# Rayman

**Rayman** is a platform game franchise created by the French designer Michel Ancel and published by Ubisoft, beginning with the original *Rayman* released in 1995 for the [PlayStation](https://www.edgepedia.org/playstation) and [Sega Saturn](https://www.edgepedia.org/sega-saturn).<sup>[1](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/2F0jKtKhxwc29gm8yuzLiT/f21dbf97d2c19bd33984db5c6d9f6c7e/2009_-_Download_the_Reference_Document.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://as.com/meristation/2013/08/29/analisis/1377730380_121515.html)</sup> Its title character is a limbless hero whose hands, feet, and head float apart from his body, and the series spans 2D and 3D platformers, party-game spinoffs, and compilations. Ubisoft's 2020 press kit calls Rayman the company's first big hit title.<sup>[3](https://ubistatic-a.akamaihd.net/0090/PROD/ubigroup/PressKit/20200701/2020_07_Press_Kit_Facts_Figures-EN.pdf)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First release | *Rayman*, 1995, PlayStation and Sega Saturn, created by Michel Ancel<sup>[1](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/2F0jKtKhxwc29gm8yuzLiT/f21dbf97d2c19bd33984db5c6d9f6c7e/2009_-_Download_the_Reference_Document.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://as.com/meristation/2013/08/29/analisis/1377730380_121515.html)</sup> |
| Sales | The Rayman and Splinter Cell franchises had each sold more than 15 million units worldwide as of Ubisoft's 2005–2006 annual report<sup>[4](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/5fL2o2idYNaKgD9xvPElIL/5054057e3d7bc46d40216f0024f551a4/annual_report_2005-2006_UK.pdf)</sup> |
| Spinoff franchise | The Rabbids, introduced through *Rayman Raving Rabbids* (2006), became their own franchise with more than 20 million units sold over 16 games<sup>[5](https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/about-us/our-brands/rabbids)</sup> |
| UbiArt era | *Rayman Origins* (November 15, 2011) scored 87 on Metacritic from 55 critic reviews; *Rayman Legends* (August 29, 2013) scored 93 from 17 critic reviews<sup>[6](https://www.metacritic.com/game/rayman-origins/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[7](https://criticdb.com/franchises/rayman)</sup> |
| Signature engine | The UbiArt Framework, developed at Ubisoft Montpellier for *Rayman Origins*, turns hand-drawn 2D illustrations into playable levels<sup>[8](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/322095/20260729/rayman-legends-retold-gamescom-demo-what-snowdrop-ubiart-built-together.htm)</sup> |
| Recent revival | *Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition* (February 13, 2026) and *Rayman Legends Retold* (announced June 2, 2026, delayed to December 3, 2026) mark the brand's return after more than a decade<sup>[9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nemq_cZ_6Q0)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[10](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/3l8i0JPLH6P2ekwAjdlNHZ/d50e45ddec2ad82d2aff404b2fc271e5/STB_ANNOUNCE_PR_FINAL-ENG.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[11](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/theres-a-quality-of-level-design-thats-unmatched-on-par-with-the-best-games-in-the-world-rayman-legends-retold-dev-on-bringing-the-beloved-platformer-to-the-modern-age)</sup> |

## Origins of the series

Michel Ancel, a French game designer, designed and created the initial concept of Rayman in 1995.<sup>[2](https://as.com/meristation/2013/08/29/analisis/1377730380_121515.html)</sup> The original game established the character's design, a hero with no arms or legs whose floating hands punch and whose hair powers his helicopter glide, and it became Ubisoft's first major commercial success.<sup>[3](https://ubistatic-a.akamaihd.net/0090/PROD/ubigroup/PressKit/20200701/2020_07_Press_Kit_Facts_Figures-EN.pdf)</sup> By the mid-2000s the franchise was one of Ubisoft's pillars: the company's 2005–2006 annual report reported that the Rayman franchise had sold more than 15 million units worldwide, alongside Splinter Cell at the same mark.<sup>[4](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/5fL2o2idYNaKgD9xvPElIL/5054057e3d7bc46d40216f0024f551a4/annual_report_2005-2006_UK.pdf)</sup>

