Interview of Michel Ancel: the fans ask the questions!

[Mr. Dark Thingamajig]

what is rayman's age
what kind of species is rayman

Are you seriously asking for the species? Look at your own username!

Thingamajig is not a species, that's "dinges" in english (if i'm right)

[Keane]

what is rayman's age
what kind of species is rayman

Are you seriously asking for the species? Look at your own username!

Thingamajig is not a species, that's "dinges" in english (if i'm right)

I get it! I get it!

[TeensieKing]

The Glade of Dreams is a world full of magic and fantasy. Do you have plans to expand more the mythology of the world in future games or even in an encyclopedia format?

Good question here

[PowerPatrick]

Will Ubisoft eventually support Android, Windows Phone and other mobile operating systems? You already seem to have a few games for Apple iOS, including an Rayman 2 port made by a third-party developer like Gameloft, but nothing for the other smartphone and tablet platforms. In the era of feature phones, you have done a great job at supporting Symbian with titles like Rayman 3, Rayman Kart, Rayman Bowling, Rayman Golf, Rayman Garden and Rayman Raving Rabbids.

The fact is, Android have a massive and accelerating market share, with 550,000 daily activations, surpassing iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) by a far margin, fundamentally because of the large variety of devices. The high-end version of these devices, especially Samsung Galaxy S II, HTC Sensation, LG Optimus 3D and Motorola Atrix 4G, does also have a far better hardware, mainly in performance (computing power), appearance (screen technology), and features (e.g. HDMI-connection for Full HD TV), resulting in a much more pleasant gaming experience. Sony Ericsson even created a dedicated gaming smartphone like Xperia Play. Nvidia, the world's largest graphics card manufacturer, are supporting Android devices. Nintendo's shareholders are demanding a change for the business model to support the smartphone and tablet market. Consider it a wasted business opportunity to leave it out. The era of single-purpose devices like the Sony PSP series and the Nintend DS series are fading out, as people are losing interest in them for smartphones and tablets.



I have a Galaxy S II, being the world's most powerful, thinnest and preordered smartphone, and even theoretically more powerful than a Playstation 3. I already use emulators to play a lot of different Rayman titles, and I would love to play Rayman Origins on it.

[Haruka]

Honestly I would be quite pleased if they decided to expand more the history of the world. Series like "Star Wars" and "Oddworld" obey to this parameter.

[spiraldoor]

I’m sure Michel Ancel would love to feast his eyes on some smartphone pie-charts, but I think this is supposed to be an interview for Rayman fans.

[Shrooblord]

I’m sure Michel Ancel would love to feast his eyes on some smartphone pie-charts, but I think this is supposed to be an interview for Rayman fans.

Serious ROFL over at my part!

I have a question too:

- It is very clear that Rayman 1 was very toony. Even in Rayman 2 toony aspects can still be found. This is less so in Rayman 3, though still present. From the videos I've seen, it's obvious RO will be the tooniest yet. What inspired you to make this comeback of amazing and wacky toon heroes, in this age where realism, action and violence are all the rage?

[TeensieKing]

realism, action and violence are all the rage?

Dissapointingly true.

[Haruka]

The gaming market of nowadays is invaded by FPSs.

[TeensieKing]

The gaming market of nowadays is invaded by FPSs.

FPS...Frames per Second? Anyways the platformers have lost a lot of importance. No one understand the importance it has in the videogame marked...

[MLII]

FPS = first person shooter

I have no questions really about Rayman Origins. :L All the ones I have will be answered anyway

[MasterHero]

• Could you tell us a bit about the things that didn't make it into rayman 1 (and why they were cut)?
  Like this:
  
  
  

• Who had the idea for globox? Do you really like him?

• Most of Rayman's friends Of R1 like Tarayzan, Joe, The Muscian etc. are gone. Why?

• Are you thinking about a Tonic Trouble 2?

• Why all the characters got limbs (since rayman 2)?

• You said somewhere you would have made rayman 3 different. Could you tell us about the main things you would have changed and what you've liked?

