Why Ubisoft Won't Release Another Rayman Game

In the summer of 2021, E3 returned. It was a time of great excitement and anticipation that followed a year in which the gaming industry changed in a big way. While presenters like Xbox stole the show, some other companies didn't fare quite as well. At the other end of the spectrum, there's Ubisoft, which many fans felt had one of the most disappointing presentations at E3 2021. There were several games and franchises from the developer's catalog that were conspicuously absent, like "Beyond Good and Evil 2," "Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell," and "Star Wars," but that's not all. Some fans may have noticed a lack of information on a beloved series that's been relegated to mobile platforms since 2013.

The last time Rayman starred in his own non-mobile game was in 2013's "Rayman Legends." Since then, the classic Ubisoft hero was left in the dust once more, leaving many to wonder if he will ever appear in a proper main-series title again. Here's why you shouldn't hold your breath waiting for a new "Rayman" game.

When you take a look at Ubisoft's plans for the next generation, "Rayman" doesn't seem to fit into that equation, and apparently, there's a reason why. Going back to a 2018 interview with Game Informer, Serge Hascoet, then the Chief Creative Officer for Ubisoft, revealed why the company has shifted focus to games for older audiences. 

According to Hascoet, "when we do 'Rayman' or games like that, we don't sell as much as 'Assassin's Creed.'" He went on to explain that "the team wants to be successful and sell millions, and we have more success with the more adult-rated titles."

While he added that Ubisoft still makes games for the youth demographic, "Rayman" has been obscured by the breakout success of its spin-off "Rabbids" franchise. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that everyone likes "Rabbids" more than "Rayman." Writing for SwitchWatch, Chris Penwell expressed frustration over the former series gaining popularity over the latter.

"Rayman" certainly has his fans, but there apparently aren't enough to encourage Ubisoft to invest in the development of new games in the franchise.

In September 2020, Michel Ancel, the director and designer who has guided the "Rayman" franchise since the beginning, announced to his fans on Instagram that he would be putting a cap on his 30-year career in the gaming industry and moving on to a new endeavor. According to the post, his "new project takes place in the real world and consists in a wild life open sanctuary dedicated to education, nature lovers and ... wild animals." 

He reassured his fans that his departure wouldn't affect the combined production of "Wild" or "Beyond Good and Evil 2." However, there was no mention of the beloved "Rayman."

One user in the comments asked, "And what about 'Rayman 4?' You said you wanted to get back to him eventually, is all hope lost now?" And this seems like a valid concern. Ubisoft already appears to be a bit reluctant to produce a new "Rayman” title for consoles. Now that the game's creator is no longer with the company, the limbless hero might be doomed to spend the rest of his days on mobile platforms.