Rayman Raving Rabbids (cancelled prototype)

2026-06-03T22:56:48Z

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{{Game
| name = Rayman Raving Rabbids
| image = [[File:R4 Logo.gif|center|250px|Rayman Raving Rabbids]]
| published by = [[Ubisoft]]
| developed by = [[Ubisoft|Ubisoft Montpellier]]
| designed by = [[Michel Ancel]]
| release date = Presumably late 2006 or early 2007 (cancelled)
| genre = 3D platformer
| gameplay mode = Single player
| platforms = PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Wii, Windows, Xbox 360
}}

'''''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]''''' was originally developed as a 3D platform game, under the working title '''''Rayman 4'''''. It was announced by [[Ubisoft]] on the 11th of April, 2006, shortly after the cancellation of [[Phoenix Studio]]'s [[Rayman 4 (2005 cancelled prototype)|unrelated ''Rayman 4'' project]]. Under development by [[Ubisoft Montpellier]], the game was to be a free-roaming action platforming game, in which the player would control [[Rayman]] as he battled against an invading army of [[Rabbid]]s. The game was announced for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows, and the Nintendo Wii, which was then codenamed the 'Revolution'.

The game's story was intended to be simplistic, clichéd and ludicrous, in a parody of the storytelling devices that are standard in platform games. The goal was not a complex storyline, but a suitable framework for developing the characters and the situations. [[Michel Ancel]] said of the game, "It's a comedy, like ''Mars Attacks'' or some ''Monty Python'' movies. I'd like it to sound absurd and funny."<ref>Strategy Informer, ''Rayman: Raving Rabbids: Interview'', http://www.strategyinformer.com/ps3/raymanravingrabbids/interview.html</ref>

==Plot==
[[File:Rabbidsscan.png|250px|thumb|A scan with pictures of the game.]]
Earlier to [[Rayman 1|the original ''Rayman'' game]], the [[Glade of Dreams]] was inhabited by innocent and friendly rabbits. Because of their stupidity, the rabbits were shunned and bullied by the other creatures. Retreating underground, the rabbits grew bitter and hateful, ultimately becoming the insane and violent [[Rabbid]]s. The game begins when, after decades or centuries of plotting and scheming, the [[Rabbid]]s rise from the ground in huge numbers, armed with the [[Rabbids' ship|gigantic war machines]] and flying crafts that they have constructed, and begin their vengeful takeover of the [[Glade of Dreams|Glade]].

The only one who can defeat the [[Rabbid]]s and bring an end to their invasion is [[Rayman]], the hero who has protected the [[Glade of Dreams|Glade]] from evil many times before. Familiar characters from previous [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' games]] appear, and find themselves in new situations, as the [[Rabbid]]s intend to use them for 'strange purposes'.

During the game, [[Rayman]] meets and falls in love with a female member of [[Rayman's species|his own species]], [[Simohne]]. In order to defeat the [[Rabbid]]s, [[Rayman]] is forced to join forces with [[André]], the villainous [[Black Lum]] who orchestrated the [[Hoodlum]] invasion in ''[[Rayman 3]]''. Other characters from ''[[Rayman 3]]'' also appear. An early teaser shows [[Teensie]]s fleeing from the [[Rabbid]] army. The leader of the [[Rabbid]]s seems to be the obese and decadent [[Jabbit]] the Rabbid. He kidnaps and imprisons the [[baby Globox]]es, [[Rayman]]'s girlfriend [[Simohne]], [[André]], and [[André]]'s own girlfriend [[Monik]], and it is left to [[Rayman]] to rescue them all.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Rayman 4 prototype 07.jpg|thumb|250px|Plush of [[Rabbid]]s at E3.]]
The game would have been a 3D platformer, similar to ''[[Rayman 2]]'' and ''[[Rayman 3]]''. A prominent feature was that it featured an open world, where the player could explore, roaming from one area to the next, as in ''[[Beyond Good & Evil]]''. [[Rayman]] would have had to beat up the [[Rabbid]]s in close-quarters combat, similarly to the slapping-based fighting in ''[[Rayman Origins]]''; huge numbers of [[Rabbid]]s could be on-screen at any given time.

