Interview of Michel Ancel: the fans ask the questions!

[RAYMANIA]

I think who Ancel has no ("undercover") account here, unfortunately!

I had the great pleasure to read that your string: In my living room back in late 90's
Well, Well and still Well, I think exactly like you! I am also terribly nostalgic for that wonderful period... 1999/2000 forever!

[RaymanPS1]

I think who Ancel has no ("undercover") account here, unfortunately!

I had the great pleasure to read that your string: In my living room back in late 90's
Well, Well and still Well, I think exactly like you! I am also terribly nostalgic for that wonderful period... 1999/2000 forever!

Great to know that I am not alone feeling like that!
I know that I maybe want them to make the game that I want myself, but I know that it is not going to happen. Ancel and the studio needs to think about sales. However, if we could have an interview with him, maybe we could have somewhat a slight influence on the end product. How awesome wouldn't that be?

[RAYMANIA]

Ancel and the studio needs to think about sales. However, if we could have an interview with him, maybe we could have somewhat a slight influence on the end product. How awesome wouldn't that be?

I totally agree with you!
You should know that anger lair for the fact that Rayman is no longer what it once was!
And my fear is that it could not be anymore, the years pass, and the series could end up in the wrong way!

[RaymanPS1]

Ancel and the studio needs to think about sales. However, if we could have an interview with him, maybe we could have somewhat a slight influence on the end product. How awesome wouldn't that be?

I totally agree with you!

Let's face it. All of us that are here know what made us long time Rayman fans. We all know what could make the series better. What is the chances of us getting an interview with him though?

[RAYMANIA]

We all know what could make the series better. What is the chances of us getting an interview with him though?

Almost inexistent, but if don't try will never know the outcome!

[RaymanPS1]

We all know what could make the series better. What is the chances of us getting an interview with him though?

Almost inexistent, but if don't try will never know the outcome!

Our biggest bet is to attempt to make some user on here, that lives nearby the Studio, or atleast in France, go to the studios and try to have a afew words with him, maybe we can prepare the questions on the forums here? Also, we could just ask if he could check out our community and etc. The possibilities are huge in my opinion, and we need to take advantage of it. I do believe guys, I really do. All that is needed is a ton of effort and will to complete this!

[RAYMANIA]

Our biggest bet is to attempt to make some user on here, that lives nearby the Studio, or atleast in France, go to the studios and try to have a afew words with him, maybe we can prepare the questions on the forums here?

I'm not a moderator or a prominent personality of the RPC-forum but I can tell you by simple member and by most concrete and passionate fan of Rayman that I'm down for it!

I do believe guys, I really do. All that is needed is a ton of effort and will to complete this!

I agree with you again!

[RaymanPS1]

So, the questions are: How shall we go forward to make this a reality? Are people eager to make this happen? (If not, then we can just give up), What needs to be done with Rayman in your opinion? What direction do we want the series to take?

Also, I think that Ancel will put Raymann as a second priority now, as I guess he is working on Beyond Good and Evil right now, at this very moment. We need to let him know what made us so passionate about this franchise. We need to let him know that we are out here!

[Adsolution]

I think that I think Michel is perfectly aware of what the different areas of his fanbase want, and that the only thing that might allow your side to 'win' through verbal persuasion is if you actually befriend the guy and influence him yourself. Note that I'm implying that this isn't a very good idea, if your only motivation is simply to try and get your way.

[spiraldoor]

I have little doubt that Ancel is aware of this forum and visits it from time to time. Imagine being able to view the thoughts and arguments of hundreds of people who are irrationally obsessed with a world you created in your youth. It would be irresistibly fascinating. The influence of Pirate-Community, and particularly RayWiki, is clear in Origins – for all our complaints, it's drenched in the iconography and ideas of the early games, and I'm sure that the wiki was a very useful reference in achieving this.

People here do need to take a step back and realise that what they want from this series is not very practical. Those of us who grew up obsessing with Rayman in the late 90s and early 2000s have a very blinkered, twisted perception of the series that would alienate most normal players. Clearly Ancel still loves the series, but he doesn't view it as a vehicle for serious storytelling or pushing the boundaries of atmospherics in video games. He has grown up and moved on, and now he sees Rayman as a playground for exploring gameplay mechanics and new development tools. It's possible that the Rayman series will one day return to a form resembling its more subdued and entrancing roots, but not while the Origins sub-series remains successful, and probably not under Ancel.

I would advise anyone here not to worry too much about what lies beyond their control. Let's face it: if any of us were put in charge of a Rayman game, the result would be an incomprehensible load of wank. We have a Beyond Good & Evil sequel and probably more Rayman games in the pipeline. Just relax and try to enjoy what DOES exist.

[RaymanPS1]

I am very relaxed about it. I love that Ancel went back to the roots, and have not forgot about Rayman. But as far as Ancel checking the forum once and then, I highly doubt it. He is a busy man, I do not think he spends time during a week to check what we are talking about. We all want the game to be in one way that is not neccesarily good for the sales. I hear a lot of people want 3D Rayman on here, but honestly I hope it will be a more polished, more exploring experience of Rayman in 2D myself. I think Rayman 2 and 3 was amazing, but 2D Rayman just works, and I do hope Ancel make a great Rayman game for us next! It would be great if Ancel could make a user and reveal himself on here, and we could discuss with him from time to time.

