Rayman Remake Scrapped in 2021 — Michel Ancel Advises New 'Project Steambot'

A planned Rayman remake was reportedly shelved back in 2021, but the limbless legend might be spinning back into action: internal work under the codename Project Steambot is said to be exploring Rayman’s future, with series creator Michel Ancel reportedly offering advisory input. Here’s what that means for fans, what went wrong with the remake, and why the next chapter could be a fresh start rather than a retread.

The quiet remake that never was

Every few years, the conversation circles back to Rayman’s roots. The original game’s hand-drawn whimsy and tightly tuned platforming made it a landmark release in the mid-90s, and the UbiArt-powered duo of Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends proved that classic sensibilities can still dazzle with modern craft. So a remake of the first Rayman always felt like a plausible move.

According to reports from a former developer’s portfolio, Ubisoft experimented with a remake internally, with test work that included new logo explorations and title screens. The project was apparently known by working titles like Rayman Forever and The Story of Rayman. But after initial prototyping, progress seemingly stalled. By 2021, the effort was quietly shelved.

Why do test projects like this get canned? It can be as simple as a game not hitting the fun threshold early enough, or as complex as studio bandwidth, shifting corporate priorities, and market forecasts. Platformers are loved, but they’re also fiercely competitive and notoriously demanding to build at a high level of polish. If the team couldn’t confidently map a path from prototype to a full release that would stand out in a crowded landscape, pausing made sense.

Enter Project Steambot

Rayman fans shouldn’t take the canned remake as a dead end. Around late last year, rumblings started about internal exploration on a new Rayman initiative under the codename Project Steambot. The broad strokes suggest studios with Rayman pedigree are involved, and that this is very early-stage work intended to figure out what Rayman should look like in a modern context.

Key takeaway: this does not automatically mean “Rayman 4,” nor does it rule out a different spin entirely. Codenames often refer to a direction or a toolset as much as a specific end product. Project Steambot could be a concept phase testing gameplay pillars, visual pipelines, or even a hybrid approach that blends the personality of Rayman with some unexpected mechanics.

Given the reported cancellation of the 2021 remake, a brand-new adventure feels more likely than another attempt at modernization of the original. Ubisoft has a history of letting teams prototype widely before locking a pitch, and if a remake failed to clear internal bars once, resources may now be pointed at something fresher.

Michel Ancel’s advisory role

Reports also suggest that Michel Ancel, the original creator of Rayman who stepped away from the industry in 2020, has been advising on the new exploration. In practical terms, “advising” typically means offering feedback on tone, character identity, and the intangible things that make a series feel like itself, rather than day-to-day production involvement.

For fans, that’s encouraging. Ancel’s fingerprints are all over Rayman’s playful elasticity and visual charm, and having that viewpoint in the room can help align any new direction with what makes Rayman distinct. The exact scope of any advisory role is unknown, and plans can absolutely change as projects evolve, but it’s a signal that the team is thinking carefully about legacy and authenticity.

What a modern Rayman needs

If Project Steambot becomes the next Rayman game, what would help it sing in 2025 and beyond? A few pillars feel essential:

• Precision platforming that rewards mastery without punishing newcomers
• Expressive animation that makes movement feel tactile, bouncy, and alive
• A sharp, stylized art direction that reads instantly and ages gracefully
• Smart co-op that is optional but delightful, amplifying the chaos without eclipsing solo play
• A soundtrack with personality, tied to gameplay moments and rhythm in subtle ways
• Level design that mixes bite-sized sequences with set-piece experiments, keeping the pace snappy

On the production side, a toolchain that empowers level artists and designers to iterate rapidly is crucial. Origins and Legends benefitted from pipelines that made playful ideas shippable. Whether Project Steambot leans on evolved UbiArt tech or something new, fast iteration will be the difference between “good” and “great.”

Why the remake may have been a tough sell

Remakes work best when they either fix clear pain points or add a transformative new lens. The original Rayman is beloved, but it’s also a product of its time: gorgeous art, striking worlds, and some famously sharp difficulty spikes. If an internal remake couldn’t reconcile nostalgia with modern expectations—smoothing those spikes without sanding off the identity—its greenlight would have been tricky.

There’s also the creative cost. Rebuilding an old game with contemporary fidelity while preserving hand-drawn charm is expensive, and it doesn’t always give designers room to surprise. Brand-new concepts can justify the same budget by promising new hooks, broader marketing reach, and a cleaner pitch: “Here’s the next Rayman,” rather than “Here’s the old Rayman, but remade.”

What to watch next

• Signals of team staffing at the relevant Ubisoft studios, especially senior gameplay and art leads
• Early concept art reveals or developer diaries that talk about “exploration,” “prototyping,” or “pillars” rather than committing to genre specifics
• Hints about co-op or rhythm-inflected levels, which have become part of the series’ identity thanks to Legends

Don’t expect a date or full reveal soon if Project Steambot is truly in exploration. The healthiest version of this journey is one where the team experiments widely, cuts aggressively, and only commits once the magic is undeniable.

Final thoughts

The scrapped 2021 remake sounds like a near-miss rather than a dead end. If anything, it’s a reminder that teams are testing ideas behind the scenes to find the best path forward. Project Steambot, whatever it becomes, has a real shot at honoring Rayman’s legacy while carving a new spot for him in today’s platformer scene. With the right focus on movement, style, and co-op delight—plus a little guidance from the character’s original creator—Rayman’s next leap could be the one that sticks the landing.