Something went wrong. Try again later

Giant Bomb News

47 Comments

Rayman Origins Episode 1 Hits Christmas

Ubisoft's limbless champ returns for the holidays.

Giant Bomb's non-stop coverage of a 2D platformer that I think looks like it could be pretty fun continues unabated! Ubisoft has released a second FAQ centered around their downloadable, episodic platformer, Rayman Origins, and while it's not nearly as " biiiiiig" as the previous FAQ, it does come with a release window, and that's pretty good too.  
 
Ubisoft has confirmed that the first episode of Rayman Origins (that's the longer introductory episode that will be followed by additional, smaller episodes) will be out this Christmas on "HD consoles." The rest of the Rayman Origins season will be released throughout 2011.
 
 

 Oh Rayman, you wacky pervert!
 Oh Rayman, you wacky pervert!

This is the second time that Ubisoft has specifically referred to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as the "HD consoles," rather than by referring to the platforms by name. Apparently, in the few weeks between the first FAQ and the second, Ubisoft has done quite a bit of "looking into," as they've posted a list of potential platforms to bring Rayman Origins to in the future.  In addition to the 360 and the PS3, Ubisoft is "considering" bringing Rayman's original antics to the PC, Wii, iPad, and the 3DS.
 
Now, I know that Rayman Origins hasn't been officially announced for those other platforms yet, but wouldn't this high resolution artwork look great on the iPad and 3DS? I mean, sure, It wouldn't "play well" on the iPad, and the resolution would undoubtedly be lower on the 3DS. However, I think both of those platforms offer different visual highlights that make the game a neat fit on those platforms. I mean, this artwork would look slick on the iPad screen. And those forests behind Rayman are pretty great, but wouldn't they be better.... in 3D?! We'll find out if Ubisoft thinks those platforms work for Rayman in the future, and we'll see if Rayman Origins does its legacy proud when the game hits download tubes in December.

47 Comments

Avatar image for mattbodega
mattbodega

2281

Forum Posts

34417

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 3

User Lists: 4

Edited By mattbodega

Giant Bomb's non-stop coverage of a 2D platformer that I think looks like it could be pretty fun continues unabated! Ubisoft has released a second FAQ centered around their downloadable, episodic platformer, Rayman Origins, and while it's not nearly as " biiiiiig" as the previous FAQ, it does come with a release window, and that's pretty good too.  
 
Ubisoft has confirmed that the first episode of Rayman Origins (that's the longer introductory episode that will be followed by additional, smaller episodes) will be out this Christmas on "HD consoles." The rest of the Rayman Origins season will be released throughout 2011.
 
 

 Oh Rayman, you wacky pervert!
 Oh Rayman, you wacky pervert!

This is the second time that Ubisoft has specifically referred to the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as the "HD consoles," rather than by referring to the platforms by name. Apparently, in the few weeks between the first FAQ and the second, Ubisoft has done quite a bit of "looking into," as they've posted a list of potential platforms to bring Rayman Origins to in the future.  In addition to the 360 and the PS3, Ubisoft is "considering" bringing Rayman's original antics to the PC, Wii, iPad, and the 3DS.
 
Now, I know that Rayman Origins hasn't been officially announced for those other platforms yet, but wouldn't this high resolution artwork look great on the iPad and 3DS? I mean, sure, It wouldn't "play well" on the iPad, and the resolution would undoubtedly be lower on the 3DS. However, I think both of those platforms offer different visual highlights that make the game a neat fit on those platforms. I mean, this artwork would look slick on the iPad screen. And those forests behind Rayman are pretty great, but wouldn't they be better.... in 3D?! We'll find out if Ubisoft thinks those platforms work for Rayman in the future, and we'll see if Rayman Origins does its legacy proud when the game hits download tubes in December.
Avatar image for farmer
farmer

344

Forum Posts

1547

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By farmer

Cool stuff

Avatar image for fwylo
fwylo

3571

Forum Posts

5013

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By fwylo

Truly this is the age of Rayman.

Avatar image for scarace360
scarace360

4813

Forum Posts

41

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By scarace360

hope it turns out well.

Avatar image for jacdg
jacdg

2189

Forum Posts

373

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 11

Edited By jacdg

I'm really looking forward to this!!

Avatar image for soulblitz
Soulblitz

376

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By Soulblitz

Huh, can't wait to get it on 360, but it could look fantastic on the iPad. It'll be interesting to see if they go forward with that.

Avatar image for damien
Damien

1378

Forum Posts

668

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By Damien

MIIS TOTALLY RIPPED OFF RAYMANS.  HE HAS NO ARMS OR LEGS FIRST.

Avatar image for mjhealy
MjHealy

2009

Forum Posts

17432

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 10

User Lists: 15

Edited By MjHealy

Ahem...
 
YEAH!!!
 
So yeah, pretty excited.

Avatar image for ch3burashka
ch3burashka

6086

Forum Posts

100

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By ch3burashka

I picked up a used copy of Rayman 2 at my local store after the announcement - it's still good, although it looks like a N64 game. 
 
