Michel Ancel: Difference between revisions

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Ancel's first game as both programmer and graphic artist, ''The Brain Blasters'' (also known as ''The Teller'') was published by Ubi Soft in 1990. In 1992, he began to work on ''[[Rayman 1|Rayman]]'', his directorial debut. It was originally released in 1995 for the Atari Jaguar and PC, and in 1996 for PlayStation and Sega Saturn.

Ancel was also heavily involved in the development of ''[[Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' in 1999, but had only an advisory role on ''[[Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]''. Although he praised its development team, he says that the game is "a bit too concrete for my tastes", and that he "would have made the game differently".<ref>GameSpy (via archive.org), ''Michel Ancel: Beyond Rayman'', http://web.archive.org/web/20040604122727/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/september03/ancel/</ref>

Ancel was also heavily involved in the development of ''[[Rayman 2|Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' in 1999, but had only an advisory role on ''[[Rayman 3|Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]''. Although he praised its development team, he says that the game is "a bit too concrete for my tastes", and that he "would have made the game differently".<ref>GameSpy (via archive.org), ''Michel Ancel: Beyond Rayman'', http://web.archive.org/web/20040604122727/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/september03/ancel/</ref>

In 2003, he created ''[[Beyond Good and Evil|Beyond Good & Evil]]'', which garnered critical acclaim and a cult following, but was a commercial failure. However, acclaimed film director Peter Jackson's admiration for the game – and his frustration with EA's handling of the ''The Lord of the Rings'' license – led to Ancel being given direction of the ''Peter Jackson's King Kong'' video game adaptation. In spite of Ubisoft's reluctance to produce a ''Beyond Good & Evil'' sequel, Ancel has expressed a clear wish to produce one in the future.

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Michel would go on to found an independent game studio, named Wild Sheep Studios. However, he is still working with UbiSoft Montpellier.

On October 12, 2017, Ancel posted on his Instagram account that he is very interested in making the 'fourth' [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' adventure]],<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BaI0eAwAEPb/?taken-by=michelancel Michel Ancel Instagram post</ref> suggesting of a future revival of the prototype or [[Rayman 4 (cancelled prototype)|the then-planned original fourth game that was cancelled]]. Though he does mention that it will most likely happen once both ''Wild'' and ''[[Beyond Good and Evil 2]]'' are done.

On October 12, 2017, Ancel posted on his Instagram account that he is very interested in making the 'fourth' [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' adventure]],<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BaI0eAwAEPb/?taken-by=michelancel Michel Ancel Instagram post</ref> suggesting of a future revival of the prototype or [[Rayman 4 (2005 cancelled prototype)|the then-planned original fourth game that was cancelled]]. Though he does mention that it will most likely happen once both ''Wild'' and ''[[Beyond Good and Evil 2]]'' are done.

Ancel announced he was leaving the games industry in September 2020 to spend time on a wildlife sanctuary. He stated that his two current projects, ''Beyond Good & Evil 2'' and ''Wild'', were in capable hands with his departure.

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*''The Adventures of Valdo & Marie'' (1997) – Special credits for game design

*''[[Tonic Trouble]]'' (1999) – Original Concept

*''[[Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' (1999) – Original Concept, Artistic Director, Based on a story by

*''[[Rayman 2|Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' (1999) – Original Concept, Artistic Director, Based on a story by

*''[[Rayman M]]''/''[[Rayman Arena|Arena]]'' (2001) – Concept

*''[[Rayman Rush]]'' (2002) – Concept

*''[[Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]'' – Rayman Created By & Special Thanks To

*''[[Rayman 3|Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]'' – Rayman Created By & Special Thanks To

*''[[Beyond Good and Evil|Beyond Good & Evil]]'' (2003) – Directed By, Story, Design, Additional Character Design

*''Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie'' (2005) – Creative Director, Game Design

