Rayman 2000

Rayman 2000
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Published by	Ubisoft
Developed by	{{{developed by}}}
Directed by	{{{directed by}}}
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Programmed by	{{{programmed by}}}
Art by	Jean-Christophe Alessandri, Eric Pélatan
Written by	{{{written by}}}
Soundtrack by	{{{soundtrack by}}}
Release date	Planned for 2000 (cancelled)
Genre	3D platformer, open world
Gameplay mode	{{{gameplay mode}}}
Languages	{{{languages}}}
Platforms	{{{platforms}}}
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Rayman 2000 is the codename for a cancelled 3D, open-world Rayman game originally set for release in 2000.

It is not known whether Rayman 2000 has any connection with Rayman Adventures, another Rayman title canceled around the 2000s.

L'Histoire de Rayman

The existence of this project was revealed in the book L'Histoire de Rayman, which states that at the end of 1999, after the release of Rayman 2 and before the start of the development of Rayman 3, a few people worked on a project codenamed "Rayman 2000". It was a direct sequel to Rayman 2, still in 3D, which had a large city to explore with towns, streets and buildings that all rested on and under giant trees. Concept art showcases that Rayman would have been able to traverse through this setting thanks to a flying machine. This universe, more urban than what Rayman games are used to portraying, yet still with a lot of lush greenery surrounding it, was requested by Michel Ancel himself.

Jean-Christophe Alessandri Interview

In a 2024 interview, Ubisoft senior art director Jean-Christophe Alessandri revealed that Rayman 2000 never made it past the prototype stage, and that the idea of the game was to further extend Rayman's 3D universe, and notably to create a fantastical town with many buildings to explore. Alessandri also stated that he does not recall the reason for the project's cancellation.

This scenario was eventually dropped, but a lot of the unused concepts were reused for later Rayman releases:

Rayman: The Animated Series

The main urban location of Rayman 2000 and it's species were retooled into the city Aeropolis, that serves as the main setting of Rayman: The Animated Series, multiple types of vehicles that were planned for the 2000 game would be repurposed into the animated show.

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  Concept art of what would eventually become Aeropolis, showcasing the giant trees that connect the city and Rayman on his flying machine.
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  The many types of vehicles that were planned for Rayman 2000, including Inspector Grub's car.
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  Other vehicles that were planned for the cancelled game, including Rayman's flying vehicle.
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  A color illustration of Rayman's vehicle.

Rayman 3

some of Rayman 2000s scenery was reused for Clearleaf Forest, it appears some vehicle designs from Rayman 2000 would also be used as inspiration for some of the Hoodlum's contraptions, such as the Hoodlum airship.

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  Concept art of Clearleaf Forest, inspired by the script of Rayman 2000 as can be seen in L'Histoire de Rayman.
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  Concept art of Clearleaf Forest, possibly inspired by the script of Rayman 2000.
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  Concept art of Clearleaf Forest, possibly inspired by the script of Rayman 2000.
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  The same color illustration as above, but this time with Rayman himself being included using his final Rayman 3 character design, this showcases a transitional point in the project, from Rayman 2000 to Rayman 3.

Rayman Legends

The Dark Teensy from Rayman Legends rides a similar flying machine to the one Rayman was intended to use, it is believed that the vehicle from Rayman 2000 was used as the inspiration for it.

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  The Dark Teensy on their flying vehicle.

See also

• Rayman Adventures (cancelled game)