Joystiq

Rayman Legends delay results in 30 new levels, several new boss fights

David Hinkle — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST

Rayman Legends' extra time in the oven has resulted in developer Ubisoft Montpelier adding 30 extra levels and several new boss fights. "Trust me, the things we are adding aren't minor. We're not talking about adding some polish here and there, but 30 new levels and several new bosses," Senior Game Manager Michael Micholic said in an interview with Official Nintendo Magazine.

Rayman Legends has been delayed twice, the most recent delay last month when it got pushed to September in favor of a simultaneous launch across Wii U, Xbox 360 and PS3. The reception of this latest delay was negative, to say the least, with even Rayman creator Michel Ancel joining in on the protest.

Rayman Legends delay results in 30 new levels, several new boss fights originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman creator Michel Ancel appears in Legends delay protest

JC Fletcher — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST

Rayman creator Michel Ancel and staff from Ubisoft Montpellier have shown implicit desire to have Rayman Legends released. Staffers including Ancel posted with fan Joffrey Babilotte and a banner he made, reading "Release Rayman, Support Ubisoft Montpellier" (in French). Rayman is on the banner saying "SVP" - "please." Babilotte made the sign and brought it "to the gates of Ubi Montpellier."

Rayman Legends was due to be released this month on Wii U, but Ubisoft delayed the presumably finished game, to release it simultaneously with Xbox 360 and PS3 ports in September.

Rayman creator Michel Ancel appears in Legends delay protest originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beyond Good & Evil 2 put on the back burner to let Rayman boil over

Jessica Conditt — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST

It's time for the yearly confirmation that, yes, Ubisoft is still working on Beyond Good & Evil 2. The sequel first surfaced in 2008, and since then Ubisoft has treated it like an obnoxious stepchild, providing vague updates on development, and usually only when a rumor forces a statement.

Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot tells Polygon that the team, headed by Michel Ancel, is still passionate about Beyond Good & Evil 2, but other games, such as Rayman Legends, have slowed its development.

"What's very important is that Michel Ancel is kind of doing too many things at the same time," Guillemot says. "He was working on Rayman Origins last year, and he's working a lot on Rayman Legends this year. So, you know, when he does that, he kind of puts too much of his time on the other projects that he has. So the fact is that working on Legends is slowing the process on Beyond Good & Evil 2."

Rayman Legends was recently delayed to Q1 2013 on the Wii U. Perhaps once Legends launches, Ancel and Ubisoft will get to work, for real, on Beyond Good and & Evil 2. And maybe they'll even tell someone about it.

Beyond Good & Evil 2 put on the back burner to let Rayman boil over originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumored Beyond Good & Evil 2 screen has Jade looking awfully lonely

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:45:00 EST

Where's a Starkos machine when you need one?

Gallery: Rumor: Beyond Good & Evil 2

Rumored Beyond Good & Evil 2 screen has Jade looking awfully lonely originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 May 2012 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc HD hits XBLA, PSN on March 21

Mike Schramm — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST

The promised HD revamp of Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc has gotten itself a release date. As you can see from the trailer above, the third game in Michel Ancel's whimsical Rayman platformer series (just recently invigorated by the excellent Rayman Origins), updated with HD graphics and sound, arrives on March 21.

You'll also see that Rayman's a bit blue for some of this adventure. Don't be so sad, Ray! Any old-school Rayman is a welcome sight to our eyes.

Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc HD hits XBLA, PSN on March 21 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beyond Good & Evil 2 concept art spied in presentation, leaked footage authenticated

Christopher Grant — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:25:00 EST

Early footage of Beyond Good & Evil 2 leaked out of Ubisoft's porous, Parisian vaults over two years ago, in May of 2009. That was roughly one year after the much-anticipated sequel was announced ... and promptly forgotten again. And now, some three-and-a-half years after that announcement, we've got the first official look at the game and, what do ya know, it's the very same footage from 2009!

