Summary:
Rayman has spent years watching Rabbids and Assassin’s Creed hog the spotlight, yet his loyal fans never stopped waiting for a proper comeback. Suddenly, Ubisoft Milan’s job boards light up with calls for a Senior Game Designer and a 3D Gameplay Animator dedicated to the Rayman brand. Those listings hint at a “prestigious” AAA platformer—a far cry from the experimental cameos and mobile spin-offs that have filled the gap since Rayman Legends in 2013. What changed? A wave of nostalgia-hungry players, the proven appetite for charming platformers, and a company eager to diversify beyond open-world formulas. This piece explores the series’ turbulent history, dissects Ubisoft’s new strategy, and pieces together what the studio’s growing team could mean for next-gen consoles. By the end, you’ll know why Rayman’s revival matters, what features might define it, and when you may finally see that trailer lighting up summer showcases.
Rayman’s Rollercoaster Legacy
Ask anyone who grew up in the ’90s about colorful platformers and Rayman’s grin usually pops up alongside plumber-in-red and hedgehog-in-blue. From the hand-drawn charm of the 1995 original to the rhythmic bounce of Rayman Origins, the franchise has constantly reinvented its looks while staying fiercely 2D at heart. Yet success arrived in bursts: every critically acclaimed outing was shadowed by gaps, cancellations, or publisher misfires. By the time Rayman Legends slipped onto store shelves in 2013, fans thought the franchise had finally secured a steady path. Instead, Legends became a high-water mark that Ubisoft never followed up—leaving the limbless hero wandering like a ghost in a crowded back catalog.
What Went Wrong After Rayman Legends
Legends was a critical darling but a commercial slow burner, launching amid next-gen hype that favored gritty realism over goofy whimsy. Ubisoft pivoted toward open-world sandboxes, and Rayman slid to the back of the priority queue.
Cancelled Concepts and Shifting Priorities
Prototypes reportedly bounced between 2.5D experiments and VR detours, each shelved as budgets migrated to blockbusters like Assassin’s Creed Odyssey and Far Cry 6. With every delay, momentum bled. By 2018, internal chatter painted Rayman as “riskier” than Rabbids crossovers—ironic, given the Rabbids spun out of his universe.
A Quiet Decade and the Fanbase That Never Gave Up
Silence often fuels creativity in fandoms, and Rayman’s corner of the internet became a testament to that. Fans composed symphonic remixes, crafted pixel-perfect fan games, and kept social media hashtags rolling each anniversary. Their devotion created a low-key marketing engine—one Ubisoft could scarcely ignore when planning new projects for less saturated genres.
Community Creations Kept the Lights On
From speed-running marathons that raised charity cash to modders porting Origins levels into custom engines, the fan community showcased the brand’s staying power. Their consistency made a business case: if Rayman could thrive in the wild without official support, imagine what a full-scale sequel could achieve with modern tech and publisher muscle.
Ubisoft’s Change of Heart: Why Invest Now?
Industry winds have shifted. The spectacular success of games like It Takes Two and Ori and the Will of the Wisps proved that vibrant platformers can still pull blockbuster numbers. Meanwhile, Ubisoft’s open-world formula began drawing fatigue complaints. Diversifying the portfolio wasn’t just wise—it was necessary.
A Market Ready for Whimsical Platformers
Parents who once played Rayman on CRT televisions now shop for family-friendly adventures to share with their kids. That dual-generation appeal turns the franchise into gold territory for Ubisoft, which has publicly stated a desire to “bring back iconic characters” to reach broader audiences.
Lessons from Indie Hits
When indie studios deliver critical darlings on shoestring budgets, AAA publishers take notes. Titles like Celeste showed that tight platforming plus heartfelt storytelling creates viral word-of-mouth. Ubisoft appears ready to blend that emotional punch with Rayman’s trademark slapstick, proving big studios can capture the same magic without sacrificing polish.
Inside Ubisoft Milan’s Growing Team
Job postings do more than announce vacancies—they spill secrets. Ubisoft Milan’s call for fresh talent specifically mentions the Rayman brand, confirming the studio’s lead role. Milan’s résumé already includes Mario + Rabbids and upcoming space-opera Star Wars Outlaws, so the team knows cross-overs and spectacle.
