Ancel talks Rayman Legends delay, says it was “very brutal”, protest was due to misunderstanding
Michel Ancel was one of a few Rayman Legends staffers that seemed to be quite upset with Ubisoft’s decision to delay the game. Ancel was depicted in a photo where he – and other employees – held a banner stating: “Release Rayman. Support Ubisoft Montpellier.”
Learning about Rayman Legends’ delay was initially “very brutal”, Ancel has said. But the protest only came about due to a “misunderstanding”.
Ancel told VideoGamer:
“As artists, we don’t have the control of everything. Of course, as creators we are a bit selfish. When we heard about the delay we were like, ‘No! We want our game to be released, to let people play the game’.”
“It was a misunderstanding because when we heard about [the delay] it was very brutal. Just suddenly this happened, but after talking more and more we understood better the things behind the decision.”
“The mix between the boss – the one that [makes] decisions – and us, the connection must be there. They could have decided to not put more money in the game, because it costs a lot to have a full team for six more months. But I think they believe in the franchise and somehow they believe in what we are doing.”
“A team is a bit like an engine. It takes time to accelerate, and the power of the team is the best at the end of the game. So if you keep the same team with the same power and you add content, it’s not like adding a few small levels, it’s like adding big things, like the bosses, the invasions, the football and all these things.”
Rayman Legends’ lead game designer Emile Morel also chimed in, stating:
“I think in the end, I wouldn’t say I’m happy about the delay but I feel better now because I know that the game is going to touch more people, more people are going to be able to play it. I think [Ubisoft’s decision to port] the game was because they believed in the game, actually. Because they knew it was a great game, so it was giving us another chance.”
