The original "Rayman" was the game that truly established Ubisoft's presence in the gaming industry. While it has been over a decade since the last installment of the vibrant platformer franchise, the French publisher has confirmed that they are currently in the "early stages" of exploring future possibilities for the series' iconic limbless hero.
Ubisoft recently confirmed that its Montpellier and Milan studios have begun an exploration phase for future "Rayman" projects. "The project is still in its early stages," a Ubisoft spokesperson told Kotaku, promising more details in the future. While the development of a new "Rayman" game might be far off, it's evident there's more than just exploration underway.
This statement followed a report from "Insider Gaming" that a "Rayman" remake, codenamed “Project Steambot,” is already in early development. The report claimed that some developers from the Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown team, whose sequel was cancelled due to low sales, had been reassigned to the project. Additionally, Rayman creator Michel Ancel was brought on as a consultant, though his involvement has caused some tension within Ubisoft, given his past reputation for toxic leadership.
Ancel left Ubisoft in 2020 amidst allegations of bullying and difficult behavior, which he denied. His return as a consultant, especially in light of lingering internal distrust, has raised concerns among some employees. Ubisoft did not clarify whether his involvement was requested by the studios or imposed by management, including CEO Yves Guillemot, a long-time friend of Ancel.
The last major Rayman game, "Rayman Legends", was released in 2013 and received critical acclaim, selling nearly 5 million copies. Although a remake of the 1995 Rayman wouldn’t be a new installment, fans are eager for any revival of the iconic platformer. The character's most recent appearance was in DLC for Mario + Rabbids: Sparks of Hope, developed by Ubisoft Milan—the same studio reportedly leading the Rayman remake. However, the game fell short of Ubisoft’s sales expectations, and its creative director left the company earlier this year after 25 years of service.
For Rayman fans, a remake may be a welcome return for the limbless hero, especially with the potential for a modern reimagining of the 1995 classic.