During an on-stage presentation at the Montpellier in Game 2011 conference, series creator Michel Ancel discussed the setting for the game, showed some concept art (conveniently screengrabbed at NeoGAF) and at the end, shared the same footage that you saw forever ago, in internet years. At this rate, we'd think the proposed Xbox 720 / PS4 debut would be an aggressive timetable. What's 360 times three?

Continue reading Beyond Good & Evil 2 concept art spied in presentation, leaked footage authenticated

Beyond Good & Evil 2 concept art spied in presentation, leaked footage authenticated originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Nov 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins review: Everybody loves Rayman

Richard Mitchell — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST

When I was a kid, video games didn't have "features," at least not in the way we know them today. There was no online multiplayer, no leaderboards, no persistent character progression. There were no detailed stat tracking services (with social integration, of course). If anything, a game might have had local multiplayer which, in those days, we simply called "two-player."

Like the games of my youth, Rayman Origins has almost no modern features. What it does have is an overwhelming sense of joy that I haven't felt for a very long time.

Gallery: Rayman Origins (GamesCom 2011 - Xbox 360/PS3)

Continue reading Rayman Origins review: Everybody loves Rayman

Rayman Origins review: Everybody loves Rayman originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins demo due next week

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST

If you've yet to become acquainted with Rayman, you'll be able to participate in a brief meet-and-greet next week, when a Rayman Origins demo comes to Xbox Live and PlayStation Network. He's animated, rambunctious, and extremely French, so don't be shy about shaking his hand. Just don't cause an inappropriate stir when you realize there's no arm attached to it.

According to Ubisoft, the demo offers three playable maps, lifted from the full platformer's "Jungle," "Ocean" and "Food" worlds, as well as an unlockable costume. And in case you missed it back there: Food World. World of Food.

The demo hits Europe on November 9th, which should coincide with the North American PSN update on November 8. We'll confirm that date with Ubisoft in the meanwhile. Update: Ubisoft confirms that the demo's also coming to North America next week.

Gallery: Rayman Origins (11/4/2011)

Continue reading Rayman Origins demo due next week

Rayman Origins demo due next week originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins Collector's Edition is exclusive to Europe

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:30:00 EST

Ubisoft's limbless helicopter-head hero is appearing with a little more physical fanfare in Europe. The publisher is wrapping his gorgeous return to 2D, Rayman Origins, in a Collector's Edition for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 this November. Even the packaging itself is special.

The quality of the 50-page art book will likely match the visuals we've seen coming from the UbiArt framework (which integrates high-resolution illustrations and pairs them with a skeletal animation system), and the soundtrack will probably be described as "whimsical," but forget all that. The box itself folds into a cute diorama depicting mischief makers Rayman and Globox.

Ubisoft has confirmed to Joystiq that this edition of Rayman Origins, currently listed at GBP 54.99 on Amazon UK, is only coming to Europe -- soon to be the origin of quite a few imports, we imagine.

Rayman Origins Collector's Edition is exclusive to Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 02:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scope of Beyond Good & Evil 2 requires next-gen consoles

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EST

We already had a pretty clear notion that Beyond Good & Evil 2 was destined for the next generation of consoles, and now Michel Ancel has shed some light on the issue. Speaking to GamesRadar, Ancel stated that the scope of the first Beyond Good & Evil was "large" - including "the city, the ocean, the moon and the space ship" - but it was originally intended to be much larger.

The space ship, said Ancel, was originally intended to travel to distant planets, but the limitations of PS2 era consoles hindered the game's vision. "My thing is that we really want to make the game that was previously imagined, with all this feeling of traveling," said Ancel, citing Mass Effect as a good example of the concept. The development team at Ubisoft hopes to "continue in that direction, with storytelling and a massive world," so much so that, apparently, current generation consoles just won't cut it.

Check out the full interview for more on the original Beyond Good & Evil, Rayman Origins and Ancel's development philosophy.

Scope of Beyond Good & Evil 2 requires next-gen consoles originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ancel wants Rayman Origins' UbiArt to be open-source

JC Fletcher — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST

The UbiArt technology, which is currently being put to use on Rayman Origins, will be as free and open as the space between Rayman's hand and body, if Michel Ancel has his way. Speaking to Develop, he expressed his desire to release the framework as open-source, to benefit other developers keen on making animated 2D games.

