Nintendo Rejected Ubisoft's Ganondorf-Starring Zelda Spin-off, Ending Partnership

Ubisoft Milan spent months developing an ambitious pitch for a new Legend of Zelda spin-off, but Nintendo's rejection of the prototype in late 2023 marked the end of the publisher's partnership with the Italian studio and triggered a significant departure of key talent.

The project, internally known as Goliath, began as a concept discussion between Nintendo and Ubisoft Milan following the release of Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope in late 2022. Both companies were pleased with the game's reception and sales trajectory, according to sources familiar with the collaboration. Discussions about their next project started soon after.

Davide Soliani, the creative director behind the Mario + Rabbids series, led a small team through the winter of 2022-2023 to develop the new concept. By early 2023, Ubisoft Milan had completed what it considered a strong pitch: a new Zelda universe spin-off with a previously unknown protagonist.

During the concept phase, the project evolved significantly. Nintendo asked Ubisoft to replace the original character with Ganondorf, the franchise's iconic villain and longtime adversary of Link and Zelda. This change would have marked a first for the series outside of Super Smash Bros., presenting a game focused on one of gaming's most recognizable antagonists.

Ubisoft Milan received a deadline of around the end of 2023 to deliver a compelling prototype to reach the next greenlight stage. In late November 2023, however, Nintendo rejected the prototype. Sources familiar with the project said the reasons for the decision remain unclear.

After the cancellation, Ubisoft attempted to salvage the partnership. According to developers with knowledge of high-level talks, Nintendo and Ubisoft discussed having Milan develop a different Nintendo IP. Internal rumors suggested Star Fox and Mario universe titles were considered, but conversations between the two companies broke down between late 2023 and early 2024.

The rejection had immediate consequences for Ubisoft Milan. The team was split up and reassigned to different projects across Ubisoft's portfolio. Some developers were placed on availability, a term used internally for staff without assigned projects. Others, including some senior developers, were moved to Beyond Good & Evil 2, a project that has experienced numerous reboots over its lengthy development cycle.

Soliani, alongside Cristina Nava and Gian Marco Zanna, a near-25-year Ubisoft veteran, left the company in July 2024. According to Zanna, the team's departure was driven by the fate of Goliath. In an interview with Italian publication Multiplayer.it, Zanna emphasized that the decision wasn't due to a falling-out with Ubisoft but rather the loss of the project the entire Milan team had rallied behind. He described Soliani's vision for the game as exceptionally ambitious.

The three founders established Day 4 Night with Christian Cantamessa, a veteran developer whose credits include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Red Dead Redemption, and Forza Horizon. Day 4 Night was announced in October 2024, with the studio already developing its first game, Bradley the Badger. Additional developers from Ubisoft Milan later joined Day 4 Night following Ubisoft's return-to-office mandates and concerns about job security.

This represents the latest in a series of canceled Zelda projects. Retro Studios, the developer behind Metroid Prime, previously worked on a Zelda spin-off pitch of its own that was reportedly canceled during the Wii era. That project, internally known as Project X, was set to feature Sheik as the playable character.