Celebrating 35 Years of Prince of Persia: A Journey Through Innovation and Legacy

Celebrating a significant milestone, the beloved game franchise is commemorating 35 years since its inception. The journey began on October 3, 1989, with the launch of the groundbreaking game for the Apple II, recognized for its cinematic gameplay and innovative use of rotoscoping technology.

Jordan Mechner, the visionary behind the franchise, continues to engage with audiences today, having transitioned from game design to the realms of graphic novels and artistry. His most recent work marks his debut as both artist and author, featuring autobiographical elements that reflect heavily on his experiences in game development.

In his reflections shared via social media, he highlights the behind-the-scenes narratives from his journals during the 1980s and provides insights within his new memoir "Replay: Memoir of an Uprooted Family," which intertwines personal history with his creative journey. The graphic novel was initially released in French in 2023 and made its English debut this year, available for readers on his official website.

This month, Ubisoft will be revisiting the rich legacy of the franchise. Following the original title, the series expanded with two sequels, one premiering in 1993 and a subsequent occurrence in 1999. As for 2001,, Ubisoft acquired the franchise, leading to the release from the iconic game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, a project that saw contributions from Mechner and is currently undergoing a remake. The franchise thrived under Ubisoft’s guidance until it went dormant in 2010.

However, this year marked a resurgence with the introduction of Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown by Ubisoft Montpellier, which harkens back to the series’ roots with a 2D action-platform metroidvania style, earning high praise and becoming one of Ubisoft’s top-rated games in recent times.

In celebration of this enduring franchise, Ubisoft has unveiled an extensive feature dedicated to the original game’s history and has promised that more insider stories will be shared, taking fans deeper into the evolution of the Prince of Persia series.