Michel Ancel also confirmed that a Rayman remake is indeed in development at Ubisoft…
Much has been said about Ubisoft’s recent situation. The French company had severe problems selling its games, so much so that it disbanded its Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown studio to reorganize its forces and focus on new projects. This situation prompted Michel Ancel, the celebrated creator of Rayman, to speak out about the decision, calling it a bullet wound: “Maybe one day the executives will understand,” he said of what I think was a mistake.
As mentioned, last month, Ubisoft officially confirmed that The Lost Crown team had been disbanded but not fired. Instead, they were assigned to different tasks and projects within Ubisoft Montpellier. This decision makes a continuation of the roguelike impossible, but it has also been confirmed that the same French team is making the Rayman remake.
For Michel Ancel, cohesive studios mean success
In addition to this future project, it has also been confirmed that Ancel will return to the studio, albeit only as a consultant on the remake. Although knowing the father of the series in the team is definitely good news for players, the situation of creatives within Ubisoft is very complex. Ancel left Ubisoft after a 30-year career to run an animal shelter, but at the same time he left, allegations of a “toxic work environment” surfaced, which apparently prompted the creative to leave the company.
Ancel has consistently denied these allegations, but has now taken the opportunity to speak out about The Lost Crown.
Although Ubisoft has repeatedly stated that the team’s disbandment was not due to a lack of commercial success, Ancel stressed that a project’s success depends on creating a strong and cohesive team. Therefore, if the company expects its games to be successful, it cannot disband established developers.
“Maybe one day the executives will understand that it doesn’t work like that,” he concluded, noting that after his contribution to Ubisoft, he will return to his personal projects and work with wildlife. But the consulting work is something he’s both grateful for and excited about: “I’m glad they consulted me, and I’m very glad he [Rayman] and his friends are coming back,” Ancel said.
Source: Instagram
