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How It Works • Games & Tech

Prince of Persia (video game series)

Prince of Persia is a video game franchise created by Jordan Mechner and originally launched in 1989.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Prince of Persia is a video game franchise created by Jordan Mechner and originally launched in 1989. The series centers on action-adventure games set in ancient and medieval Persia.

What it is

The series started in 1989 with Prince of Persia, a game created by Jordan Mechner and published by Brøderbund. It became known for its cinematic animation and platform gameplay. Prince of Persia games are generally action-adventure titles with platforming elements, set in stylized versions of Persia, featuring acrobatic movement, combat, and fantasy elements.

Why it matters

Ubisoft acquired the franchise rights in 2001 and rebooted it with Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time in 2003. This reboot revitalized the series, leading to a new run of titles across home consoles and PC, including Warrior Within (2004), The Two Thrones (2005), Prince of Persia (2008), and The Forgotten Sands (2010).

Key details

After The Forgotten Sands in 2010, the series saw a long gap before Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown in 2024. Ubisoft has also released spin-offs and mobile entries over time. The franchise has been widely available in Canada through major console, PC, and digital releases.

In short

  • Created by Jordan Mechner and first released in 1989.
  • Ubisoft acquired the rights in 2001 and rebooted the series with The Sands of Time in 2003.
  • The latest major installment is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown (2024).
  • The series is known for its action-adventure gameplay and Persian-inspired settings.
Canadian angle

Prince of Persia has been widely available in Canada through major console, PC, and digital releases, including Ubisoft-published entries on Canadian retail and storefront markets.

Quick questions

Who created Prince of Persia?
The series was created by Jordan Mechner.
What was the reboot of the series?
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, released in 2003, rebooted the franchise.
What is the latest major game in the series?
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, released in 2024.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_of_Persia
    Supports: Creator, original release, Ubisoft acquisition, reboot, and later major series entries.
  2. Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/topic/Prince-of-Persia
    Supports: Series origin, original developer, genre, and Ubisoft-era releases.
  3. Ubisofthttps://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/game/prince-of-persia
    Supports: Ubisoft's handling of the franchise and the series' anniversary framing.
  4. Radio Timeshttps://www.radiotimes.com/technology/gaming/prince-of-persia-games-order/
    Supports: Release order of major games and sequence of entries.