**The Rabbids spinoff.** In 2006 the series produced *[Rayman Raving Rabbids](https://www.edgepedia.org/rayman-raving-rabbids)*, a multiplayer party game whose rabbit-like antagonists, the Rabbids, outgrew their origin. Ubisoft's retrospective notes the creatures got their start in that game and were not the friendlier characters they later became; sequels *Rayman Raving Rabbids 2* and *Rayman Raving Rabbids: TV Party* followed.<sup>[12](https://news.ubisoft.com/en-us/article/FVcJTfiACsHXZZCeNcBq4/celebrate-the-lunar-new-year-with-a-rabbid-retrospective)</sup> The Rabbids went on to star in their own titles, comics, and the *Rabbids Invasion* television series, amassing more than 20 million units sold over 16 games.<sup>[5](https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/about-us/our-brands/rabbids)</sup>

## The UbiArt era: Origins and Legends

The franchise's modern critical peak came from two 2D cooperative platformers developed at Ubisoft Montpellier under Ancel's direction. *Rayman Origins*, released on November 15, 2011, is a two-dimensional cooperative platformer with a colorful, whimsical art style, rated E+10, and it earned a Metacritic score of 87 based on 55 critic reviews.<sup>[6](https://www.metacritic.com/game/rayman-origins/)</sup> It was the first development made with the UbiArt Engine, according to Ancel, the project's creative director.<sup>[13](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rayman-origins-qanda-with-michel-ancel-creative-director/1100-6336549/)</sup> Ubisoft Montpellier created the UbiArt Framework specifically for *Rayman Origins*, designing it around 2D hand-drawn animation so that any 2D illustration could be turned into playable content without heavy programming.<sup>[8](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/322095/20260729/rayman-legends-retold-gamescom-demo-what-snowdrop-ubiart-built-together.htm)</sup> GameSpot's review praised the game's hand-drawn detail, precise controls, and drop-in/drop-out co-op for up to four players, while noting inconsistent boss fights and a progression system that demands collectible-hunting replays in the second half.<sup>[14](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rayman-origins-review/1900-6345837/)</sup>

*Rayman Legends* followed on August 29, 2013 and drew a Metacritic score of 93 from 17 critic reviews, the most-reviewed entry in the series; across 32 critic reviews the franchise averages 82.<sup>[7](https://criticdb.com/franchises/rayman)</sup> The game was first planned for the [Wii U](https://www.edgepedia.org/wii-u) and was ultimately exported to nearly every possible platform, a delay that its own developers admitted to being unhappy with.<sup>[2](https://as.com/meristation/2013/08/29/analisis/1377730380_121515.html)</sup> Legends offers 40 remixed levels from *Rayman Origins*, which EGM judged worth playing even for players who knew that game inside and out.<sup>[15](https://egmnow.com/egm-review-rayman-legends/)</sup> Its co-op supports up to four players, five on Wii U, where one player uses the GamePad exclusively to control Murfy, a helper character who manipulates the environment.<sup>[2](https://as.com/meristation/2013/08/29/analisis/1377730380_121515.html)</sup> The game's musical levels, in which every obstacle is timed to licensed songs such as "Black Betty" and "Woo Hoo" by The 5.6.7.8's, became its signature set pieces.<sup>[16](https://www.pcgamer.com/best-platformers/)</sup> Christophe Héral composed the soundtracks of both Origins and Legends.<sup>[17](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rayman/ubisoft-knows-rayman-30th-anniversary-editions-new-soundtrack-might-not-recapture-the-vibe-for-you-so-its-looking-into-the-suggestion-of-adding-the-old-music-again/)</sup>

Reviewers consistently framed Legends against its predecessor. Nintendo Life noted that Legends eschews the story-driven approach of Origins in favor of a hub area filled with paintings, with level design placing a greater focus on momentum and tempo.<sup>[18](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/rayman_legends)</sup> [PC Gamer](https://www.edgepedia.org/pc-gamer)'s later roundup called Legends a "ludicrously huge bonanza of well over 100 levels" and praised Rayman's controls, including gliding, ground pounding, and mid-air attacks.<sup>[16](https://www.pcgamer.com/best-platformers/)</sup> A GDC 2014 talk by Ubisoft Montpellier's Chris McEntee attributed much of Legends' success to the flexibility of the UbiArt Framework and demonstrated how the engine accelerated prototyping and level design.<sup>[19](https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1021191/Rayman-Legends-The-Design-Process)</sup>