Along the common [[Rabbid]]s, a type of [[Rabbid]]s called Zombie Rabbid<ref>Name from the files of ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'' (Rayman_Lapin_Zombie.wol)</ref> was planned to appear in the game. They possess a denser fur and constant red eyes. Some had a different fur color or others were bigger or smaller. According to the prototype images, the Zombies Rabbids were planned to be recurring enemies in the game. When the game became a Party-Game, the Zombies Rabbids were removed from the consoles versions but one of Zombie Rabbid appears as an enemy in [[Rayman Raving Rabbids (Game Boy Advance)|the Game Boy Advance version of ''Rayman Raving Rabbids'']].

In order to complete certain tasks, [[Rayman]] would have to hypnotise the [[Rabbid]]s by dancing, taking control of them and manipulating them to access new areas of the game. The player would have to select a musical track and make [[Rayman]] dance to the rhythm accurately. [[Rayman]] could wear several different costumes, each based on a different musical style. However, the dancing was intended to be no more than a minigame, and would not have taken a central role in the gameplay.

Another major feature was the ability for [[Rayman]] to tame and ride dark creatures, such as gigantic [[spider]]s, sharks, [[bird]]s and warthogs. Each creature had their own abilities; [[spider]]s could climb walls and ceilings, sharks could swim, [[bird]]s could fly, and so on. These creatures would help [[Rayman]] to defeat the [[Rabbid]]s and [[Rabbids' ship|their machines]].

[[File:RaymanPrison.jpg|thumb|200px|The evolution of [[Rayman]]'s prison cell.]]

==Development==
A small group of developers at [[Ubisoft|Ubisoft Montpellier]] began work on ''Rayman 4'' while Peter Jackson's ''King Kong'' was under development. At the time, the developers had no clear enemy in mind for the game. When the Nintendo Power magazine expressed an interest in covering the new [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' game]], [[Michel Ancel]] quickly sketched a concept for a new rabbit enemy while riding a train from Montpellier to Paris. The game was being developed for the PlayStation 2, until the developers received Wii development kits from Nintendo. With these tools, the developers began to experiment with a wide variety of gameplay styles; as a result, the game's action and platforming elements were ultimately removed and replaced with minigames.<ref>Gamesutra, ''The Evolutionary Process Of Building Rayman Origins'', http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6562/the_evolutionary_process_of_.php</ref> The final game, ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'', was almost unrecognisable compared to the original ''Rayman 4'' concept.

===Concept art===
[[Jabbit]] the Rabbid is an character who would have had a role in ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'', had it been released as the platformer which it was originally conceived as. He appears to be a huge, slug-like [[Rabbid]] suffering from morbid obesity and he is probably a reference to Jabba the Hutt from ''Star Wars''. He appears to enjoy watching [[Rayman]] beat the [[Rabbid]]s, as shown in some concept art. [[Rayman]]'s girlfriend [[Simohne]] is a character who would have had a role in ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]''. She appears to be a female member of [[Rayman's species]], and is seen in several pieces of concept artwork as printed in a Nintendo Power article about the then-upcoming ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]''. According to [[Michel Ancel]], "[[Rayman]] will have to save the world, [[Simohne|his girlfriend]] and [[Monik|the girlfriend of his old enemy]] and [[André|his old enemy]] too!" Concept art shows that [[Simohne]] and the [[baby Globox]]es have been captured by [[Jabbit]]. It was also confirmed that the 'old enemy' with whom [[Rayman]] would have to join forces was [[André]], meaning that [[Rayman]] must also rescue [[André]]'s girlfriend [[Monik]].

<gallery widths="280px" heights="200px">
Raygirlspiders.gif|[[Rayman]] rescuing his girlfriend [[Simohne]] from [[spider]]s.
RaygirlEmperorRabbid.jpg|[[Simohne]] enslaved by [[Jabbit]] the [[Rabbid]].
</gallery>

===Press release===
[[Ubisoft]]'s official 2006 press release on the game read as follows:

<blockquote>''Rayman Raving Rabbids'' marks the return of [[Rayman]], in his funniest and zaniest adventure ever. When [[Glade of Dreams|his world]] is threatened by a devastating invasion of [[Rabbid|crazed, out-of-control bunnies]], [[Rayman]] must rise up against these furry foes and foil their wicked plans. Using an array of amazing new abilities, and with the help of magical creatures, [[Rayman]] will need to break out all his best moves to save [[Glade of Dreams|his world]] from these delirious [[Rabbid|bunnies]] and their hare-raising antics. “It’s a real pleasure for me to be back working on an all-new [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'']],” said [[Michel Ancel]]. “After wrapping up my last game, the team here in Montpellier sat down to talk about having some fun with [[Rayman]] and his universe. We are running into a bit of a problem, though, because our game has been invaded by thousands of raving mad and vicious [[Rabbid|bunnies]], who have apparently been preparing this assault since [[Rayman 1|the very first ''Rayman'' game]]. We are now sending an SOS to all motivated gamers to help us get rid of them as fast as possible!” Here are a list of features you'll find in the new game!