"If you look at the best artists at Disney for example," Ancel told Develop, "they create incredible books and artwork and share their processes - it's interesting because those same people are happy to look at how other artists are developing their style. That whole medium has evolved on the basis of sharing ideas. But in games we lock it all in a black box and keep it to ourselves." Ancel hopes that the tools will inspire small devs: "It is more interesting to have a community and share our content."

When Rayman Origins was first announced at E3 2010, it was accompanied by samples of other 2D games with varying art styles also made in the UbiArt framework. Even so, this plan hasn't actually been finalized yet. While he believes the technology will be offered freely, Ubisoft executives still have to make the final decision about licensing terms.

Ancel wants Rayman Origins' UbiArt to be open-source originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Michel Ancel on Beyond Good & Evil 2: I'm waiting for it as much as you are

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST

Is Beyond Good & Evil 2 still alive? Yes. Will you still be alive when it comes out? Well, that's a question we posed to project lead Michel Ancel, whose attention is currently focused on his vibrant 2D platformer, Rayman: Origins. "Before Rayman we were working on Beyond Good & Evil 2," he said during an E3 meeting. "And the project is still on the tracks. I'd love to come back to it."

Ancel describes the game as an ambitious, conceptually amorphous undertaking, still being prototyped and still looking for a home. "It's a question of making all those things able to fit the constraints of the consoles," he said. "But with this kind of game, we can do prototypes on very high-end PCs and we can really try to play in the kind of future-console style hardware. So, it's just a question of saying, 'Okay, do we cut everything and rebuild to these consoles, or do we try to move forward?'"

Does that mean the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are out? "I can't say totally no," Ancel said, "but the questions are still open."

The small team crafting Beyond Good and Evil 2 is wary of downscaling its vision, making it essential "to have the game on the best platform, to make [the concepts] fit." And while that happens, for who-knows-how-long, fans can take advantage of the game industry's diversity."The good thing is we are not the only one making games, so they can play a lot of other games," Ancel joked.

"The main thing, I would say, is that I'm waiting for that game as much as they are waiting for it. So that's pushing me to finish it."

Michel Ancel on Beyond Good & Evil 2: I'm waiting for it as much as you are originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Retailers list Rayman Origins for Wii, DS

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 11 May 2011 22:00:00 EST

If certain retailer listings are to be believed, it appears that Rayman Origins won't be confined to the Xbox 360 and PS3 when it's released this holiday. Amazon has posted a listing for a Wii version of title, including the convincing box art seen here. Furthermore, a purported GameStop new release list mentions both a Wii and DS version of Rayman Origins. For what it's worth, both GameStop and Amazon specify a November release date.

While Ubisoft hasn't confirmed anything outside of the 360 and PS3 versions, a port to DS or Wii certainly seems possible, especially given the game's 2D presentation.

Retailers list Rayman Origins for Wii, DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 11 May 2011 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins is a retail game, now coming holiday 2011

JC Fletcher — Fri, 06 May 2011 16:55:00 EST

When Game Informer revealed the contents of its new issue yesterday, buried under the Assassin's Creed: Revelations hoopla was the promise of Ubisoft news that has nothing to do with white hoodies or hidden knives: "six pages of new details and assets on the gorgeous new platformer, Rayman Origins."

For those assets, you'll have to wait to see the issue for yourself, but NeoGAFfer SolidSnakex summarized the new information about the platformer -- information welcome to those of us who get nervous when they don't get regular status updates about Michel Ancel games.

First announced as a downloadable, episodic title, Origins is now a retail game, and it's due this holiday season. It features four-player local co-op, though whether that is also online is unclear. According to the preview, it's designed to be accessible to players of different skill levels, and for each level to be enjoyable alone or in multiplayer. "I Dare You" challenges will allow players to bet on whether they can complete a "complex, acrobatic chain" to win in-game currency ("Lums.")

