Rayman’s 2021 trial project was shelved — here’s what it means for the new AAA push

27 August 2025
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8 min.
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Rayman’s 2021 trial project was shelved — here’s what it means for the new AAA push

Summary:

A quiet LinkedIn reveal pulled back the curtain on a shelved Rayman effort from 2021, a trial that reportedly cycled through names like “Rayman Forever” and “The Story of Rayman” before Ubisoft chose not to proceed. That might sound like history repeating itself for a series that has lived through more than one aborted attempt, yet the present signals a far brighter trajectory. Ubisoft has publicly acknowledged fresh exploration on the brand and, more recently, job listings have pointed to a “prestigious AAA” Rayman project in the works at Ubisoft Milan. Put simply: a prototype died, but momentum didn’t. We walk through what the LinkedIn note actually implies, what the working titles tell us, and how the latest hiring hints — plus confirmation of an exploration phase — sketch a path back for a platforming icon. If you’ve been waiting since Legends for the hero’s next big jump, the pieces finally line up: a credible trail of evidence, the right studios, and the right timing for a modern Rayman that respects its roots while aiming higher.

The LinkedIn reveal that put a shelved Rayman project back on the radar

A former Ubisoft team member quietly noted on LinkedIn that they worked on a Rayman trial in 2021 which ultimately did not proceed. That short update set off a chain reaction across enthusiast sites because it adds a concrete timestamp to a long-rumored internal effort. The message is simple: a prototype existed, it had a vision strong enough to explore, and it was ultimately shelved. For Rayman watchers, the value isn’t drama; it’s documentation. It confirms that corporate interest in reviving the brand has been active for years, not a sudden pivot in 2024–2025. It also establishes a baseline for comparing today’s hiring push and earlier “exploration phase” wording. A shelved prototype doesn’t undermine the future; it shows a company iterating until the plan, team, and timing align.

The working titles: “Rayman Forever” and “The Story of Rayman” and why they matter

Two working labels surfaced alongside the 2021 effort: “Rayman Forever” and “The Story of Rayman.” Working titles rarely survive to launch, yet they can hint at intent. “Forever” evokes legacy, a nod to the character’s decades-long cultural footprint; “The Story of Rayman” suggests a frame that retells, reframes, or contextualizes the hero’s origins for modern players. Neither proves a remake outright, but both tilt toward revisiting foundational beats — the kind of approach that helps a dormant brand reintroduce itself without assuming deep franchise literacy. Names alone don’t define scope, of course, but they’re helpful breadcrumbs: they imply a project interested in roots, clarity, and accessibility, the qualities that make a comeback click with both returning fans and newcomers.

Was the 2021 effort a remake, a reimagining, or something in between?

Outside speculation quickly labeled the trial “a remake,” but the safest reading is broader: a modernized return to core identity. Trials and vertical slices often explore multiple directions — visual tone tests, modern control feel, and level flow experiments — before a team locks a label. With Rayman, a straight one-to-one remake risks feeling like a museum piece, while a ground-up reimagining can capture the look, rhythm, and personality people love, only with today’s fluid animation, slick performance targets, and level design that respects shorter sessions. The truth probably sat in that middle ground: keep the charm, improve the feel, and present it in a way that reads as immediately current. That’s the sweet spot most platforming revivals aim for.

Why projects stall: common reasons a platformer prototype gets shelved

When a prototype pauses, it’s rarely because “the idea was bad.” More often, it’s resource triage. Teams get shifted to shipping priorities, tech stacks change, or market opportunities reorder the calendar. A trial can hit its goals and still pause if leadership needs specialists elsewhere or if a parallel initiative becomes the headline. Platformers also face an extra challenge: they look deceptively simple but demand extreme polish. The moment-to-moment feel, animation readability, and level difficulty curve must be impeccable. If the studio isn’t ready to fully scale a project to meet those standards — or wants to rethink how 2D and 3D elements mix — shelving a small test to regroup later is the responsible move. The 2021 decision fits that familiar industry pattern.

The timeline from Rayman Legends to today’s hiring hints

Rayman Legends set a high bar for movement, music, and level craft, then years of quiet followed outside cameos and collaborations. Throughout that lull, interest never evaporated; it recirculated as rumors, job posts, and occasional official phrasing. Fast-forward to late 2024 and Ubisoft’s confirmation that the brand was in an “exploration phase,” signaling internal green lights for discovery work. By May 2025, public job ads referenced a “prestigious AAA” Rayman project, pointing toward tangible staffing. Connect the dots and a narrative emerges: experimentation around 2021, exploration and validation in 2024, and resourcing up in 2025. That cadence is exactly how a careful revival looks — learn, scope, hire — instead of rushing toward splashy promises without a team in place.

Ubisoft’s current stance: exploration phase to prestigious AAA recruitment

“Exploration phase” is deliberate language. It communicates commitment without overpromising specifics. In practice, it means building prototypes, vetting visual directions, auditing animation systems, and stress-testing pipelines. The later “prestigious AAA” phrasing in job ads adds welcome weight: this isn’t a small nostalgia package; it’s a flagship-class initiative. For Rayman, that matters. The character thrives on expressive animation and bespoke level beats, and those things take time, talent, and money. The shift from exploratory wording to public hiring is the clearest signal that the brand isn’t just back in conversation — it’s being staffed for production-scale work. For longtime fans, that’s the kind of signal you wait years to see.