• Is there a chance to get the (Beta?)SNES version released or just a video(for free or the something like that)?

• Who is the character that plays guitar (in the secret room in the "tomb of the anciens" level in R2)?
  

[PowerPatrick]

I’m sure Michel Ancel would love to feast his eyes on some smartphone pie-charts, but I think this is supposed to be an interview for Rayman fans.

I highlighted the main simple question to be used in the interview: "Will Ubisoft eventually support Android, Windows Phone and other mobile operating systems?" The intent for my extended explaination, is to accomplish the potential of being forwarded and referenced, while educating different members on this community.

Serious ROFL over at my part!

Hurr durr, herp-a-derp.

The gaming market of nowadays is invaded by FPSs.

Only on the desktop... You forgot there's a lot of different markets.

[Adsolution]

The gaming market of nowadays is invaded by FPSs.

Only on the desktop... You forgot there's a lot of different markets.

Like the FPS market, the MMORPG market, the FPS market, the Nintendo market, the Sony Market, and the FPS market.

[spiraldoor]

I’m sure Michel Ancel would love to feast his eyes on some smartphone pie-charts, but I think this is supposed to be an interview for Rayman fans.

I highlighted the main simple question to be used in the interview: "Will Ubisoft eventually support Android, Windows Phone and other mobile operating systems?" The intent for my extended explaination, is to accomplish the potential of being forwarded and referenced, while educating different members on this community.

The problem with your main question is that it’s got nothing to do with Rayman, even though the purpose of this interview is to give Rayman fans a chance to communicate with Rayman developers. It’s unlikely that the employees at Montpellier would be able to give us any definitive answers regarding the company’s future business plans – they do not expect us to ask such questions – and moreover, I don’t think smartphones are one of the core interests of this community.

[Adsolution]

The era of single-purpose devices like the Sony PSP series and the Nintend DS series are fading out, as people are losing interest in them for smartphones and tablets.

This is all too true. I can't believe the 3DS actually sold as well as it did.

[El Dango]

- Do you have any plans for the future of the series after Origins? Are we going to have more platformers in both 2D and 3D, or is it simply going to stick to one?

- If any DLC is to be released, would this consist of extra levels?


Just threw a few out of my ass there, I'll see if I can come up with more later.

[PowerPatrick]

Like the FPS market, the MMORPG market, the FPS market, the Nintendo market, the Sony Market, and the FPS market.

I think you misinterpreted my post or are just goofing around with me. I meant desktop, mobile and console markets with subcategories of them as well...

The problem with your main question is that it’s got nothing to do with Rayman, even though the purpose of this interview is to give Rayman fans a chance to communicate with Rayman developers. It’s unlikely that the employees at Montpellier would be able to give us any definitive answers regarding the company’s future business plans – they do not expect us to ask such questions – and moreover, I don’t think smartphones are one of the major interests of this community.

Let me rephrase the question: "Will Ubisoft bring Rayman Origins to Android, Windows Phone and other mobile operating systems?" At first, he can probably answer whenever Ubisoft has been looking into it, and if they have any plans for it at the moment. Btw. Serveral members in this community have smartphones. It's probably not the main interest because it's lacking some relation to Rayman, unless in the discussion of emulators and fangames.

The era of single-purpose devices like the Sony PSP series and the Nintend DS series are fading out, as people are losing interest in them for smartphones and tablets.

This is all too true. I can't believe the 3DS actually sold as well as it did.

Actually, it didn't sell that well. The incredible majority of mobile devices are still smartphones.

[Segafan98]

First of all: Did Jack Black voice Globox in Rayman 2?
And Second: Is Rayman Origins going to have merchandise, such as figures, shirts, folders, etc.

[Phoenixan]

This is a simple question, and I don't think it's been asked yet (I only skimmed over the posts in this topic):

Rayman Origins appears to have a somewhat unique visual style. What inspired the art style of this game, if anything?

And, if this isn't too broad of a question to follow up with, what inspired the art styles of your past games?