Gaming News: Ubisoft Hits Reset

Six games cancelled, Seven delayed, Two studios shut.

Gday Gamers,

Feels like 2026 just started, and somehow Ubisoft already cancelled six games.

Quick shoutout to everyone who’s been reading The Save File. I really appreciate the support.

Let’s get into it,

Ubisoft Cancels 6 Games, Delays 7, Closes 2 Studios

Ubisoft just announced its biggest internal shake-up in years. Six games have been cancelled, seven more delayed, two studios shut down, and the publisher says this is all part of a multi-year reset designed to cut costs, streamline leadership, and fix its release slate after years of turbulence.

This reset includes:

• The closure of Ubisoft Halifax and Ubisoft Stockholm

• The cancellation of six in-development titles, including the long-delayed Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake

• The delay of seven games, including Star Wars Outlaws & AC Black Flag Remake

• The formation of five new “Creative Houses” that will control Ubisoft’s major IPs from development to publishing

Each of these creative groups will focus on a specific type of game, think “Open World Adventure” or “Games as a Service-first experiences” and take ownership of franchises like Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, The Division, Just Dance, and Skull & Bones. Publishing will now be handled within these houses, eliminating layers between production and release.

Ubisoft says it expects to cut €200 million in fixed costs over the next two years as part of this restructure, mostly by consolidating studios and abandoning what CEO Yves Guillemot called “redundant or stagnant initiatives.”

My thoughts and prayers go out to anyone affected by these structural changes.

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Highguard Isn’t Out Yet, But the Internet’s Already Mad

Highguard is the first game from Wildlight Entertainment, a studio full of ex-Respawn devs who worked on Titanfall and Apex Legends. It’s a free-to-play PvP raid shooter where you play as “Wardens”, arcane gunslingers fighting over a siege tool called the Shieldbreaker. Teams capture it, breach bases, and destroy them to claim territory. It’s launching January 26 with cross-play and in-game purchases.

It was the final trailer at The Game Awards 2025, and the reaction was rough. Plenty of people assumed Wildlight paid for that premium slot. According to PC Gamer, they didn’t; Geoff Keighley and his team picked it for the closer.

That didn’t stop the backlash, though.

Online sentiment quickly flipped into “ugh, another hero shooter” before anyone saw a full slice of gameplay. Here’s the thing: it’s free. It’s out in a few days. If it’s bad, then fine, you can have an opinion, but judging it just because of trailer placement or genre fatigue feels lazy.

At least give it a shot before dragging it.

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In Case You Missed It

• Prime Video shares first look at Sophie Turner as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider Filming is underway, with the first official image now out in the wild.

• Ryan Hurst cast as Kratos in Prime Video’s God of War series
  The show’s lead is locked in, and the production reset details are starting to solidify.

• Life is Strange: Reunion release date and full reveal drop early
  Max and Chloe return as co-leads in the March 29 release. A fitting conclusion to their story.

• THQ Nordic confirms REANIMAL will have a Friend’s Pass
  Co-op access is getting the “bring a mate” treatment, with details promised soon.

• Sony delists 1,000+ PlayStation Store games from a single publisher
  A major shovelware wipe appears to have nuked an entire catalogue overnight.

• Baby Steps leads the 2026 IGF Awards nominations
  The nominee list is out, and Baby Steps is the clear frontrunner.

• Resident Evil Showcase hub
  Capcom’s official page has the stream info and the latest Resident Evil updates in one place.

• Ad-supported Xbox Cloud Gaming tier reportedly spotted in prompts
  Reports point to one-hour sessions and messaging that appears to have gone live early.

• Compile Heart to reveal a new “school RPG” led by Atlus co-founder Kouji Okada Site is live, and the core staff list is stacked with familiar names.

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Releasing this week

MIO: Memories in Orbit launches January 20
This stylish metroidvania puts you in control of an android exploring a decaying space station. Launching on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch, and Switch 2.

2XKO launches January 20
Riot’s 2v2 tag-team fighter kicks off its first live patch. Early access players get their hands on it now for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Arknights: Endfield - January 22
Open-world real-time combat meets gacha systems in this tactical RPG spin-off. Out on PS5, PC, iOS, and Android.

Dynasty Warriors: Origins – Visions of Four Heroes expansion (January 22)
New characters and campaigns drop for Omega Force’s battlefield action reboot. Expansion releases alongside this week’s content update.

Cult of the Lamb: Woolhaven DLC - January 22
Massive content update adds new areas, secrets, and building systems. Still cute. Still cursed. Still deadly.

Highguard - January 26
PvP raid shooter from ex-Respawn devs. Capture the Shieldbreaker, storm bases, and fight to control the map. Free-to-play on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.

Code Vein 2 - January 30
Bandai Namco’s anime soulslike returns with time travel, branching storylines, and blood-fueled combat. PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC.

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Did You Know The horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 have testicles that shrink in cold weather.

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Anyway, until next time.

-Desmond