Rayman Origins is a retail game, now coming holiday 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 06 May 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins to be 'a big event,' Ubisoft CEO says

Ludwig Kietzmann — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST

Pictured above: Rayman, floppy-haired hero and decliner of limbs, along with dim-witted partner in mischief, Globox.

They've been missing since December 2010, but we're happy to report that they're not dead. In an MCV interview published today, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said Rayman Origins was "very much" a Michel Ancel project. So, a bizarre information blackout following a promising announcement was to be expected.

"There will be a new Rayman game, Rayman Origins, by Michel Ancel," Guillemot said. "It will be HD in 2D and it will be a big event for the whole industry." It's unclear whether the game will still be episodic, as originally planned, or if it will still be a downloadable title. Ubisoft has not answered any of our specific questions regarding Rayman Origins during the last three months.

Aside from being a return to Rayman's roots, the game serves as a showcase for the UbiArt development framework, which allows the incorporation of detailed drawings from a variety of sources into a skeletal animation system. In other words: game so, so pretty.

Rayman Origins to be 'a big event,' Ubisoft CEO says originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Forever is on GOG now

JC Fletcher — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:55:00 EST

The latest vintage game to hit GOG comes courtesy of the site's new Ubisoft partnership, which has already brought us a couple of Mights & Magics. This one is a bit more canonically "Ubisoft," however -- it's Rayman!

Rayman Forever is the "definitive" version of the first Rayman platformer, released in 1999. In addition to the original game (which is a side-scroller, for those of you who started with Rayman 2), it includes a level editor, allowing you to pretend you have Rayman Origins' Ubiart toolkit. 40 fanmade levels are also in the package. That's a lot of stuff for $5.99!

Still no arms, of course.

Rayman Forever is on GOG now originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins a no-show for holiday 2010

Ludwig Kietzmann — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:50:00 EST

Rayman Origins, a beautiful 2D adventure created within Ubisoft's UbiArt framework, was scheduled to launch on HD consoles by the end of this year. While the official website still believes that to be the case, it's now clear that the release has been delayed. Planned as an episodic series, Rayman Origins examines the mischievous beginnings of Michel Ancel's famous limber-yet-limbless hero, and his friendship with Globox, a boisterous frog-type ... thing.

Ubisoft has made no announcement regarding a delay, but a company representative confirmed to Joystiq that the first Origins episode would not make it out this year. (Obviously.)

Provided Rayman Origins doesn't vanish behind a veil of secrecy, Ancel fans should have a good year in 2011, which also promises a high-definition update of Beyond Good and Evil for Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network.

Gallery: Rayman Origins (XBLA, PSN)

Continue reading Rayman Origins a no-show for holiday 2010

Rayman Origins a no-show for holiday 2010 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 17:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ancel working with small team on Beyond Good & Evil 2

JC Fletcher — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:15:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

Earlier this month, Ubisoft assured fans that Beyond Good & Evil creator Michel Ancel was still with the company, and still toiling away at the sequel to the beloved action adventure game. Ancel himself emerged at the Montpellier in Game conference, detailing the development a bit.

Ancel told attendees that he's working on a 3D version of the toolkit being used to make Rayman Origins. "It takes a bit longer," he said, "but we're very keen to use this system with this game, because it's an ambitious game and we want to create something exceptional."

Another factor that is stretching out development time: "On this game, we're keeping the team small," he said, "to preserve creativity and so the game doesn't become a commercial product, so that it has soul." This also has the added benefit of keeping the budget low, limiting the chance that Ubisoft will cancel it. Unfortunately, it also limits the chance that Ubisoft execs will know it exists.

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2

Ancel working with small team on Beyond Good & Evil 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rayman Origins in development from Michel Ancel, is 2D and beautiful

Ben Gilbert — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:49:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

We know, we know -- another Rayman game, right? But no, seriously, this one looks totally sweet. Debuted at today's Ubisoft press conference, Beyond Good & Evil and Rayman creator Michel Ancel is developing Rayman Origins. From what we saw, it's a 2D Rayman that allows for some content creation as well. While we were impressed by the Rayman levels shown, a handful of user-created levels were also displayed with vastly different art styles. With any luck we'll get a chance to check out more when E3 officially starts tomorrow.