I'm psyched for all this cool stuff, and at the same time, I'm pissed that there is so MUCH cool stuff: I have neither the money nor the time to play everything!

Avatar image for shiftymagician
shiftymagician

2190

Forum Posts

23

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 3

Edited By shiftymagician

It's so awesome that I will be able to play the thingamajig this christmas.  That and watch some TRON.

Avatar image for jonnyboy
jonnyboy

2867

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 6

User Lists: 2

Edited By jonnyboy

Really cool looking game, just not too keen on the whole episodic thing. This is Rayman, not Mass Effect, why not just short, self contained games. Then you can experiment with different play mechanics and elements between titles.

Avatar image for cikame
cikame

4475

Forum Posts

10

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By cikame

Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned.

Avatar image for mancombseepgood
MancombSeepgood

422

Forum Posts

227

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By MancombSeepgood
@cikame said:
" Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned. "
Avatar image for paulunga
paulunga

3517

Forum Posts

176

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By paulunga

From what I've seen of the 3DS I don't think they'd have to downsample the art, outside of the much smaller screen obviously having a lower native resolution. And that would probably be my console of choice for a new 2D Rayman.

Avatar image for robothamster
RobotHamster

4284

Forum Posts

1446

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 11

Edited By RobotHamster
@MancombSeepgood said:
" @cikame said:
" Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned. "
"
Avatar image for johnnymaverik
JohnnyMaverik

65

Forum Posts

18

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By JohnnyMaverik

 "those forests behind Rayman are pretty great, but wouldn't they be better.... in 3D?!  "  
 
No. 

Avatar image for toxin066
Toxin066

3589

Forum Posts

118

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By Toxin066
@RobotHamster said:
" @MancombSeepgood said:
" @cikame said:
" Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned. "
"
"
Avatar image for mspainhour
mspainhour

30

Forum Posts

22

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By mspainhour
@fwylo: Nay, truly this is the age of Kid Rock.
Avatar image for fwylo
fwylo

3571

Forum Posts

5013

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By fwylo
@mspainhour said:
" @fwylo: Nay, truly this is the age of Kid Rock. "
Ah fuck, good one haha.
Avatar image for ghostnpc
ghostNPC

803

Forum Posts

23

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 3

Edited By ghostNPC
@Toxin066 said:
" @RobotHamster said:
" @MancombSeepgood said:
" @cikame said:
" Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned. "
"
"
"

Avatar image for hpv
hpv

195

Forum Posts

101

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 5

User Lists: 6

Edited By hpv

If you want "those graphics" on an ipad load a screenshot.

Avatar image for diegobitterman
DiegoBitterman

33

Forum Posts

1

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By DiegoBitterman
@JohnnyMaverik said:
"  "those forests behind Rayman are pretty great, but wouldn't they be better.... in 3D?!  "   No.  "
NO!.
Avatar image for re_player1
RE_Player1

8074

Forum Posts

1047

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By RE_Player1
@ghostNPC said:
" @Toxin066 said:
" @RobotHamster said:
" @MancombSeepgood said:
" @cikame said:
" Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned. "
"
"
"
"
"
Avatar image for liako21
liako21

566

Forum Posts

270

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By liako21

the art work in this game looks great and raymans new friend looks pretty funny. hopefully it turns out to be a good game.

Avatar image for spaceturtle
spaceturtle

1660

Forum Posts

5299

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 6

Edited By spaceturtle

Sweet! 

Avatar image for demontium
demontium

5084

Forum Posts

1801

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 7

User Lists: 5

Edited By demontium
@ghostNPC said:
" @Toxin066 said:
" @RobotHamster said:
" @MancombSeepgood said:
" @cikame said:
" Was way excited before Episodic was mentioned. "
"
"
"
"
Avatar image for olimar_91
Olimar_91

36

Forum Posts

22

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 0

Edited By Olimar_91

People are really gonna complain about this being episodic? Would you prefer them to just call the episodes a series and release several sequels stretched over a longer course of time?

Avatar image for rockanomics
Rockanomics

1187

Forum Posts

8000

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Rockanomics

No they want them to develop the whole game before they release anything, it's not the quality of the game it's how long you wait for it.

Avatar image for shiftymagician
shiftymagician

2190

Forum Posts

23

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 3

Edited By shiftymagician
@Olimar_91 said:
" People are really gonna complain about this being episodic? Would you prefer them to just call the episodes a series and release several sequels stretched over a longer course of time? "
Mostly due to the sting that is the Half-Life 2 episodes, episodic content has not truly flown except for a few franchises, like Sam & Max, who do it right.  I don't see how Rayman can benefit from an episodic format, as there is only so much control you can perform in a 2D rayman game.  
 
It is like if Gears of War 3 all of a sudden had all of the chapters seperated as seperate releases, and to enjoy the full experience, you have to purchase all of them seperately at premium price, or wait for a bundle.  It sounds like a neat idea for developers to space their resources out to spend more time crafting each segment better, but in reality this does not happen as much as it should.
 