## Hiatus and revival

After Legends, the main series went quiet. [Le Monde](https://www.edgepedia.org/le-monde) reported in 2026 that Rayman, the hit series of the 1990s, had been neglected since 2013, even as Ubisoft's studios continued work on a return of the character.<sup>[20](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2026/01/23/how-ubisoft-the-french-video-game-giant-reached-breaking-point-after-years-of-turmoil_6749735_13.html)</sup> The revival took shape around the franchise's 30th anniversary. *Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition*, released on February 13, 2026, is a definitive edition of the 1995 classic featuring five versions from iconic consoles, over 120 additional levels, and an exclusive documentary on the creation of the limbless hero.<sup>[9](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nemq_cZ_6Q0)</sup> The collection met a mixed reception: it held a 'Mixed' rating on Steam with 53% positive reviews, with much of the criticism aimed at its all-new soundtrack by Christophe Héral, and Ubisoft said it was looking into adding the original music as an option.<sup>[17](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rayman/ubisoft-knows-rayman-30th-anniversary-editions-new-soundtrack-might-not-recapture-the-vibe-for-you-so-its-looking-into-the-suggestion-of-adding-the-old-music-again/)</sup>

**Rayman Legends Retold.** During Sony's State of Play on June 2, 2026, Ubisoft announced *Rayman Legends Retold*, a ground-up remake of the 2013 platformer reimagined in 2.5D using the Snowdrop engine, with new story content, voiced cinematics, dynamic camera work, and new realms.<sup>[10](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/3l8i0JPLH6P2ekwAjdlNHZ/d50e45ddec2ad82d2aff404b2fc271e5/STB_ANNOUNCE_PR_FINAL-ENG.pdf)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[21](https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/video-game-design/tomb-raider-and-rayman-remakes-vs-originals)</sup> The remake runs two engines at once: Snowdrop handles the new 3D visuals, ray tracing, and volumetric lighting, while the original UbiArt Framework still runs underneath, preserving the original level geometry, physics, and collision detection.<sup>[8](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/322095/20260729/rayman-legends-retold-gamescom-demo-what-snowdrop-ubiart-built-together.htm)</sup> According to brand producer Loïc Gounon, the team picked Legends instead of a more dated entry, viewing it as the most fully realized game and the strongest way to bring the relaunched franchise to newcomers, with the aim of restarting the series.<sup>[21](https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/video-game-design/tomb-raider-and-rayman-remakes-vs-originals)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[22](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/we-believe-that-this-ip-has-a-future-rayman-legends-retold-brand-producer-wants-to-continue-the-series-after-the-3d-remake-if-everything-goes-according-to-plan)</sup> The game was delayed to December 3, 2026, launching on [Nintendo Switch 2](https://www.edgepedia.org/nintendo-switch-2), PS5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC.<sup>[11](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/theres-a-quality-of-level-design-thats-unmatched-on-par-with-the-best-games-in-the-world-rayman-legends-retold-dev-on-bringing-the-beloved-platformer-to-the-modern-age)</sup> Ubisoft has also indicated interest in a more adventurous 3D Rayman game if Retold performs well.<sup>[22](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/we-believe-that-this-ip-has-a-future-rayman-legends-retold-brand-producer-wants-to-continue-the-series-after-the-3d-remake-if-everything-goes-according-to-plan)</sup>

## Legacy

The series' influence extends beyond its own entries. The Rabbids, born as Rayman antagonists, became a multimedia franchise synonymous with Ubisoft itself.<sup>[5](https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/about-us/our-brands/rabbids)</sup> The UbiArt Framework powered further Ubisoft titles, with CEO Yves Guillemot saying in 2013 that many games using the engine were in development.<sup>[23](https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/08/22/more-ubiart-framework-games-in-development%2C-licensing-still-possible-says-ubisoft-ceo-yves-guillemot)</sup> And the Origins/Legends formula set a benchmark that later platformers measured themselves against; the Spanish outlet MeriStation wrote that *[Ori and the Will of the Wisps](https://www.edgepedia.org/ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps)* attempted to surpass what *Rayman Legends* had achieved.<sup>[24](https://as.com/meristation/2020/03/14/analisis/1584140488_011355.html)</sup>