* Combat the Ultra-Crazed Evil [[Rabbid|Rabbits]] – Take control of [[Rayman]] and his knack for attack to help save his world from the raving [[rabbid]]s. They are mischievous, insane and completely out of control. There are several types of [[rabbid]]s each with its own mischievous characteristics.
* Master and Ride Creatures – Tame and control various creatures such as sharks, eagles, rhinos, [[spider]]s and angelfish. [[Rayman]] can master each animal’s unique capabilities to help in his battle against the devious [[rabbid]]s.
* Dress to Impress – Customize and disguise [[Rayman]]. Go punk, pop, rock or hip hop to infiltrate the [[Rabbid|bunnies]] and foil their devious plans.
* Explore the Colorful Fantastic World of [[Rayman]] – Explore amazing free-roaming environments and beautiful epic landscapes that mix real and fantastical styles to create a visually stunning experience.</blockquote>

==Screenshots gallery==
What follows is a collection of images released during the period when ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]'' was still intended to be the fourth ''[[Rayman (series)|Rayman]]'' platformer, before it became a collection of minigames. [[Rayman]] can be seen riding several creatures and fighting very numerous, Zombies [[Rabbid]]s who make use of advanced technology.

<gallery widths="280px" heights="200px">
Rayman 4 prototype 01.jpg|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|disco costume]] riding on a [[spider]].
Rayman 4 prototype 02.jpg|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|disco costume]] fighting Zombies [[Rabbid]]s.
Rayman 4 prototype 03.jpg|The [[Rabbids' ship]].
Rayman 4 prototype 04.jpg|[[Rayman]] facing the Zombies [[Rabbid]] army.
Rayman 4 prototype 05.jpg|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|disco costume]] dancing.
Rayman 4 prototype 06.jpg|The [[Rabbid]] army.
Rayman 4 prototype 08.jpg|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|disco costume]] riding on an eagle.
Rayman 4 prototype 09.jpg|[[Rayman]] avoiding the [[laser]]s being shot by Zombies [[Rabbid]]s.
Rayman 4 prototype 10.jpg|[[Rayman]] facing the Zombies [[Rabbid]] army.
Rayman 4 prototype 11.jpg|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|gangster costume]] riding on a shark.
Rayman 4 prototype 26.jpg|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|disco costume]] running on the beach.
Rayman 4 prototype 25.jpeg|[[Rayman]] sneaking in on a Zombie [[Rabbid]].
Wc.jpg|A similar look to the eventual [[Bunnies Never Close Doors]] minigame that made it into the final ''[[Rayman Raving Rabbids]]''.
Raving Rabbids red laser.png|[[Rayman]] in his [[Skin|goth costume]] presumably grabbing a hold of something.
Cowunused.jpeg|[[Bunnies Don't Milk Cows]] from the prototype.
RRR-Warthog.jpg|Warthog race from the prototype.
OldRabbids1.jpeg|A Zombie Rabbid.
OldRabbid2.jpeg|The early look of the [[Rabbid]]s.
</gallery>

===Concept art===
<gallery>
Oldcolleusum.jpeg
ColleusumRRR.jpg
StoryboardRRR.jpg
PrisonRRR.jpg
RunRRR.jpg
DanceRRR.jpg
PigriderRRR.jpg
RRR Concept art 4.jpg
RRR Concept art 5.jpg
</gallery>

==Discoveries==
===Allegedly leaked screenshots===
On January 3, 2022, two screenshots of what appears to be an early build of the game were published on Twitter. While no source was given and their authenticity remains to be established, they show clear similarities with previously released screenshots.

<gallery widths="320px" heights="240px">
Rabbids prototype 1.jpg|Unused warzone level. Possibly, a more detailed look of the level which [[Rayman]] fights the [[Rabbid]] army in the trailers.
Rabbids prototype 2.jpg|Unused ice cavern/factory level.
</gallery>

===Leaked prototype===
On December 24, 2022, a playable prototype of the game was made available for download, complete with the source code and a level editor. It contains a number of maps, playable in any order, ranging from relatively polished and functional levels to test maps missing textures and collisions.

In this prototype, [[Rayman]] can jump and perform rolls. He is also able to change costumes, though this mechanic must be patched to function correctly in the leaked build.

