Ubisoft worked on a Zelda spin-off

Ubisoft worked on a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf. The project, called Goliath, was developed by Ubisoft Milan. Nintendo rejected the idea in November 2023.

Even with changes, the idea was rejected. The team was dispersed after the cancellation. Davide Soliani and other members founded Day 4 Night. Nintendo is cautious about licensing its brands, especially Zelda. The project would have been a spin-off, not a sequel or prequel. Ubisoft, especially its Milan branch, worked on a Zelda project focused on Ganondorf, a character known as the series' villain.

Ubisoft worked on a Zelda game starring Ganondorf — Image: vandal.elespanol.com

Nintendo rejected the project, which led to the team's dispersal and to some developers creating a new company. Nintendo demanded that the protagonist be replaced with Ganondorf, even though the original proposal had differences. Ubisoft Milan, which was responsible for development, saw its team disperse after the cancellation.

Ganondorf from The Legend of Zelda — Image: multiplayer.it

Cancellation gave rise to a new company

Ubisoft Milan developed the game as a spin-off, not as a sequel or prequel. After the cancellation, some team members founded Day 4 Night. The new company emerged as a response to the rejection, trying to take the project in a different direction. Nintendo's decision changed the project's course, but it did not halt the team's creativity. The cancellation led to the creation of a new company, which is now trying to bring to life the concept of Ganondorf as a protagonist.

Ubisoft worked on a Zelda spin-off starring Ganondorf — Image: ign.com

Nintendo rejected Zelda project featuring Ganondorf

The project, called Goliath, was developed by Ubisoft Milan, which hoped to raise its status within the company after the commercial performance of Mario + Rabbids. Nintendo, which has already collaborated with Ubisoft on titles such as Mario + Rabbids and Star Fox, may have been stricter with this new proposal. Nintendo's rejection reshaped the dynamics of brand licensing and affected the structure of the development team. Ubisoft Milan was dispersed after the cancellation, revealing how corporate decisions directly impact the continuity of projects and the formation of new teams. Nintendo asked to replace the protagonist with Ganondorf, suggesting that reinterpreting characters is a strategy to maintain the cohesion of the franchise's narrative.

With information from nintendolife.com, adrenaline.com.br and gamekult.com.