Rayman Legends

[spiraldoor]

Ancel's work hasn't been fantastic since 2003. Maybe he needs this. The rumour says a handful of Ubisoft members are thinking of leaving with him. I assume these are core creative personnel or longtime colleagues – people like Xavier Poix, Jacques Exertier, Céline Tellier, Frédéric Houde and Bruno Bouvret. Alexandra is obviously going with him. The quality of their games could improve greatly with the freedom of independent development. It would be sad to see Ancel lose control of the Rayman series, but Rayman 3 wasn't bad. At least Ubisoft might be willing to make some kind of deal to give him Beyond Good & Evil, as they clearly have no interest in putting that property to use.

[Haruka]

You're right, but as long Ubisoft wouldn't make Rayman to go to the same path as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro...

[Master]

I guess time will tell, all good things must come to an end eventually...
But, I'd rather not speculate, if it happens, it happens.

[sergiomonty]

If Rayman keeps with Ubisoft, that would be sad... it would be the exact same thing as Banjo Kazooie. The creators of the series left Rare because they were tired of Microsoft's shit... then Microsoft fired Grant Kirkhope, Rare's most well known musician. They, along with old developers from Rare, are now developing a spiritual successor for banjo. They can't do a banjo game because banjo belongs to microsoft now, but they will try to make a game as similar as possible (they confirmed it will still have sarcastic humour and goggly eyes on everything).

I wonder if Ancel will take this direction too, and if he does... how is it going to be? He leaded the Ubiart team, his team has lots of artistic potential.

[El Dango]

That's not good at all... remember that Rayman still belongs to Ubisoft.

I know that some people will see this as an issue, but it's had a pretty good run, hasn't it? By the time Legends arrives, it will have 5 main installments, most being of very high quality (and none of them considered "bad" by any means), as well as a good number of handheld titles.

Besides, think about what else Ancel could do. I have no doubt that he could create something that captures all the good qualities of the Rayman franchise. Who knows, maybe we've only seen the tip of the iceberg? Personally, I'm very excited about this.

[Shrooblord]

... the end of Rayman? It's ... it breaks my heart!

On the other hand, Ancel's freedom of creativity is more important. Damn corporate nonsense.

[Adsolution]

I would be devastated if that were to happen. I can't see Michel being happy giving up Rayman like this, even if it will allow him with more creative control over his other works. He created Rayman, and clearly that creation means a lot to him. Ubisoft does not deserve to have this franchise in their total possession.

[Haruka]

I would be devastated if that were to happen. I can't see Michel being happy giving up Rayman like this, even if it will allow him with more creative control over his other works. He created Rayman, and clearly that creation means a lot to him. Ubisoft does not deserve to have this franchise in their total possession.

This is my biggest concern in case this rumour happens to be true. I fear what Ubisoft could do with Rayman if Ancel wasn't in there. Its true that Rayman 3 wasn't a bad game like Spiral said, but we are in 2013, not in 2003. It passed a decade. The gaming market changed a lot since then. I fear if Rayman goes to the same path as Spyro and Crash Bandicoot. I don't want the franchise to die in a humiliating way, it was already enough what happened to the franchise during the dark era of the Rabbids.

[Adsolution]

As a member of the Resistance, I hereby state that I shall not be one of those who hide behind a community of a franchise that has been destroyed by its parent company, Michel's efforts will not be in vain!

Right.

[spiraldoor]

I would be devastated if that were to happen. I can't see Michel being happy giving up Rayman like this, even if it will allow him with more creative control over his other works. He created Rayman, and clearly that creation means a lot to him. Ubisoft does not deserve to have this franchise in their total possession.

He's made four Rayman games already. Maybe he's tired of that world. I wouldn't blame him for abandoning the series to Ubisoft if that meant he could ultimately make better games. I don't think King Kong and Rayman Origins approach the quality of Rayman 1, Rayman 2 and Beyond Good & Evil. Maybe Ancel is past his prime, but I think the more likely explanation is that he's been stifled by Ubisoft's increasing size and corporate tendencies.