Rayman Origins in development from Michel Ancel, is 2D and beautiful originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft: Michel Ancel still with the company, Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in development

JC Fletcher — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST

A rumor popped up on French site wootgaming last week stating that Rayman and Beyond Good & Evil creator Michel Ancel had left Ubisoft, and work had ceased on Beyond Good & Evil 2. It wasn't that hard to believe, given Ubisoft's attitude toward the game -- which seems to range from nonchalance to outright denial of its existence.

According to a terse statement to Eurogamer from Ubisoft, Ancel is still at Ubisoft, and Beyond Good & Evil 2 development continues at its glacial pace. "There are no changes on the horizon," an Ubisoft rep said. Eurogamer then asked if the statement referred specifically to Ancel still being at Ubisoft, and BG&E2's development continuing -- to which the rep responded, simply, "Yes." Apparently, even PR doesn't want to spend too much time talking about BG&E2.

Ubisoft: Michel Ancel still with the company, Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in development originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 01 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft maintains Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in production [update]

Justin McElroy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST

Update: Ubisoft confirmed to G4TV that the translation was accurate and "Yes, Beyond Good & Evil 2 and I Am Alive are both still in development." Guess that answers that!

Because it will make the vagueness of today's rumor even more hilarious for you, we're going to walk you through the incredible history of Beyond Good & Evil 2 real quick:

May 2008: Ubisoft announces Beyond Good & Evil 2, with a trailer and everything, though not specifically naming it as such.
July 2009: Ubisoft North America's president Laurent Detoc says that while BG&E stuff is being worked on, it doesn't necessarily mean another game is on the way.
August 2009: Gamersyde says it's on hold, and Ubisoft won't comment one way or another.

And now, here we are in January of 2010. As spotted by VG247, Gamekult asked Ubisoft France boss Geoffroy Sardin about I Am Alive and BG&E 2 and was told, "Ils sont toujours en production tous les deux"; directly translated, "They're both always/still in production."

Alright, so which do you prefer: canceled and dead forever or always in production?

Ubisoft maintains Beyond Good & Evil 2 still in production [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamersyde told Beyond Good and Evil 2 is 'on hold' - Ubisoft won't comment

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:29:00 EST

Bad news for you Jade and Uncle Pey'J fans out there: Gamersyde was apparently told last week at GamesCom that Beyond Good and Evil 2 is currently in the freezer with no thaw date. Staff writer Colin Solal Cardo tweeted that he received "confirmation" from Ubisoft that the title was "on hold for now." Joystiq's attempts to receive comment from Ubisoft have been met by either silence or a statement that the company will not comment on "rumors and speculation." Well, if no one at Ubisoft told Mr. Cardo that the game was "on hold for now" then why not say as much?

Ubisoft's noncommittal aloofness doesn't end there: a couple months ago the company's North American president didn't seem to recognize a sequel was in production; Ubisoft has yet to simply confirm active production of the game it chose to close out its Ubidays 2008 event with. So, Ubisoft gets fans riled up and now won't even offer a simple update on the status of the game's development. Classy!

Gamersyde told Beyond Good and Evil 2 is 'on hold' - Ubisoft won't comment originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ancel says 9/11 influenced Beyond Good & Evil

Ben Gilbert — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST

Thanks to the fine French-speaking folks at Eurogamer France, Eurogamer has a more thorough translation of Michel Ancel's interview regarding his upcoming game for Ubisoft, Beyond Good & Evil 2. According to their translation, Ancel reveals inspiration in "the theme of September 11 - the CNN show with army messages and the fear climate," among other, totally different things, like Hayao Miyazaki for instance.

