Michel Ancel, Creator of Rayman and Beyond Good & Evil, Announces Retirement From the Gaming Industry - Says He Wishes to Focus on His Second Passion, Wildlife

[Sundae]

https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/09/rayman_creator_michel_ancel_announces_retirement_from_the_games_industry

Rayman Creator Michel Ancel Announces Retirement From The Games Industry
After more than 30 years


Game development legend Michel Ancel, best known as the creator of the Rayman series, has announced his retirement from the industry today.

Ancel shared the news on his personal Instagram account, telling fans that he's decided to stop working on games to focus on his second passion, wildlife. "My new project takes place in the real world and consists in a wildlife open sanctuary dedicated to education, nature lovers and wild animals," he said.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFRbPpnqCxu/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again

WoW ! This little guy has many things to teach to Sam Fisher !
Today is very special for me. After more than 30 years, I’ve decided to stop working on video games and fully focus on my second passion : Wild Life !
My new project takes place in the real world and consists in a wild life open sanctuary dedicated to education , nature lovers and ... wild animals.

video games part

Many of you might want to know what will happen to Wild and BGE2. No worries, since many months now the teams are autonomous and the projects are going super well. Beautiful things to be seen soon.

May the fox be with you

He goes on to confirm that both WiLD and Beyond Good & Evil 2, two titles previously under his supervision, are "going super well", and that fans of the two games shouldn't be worried.

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I guess this means we won't get another 3D Rayman platformer. Shame, Rayman 2 is one of my favorite games, and while Rayman 3 was good, it was a step down from its predecessor.

In all seriousness though, I wish him luck in his new endeavors. He made some great games in his time, and it's good to hear he's decided to follow his passion and do something he'll enjoy.

God speed, Michel. Thanks for the great games, and may your new path in life bring you peace and joy.

 

[SSF2T Old User]

To be honest I enjoyed the 2D Raymans (The 1st game for the PS1/Saturn, GameBoy Color and Origins) more than the 3D ones.

Either way, Rayman drew the short straw when it came to success. Those fucking Rabbids overshadowed the fuck out of him and they were one of the worst things ever created. Basically autistic minion bunnies.

 

[Duncan Hills Coffee]

Well that's kinda sad because I was hoping for at least a couple more Rayman games out of him. Still, he's made some damn fine games and he's the rare game designer to have been around for decades without declining or falling off the deep end (like Cliffy B, David Jaffe, Richard Garriott, and way too many others to count). If anyone deserves retirement from the game industry, it's Ancel, because he's earned it.

 

[Prophetic Spirit]

The man itself has called by Shigeru Miyamoto in the Rayman 2 Premiere in those years.
I'm sad because he still have potential to make wonderful games but well, it's his decision.
But i'm open to a return someday, a Oblivion dev makes a retirement in 2007, just after Shivering Isles but anyway he worked in Kingdoms of Amalur.
Anyway, blessings to you, Ancel; you're a ray of light in this world.

 

[The Shadow]

A pretty solid run. None of those were games I particularly loved, but way to go out on top instead of years of diminishing returns due to not having your heart in it.

Hope the new career is more fulfilling.

 

[Miller]

At this point Ubisoft should just cancel BG&E2 because it's clear that they don't know what to do with the IP.
Michel Ancel is one of the rare devs who actually care about making fun games.

 

[albert chan]

I was just thinking about the Rayman series yesterday. Hopefully he can continue to be optimistic.
Wildlife is a very great hobby. As long as it’s better than iDubbbz’s squirrel videos, I’m okay with this.

 

[Miller]

Hopefully he can continue to be optimistic.

I wouldn't be surprised if seeing Ubisoft become one of the biggest video game companies (with the corporate culture that comes with it) pushed him to leave the industry. Eric Chahi also left Ubisoft a few years ago.

 

[Dom Cruise]

I still can't believe there was never really a "Rayman 4"

 

[UCHUBomb]

So BG&E2 is definitely a dumster fire behind the scenes right now.

 

[Duncan Hills Coffee]

I still can't believe there was never really a "Rayman 4"

I replayed Rayman 3 recently and hearing Murfy say, "See you in Rayman 4!" kinda stung. We got Rayman Origins and Legends, which are both fantastic, but I would love to see a full-fledged 3D Rayman with a number 4 emblazoned on it.

 

[Cyclonus]

Rayman should move to the US. Then he'd actually have the right to own arms.

 

[Dom Cruise]

I replayed Rayman 3 recently and hearing Murfy say, "See you in Rayman 4!" kinda stung. We got Rayman Origins and Legends, which are both fantastic, but I would love to see a full-fledged 3D Rayman with a number 4 emblazoned on it.

I love their original ideas for 4 before it became the Rabbids mini game collection.

I really wish we could have gotten that and the original BG&E 2

 

[mrdk_04]

Rayman 3 was the first game I ever played, my first foray into vidya.
I'll never forget the fear I felt when encountering the Knaaren for the first time,
or the elation at finally getting a highscore on the "Longest Shortcut" levels.

I would have liked a proper Rayman 4 from Ubisoft, but some things are better left unspoiled.

 

[Ted_Breakfast]

Origins and Legends are both in my top 50 games list, with Legends perhaps being in the top 10. Ancel is a true craftsman.

 

[starborn427614]

Have to respect a guy who knows when to call it quits. Least the projects he left behind are in good hands.

 

[Scarlett Johansson]

They should rerelease BG&E for the current consoles.

The sequel sounds like a hot mess but also I seriously hope they don't go with known actors. It ruined Smash Bros, Mario, Zelda, Mirror's Edge etc.

If they have to use UK actors then by all means.

 

[c-no]

Not much familiar with the guys works beyond the first two Rayman games and BG&E and that's only because of this thread I got to know of his name. Still, hats of to him for his contributions and here's to hoping he can enjoy his retirement in pursuing his passion in wildlife.