[Adsolution]

You seemed pissed spiraldoor, no need to be that.

I'm sorry, what? spiraldoor's post was easily the most not-pissed thing here.

But as far as Ancel checking the forum once and then, I highly doubt it. He is a busy man, I do not think he spends time during a week to check what we are talking about.

Ancel has stated quite the opposite in various intrerviews. Designers, more often than not, do explore their fanbases quite intently. Be under no illusion that anyone is 'too busy' to do this. Feedback coming from all directions is unanimously important to being an artist who values the devotion of their fans, and browsing forums/fansites for an hour a month isn't exactly a remotely stressful, or even unpleasant task.


As for spiral's post, I agree completely.

One thing though:

Let's face it: if any of us were put in charge of a Rayman game, the result would be an incomprehensible load of wank.

Most likely - that is, if they were unfortunate enough not to have some other very valuable people around who possess a powerful and grounded enough opinion so as to keep them from getting too caught up in their own ideals.

[RAYMANIA]

So, the questions are: How shall we go forward to make this a reality? Are people eager to make this happen? (If not, then we can just give up), What needs to be done with Rayman in your opinion? What direction do we want the series to take?

Also, I think that Ancel will put Raymann as a second priority now, as I guess he is working on Beyond Good and Evil right now, at this very moment. We need to let him know what made us so passionate about this franchise. We need to let him know that we are out here!

First, We must unite our forces and really try to contact them: via email, petitions, contacts his personal knowledge, there is a way!
Second, I am an highly eager person to make this happen, in fact I offered immediately.
Third, Ancel have to understand that Rayman sells only if is back really to the old style, in Rayman 2 and/or Rayman 3 style.
Fourth, the old mystic style tipically of the series.

The development of BG&E 2 will end sooner or later!

I have little doubt that Ancel is aware of this forum and visits it from time to time. Imagine being able to view the thoughts and arguments of hundreds of people who are irrationally obsessed with a world you created in your youth. It would be irresistibly fascinating. The influence of Pirate-Community, and particularly RayWiki, is clear in Origins – for all our complaints, it's drenched in the iconography and ideas of the early games, and I'm sure that the wiki was a very useful reference in achieving this.

People here do need to take a step back and realise that what they want from this series is not very practical. Those of us who grew up obsessing with Rayman in the late 90s and early 2000s have a very blinkered, twisted perception of the series that would alienate most normal players. Clearly Ancel still loves the series, but he doesn't view it as a vehicle for serious storytelling or pushing the boundaries of atmospherics in video games. He has grown up and moved on, and now he sees Rayman as a playground for exploring gameplay mechanics and new development tools. It's possible that the Rayman series will one day return to a form resembling its more subdued and entrancing roots, but not while the Origins sub-series remains successful, and probably not under Ancel.

I would advise anyone here not to worry too much about what lies beyond their control. Let's face it: if any of us were put in charge of a Rayman game, the result would be an incomprehensible load of wank. We have a Beyond Good & Evil sequel and probably more Rayman games in the pipeline. Just relax and try to enjoy what DOES exist.

Ancel will be grown up but Rayman must remain Rayman! At this point I'd rather that Ancel not conduct more than if he has to continue like this!

[Adsolution]

This is all nonsense, and quite disgraceful. Not because of the love you have for these games (my favourites will always be the original trilogy for likely the same reasons as yours), but because of how misinformed and downright self-absorbed your - apologies for the repeated word - ideals are. It's become virtually religious for some people.

Place yourself in Ancel's position, he's an artist who has a track record of a nearly unfaltering release of good to brilliant games. If everything an artist created stayed solely within the realms of what people initially liked them for, they'll have trapped themselves. My initial reaction to Origins wasn't overly positive, but before too long I'd grown to love it as well, for what its positives are: it's an incredibly fun and well-constructed game, gameplay-wise (something I never denied, and I would love to see anyone else deny) that almost single-handedly revived the popularity of the sidescrolling-platformer genre, and brought it to an entirely new level in terms of art and creativity.

Sure, the style of this game is quite different from what the original trilogy gave us (it's clearly focused on being high-energy and eccentric), but why exactly is this a problem? I'm personally glad that Rayman has seen more than one form, because it broadens an audience, and will allow fans of generally only one of these origins (no pun intended) to learn to appreciate the goods of what the other has to offer. It would also be an utter shame if someone weren't allowed to experiment with their icon character, especially successfully.

Some individual things:

First, We must unite our forces and really try to contact them: via email, petitions, contacts his personal knowledge, there is a way!

Second, I am an highly eager person to make this happen, in fact I offered immediately.

If this is about shaping Rayman to fit your vision to a tee, then I highly doubt you'll follow through. If you do, then I pity how devoted you are to sieving a single artist's output by all means. Why don't you go learn to draw instead?

Third, Ancel have to understand that Rayman sells only if is back really to the old style, for meaning Rayman 2 and/or Rayman 3 style.

