Key Highlights:
- A Rayman remake, codenamed Rayman Forever and The Story of Rayman, was cancelled in 2021.
- Concept art and logo designs suggested a modernised take on the 1995 classic.
- Ubisoft has hinted at a new Rayman project, sparking renewed fan hope.
Former Ubisoft developer Phong recently revealed that a remake of the original Rayman was secretly in development back in 2021 before being cancelled. Known internally as Rayman Forever and The Story of Rayman, the project was intended to reimagine the 1995 classic that helped cement Ubisoft’s place in gaming history.
Concept art from the project showcased redesigned logos, with one clearly referencing The Magician, a key antagonist from the first game. This alone strongly suggested that Ubisoft was looking to honour its platforming roots with a faithful remake.
According to Phong via the RaymanTogether X account, the early work involved reworking the visual identity of Rayman, from the home screen to branding concepts, echoing Ubisoft’s ambition to revisit what it once called its “flagship game.”
From my perspective as someone who grew up with the series, this feels like a missed opportunity. Rayman Origins and Legends proved that the franchise still had room to innovate within its whimsical, painterly style, so a ground-up remake of the original could have served as both a nostalgic return and a modern refresh.
I’ve always believed Rayman is one of those mascots that deserved the same treatment as Crash and Spyro received with their remakes — both commercially successful and warmly received. Ubisoft clearly thought the same, even if the project ultimately never got past the concept phase.
What’s particularly intriguing is that these revelations line up with recent rumours that Ubisoft is currently working on another AAA Rayman project. While there’s no official confirmation that it’s a remake, the timing makes me think that the company hasn’t fully abandoned the idea.
If Ubisoft really is experimenting with a revival, it could be taking lessons from Rayman Forever’s early groundwork.
For hardcore fans, this is a bittersweet reminder of how close we may have been to reliving the original adventure.
The franchise has been dormant since Rayman Legends in 2013, aside from cameos in Mario + Rabbids. Yet, the fact that multiple attempts to bring Rayman back have surfaced shows there’s still genuine interest inside Ubisoft.
Whether it’s a remake or an all-new title, the limbless hero might not be gone forever, just waiting for the right time to return.