Ubisoft Milan’s Ambitious Zelda Spinoff 'Goliath' Canceled After Nintendo Rejection
Ubisoft Milan’s ambitious Zelda spinoff, internally codenamed 'Goliath,' was canceled after Nintendo rejected its prototype in late 2023. The project, led by Davide Soliani, initially featured an original protagonist before Nintendo requested a switch to Ganondorf. The cancellation led to the dissolution of the Milan team and the departure of key staff, including Soliani, to form the new studio Day 4 Night.
Key points
- Ubisoft Milan developed a Zelda spinoff called 'Goliath' starting in late 2022, aiming for a new protagonist before Nintendo requested a change to Ganondorf.
- Nintendo rejected the project's prototype in late November 2023, leading to its cancellation and the breakdown of the partnership.
- The cancellation caused the Ubisoft Milan team to be split, with some staff reassigned to 'Beyond Good & Evil 2' and others placed on 'availability.'
- Davide Soliani, Cristina Nava, and Gian Marco Zanna left Ubisoft in July 2024 to found the studio Day 4 Night, which later revealed its first game, 'Bradley the Badger,' at The Game Awards in December 2025.
- The story is based on 18 months of research for a book on canceled games, with Ubisoft declining to comment before publication.
Background
This cancellation occurred amidst a period of heightened attention to the Zelda franchise, including the 40th Anniversary Direct in September 2026, which revealed a Switch 2 remake of 'Ocarina of Time' and a live-action movie. The timing of the 'Goliath' project's development (2022-2023) followed the release of 'Mario and Rabbids Sparks of Hope,' which had favorable reviews but modest sales, prompting discussions for a new collaboration between Ubisoft and Nintendo.
Why it matters
The cancellation of 'Goliath' highlights the significant risks and creative tensions inherent in major publisher-developer partnerships, particularly when dealing with iconic intellectual properties. It also illustrates the impact of project failures on studio stability and talent retention, as the dissolution of Ubisoft Milan’s team led to the formation of a new independent studio, Day 4 Night, which has since secured a new game project.
What to watch
Day 4 Night is currently developing 'Bradley the Badger,' which was revealed at The Game Awards in December 2025. Ubisoft has not commented on the 'Goliath' project, and the reasons for Nintendo’s rejection of the prototype remain unclear. The broader relationship between Ubisoft and Nintendo may continue to be affected by the fallout from this cancellation.
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on Insider Gaming