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Ubisoft is planning animated shows based on ‘Watch Dogs’ and ‘Far Cry’
Ubisoft is no stranger to TV and movies. Its media division, Ubisoft Motion Pictures, has created four seasons of Rabbids Invasion thus far, and produced the mediocre adaptation of Assassin's Creed. That's not to mention films like Uwe Boll's Far Cry and the controversial Prince of Persia, which were licensed from the publisher. The company is focusing on the small screen for now though, and hopes to reach kids and young adults. The animated series will be comprised of adaptations from titles like Watch Dogs and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon.
Play the lost 'Rayman' prototype if you have a SNES emulator
While the dream of playing a lost version of Rayman for Super NES on Nintendo's Switch console hasn't come true (yet), we have a bit of an update about the game itself. Archivist and game developer Omar Cornut recently borrowed the ROM original developer Michel Ancel (above) teased last fall, dumped it to his computer and then uploaded the files to Dropbox for everyone to play. Everyone who has a Super NES emulator that'll read a .SFC extension, of course.
The charity that wants video game karts in every hospital
In many ways, Jonathan Watson is like other 11-year-olds. He does his homework, dreams of becoming a doctor and plays video games when he can. Depending on the day, his favorite is either Minecraft or The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. Unlike most kids his age, though, Jonathan is at the hospital every three weeks for blood transfusions -- a procedure that can take up to six hours at a time. When I visited him at Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he wasn't slaying dragons or building a pixelated fortress; he was replaying the opening levels of Rayman Legends on a kart that had just been wheeled in. The kart was donated by a local Eagle Scout who raised funds through the Gamers Outreach Foundation (GO), a nationwide charity that puts medical-grade gaming equipment in hospitals around the country. The "GO Kart" Jonathan was using included everything needed to play video games: a modest Samsung television, an Xbox 360 (though any console will fit) and a pair of gamepads. The kit itself is hardly revolutionary, but anyone who's schlepped their gear to a LAN party can appreciate the simplicity of this rolling, self-contained setup. At Mott and 19 other hospitals around the country, they're the most popular "toy" available. And when you're a kid with a medical condition like Watson's, it's easy to see why.
Get a look at the lost Super NES 'Rayman' game
When he isn't busy cryptically teasing Beyond Good & Evil 2, game developer Michel Ancel laments (above) past projects lost to the sands of time. Like the Super NES version of Rayman that was scrapped in favor of iterations for the Atari Jaguar and original PlayStation. As noticed by Motherboard, Ancel managed to find an old prototype cartridge and fired it up.
The original 'Rayman' makes its way to mobile tomorrow
The original, 1995 version of Rayman is heading to iOS devices tomorrow, February 18th, according to the series' official Twitter account. "Rayman's going old school on mobile! Look for #RaymanClassic on the App Store tomorrow!" the relevant tweet reads. That same account teased the game last week. There's no word on how the side-scrolling platformer will translate to touchscreens -- previous mobile Rayman games Fiesta Run and Jungle Run are endless runners, which is a clever way to deal with that pesky touch-control situation. However, the original Rayman is a true-blue platformer with traditional gamepad mechanics. Even if the controls are subpar, maybe think of them as part of an extra-hard difficulty setting (and try not to throw your phones in frustration).