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 Ancel's first game as both programmer and graphic artist, ''The Brain Blasters'' (also known as ''The Teller'') was published by Ubi Soft in 1990. In 1992, he began to work on ''[[Rayman 1|Rayman]]'', his directorial debut. It was originally released in 1995 for the Atari Jaguar and PC, and in 1996 for PlayStation and Sega Saturn.
-Ancel was also heavily involved in the development of ''[[Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' in 1999, but had only an advisory role on ''[[Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]''. Although he praised its development team, he says that the game is "a bit too concrete for my tastes", and that he "would have made the game differently".<ref>GameSpy (via archive.org), ''Michel Ancel: Beyond Rayman'', http://web.archive.org/web/20040604122727/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/september03/ancel/</ref>
+Ancel was also heavily involved in the development of ''[[Rayman 2|Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' in 1999, but had only an advisory role on ''[[Rayman 3|Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]''. Although he praised its development team, he says that the game is "a bit too concrete for my tastes", and that he "would have made the game differently".<ref>GameSpy (via archive.org), ''Michel Ancel: Beyond Rayman'', http://web.archive.org/web/20040604122727/http://archive.gamespy.com/interviews/september03/ancel/</ref>
 In 2003, he created ''[[Beyond Good and Evil|Beyond Good & Evil]]'', which garnered critical acclaim and a cult following, but was a commercial failure. However, acclaimed film director Peter Jackson's admiration for the game – and his frustration with EA's handling of the ''The Lord of the Rings'' license – led to Ancel being given direction of the ''Peter Jackson's King Kong'' video game adaptation. In spite of Ubisoft's reluctance to produce a ''Beyond Good & Evil'' sequel, Ancel has expressed a clear wish to produce one in the future.
@@ Line 42: / Line 42: @@
 Michel would go on to found an independent game studio, named Wild Sheep Studios. However, he is still working with UbiSoft Montpellier.
-On October 12, 2017, Ancel posted on his Instagram account that he is very interested in making the 'fourth' [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' adventure]],<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BaI0eAwAEPb/?taken-by=michelancel Michel Ancel Instagram post</ref> suggesting of a future revival of the prototype or [[Rayman 4 (cancelled prototype)|the then-planned original fourth game that was cancelled]]. Though he does mention that it will most likely happen once both ''Wild'' and ''[[Beyond Good and Evil 2]]'' are done.
+On October 12, 2017, Ancel posted on his Instagram account that he is very interested in making the 'fourth' [[Rayman (series)|''Rayman'' adventure]],<ref>https://www.instagram.com/p/BaI0eAwAEPb/?taken-by=michelancel Michel Ancel Instagram post</ref> suggesting of a future revival of the prototype or [[Rayman 4 (2005 cancelled prototype)|the then-planned original fourth game that was cancelled]]. Though he does mention that it will most likely happen once both ''Wild'' and ''[[Beyond Good and Evil 2]]'' are done.
 Ancel announced he was leaving the games industry in September 2020 to spend time on a wildlife sanctuary. He stated that his two current projects, ''Beyond Good & Evil 2'' and ''Wild'', were in capable hands with his departure.
@@ Line 54: / Line 54: @@
 *''The Adventures of Valdo & Marie'' (1997) – Special credits for game design
 *''[[Tonic Trouble]]'' (1999) – Original Concept
-*''[[Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' (1999) – Original Concept, Artistic Director, Based on a story by
+*''[[Rayman 2|Rayman 2: The Great Escape]]'' (1999) – Original Concept, Artistic Director, Based on a story by
 *''[[Rayman M]]''/''[[Rayman Arena|Arena]]'' (2001) – Concept
 *''[[Rayman Rush]]'' (2002) – Concept
-*''[[Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]'' – Rayman Created By & Special Thanks To
+*''[[Rayman 3|Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc]]'' – Rayman Created By & Special Thanks To
 *''[[Beyond Good and Evil|Beyond Good & Evil]]'' (2003) – Directed By, Story, Design, Additional Character Design
 *''Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie'' (2005) – Creative Director, Game Design