He also revealed that this sequel will be a direct continuation of the story from the original BG&E, saying, "The story continues and we'll react on important events of the first." We've still got no good information on platforms or release date but hopefully the upcoming re-embiggened E3 Expo will shed some light on the game. "Players who like the first should like the second," Ancel left the interviewer with. We're keeping hope alive.

[Via GamePolitics]

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2

Ancel says 9/11 influenced Beyond Good & Evil originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beyond Good & Evil 2 to be bigger, better ... more badass?

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:18:00 EST

Developer Michel Ancel allegedly told All-Gamers.fr that Beyond Good & Evil 2 would "be bigger, more immersive and include more investigations," directly challenging ~~Cliffy B~~ Young Clifford for the "Greatest Self-Promoter" award. In a video interview conducted last week, Ancel (again, allegedly -- all this stuff's in French!) talked about the current development process for BG&E2 (still in pre-production), the return of the first game's characters ("lots" will be returning), and the problems his development team had with the first game (PS2 "didn't live up to their expectations").

Confirming what we've heard before about the sequel, Ancel also apparently notes that the gameplay will be different this time around, as the team's looking for ways to distinguish it from the original. Though he didn't go into more detail (at least, as far as we know) regarding controls, we can't help but worry after what Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot said last year. Interestingly, during the interview, the developer remained cagey regarding the possibility of a Wii version, though he apparently didn't deny the possibility of a port in the future.

French-speaking Joystiq readers should feel free to confirm or deny Mr. Ancel's interview statements in the comment section below.

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2

[Via Gamezine.co.uk. Thanks, Mr. V!]

Beyond Good & Evil 2 to be bigger, better ... more badass? originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 10:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GameStop letting the rabbids out of the bag early?

David Hinkle — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: News

Reader Joshua is one lucky dude. He managed to score a copy of Raving Rabbids TV Party from his local GameStop. Being that they specialize in games, we're surprised to hear about them violating the street date for this title. Sure, it's only a week early, but while Joshua is sitting at home, enjoying his game, we're writing about him enjoying his game. Oh, how we wish we were him!

If you're looking to score a copy early, you might want to hit up your local GameStop, as Joshua suggests. They might do the same thing for you. And if you're looking for some video from the game, hit up Joshua's site here.

GameStop letting the rabbids out of the bag early? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Born for Wii: Beyond Good & Evil

Adam Holisky — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Born for Wii

When Friedrich Nietzsche wrote his famous philosophical work Beyond Good and Evil in the late 19th century, odds are he didn't think that it would be a source of inspiration for video games over a century later. Namco proved him wrong with their trilogy of Xenosaga RPGs, each of which had a subtitle referencing a Nietzsche work (such as "Jenseits von Gut und Böse"). But it's another wannabe trilogy that owes its moniker to Nietzsche that's up for recognition.

Beyond Good & Evil was published at the height of the Christmas rush in December 2003, and despite its war-on-all-fronts release on the GameCube, PS2, Xbox, and PC, it simply failed to sell. The game received widespread critical acclaim, but competition from other games caused it to be given a jarring price drop mere weeks after its release. Even so, those in the know played Beyond Good & Evil and saw it for what it was -- a fantastic adventure with a unique world and an appealing cast of heroes. And though it took four years, Ubisoft finally gave a sequel the green light -- so it's time to show the original game some much-deserved love.

Continue reading Born for Wii: Beyond Good & Evil

Born for Wii: Beyond Good & Evil originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beyond Good & Evil 2 'done for the new generation'

Ludwig Kietzmann — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Adventure, Casual

Did the long-awaited dream suddenly become an inescapable nightmare? Speaking to Next Generation, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot describes the recently announced Beyond Good & Evil sequel as a game done "for the new generation that's come into videogames." That's not you or me, folks, that's the person over there doing yoga on a Wii balance board. Yves notes that the game will be made "more accessible," a supposed improvement from a title that was "probably a little too difficult for the general gamers at that time."

