Rayman 2000: Difference between revisions

'''''Rayman 2000''''' is the codename for a cancelled 3D, open-world [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' game]] originally set for release in 2000. Some of the concepts were later reused for ''[[Rayman: The Animated Series]]'', ''[[Rayman 3]]'' and ''[[Rayman Legends]]''.

===''L'Histoire de Rayman''===

The existence of this project was revealed in the book ''[[L'Histoire de Rayman]]'', which states that at the end of 1999, after the release of ''[[Rayman 2]]'' and before the start of the [[Rayman 3 (early production)|development of ''Rayman 3'']], a few people worked on a project codenamed "Rayman 2000". It was a direct sequel to ''[[Rayman 2]]'', still in 3D, which featured a large city to explore with towns, streets and buildings that all rested on and under giant trees.<ref name="alessandri">Terredejeux.net, ''Prehistorik Man, Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, Prince of Persia : Interview exclusive de Jean-Christophe Alessandri (Senior Art Director chez Ubisoft)'', https://www.terredejeux.net/2024/05/prehistorik-man-rayman-beyond-good-evil.html</ref> Concept art showcases that [[Rayman]] would have been able to traverse through this setting thanks to a flying machine. This universe, more urban than what [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' games]] are used to portraying, yet still with a lot of lush greenery surrounding it, was requested by [[Michel Ancel]] himself.

===Jean-Christophe Alessandri interview===

In a 2024 interview, [[Ubisoft]] senior art director Jean-Christophe Alessandri revealed that ''Rayman 2000'' never made it past the prototype stage, and that the idea of the game was to further extend [[Rayman]]'s 3D universe, and notably to create a fantastical town with many buildings to explore. Alessandri also stated that he does not recall the reason for the project's cancellation.<ref name="alessandri"></ref>

In ''[[Rayman: The Animated Series]]'', the main urban location of ''Rayman 2000'' and its species were retooled into the city [[Aeropolis]], that serves as the main setting of the series. Multiple types of vehicles that were planned for the 2000 game were also repurposed in the animated show.

EarlyAeropolis.png|Concept art of what would eventually become [[Aeropolis]], showcasing the giant trees that connect the city and [[Rayman]] on his flying machine.

RTASvehicles2.png|Other vehicles that were planned for the cancelled game, including [[Rayman]]'s flying vehicle.

RTAS Flying vehicle.jpg|A color illustration of [[Rayman]]'s vehicle.

===''Rayman 3''===

In ''[[Rayman 3]]'', some of ''Rayman 2000'''s scenery was reused for [[Clearleaf Forest]].<ref>''[[L'Histoire de Rayman]]'', Chapter 4 - Rayman 3 : Hoodlum Havoc, Rayman without Michel Ancel</ref> Some vehicle designs from ''Rayman 2000'' may also have been used as inspiration for some of the [[Hoodlum]]s' contraptions, such as the [[Hoodlum airship]].

 

Concept Forest 4.jpg|Concept art of [[Clearleaf Forest]], inspired by the script of ''Rayman 2000'', as can be seen in ''[[L'Histoire de Rayman]]''.

Rayman on a flying veichle.JPG|The same color illustration as above, but this time with [[Rayman]] himself being included using his final ''[[Rayman 3]]'' character design. This showcases a transitional point in the project, from ''Rayman 2000'' to ''[[Rayman 3]]''.

===''Rayman Legends''===

The [[Dark Teensy]] from ''[[Rayman Legends]]'' rides a similar flying machine to the one [[Rayman]] was intended to use. It is likely that this machine was inspired by the vehicle from ''Rayman 2000''.

 

Ptizêtre Maléfique RL.png|The [[Dark Teensy]] on their flying vehicle.