Rayman creator starts a studio but remains at Ubisoft
Michel Ancel, the creator of Rayman, is starting his own studio called Wild Sheep – though he'll remain at Ubisoft Montpellier, Ubisoft says in a statement to Game Informer. "We are fortunate to have some of the industry's finest talents, including Michel Ancel, working with us at our studio," Ubisoft Annecy, Paris, and Montpellier Managing Director Xavier Poix said. "In addition to spending some of his time on this new venture, Michel is leading the creative development of select projects at Ubisoft Montpellier, including an extremely ambitious new title that is very close to his and the team's heart." Sounds like Ancel has a lot of projects in progress. Managing all of them will be like herding Wild Sheep or something. [Image: Ubisoft]
Ubisoft teams with Sony Pictures for feature-length Rabbids movie
We've known for a while that Ubisoft was planning to bring the manic, mush-mouthed Rabbids to the silver screen, but we now learn that the gaming giant has tapped Sony Pictures to aid in the attempt. "Sony Pictures has tremendous experience developing hybrid live-action-and-animated blockbusters for audiences around the world, which makes them a natural fit for what we want to achieve with a Rabbids film," said Ubisoft Motion Pictures executive director Jean-Julien Baronnet in an announcement this morning. "This deal deepens our partnership with Sony Pictures and highlights our holistic approach to bringing Ubisoft's brands to new audiences while still maintaining the brands' creative integrity." This Rabbids film is only the latest effort by Ubisoft to break into the motion picture business via the publisher's popular video game characters. Last August we reported on a deal between Ubisoft and Sony Pictures to develop a film based on the Watch Dogs franchise, while a Ghost Recon film is currently in the early stages of production under the watchful eye of producer and noted explosion aficionado Michael Bay. There is currently no word on when the as-yet unnamed Rabbids film will debut, nor any information on its cast and crew. [Image: Ubisoft]
Rayman Legends jumping to next-gen consoles in February
During today's first half of fiscal 2014 earnings call, Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot noted that Rayman Legends will launch on Xbox One and PS4 in February 2014. It was revealed during the call that the game has sold "right around one million units" across all of the platforms it is available on, that being PC, Vita, Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii U. The game's sales contributed to a gross profit of €202.2 million ($271.5 million) for the half-year. The news follows Ubisoft's adjusted forecasts for sales following its decision to delay The Crew to Q2 of fiscal 2015 and Watch Dogs to spring 2014, after which the publisher's shares dropped 25 percent. Rayman Legends and Splinter Cell: Blacklist were listed as two games that underperformed in their initial sales by Ubisoft CFO Alain Martinez following the aforementioned delays, and today's earnings call noted that Splinter Cell: Blacklist has sold "close to two million units."
Daily iPhone App: Rayman Fiesta Run offers break-neck fun
The Rayman series has always been about easy, enjoyable fun, and last year's release of Rayman Jungle Run was a great example of that. Now its successor, Rayman Fiesta Run, has entered the race, and whether you're a newcomer to Rayman or a seasoned vet, there's plenty to enjoy in this installment. While most Rayman games are platforming adventures, both Jungle Run and the new Fiesta Run are much more straightforward. Rayman runs automatically and you tap the screen to jump. That's it. Though as simple as this sounds, the inventive level design introduces a number of different ways the game's basic controls can be used. As the stages shift, twist and transform, well-timed jumps -- or refusing to jump at all -- can lead to new areas. Your overall goal is to finish each level with as many shiny Lums as possible. These cheery creatures are scattered throughout the game world and are collected simply by running into them. The vast majority of the levels feature multiple branching paths, and if you hope to collect the full complement of Lums in each stage, you'll undoubtedly need to take on many of the stages more than once to find the optimal route. As you collect Lums, additional stages are unlocked, as well as more difficult versions of levels you already conquered. All told, there are well over 70 levels to take on as well as a trio of bosses, which means you'll be playing Fiesta Run for quite some time. A word has to be said about the game's visuals: They're downright gorgeous. The hand-drawn aesthetic from Jungle Run returns with even more detail and plenty of subtle touches. The game runs buttery smooth and flows flawlessly even as multiple levels of each stage flash into view and then disappear into the background or foreground. It's a treat to watch. For US$2.99, Fiesta Run offers a whole lot of content as well as a great deal of replayability. If you haven't yet given Jungle Run a try, I'd recommend taking that one for a spin first, if only so you can fully appreciate how Ubisoft made an already great game concept even greater.