I personally would rather wait, and get the whole package right there and then, instead of waiting for a new episode to come out.  I expect this mode of delivery in TV shows, not games, unless done well.  
 
Lastly, there is the problem that the episodes will cease production before its completion, which is probably the biggest worry of them all.  But that's just my opinion on the matter.  It is more a legitimate concern rather than a complaint for the most part.
Avatar image for bacongames
bacongames

4157

Forum Posts

5806

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 2

User Lists: 8

Edited By bacongames

Ubisoft gotta leave out PC gamers to dry again?  SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII 
 
Goddamn right they better put this on the PC.

Avatar image for habster3
habster3

3706

Forum Posts

1522

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By habster3

Christmas!? I have to wait for a game that looks as good as that until Christmas? Oh well...

Avatar image for kitsune_conundrum
kitsune_conundrum

1240

Forum Posts

1608

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

noone is more authentic than rayman.

Avatar image for ethan
ethan

841

Forum Posts

246

Wiki Points

45434

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By ethan

Who is this Bodega kid?

Avatar image for toadrunner
ToadRunner

279

Forum Posts

0

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By ToadRunner

rayman 1 was awful, rayman 2 was awesome.
 
glad to see they are emulating rayman 1 here.
 
and i like how this writer refers to the ipad as if it were some sort of game playing electronic machine device

Avatar image for everyones_a_critic
Everyones_A_Critic

6500

Forum Posts

834

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 1

I love that Raymin! Almost as much as Batmin.

Avatar image for saddlebrown
saddlebrown

1578

Forum Posts

81

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 4

User Lists: 1

Edited By saddlebrown
@Matt Kessler said: 

 I mean, sure, It wouldn't "play well" on the iPad    

I mean, it's not like it's a "video game" or anything.
Avatar image for dystonym
dystonym

769

Forum Posts

3688

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By dystonym

I want to be on the PC, but I wonder if Ubi will use their bullshit DRM for such a small title. If not, brilliant. if there is no way I'd buy it.

Avatar image for wintersnowblind
WinterSnowblind

7599

Forum Posts

41

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 4

Edited By WinterSnowblind
@ToadRunner said:
" rayman 1 was awful, rayman 2 was awesome.  glad to see they are emulating rayman 1 here.  and i like how this writer refers to the ipad as if it were some sort of game playing electronic machine device "
What?  Rayman one was hard as nails, to a point where I hope they don't attempt to emulate, but it was a classic game and has aged better than most games this past decade, even in terms of graphics.
 
And for those complaining about it being episodic?  Come on, have you ever played a Telltale game?  Sam & Max, Monkey Island?  They not only worked being episodic, but in my opinion greatly benefited from the multi-part format.  It let you play the games in shorter bursts, each episode beingg 4-6 hours long (making it far longer than one big release would have likely been) and it kept you excited for the story the whole way through.  The community and discussions on the forums were excellent.
 
I'm not sure how well it'll work for a platform game, but this just seems to be another case of gamers instantly dismissing something that's new or different.  Stop being so cynical and look at the actual merits.
Avatar image for daryl
Daryl

1776

Forum Posts

178

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 0

Edited By Daryl
@ethan said:
" Who is this Bodega kid? "
Someone worth not paying attention to. 
Avatar image for confuciusone
ConfuciusOne

48

Forum Posts

25

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By ConfuciusOne

 That's just awesome.  Never played a Rayman game before but I'm super excited for it for some reason.    I have to agree about being a little disappointed at it being episodic, though.

Avatar image for nasar7
Nasar7

3236

Forum Posts

647

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 5

Edited By Nasar7

So will Rayman decapitate his foes via whirling helicopter blades?

Avatar image for kimparnage
KimParnage

263

Forum Posts

288

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 1

Edited By KimParnage

Loved Rayman back when i were young... And this looks just like back then..

Avatar image for ethan
ethan

841

Forum Posts

246

Wiki Points

45434

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 2

Edited By ethan
@Daryl said:
" @ethan said:
" Who is this Bodega kid? "
Someone worth not paying attention to.  "
Too late.
Avatar image for garfield360uk
Garfield360UK

551

Forum Posts

1002

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 3

Edited By Garfield360UK

Is this title still on for this Christmas?
Avatar image for portis
Portis

1295

Forum Posts

7315

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 0

User Lists: 1

Edited By Portis
@Garfield360UK said:
" Is this title still on for this Christmas? "

The official word hasn't changed (end of 2010/Q4 2010 -- however you want to word it.) So I'd assume so. Pretty excited about this, personally. :)
Avatar image for garfield360uk
Garfield360UK

551

Forum Posts

1002

Wiki Points

0

Followers

Reviews: 1

User Lists: 3

Edited By Garfield360UK
@Portis:
Ah good good. I hope we do see it as I am very interested in playing it. I really enjoyed the first game on the original Playstation so this will bring back the memories.