UbiArt Framework
The UbiArt engine is a game engine used by Ubisoft and created to make it easier for artists to implement their graphics and animations into a game.
History
The engine was originally developed for Rayman Origins and was originally planned to be open-source and available to the public. However no more word came from this and the engine has been kept closed source.
In an interview with IGN in April 2019[1] Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot explains why the framework isn't being used as much anymore, stating the "tools were difficult to use". He however goes on by saying that “It’s still there, and you will see other things using it, but it’s not as predominant as it used to be”. As of 2020 the engine is only being used for Just Dance, mobile games and ports.
Common formats
Archives (.ipk)
The majority of the UbiArt games use IPK files to store all related game files. This format is a custom archive file where multiple files can be packed, maintaining their original directory structure. Files can be compressed, which is usually only the case for larger textures. The majority of the games use zlib compression while later games use LZMA.
Actors (.act)
Actors are objects that behaves in a certain way. They can behave on their own or react to events. Common actors are playable characters and enemies.
Friezes
Friezes are static scenery objects, such as level environments.
Scenes (.isc)
Scenes are a collection of actors and friezes, usually some sort of game map. These can be game levels, menus etc.
Games
The following games use the UbiArt engine (not including the Just Dance games which use it from 2014 and onward):
| Name | PC | Nintendo Wii | Nintendo 3DS | Nintendo Wii U | Nintendo Switch | PlayStation 3 | PlayStation Vita | PlayStation 4 | Xbox 360 | Xbox One | Android | iOS | Mac | Apple TV | Windows Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rayman Origins | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||
| Rayman Jungle Run | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||||
| Rayman Legends Challenges App | ✔ | ||||||||||||||
| Rayman Legends | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||
| Rayman Fiesta Run | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||||||
| Child of Light | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||
| Valiant Hearts: The Great War | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||||||
| Gravity Falls: Legend of the Gnome Gemulets | ✔ | ||||||||||||||
| Rayman Adventures | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||||||||||
| Rayman Mini | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |