“Check out my new ink. Wicked, eh?”

Ubisoft has announced a new instalment in the long-running Prince of Persia franchise. The game is not a direct sequel to the 2008’s contentious series reboot. Rather, Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands will revisit the characters and setting employed in The Sands of Time trilogy, released 2003-2005.

Though Ubisoft’s press release makes no mention of it, the decision to return to the Sands of Time milieu was undoubtedly inspired by producer Jerry Bruckheimer’s forthcoming film adaptation. Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time is directed by Mike Newell (Donnie Brasco) and stars Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko) as the titular Prince. The film also features Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kinglsey in his first video game adaptation since 2005’s Uwe Boll masterpiece BloodRayne.

Both game and film are due for release in May 2010 and this degree of marketing synergy doesn’t necessarily bode well. Let’s hope Ubisoft approaches The Forgotten Sands as a meaningful entry in the series and not merely an opportunity to cash in on the inevitable success of the film.