Says Guillemot: "We had a different audience at that time. We had more core gamers than casual gamers than we have today." Let's not be dense about this -- Beyond Good & Evil was a beloved, abysmal commercial failure that caused the industry to bust a gut whenever a continuation was mentioned. We can hardly begrudge Ubisoft for wanting loads of people to actually buy it this time around. However, it's is a very fine line to walk, and the desires of core and casual gamers don't necessarily agree. Guillemot himself admits that "so many customers were extremely happy with the game," and we can only hope that he doesn't see Fit to pull their pants down just because it'll make the casuals giggle.

For now, we'll have to trust in series (OMG it's a series now!) creator, Michel Ancel, being able to deliver the game as he envisions it. Heck, the man's paid his dues in Rabbids by now, hasn't he? Ubisoft owes him.

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2

Beyond Good & Evil 2 'done for the new generation' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 29 May 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ubisoft reveals Beyond Good & Evil 2

David Hinkle — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:52:00 EST

Filed under: News

Looks like the rumors were true!

Now, before you start getting your hopes up, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Once done, then give a click on one of the images below. Those graphics are pretty darn sweet, eh? Well, we're not saying the Wii isn't capable of such graphics, just that the likelihood of this being an Xbox 360 and PS3 reveal is high. We're not going to rule out the game arriving on Wii, though. The first title was multi-platform (this blogger has the GameCube port of the first title), so let's hope Ubisoft puts the second game out on all systems.

After checking out the screens, head past the break for a video.

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2

Continue reading Ubisoft reveals Beyond Good & Evil 2

Ubisoft reveals Beyond Good & Evil 2 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 14:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beyond Good & Evil 2 revealed at Ubidays 2008

James Ransom-Wiley — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:41:00 EST

Filed under: Action, Adventure

click to enlarge

Closing out the Ubidays 2008 live conference, CEO Yves Guillemot left the audience with one final teaser: the next project from designer Michel Ancel. While the trailer stops short of naming its subject, we'd recognize that schnozzle anywhere. Why that's Uncle Pey'j of course! And look at dear Jade, she's gone and grown out her hair.

The "Beyond Good & Evil 2" debut trailer is posted after the break! (Beware: Graphic fly snorting ensues.)

Gallery: Beyond Good & Evil 2

Continue reading Beyond Good & Evil 2 revealed at Ubidays 2008

Beyond Good & Evil 2 revealed at Ubidays 2008 originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 28 May 2008 14:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Get teased about Rayman Raving Rabbids 3

David Hinkle — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: News, Video

We don't have to tell you how charmingly insane those little rabbids are. Even when it comes to Wii Fit, they just have to find their own delightfully ridiculous way of doing things. Well, it would seem, based on the teaser trailer above, that you can look forward to a third installment in the Rayman Raving Rabbids franchise. Hard to believe, we know, seeing as how a lot of you bought the previous titles in the franchise.

Who's excited about a new Rayman Raving Rabbids game? Anything you'd like to change in the new game that you weren't all that happy about in the last two games?

Get teased about Rayman Raving Rabbids 3 originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 26 May 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is Beyond Good & Evil 2 in production despite lack of approval from Ubi?

David Hinkle — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Rumors

Those of you with weak hearts, you might want to double up on your medication for this one. Michel Ancel, the dude responsible for the amazing Beyond Good & Evil and the Rayman games, has apparently confirmed with a French magazine that not only is work on Beyond Good & Evil 2 underway, but it's been worked on for over a year. We doubt there are words that can describe how you're feeling right now, so just hug your monitor right this instant. Go ahead, we're doing the same.

Okay, done? Good. Now, the only problem with all of this is that Ancel also said that Ubisoft did not green-light the project. With a total of 10-12 people working on the pre-production, we've got our fingers permanently crossed in hopes that Ubisoft will see that this sequel needs to happen. Also, we're going to keep this one labeled as a rumor, for now, considering how often we hear about a sequel to this game, only to have our hopes and dreams shattered.

If you work at Ubisoft and are reading this, tell your bosses that everyone wants this! Oh, and tell them to make it for the Wii, as well.

[Via Joystiq]

Is Beyond Good & Evil 2 in production despite lack of approval from Ubi? originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 May 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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