior Within and The Two Thrones, the two other titles from the Sands of Time trilogy of the Prince of Persia video game franchise.
Upon the film's release, it was accompanied by Before the Sandstorm, a 2010 one-shot comic book published by Disney Publishing Worldwide. This comic serves as both a direct prequel and sequel to the feature film, and explains the motives and backgrounds of some characters. It was written by Jordan Mechner and featured illustrations by Todd McFarlane, Niko Henrichon, David Lopez and Bernard Chang.
Lego
Lego Prince of Persia was released by The Lego Group in 2010, as part of the company's strategy to produce sets based on Disney properties. Based on the feature film, Lego released six sets within the theme, as well as a short animated film, before discontinuing it.
Reception
Awards
The success of the Prince of Persia series resulted in Guinness World Records awarding the series six world records in the Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008. These records include First Motion-Capture Animation in a Video Game and Highest Rated Platformer on PS2 and Xbox.
Impact and legacy
South Korean singer-songwriter Kim Kwang-Jin released the song 'Magic Castle', with lyrics inspired from the storyline of the original Prince of Persia.
In 1992, Russian author Victor Pelevin wrote a book called A Werewolf Problem in Central Russia and Other Stories, in which there is a short story called "Prince of Gosplan". The story is greatly influenced by the game; the main hero of the story lives in a mixed reality of the real world and video games and identifies himself as Prince of Persia. He tries to understand if his life is real or if he is just seeing it on a computer display.
The feel of the gameplay in Tomb Raider was intended to evoke that of the original Prince of Persia.
The Assassin's Creed series originated out of ideas for a sequel for Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. Its critical and financial success led Ubisoft to request Ubisoft Montreal to develop a sequel, aiming for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Ubisoft Montreal team decided on taking the gameplay from The Sands of Time into an open world approach, taking advantage of the improved processing power to render larger spaces and crowds. Narratively, the team wanted to move away from the Prince being someone next in line for the throne but to have to work for it; combined with research into secret societies led them to focus on the Assassins, heavily borrowing from the novel Alamut. They developed a narrative where the player would control an Assassin that served as a bodyguard for a non-playable Prince, leading them to call this game Prince of Persia: Assassin. The "Animus" device allowed them to explain certain facets of gameplay, such as accounting when the player fails a mission, in the same way they had done in The Sands of Time.