What the job ads suggest about scope, tech, and direction

Animator and design listings often reveal priorities. Calls for a 3D gameplay animator hint at systems where character motion, timing windows, and readability are paramount. Senior design roles speak to building and tuning core mechanics, not just porting old ones. None of that locks the project to fully 3D — hybrid pipelines are common — but it suggests a studio investing in modern animation tooling, data-driven iteration, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Read between the lines and you see a team setting up for a Rayman that feels instantly responsive, with the fluid squash-and-stretch personality players love, wrapped in production values that hold up on today’s displays. That’s less about chasing buzzwords and more about honoring how good platformers actually feel under thumb.

Studios in focus: who’s likely doing what, and why that pairing works

Ubisoft Milan’s name in the listings aligns with its track record on character-driven, family-friendly experiences that still push systemic depth. Montpellier, meanwhile, is historically tied to Rayman’s DNA and creative tone. That pairing makes sense: one studio scaling production and momentum, the other safeguarding identity and craft. A split like this also helps solve a common revival challenge — keeping a mascot’s expressive animation intact while modernizing everything around it. When those strengths combine, you get the confidence to aim for “prestigious” without losing the playfulness that defines the brand. It’s a pragmatic setup designed to build something polished rather than merely nostalgic.

Design heartbeat: keeping Rayman’s identity while modernizing systems

Ask fans what makes Rayman sing and most mention movement, clarity, and rhythm. That identity doesn’t need reinvention; it needs amplification. The modern layer is about frictionless UX, smart onboarding, and optional challenge pathways that welcome everyone and still make veterans grin. Music-synchronized levels, diegetic signposting, and tight hitboxes can coexist with richer worldbuilding and cosmetic customization. If the 2021 trial nudged the team toward a cleaner articulation of those pillars — what has to feel absolutely perfect, what can evolve — then the time wasn’t wasted. It was a rehearsal for a performance with a much bigger stage, ensuring the personality remains unmistakably Rayman even as the production value climbs.

2D vs 3D ambitions: what fans debate and what the market rewards

Every platforming revival faces the same fork. The purist path: exquisite 2D that doubles down on tactile control and sublime level craft. The bold path: full 3D, rich with exploration and modern camera work. There’s no universal right choice, but there are clear trade-offs. 2D foregrounds precision and acapella-clean feedback; 3D opens up cinematic spectacle and playful traversal ideas. The job language about gameplay animation could support either. Whichever direction lands, the winning move is consistency: systems that teach cleanly, dynamics that escalate fairly, and a visual style that reads instantly at speed. Players don’t need gimmicks; they need a game that respects their time and rewards mastery with that “just one more run” grin.

Why this matters for Nintendo players and a Switch-generation audience

Rayman thrives on handheld-friendly sessions and couch co-op chaos, which makes the Nintendo audience a natural fit. Whether the next outing targets current or upcoming hardware, the design pillars align with on-the-go play and docked nights with friends. The key is scalability: consistent performance targets, responsive input across portable and TV modes, and readability on smaller screens. If production aims at a broad multi-platform footprint, smart art direction — bold silhouettes, high-contrast UI, and crisp animation timing — will make the difference. That’s how you serve nostalgia, welcome new players, and ensure the game feels right at home on a system known for platformer love affairs.

The outlook: cancellation then clarity, and why cautious optimism fits

On paper, “cancelled 2021 trial” and “AAA hiring in 2025” might look contradictory. In reality, they’re complementary chapters. The trial proved there was enough spark to explore. The later confirmation and staffing suggest the spark found a home. No one can promise what the final shape will be or when it lands, but the signals are aligned in a way they haven’t been for years: documented experimentation, official acknowledgment, and visible recruiting. That’s how real projects start. For a character built on momentum, it’s fitting that Rayman’s return seems to be gathering exactly that — not flashy teases, but practical steps toward something players can actually hold.

Conclusion

One small LinkedIn note reframed a big question: was Rayman truly coming back, or just circulating through rumor mills again? The answer now looks steady. A 2021 trial stopped; the brand moved into exploration; hiring for a prestigious AAA project followed. That sequence explains the silence and the renewed energy, while hinting at a revival designed with care rather than haste. If the studios keep the movement buttery, the visuals readable, and the level flow musical, Rayman’s next leap could feel inevitable — the kind of return that honors a classic without being trapped by it.

FAQs
  • Did Ubisoft really cancel a Rayman project in 2021?
    • Yes. A former team member’s LinkedIn note referenced a 2021 Rayman trial that did not proceed. The wording indicates a prototype or early exploration was shelved, not that long-term interest ended.
  • Are there signs Ubisoft is actively working on Rayman now?
    • Yes. The company acknowledged the brand’s “exploration phase” in late 2024, and job listings in May 2025 referenced a “prestigious AAA” Rayman project, signaling resourcing for production.
  • What were the working titles mentioned for the 2021 effort?
    • Reports cite “Rayman Forever” and “The Story of Rayman” as labels tied to that internal trial, hinting at a return-to-roots direction rather than a purely experimental spinoff.
  • Does this mean a remake is guaranteed?
    • No. While some coverage framed the 2021 trial like a remake, current language suggests Ubisoft is exploring options. The final project could be a reimagining, a fresh entry, or a hybrid approach.
  • Which studios are involved?
    • Public signals point to Ubisoft Milan’s active hiring and Montpellier’s historical connection to Rayman. That pairing aligns with the brand’s animation-first identity and production needs.
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