In combat, most of the action takes place at close range, in contrast to the previous games in the series. When prompted to attack, [[Rayman]] alternates between various punches, kicks and strikes.

[[Rayman]] can also perform a ground pound, which costs him 5 mana points (out of 100). Mana is replenished by either performing a finisher on an enemy, destroying the bomb of a [[Rabbid]] robot, or collecting a mana [[mushroom]]. Ground pounds can also be used to break into vents.

A new grappling mechanic is present, which allows [[Rayman]] to grab objects from afar with a chain and swing them around. This can be used to throw them at enemies, but also to solve puzzles by moving a crate or turning a lever, or to swing around the area.

Additionally, [[Rayman]] can pick up the weapons of the enemies he has defeated and use them against their own kind. Weapons include carrot guns, grenades, and even melee weapons.

When [[Rayman]] is in sight, [[Rabbid]]s try to surround him and land a hit on him, except for the ones armed with ranged weapons, who will shoot at him from a distance (though carrot guns do not function correctly in the leaked build as they do not deal damage to [[Rayman]]).

Some [[Rabbid]]s are able to dodge projectiles from the carrot gun, while others equipped with a shield can even block them. [[Rabbid]]s can mount the same creatures and objects as [[Rayman]], and come in various sizes and shapes, with the larger ones dropping a [[Lum]] when defeated.

There are also [[Rabbid]]s with a glowing light on them, indicating that they can be made to dance. Depending on the costume [[Rayman]] is wearing, a different music will play, and a rhythm game will begin, where the player has to press certain buttons to fill a juice bar. When it is done, the [[Rabbid]] will stay in place and dance for some time, and eventually become aggressive again.

Due to the early nature of the prototype, some [[Rabbid]]s cannot be defeated, but others can, after which they will burrow into the ground and will not respawn.

When [[Rayman]] loses health, his appearance changes to wearing nothing but a fig leaf, looking just like [[Rayomz]] in the UbiArt games. Upon losing all his health, [[Rayman]] will fall but get back up, as no game over functionality appears to be programmed in this prototype.

A first-person view mode is also available.

[[Rayman]] can mount a large variety of creatures and objects and ride them around the open areas of the game. Living mounts include a warthog, a spider, an eagle, a ceratopsian dinosaur, a shark, a centipede and a strange creature called a “hypogriffe”. Notably, spiders can crawl across walls, eagles can fly, and sharks swim through the water. Objects that can be mounted include [[Rabbid]] vehicles such as a flying saucer and a spider robot. Some [[Rabbid]]s can also be mounted and used to attack other [[Rabbid]]s.

[[Roméo Patti]] also appears in the game, often floating by [[Rayman]], though he is meant to be a placeholder for the fairy [[Monik]]. When [[Rayman]] touches him, [[Roméo Patti|Roméo]] starts riding on [[Rayman]]'s back, and a circular dotted meter appears and slowly disappears one dot at a time. Once the meter fully disappears, the level restarts.

==Future==
During the development of ''[[Rayman Origins]]'', [[Michel Ancel]] confirmed in an interview that a new 3D [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' platform game]] was planned. In another interview which took place in December 2011, [[Michel Ancel|Ancel]] reiterated this, and hinted that a new game may be based on [[Rayman 4 (2005 cancelled prototype)|the ''Rayman 4'' prototype that was canceled in 2006]].<ref>[[Rayman Pirate-Community]] discussion forums, ''Interview of Michel Ancel: the fans ask the questions!'', https://raymanpc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=7299&p=642095#p642095</ref>

On October 12, 2017, [[Michel Ancel|Ancel]] posted on his Instagram account that he is very interested in making the 'fourth' [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' adventure]],<ref>Instagram, @michelancel, https://www.instagram.com/p/BaI0eAwAEPb/, « Yesterday , I met Rayman for real , in a second-hand store . Far from his time of glory , looking ahead for some help . Pathetic 😔 After Wild , after BGE2 , we ´ll need to bring him back again ... for his fourth adventure ! 😁😁😁 Don't let heroes die 🤘 #rayman #ubisoft »</ref> suggesting of a future revival of the prototype or [[Rayman 4 (2005 cancelled prototype)|the then-planned original fourth game that was cancelled]].