This is just incorrect, Origins was wildly popular and sold very well. If you mean you intend to convince Ancel otherwise, then that's not sick at all!

[RaymanPS1]

Honestly, I just hope they make another 2D Rayman Game that is amazing. I would love that.

[RAYMANIA]

It's become virtually religious for some people.

Yes, indeed it is! I can not do anything, the head and the heart does not change (at least for me), so the only thing I can say is that we agree on the trilogy and the reasons why the original trilogy was the true Rayman conception, but regarding the current conception of Rayman I not approve this.
I tried it but after a while I was disgusted, sorry. Seemed to be in a strip club with "angry birds".

Sure, the style of this game is quite different from what the original trilogy gave us (it's clearly focused on being high-energy and eccentric), but why exactly is this a problem? I'm personally glad that Rayman has seen more than one form, because it broadens an audience, and will allow fans of generally only one of these origins (no pun intended) to learn to appreciate the goods of what the other has to offer. It would also be an utter shame if someone weren't allowed to experiment with their icon character, especially successfully.

What you say is not wrong, in fact the new Rayman skin continues to do tenderness for me, but is how the themes are treated in the new conception of the game and the other characters skin that do not satisfy me, and who have lost their original charism.

Why don't you go learn to draw instead?

I can draw, how fan-artist.

Honestly, I just hope they make another 2D Rayman Game that is amazing. I would love that.

Don't you want, like me, a new Rayman title how first era and in 3D-Platform style? I thought you selves fighting for it.

[Haruka]

I have little doubt that Ancel is aware of this forum and visits it from time to time. Imagine being able to view the thoughts and arguments of hundreds of people who are irrationally obsessed with a world you created in your youth. It would be irresistibly fascinating. The influence of Pirate-Community, and particularly RayWiki, is clear in Origins – for all our complaints, it's drenched in the iconography and ideas of the early games, and I'm sure that the wiki was a very useful reference in achieving this.

People here do need to take a step back and realise that what they want from this series is not very practical. Those of us who grew up obsessing with Rayman in the late 90s and early 2000s have a very blinkered, twisted perception of the series that would alienate most normal players. Clearly Ancel still loves the series, but he doesn't view it as a vehicle for serious storytelling or pushing the boundaries of atmospherics in video games. He has grown up and moved on, and now he sees Rayman as a playground for exploring gameplay mechanics and new development tools. It's possible that the Rayman series will one day return to a form resembling its more subdued and entrancing roots, but not while the Origins sub-series remains successful, and probably not under Ancel.

I would advise anyone here not to worry too much about what lies beyond their control. Let's face it: if any of us were put in charge of a Rayman game, the result would be an incomprehensible load of wank. We have a Beyond Good & Evil sequel and probably more Rayman games in the pipeline. Just relax and try to enjoy what DOES exist.

I also agree. I think the Glute story from Origins might be our fault. I honestly would love to see a new Rayman title with a new story that managed to capture our hearts like Rayman 2 did. With the current market, it isn't an easy task (it seems that the fashion now is the nonsense and crazeness) but I like to keep the faith. If it ever happens I also think it won't happen as long as the Origins/Legends is the thing for people. Although Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends aren't along my favourite canon titles of the franchise, I'm actually quite satisfied to see a return of the limbless wonder, something I have waited patiently for eight years. All my teenagehood. And I'm thanked. They are quality games, despite of the fan facts I criticize.

Also, I also underline what Ad said:

Let's face it: if any of us were put in charge of a Rayman game, the result would be an incomprehensible load of wank.

Most likely - that is, if they were unfortunate enough not to have some other very valuable people around who possess a powerful and grounded enough opinion so as to keep them from getting too caught up in their own ideals.

As a side subject (maybe not that much), I'm one of those people who would be excited to see a BG&E2.

[RaymanPS1]

I would love a Rayman 3D Game that is excellent made. But I do love the Rayman 1 best of all Raymans.

[Bradandez]

Yes, indeed it is! I can not do anything, the head and the heart does not change (at least for me), so the only thing I can say is that we agree on the trilogy and the reasons why the original trilogy was the true Rayman conception, but regarding the current conception of Rayman I not approve this.
I tried it but after a while I was disgusted, sorry. Seemed to be in a strip club with "angry birds".

First off, there's no such thing as a "TRUE" Rayman. Please don't remind me of this conversation again.
Second, yeesh! Disgusted? Seems a bit harsh now. And what's with this Strip Club of Angry Birds?

What you say is not wrong, in fact the new Rayman skin continues to do tenderness for me, but is how the themes are treated in the new conception of the game and the other characters skin that do not satisfy me, and who have lost their original charism.

Well everyone has their taste, but I don't see where the charm is lost. Origins and Legends feels full of charm.

I can draw, how fan-artist.

I wasn't aware you can fan artist. Mind teaching me?

[RAYMANIA]

First off, there's no such thing as a "TRUE" Rayman. Please don't remind me of this conversation again.

For true, I mean the detachment from the first to the second era. For true, I mean authentic.

I wasn't aware you can fan artist. Mind teaching me?

(If you weren't ironic) What would you like to know?