Think about it. Four good-to-great children's platformers, one great action-adventure game and one solid film tie-in. We really haven't seen what this man can do, and if he stays with Ubisoft, maybe we never will.

[Adsolution]

Indeed. My main point however is that it was his original creation he made back when he was young. Even if he isn't interested in creating another game, the series likely holds value to him, and while I can see him giving up the series as a way to let him start his own independent studio (which I am arguably for, sort of), losing the rights to his original creation would probably be quite unpleasant.

[Haruka]

I also agree with your points, Spiral.

Indeed. My main point however is that it was his original creation he made back when he was young. Even if he isn't interested in creating another game, the series likely holds value to him, and while I can see him giving up the series as a way to let him start his own independent studio (which I am arguable for, sort of), losing the rights to his original creation would probably be quite unpleasant.

I can totally understand that. I can share the same thoughts. As an artist and creator of my own characters, I do feel attached to my creations. I would feel bad having to separate from them.

[sergiomonty]

Hmm... I undestand.

Indeed. The Rayman franchise is superb if we take out the Rabbids. No, in fact, most of the Raving Rabbids games that had "Rayman" on them were at least the most decent games in the Rabbids series.

If this means the end of Rayman... at least his legacy will end properly. As a hardcore franchise with excellent games. Not being overused. And each title, each one of them offering new ways to play... Unless ubisoft does something terrible to the series...

... Nah, that's ridiculous, Ubisoft doesn't give a shit about Rayman any more, let's be honest.

At least, I hope Rayman Legends has an excellent ending, and not... well...



I still hope the rumours are fake.

EDIT:

Not kidding this time. This comes from http://www.mynintendonews.com

New Rumour Reveals Why Rayman Legends Was Ported To Xbox 360 And PlayStation 3?

Online gaming publication Gamekult is reporting that both Ubisoft and Nintendo were unable to come to an agreement on distribution and publishing of Rayman Legends, which is the real reason why Ubisoft decided to bring the game to the Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. Both Ubisoft and Rayman creator Michel Ancel categorically deny these rumours.

Michel Ancel May Leave Ubisoft After Rayman Legends?
Michel Ancel, the acclaimed developer behind both Rayman and Beyond Good and Evil, could be leaving Ubisoft to concentrate on his own projects. The move would allow Ancel to detach from a large company and find more freedom in creation and organisation. Ancel and six other developers within his team are apparently looking to leave the company. Ubisoft denies the report.

Hmm... so... is it likely that both rumours are fake? Ubisoft and Michel Ancel seem to know about the rumours, and they deny them... well... Michel at least denies the first rumour... what do you think about it?

[GNineify]

I also agree with your points, Spiral.

Indeed. My main point however is that it was his original creation he made back when he was young. Even if he isn't interested in creating another game, the series likely holds value to him, and while I can see him giving up the series as a way to let him start his own independent studio (which I am arguable for, sort of), losing the rights to his original creation would probably be quite unpleasant.

I can totally understand that. I can share the same thoughts. As an artist and creator of my own characters, I do feel attached to my creations. I would feel bad having to separate from them.

I'm not quite sure, but if Ancel decides to leave, is his new studio able to have rights to Rayman since the franchise was created by him?

[Adsolution]

They're able to, if Ubisoft lets them. But Ubisoft has more power over this than Ancel himself does.

[sergiomonty]

Bleh... I don't believe in those rumours anymore.

[Haruka]

We shouldn't suffer by anticipation and just think in the good stuff: the online challenges will come approximately in a month for Wii U users. I might record some footage with my camera for demonstrative purposes.

[Minor-T5]

It would be sad to see Ancel leave Rayman
Really, I couldn't imagine Rayman without him.

[Genetic Destiny]

It would be sad to see Ancel leave Rayman
Really, I couldn't imagine Rayman without him.

It would feel like the Glade of Dreams without Polokus.

[Minor-T5]

Yes. It would feel like The Glade Of Dreams without Polokus.