On September 2020, [[Michel Ancel|Ancel]] announced his retirement from the gaming industry,<ref>Instagram, @michelancel, https://www.instagram.com/p/CFRbPpnqCxu/, « WoW ! This little guy has many things to teach to Sam Fisher !
Today is very special for me. After more than 30 years, I’ve decided to stop working on video games and fully focus on my second passion : Wild Life !
My new project takes place in the real world and consists in a wild life open sanctuary dedicated to education , nature lovers and ... wild animals.

🎮🎮🎮 video games part 🎮🎮🎮

Many of you might want to know what will happen to Wild and BGE2. No worries, since many months now the teams are autonomous and the projects are going super well. Beautiful things to be seen soon.

May the fox be with you

🦊 »</ref> making this revival from him unlikely to ever happen. However, he added that he believed a different team would be able to make the game without his involvement, as happened with ''[[Rayman 3]]''.<ref>Instagram, @michelancel, https://www.instagram.com/p/CFRbPpnqCxu/c/17877371362831133/r/17908248865507394/, « Rayman 3 was made without me by a very talented team. I believe they are the perfect candidates for making number 4 possible ! »</ref>

On October 2023, [[Davide Soliani]], a creative director at [[Ubisoft]] Milan who worked on [[Rayman (Game Boy Color)|the Game Boy Color version of ''Rayman'']], ''[[Rayman M]]'', ''[[Rayman Arena]]'' and ''[[Rayman in the Phantom Show]]'', the third DLC of ''[[Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope]]'', stated that he would more than willingly work on a new main [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' game]], and that he "would be crazy not to take the chance."<ref>SpazioGames.it, ''L'autore di Mario + Rabbids lavorerebbe a un nuovo Rayman? «Sarei pazzo a non farlo»'', https://www.spaziogames.it/notizie/lautore-di-mario-rabbids-lavorerebbe-a-un-nuovo-rayman-sarei-pazzo-a-non-farlo</ref><ref>IGN Italia, ''Davide Soliani vorrebbe creare un nuovo gioco di Rayman: la richiesta del director di Ubisoft'', https://it.ign.com/mario-rabbids-sparks-of-hope/205828/news/davide-soliani-vorrebbe-creare-un-nuovo-gioco-di-rayman-la-richiesta-del-director-di-ubisoft</ref><ref>Noisy Pixel, ''New Rayman Game Wanted by Mario + Rabbids Creative Director Davide Soliani'', https://noisypixel.net/new-rayman-game-wanted-by-david-soliani/</ref>

On June 2026, with the announcement of ''[[Rayman Legends Retold]]'', Rayman Brand Producer Loïc Gounon explained that if the remake did well, a new 3D [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' game]] might be planned afterwards.<ref>https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rayman/ubisoft-is-planning-a-new-more-adventurous-3d-rayman-game-but-only-if-everything-goes-well-with-its-rayman-legends-retold-remake/</ref>

==See also==
* [[Rayman Raving Rabbids (early production)]]

==External links==
* [https://www.francois.games/rayman-raving-rabbids/ Blogpost of François Roughol about the prototype and the final game]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ihw15x5r5xQ ''Rayman 4'' teaser trailer]
* [https://youtu.be/PhmvhAd_gfk ''Rayman 4'' trailer]
* [https://youtube.com/watch?v=7QduvwetDFQ ''Rayman 4'' gameplay trailer]
* [https://youtu.be/DjP8Y6tVvRQ Mini trailer]
*[https://youtu.be/dj8fvr9fLZk Mini trailer presented during the E3 2006]
*[https://youtu.be/94eP2YAAV-I?t=127 Overview of the stand Rayman Raving Rabbids in E3 2006 (in 2:07)]
* [http://youtu.be/jrcXdaT5GcM Unused minigames]
* [https://youtu.be/HVnOK9eT_2s?t=18 Early title screen]
* [http://youtu.be/wgR-SE0zy7g Unused animations]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3ueAKqHwRY Scrapped mechanics from the prototype]

==References==
<references />

{{Rayman series|collapsed=Y}}
{{Rabbids series}}
{{Cancelled Rayman games}}

[[fr:Rayman contre les Lapins Crétins (prototype annulé)]]
[[de:Rayman Raving Rabbids (abgebrochener Prototyp)]]
[[pl:Rayman: Szalone Kórliki (anulowany prototyp)]]
[[ru:Rayman Raving Rabbids (отменённый прототип)]]

[[Category:3D platform games]]
[[Category:Prototype games]]
[[Category:Rabbids games]]
[[Category:Rayman games]]
[[Category:Scrapped content from Rayman Raving Rabbids]]

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Rayman Raving Rabbids (cancelled prototype)