## References

1. [Ubisoft Reference Document (2009): Rayman (1995)](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/2F0jKtKhxwc29gm8yuzLiT/f21dbf97d2c19bd33984db5c6d9f6c7e/2009_-_Download_the_Reference_Document.pdf)
2. [Rayman Legends review, MeriStation (AS.com)](https://as.com/meristation/2013/08/29/analisis/1377730380_121515.html)
3. [Ubisoft Press Kit: Franchises and Games (2020)](https://ubistatic-a.akamaihd.net/0090/PROD/ubigroup/PressKit/20200701/2020_07_Press_Kit_Facts_Figures-EN.pdf)
4. [Ubisoft Annual Report 2005–2006](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/5fL2o2idYNaKgD9xvPElIL/5054057e3d7bc46d40216f0024f551a4/annual_report_2005-2006_UK.pdf)
5. [Rabbids, Ubisoft Our Brands](https://www.ubisoft.com/en-us/company/about-us/our-brands/rabbids)
6. [Rayman Origins, Metacritic](https://www.metacritic.com/game/rayman-origins/)
7. [Every Rayman Game Ranked by Critics, CriticDB](https://criticdb.com/franchises/rayman)
8. [Rayman Legends Retold Gamescom Demo: What Snowdrop and UbiArt Built Together, TechTimes](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/322095/20260729/rayman-legends-retold-gamescom-demo-what-snowdrop-ubiart-built-together.htm)
9. [Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition – Official Announcement Trailer, GameTrailers (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nemq_cZ_6Q0)
10. [Ubisoft press release: Rayman Legends Retold announcement (June 2, 2026)](https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/3l8i0JPLH6P2ekwAjdlNHZ/d50e45ddec2ad82d2aff404b2fc271e5/STB_ANNOUNCE_PR_FINAL-ENG.pdf)
11. [Rayman Legends Retold dev on bringing the beloved platformer to the modern age, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/theres-a-quality-of-level-design-thats-unmatched-on-par-with-the-best-games-in-the-world-rayman-legends-retold-dev-on-bringing-the-beloved-platformer-to-the-modern-age)
12. [Celebrate the Lunar New Year With a Rabbid Retrospective, Ubisoft News](https://news.ubisoft.com/en-us/article/FVcJTfiACsHXZZCeNcBq4/celebrate-the-lunar-new-year-with-a-rabbid-retrospective)
13. [Rayman Origins Q&A With Michel Ancel, Creative Director, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rayman-origins-qanda-with-michel-ancel-creative-director/1100-6336549/)
14. [Rayman Origins Review, GameSpot](https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/rayman-origins-review/1900-6345837/)
15. [Rayman Legends review, EGM](https://egmnow.com/egm-review-rayman-legends/)
16. [The best platformers on PC, PC Gamer](https://www.pcgamer.com/best-platformers/)
17. [Ubisoft knows Rayman: 30th Anniversary Edition's new soundtrack might not "recapture the vibe for you," GamesRadar+](https://www.gamesradar.com/games/rayman/ubisoft-knows-rayman-30th-anniversary-editions-new-soundtrack-might-not-recapture-the-vibe-for-you-so-its-looking-into-the-suggestion-of-adding-the-old-music-again/)
18. [Rayman Legends Review (Wii U), Nintendo Life](https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/rayman_legends)
19. [Rayman Legends: The Design Process Within the UbiArt Framework, GDC Vault](https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1021191/Rayman-Legends-The-Design-Process)
20. [How Ubisoft, the French video game giant, hit breaking point after years of turmoil, Le Monde](https://www.lemonde.fr/en/pixels/article/2026/01/23/how-ubisoft-the-french-video-game-giant-reached-breaking-point-after-years-of-turmoil_6749735_13.html)
21. [Tomb Raider and Rayman remakes vs originals, Creative Bloq](https://www.creativebloq.com/3d/video-game-design/tomb-raider-and-rayman-remakes-vs-originals)
22. ['We believe that this IP has a future' – Rayman Legends Retold brand producer, TechRadar](https://www.techradar.com/gaming/we-believe-that-this-ip-has-a-future-rayman-legends-retold-brand-producer-wants-to-continue-the-series-after-the-3d-remake-if-everything-goes-according-to-plan)
23. [More UbiArt Framework Games In Development, Game Informer](https://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/08/22/more-ubiart-framework-games-in-development%2C-licensing-still-possible-says-ubisoft-ceo-yves-guillemot)
24. [Ori and the Will of the Wisps, análisis, MeriStation (AS.com)](https://as.com/meristation/2020/03/14/analisis/1584140488_011355.html)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Video games and digital play › Games and gameplay › Franchises and series*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license