Rabbids Big Bang lands on iOS on October 17
Once Rayman's mortal nemesis, the Rabbids will soon get their very own mobile adventure with Rabbids Big Bang, headed to iOS on October 17. According to a press release by developer Ubisoft (below), the game will span a total of 150 levels, offering outer space-flavored fun as the Rabbids pilot jetpacks to accomplish specific tasks. Rabbids Big Bang will be the first proper Rabbids title to appear on iOS, with the only previous app, Rabbids Go Phone Again, being less of a game and more of a quirky virtual toybox. The game will sell for US$0.99 and will feature microtransactions, which likely means there will be a bounty of customization options and bonus items that you can pay to obtain without much effort. Show full PR text RABBIDS BIG BANG AVAILABLE ON OCTOBER 17TH SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – October 11th, 2013 – Today, Ubisoft announced that Rabbids Big Bang will be released on October 17th on iOS, Google Play and Amazon at the price of $0.99. Deciding Earth is not enough for them, the Rabbids are making space their new playground in this physics-based game on smartphones and tablets. Players will pilot the wacky little creatures using jetpack boosts and the gravitational force of planets, to avoid catastrophic accidents, fly around obstacles and explore the edges of the galaxy. Developed by Ubisoft Paris studios, Rabbids Big Bang offers 150 different missions including crash-landing landing on planets, bouncing off of space cows and reaching specific speeds. The customization options in-game are plentiful. Jetpacks can be upgraded for an added boost or just a bit of flare and as Rabbids love dressing up, there are lots of disguises, new outfits and funny looks to make Rabbids stand out! And as it's Rabbids we are talking about, players will meet space duckies, cheese planets and feel the burn if they fly to close to the Sun! For more info on Rabbids Big Bang, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/rabbids?fref=ts About Ubisoft: Ubisoft is a leading producer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment products worldwide and has grown considerably through a strong and diversified lineup of products and partnerships. Ubisoft has offices in 29 countries and has sales in more than 55 countries around the globe. It is committed to delivering high-quality, cutting-edge video game titles to consumers. For the 2012-13 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,256 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com 2013 Ubisoft Entertainment. All Rights Reserved. Rabbids, Ubisoft, and the Ubisoft logo are trademarks of Ubisoft Entertainment in the US and/or other countries
Ubisoft 'not ruling out' Rayman Legends for 3DS
Just because Rayman Legends has already launched on most modern platforms doesn't mean you should rule out its eventual jump to the 3DS, Ubisoft executive Alain Corre told CVG last week. "When you look at Rayman Legends you see it's a very big game with a lot of levels," Corre said. "It takes time to squeeze everything and downsize it into other formats." Corre's statements toward a 3DS version were more of a musing than a confirmation, however, as he added that Ubisoft can't "say anything for the moment, but we can't rule the format out." The 3DS version of Rayman Origins launched six months after the game's initial launch on the PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii. Considering Legends just launched weeks ago, Ubisoft has plenty of time to follow suit with its hypothetical port to the 3DS.
GOG celebrates Halloween wrong with anti-scary games sale
GOG.com is putting a selection of Halloween-themed games on sale today and tomorrow, the Halloween theme being they're "not scary." Each of the 16 spine-soothing games is priced 50% off, and the hair-settling assortment features entries from Simon the Sorcerer, Worms, and Rayman to name a few.If you ask us, dark magic, weapon-wielding invertebrates, and a legless, armless, and neckless man with feet, hands, and a head that move independent of his body are all plenty scary, thank you very much.
Select Ubisoft games 60% off on GOG right now
Whether you're simply behind on your gaming or have emerged from a block of ice after that hiking expedition in Antarctica went awry ten years ago, you may like to catch up on some of Ubisoft's PC wares. Good Old Games is making it much easier – at least on your wallet – to play catch-up by slashing the price on 36 Ubisoft games.There are many highlights in this Ubisoft sale, including several games for $3.99 a pop: Far Cry, Far Cry 2: Fortune's Edition, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Warrior Within, The Two Thrones, and Beyond Good & Evil included. Rayman and its two sequels are also on sale for $2.39 each.If you're not into the whole piecemeal thing, you can snag all 36 discounted games for $134.04, a total savings of $201.60.
