Evil Empire has officially confirmed that its anniversary update for The Rogue Prince of Persia will be the game’s final one, bringing support to a close just over a year after the title launched. In a surprise announcement shared across the studio’s Steam page and its X account, the developer signaled that it is pivoting its focus toward the imminent release of its next project, Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, which is scheduled to arrive on October 15. The decision marks a deliberate end to an ambitious first year of live service, as the team prepares to channel its energy into a highly anticipated return to the Castlevania franchise.
The announcement came shortly after the studio delivered its long-awaited anniversary update on September 17, a substantial patch that touched on everything from improved pacing to a refined endgame experience. According to Evil Empire, the update was the culmination of a plan that had originally envisioned two separate releases. “We originally planned two updates, but decided to bring the best and most important parts of both into this one,” the studio explained. The reasoning behind the consolidation, the developer noted, stems from a place of genuine affection for the project. “We’ve always been a bit too optimistic about what we could do, mostly because we genuinely love working on the game, but we feel this is the right way to wrap up its first year.”
A Final Push Before the Next Chapter
While the decision to halt further updates may come as a surprise to some players, it reflects a pragmatic strategy on the part of Evil Empire. The full patch notes accompanying the anniversary update ran to 15 pages, underscoring just how much polish the team poured into the game before moving on. Rather than leaving the title in a half-finished state, the studio ensured that The Rogue Prince of Persia is left in excellent condition for players to enjoy over the long term. The absence of future content drops will not diminish the experience, as the core game stands on its own merits and remains fully playable.
For the studio, however, the timing of this conclusion makes strategic sense. Evil Empire is set to become considerably busier in the coming weeks, with Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse commanding its full attention. Once the game launches, the team will likely need to deploy a series of updates and hotfixes as players surface bugs and identify mechanics that require balancing. This shift in priorities explains why wrapping up support for the Prince of Persia title now allows the developers to dedicate their resources where they are needed most.
“We’ve always been a bit too optimistic about what we could do, mostly because we genuinely love working on the game, but we feel this is the right way to wrap up its first year.”
Evil Empire
The community reaction to the announcement has been largely understanding, with many players appreciating the studio’s transparency and its commitment to delivering a complete, polished experience before departing. Technical discussions have centered on the quality of the final patch, with players noting that the 15-page patch notes demonstrate a level of dedication that is rare in the live-service space. Fans of the franchise appear eager to see how Evil Empire applies the lessons learned from The Rogue Prince of Persia to its next endeavor.
Looking Ahead
As Evil Empire turns its attention to Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse, the stakes for the studio are higher than ever. The title represents the first new Castlevania game since 2014’s Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, making it a landmark entry for the franchise. Set to bring back the series’ traditional 2D perspective, the game follows Rose Belmont, the daughter of former protagonist Trevor Belmont, in a narrative that unfolds after the events of Castlevania III. This positioning within the series’ lore, combined with the return to a beloved visual style, positions Belmont’s Curse as a significant moment for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
With the release date locked in for October 15, players can expect the studio to remain active in the weeks leading up to launch, addressing any technical issues and refining the experience based on early feedback. For those who have enjoyed The Rogue Prince of Persia, the message from Evil Empire is clear: the door is not closing, but rather opening toward a new and exciting chapter in the studio’s catalog. As the countdown to Belmont’s Curse begins, the gaming community watches with anticipation to see how this next installment will be received.
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