Ubisoft has finally given fans a reason to smile: the limbless hero is making a comeback. As part of the franchise’s 30th anniversary celebrations, the publisher confirmed that Ubisoft Montpellier and Ubisoft Milan are collaborating on “the future of Rayman.” While details remain thin, the announcement alone is enough to stir excitement in a community that has been waiting more than a decade for the character’s next big adventure.

The news comes after months of whispers about Ubisoft quietly exploring new projects for the series. In late 2024, reports surfaced that Montpellier the studio responsible for Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends had entered an “exploration phase” with Milan, best known recently for the Mario + Rabbids games. That partnership is now official, though Ubisoft has cautioned fans not to expect hard news in the immediate future.

A Hero with History

First introduced in 1995, Rayman quickly carved out its own space in platforming alongside the likes of Sonic and Mario. The franchise has seen reinvention multiple times over the decades, from the original’s hand-drawn landscapes to the quirky 3D world of Rayman 2: The Great Escape, and then again with the acclaimed 2D revival in Origins and Legends. Despite critical success, the series has remained dormant since 2013, with the character popping up only in cameos and crossovers.

Although Ubisoft hasn’t revealed what form this new project will take, speculation is already running wild. Some reports suggest a full remake of the original game codenamed “Project Steambot” may be in the works. Others point to the possibility of Rayman 4, which fans have been clamouring for since cancelled prototypes surfaced online years ago. Job postings at Ubisoft Milan earlier this year mentioned work on a “prestigious AAA Rayman title,” hinting that this could be more ambitious than a simple remaster.

Ubisoft has stressed that the project is still early in development, and that more concrete details won’t arrive “too soon.” That may be frustrating for long-time followers, but the upside is that the franchise appears to be in good hands. Montpellier has already proven its mastery of the series’ distinctive art style and razor-sharp platforming, while Milan has shown with Mario + Rabbids that it can bring creativity and charm to established icons.

A Long-Awaited Return

For now, the promise of a future for Rayman is enough. Ubisoft’s announcement signals that the character isn’t destined to be a forgotten mascot from the ’90s, but rather a figure still worth investing in three decades later. Whether the next chapter is a remake, a sequel, or something entirely unexpected, fans finally have reason to believe that Rayman’s best days may still be ahead.