Daily iPhone App: Rayman Jungle Run
Rayman Jungle Run is the kind of iOS game that should be terrible. It looks from the outset like a blatant cash grab by Ubisoft, re-using the various sounds, graphics and gameplay from its popular Rayman Origins console platformer on iOS. But here's the thing: Rayman Origins is such a gorgeous and well-designed game that even this small-screen re-imagining is oozing with magic and fun. Yes, these graphics are being re-used, but they are still completely beautiful, and there's been so much new craft put into creating these levels and settings that Rayman Jungle Run feels just as fresh and enjoyable as the original console title. The controls are a big part of it -- rather than using a more traditional virtual D-pad and jump button, Ubisoft's developers have completely taken movement out of the equation, so Rayman simply runs forward without stopping. Instead, you just tap the screen to jump at certain moments, so the whole proceeding is all about timing (which, technically, great platformer games always have been about anyway). Later on in the game, further levels allow you to hover while jumping or punch as you go, but the controls are so simple and clean that you instead get to focus on the game's pitch-perfect gameplay. And there's plenty of that: Four different worlds with about 10 levels each, extra levels to unlock as you play and multiple goals per level, including time runs and extra Lums to collect. Rayman Jungle Run is an absolute pleasure to play -- don't be turned off by the fact that you've seen this art on the console before. It's available as a universal version now for $2.99.
NintendoWare Weekly: Metal Slug 3, Rayman
Ubisoft's widespread digital Rayman assault continues with ... no, not Rayman Origins on the 3DS eShop, but the Game Boy Color Rayman. It's accompanied by the demo for the upcoming eShop release of Order Up! and a DSiWare game about dodging hazards and slowing down time.This week on Wii ... something! Yes! And hey, it's Metal Slug 3!
Leaked Rayman Legends for Wii U trailer showcases NFC feature (video)
If you're counting down the days till the Wii U is released, you might recall that back in January Nintendo chief Satoru Iwata said the console will ship with an NFC chip inside. Well, you can now get a taste of how games will incorporate that feature, thanks to this just-leaked trailer for Rayman Legends. According to the video, Rayman Rabbid action figures can jump into the game when a player taps them to the Wii U's screen. (It looks like that trick will work with an Assassin's Creed Ezio Auditore da Firenze figurine too.) Check out the trailer, courtesy of Gamekult, while you can -- after all, Ubisoft didn't want you to glimpse the U's magical powers just yet.
'Prince of Persia' for Wii and 3DS, 'Rayman' for 3DS rated
Ratings have popped up in Australia for 3DS games called simply "Rayman" and "Prince of Persia," along with a Wii "Prince of Persia." Ubisoft has done plenty with both of these franchises, ensuring that we can't know for sure exactly what's been revealed here. The simplest explanation is that these listings are all for Virtual Console downloads. Prince of Persia was released on both the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, making it eligible for the 3DS Virtual Console -- and it was made for almost all of the platforms supported by the Wii Virtual Console. In addition, a game called "Rayman" was released on Game Boy Color, which was a combination of elements from Rayman 1 and 2 -- and thus providing an example of why we'd have a hard time knowing what the plain "Rayman" title referred to. [Image: GameFAQs]
Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc coming to XBLA/PSN next Spring
Haven't yet had enough of Rayman, despite the recent release of Rayman Origins, you horrible, insatiable glutton? We'll try to turn a blind eye to your avarice as we share with you this exciting news: Ubisoft just announced that Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc is being ported from its original Xbox and PS2 platforms to the XBLA and PSN during Spring 2012. The game will feature an "all-new high-definition makeover," and will be "updated to run at 60 frames per second and offers improved audio quality." Apart from that, it's the same Rayman you've come to know and love: Rewarding platforming, loveable characters and the constant, quiet unease of controlling a protagonist who has apparently been drawn and quartered. %Gallery-140078%
Rayman Origins demo due next week
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-138472%
Ancel wants Rayman Origins' UbiArt to be open-source
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.