Senior Game Designer: Crafting the Core Loops
The listing stresses ownership of “gameplay feel” and “fun yet accessible systems,” hinting at a return to tight, rhythmic platforming with room for optional depth. Expect mechanics built around expressive movement, cooperative play, or both—areas Milan mastered during Mario + Rabbids’ tactical leaps and slides.
3D Gameplay Animator: Giving Limbless Limbs Life
Rayman’s floating fists and feet are animation playgrounds. A specialized animator suggests a hybrid direction: perhaps 2.5D perspectives with fully 3D characters, or even camera-shifting boss arenas that demand dynamic rigs. Either way, Milan wants fluid, cartoon-grade motion that keeps Rayman’s slapstick intact.
Tech and Tools Powering the New Rayman
Ubisoft Milan’s recent projects used Snowdrop, the in-house engine renowned for photoreal lighting. A stylized platformer might sound like an odd fit, yet Snowdrop’s shader toolset could elevate Rayman’s watercolor worlds with dynamic shadows and volumetric fog. Real-time global illumination would let glowing Lums bathe corridors in warm light, making collectible hunting feel tactile.
Gameplay Dreams: What Players Hope to See
Fans crave couch co-op and online drop-in alike, so expect seamless multiplayer. Adaptive music—from Origins’ famed rhythm stages—could return, now driven by haptic feedback. Accessibility is also front-and-center; colorblind options, remappable controls, and difficulty modifiers may ship on day one, aligning with industry standards Titanfall 2 popularized years ago.
The Marketing Playbook: Trailers, Teasers and Beyond
Ubisoft loves spectacle. Picture a reveal trailer at Gamescom: Rayman rides a Lum-powered slide across painterly backdrops before cracking a joke about “finally finding his limbs.” Expect interactive teasers on social media—maybe an AR filter that lets users spawn Rayman on their desk—fostering shareable moments ahead of launch.
Potential Release Windows and Platforms
Hiring senior staff signals pre-production gearing up. A typical AAA cycle spans three to four years; if onboarding finishes this summer, a late-2027 release is plausible. PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X|2, PC, and Switch 2 (or whatever codename Nintendo picks) all fit the family-friendly mold. Cloud versions may widen reach to mobile screens via Ubisoft’s subscription service.
Why Rayman’s Comeback Matters for Platformers
Beyond nostalgia, Rayman’s revival reminds publishers there’s room for color alongside gray gunmetal. A successful launch could spur competitors to green-light more experimental, visually daring projects—lowering the barrier for newcomer mascots to break through. Ultimately, Rayman’s return isn’t just good news for die-hard fans; it’s a beacon for variety in an industry often choked by sameness.
Conclusion
Rayman slipped into the background for far too long, but Ubisoft Milan’s fresh hiring spree suggests the limbless legend is stretching for a triumphant leap. If the studio nails fluid controls, co-op thrills, and vibrant worlds, the franchise could reclaim its place among gaming’s most beloved icons and invite a new generation to chase glowing Lums until sunrise.
FAQs
- Is the new Rayman game confirmed?
- Ubisoft has not issued a formal press release, but job listings referencing a “prestigious AAA Rayman title” effectively confirm internal development.
- Which studio is leading the project?
- Ubisoft Milan is spearheading production, leveraging experience gained from Mario + Rabbids and Star Wars Outlaws.
- Will the game be 2D or 3D?
- Listings for a 3D Gameplay Animator hint at hybrid or fully 3D gameplay, though Ubisoft has not revealed final details.
- When might we see a trailer?
- Expect a teaser at a major industry showcase—Gamescom or Ubisoft Forward—once the team has enough vertical-slice footage, likely in 2026.
- Which platforms are expected?
- PlayStation 5 Pro, next-gen Xbox, PC, and Nintendo’s successor console are the prime candidates, with cloud versions broadening support.
Sources
- Senior Game Designer – Rayman Brand | Ubisoft Careers, Ubisoft Careers, May 2025
- Ubisoft Hiring for a ‘Prestigious’ Big-Budget Rayman Game, Push Square, May 2025
- Ubisoft Lets Slip It’s Working on ‘Prestigious AAA’ Rayman Game, Polygon, May 2025
- 3D Gameplay Animator – Rayman Brand, Built In, May 2025
- Ubisoft Milan Hiring for Big-Budget Rayman Brand Game, My Nintendo News (Threads), May 2025
