Michel Ancel, dev team protesting Rayman Legends delay

Occupy Ubisoft.

Ubisoft is being pretty hush about all this, but making the game multiplatform probably meant taking on contractual obligations that are interfering with the release window on WiiU. I'm pretty sure Microsoft demands that any multiplatform title be released simultaneously with 360 (though they're more than willing to pay for their own 'timed exclusivity agreements'). Not entirely sure where Sony stands on this, but they may be exerting similar pressure.

Basically, the 'men in ties' at Ubisoft were probably negotiating a series of contractual obligations that they knew would have sunk the Feb. release date at the same time they were exerting enormous pressure on the dev team to get things finished for that date (in case the deals fell through...?). It's a pretty shitty thing to do to your workers, no wonder they're angry.

 It was nice of Mr. Ancel to show his support here. Why not le Wii U gamers play the game now? At the ery least, let them enjoy the ame first, since it was originally an exclusive. I understand the business decision, but thre's no reason it can't be released now for the Wii U.

If they keep protesting like this, we might just see another Infinity Ward style split between Ancel and Ubisoft. No doubt the higher ups in Ubisoft don't like their own employees protesting against their own company.

Proof that the Wii U isn't faring all to well in the sales department.  It's just a smart business decision.  I also appreciate the fact they are going to release it on all platforms simultaneously.  I have the Wii U and I see no reason to play it, but my son loves it, so it is getting play time (He's only 4, which is why I got the Wii U in the first place).

Just give Wii U exclusively head start. Problem solve.

 Screw ubisoft in their ass backwards head. A prime example of why i never buy from them.

This move only makes sense to the marketing suits. One budget for all SKUs.. but do we really believe this title will get any real serious push?.... especially in September with heavy weights like GTA shipping so close. Way to send this title to an early grave guys...

So it doesn't surprise me the team is protesting. I'd also venture to say that knowing game development, I bet this team had a nice six month crunch to get this out for the initial release date. Talk about demoralizing. (not to mention a probable delay in royalties as well).

Another confusing thing is also how the suits don't see the ginat gape in WiiU releases right as a window of opportunity. How can a few million, (not sure of the total user base numbers ATM) title starved WiiU owners not be a good thing for sales.

I just don't get it...

I really think Michael Ancel and his team are the only "good" people at Ubisoft; part of me wants him to resign and start a new dev studio with his team, but another  part of me still wants BG&E2. ;-;

I bought Rayman Origins a couple  weeks ago, so far enjoying the crap out of the game, its fun

I love 2D rayman 

This is a pretty stupid move by Ubisoft. The only reason anyone even bought a Rabbids game is it was the only thing on the Wii near release. It made a lot of people follow it for a while on the Wii. They could have done the same thing again on the Wii U. People need to play something, even the 'better than average' turd released early on a new console will make money. 

Nintendo probably didn't want to pay up for time exclusivity so Ubisoft held it back for the WiiU. Its all about money.

Michel Ancel is awesome. I like that he'll protest against his publisher perhaps even more than a Beyond Good and Evil sequel!

Actually, no I don't. I want Beyond Good and Evil 2 /cry

The decision was probably made in order to guarantee the game will be launched on ALL platforms. (if, for example the game doesn't sell well on WiiU, they could decide to abort the development of the game to the other consoles). On the other hand it is ridiculous to finish a game and keep it stored until the versions for the other consoles are are finished.

First World problems.

Is it surprising to see NIntendo haters siding with Ubi Soft? No, I mean, they sided with the devil - Bobby Kotick - when he complain about the Wii U launched, and now they're siding with the machines against a talented developer like Michel Ancel.

Sometimes I get the feeling that those haters would sell their soul just to put NIntendo out of business. 

cry moar I love all your tears.  ;)

Haha so French

I guess that Rayman Legends would be a great exclusive title now that even its development team members wanted it to be released on the original date. The good news is that I hope they can make it better somehow in the next six months. Just don't end up neglecting the WiiU version in the porting process for other consoles!

I wonder if the reason why Ubisoft announced the delay so late was not to prevent Nintendo to cancel the deal to release a Wii U's SKU bundled with ZombiU. Right now, they will make a good money with the bundle and will receive free marketing promotion from Nintendo, which should be pissed but incapable of reacting.

they screwed Wii U and Nintendo with this big time

I'm pissed too, if the game came out months ago, I could be picking it up today for half the price damnit.

Nice to see they weren't afraid to take a stand. I hope it works out well for them so that other developers have the courage to stand up to their employers. It's a difficult thing to do when they have so much power over you. Respect.

Damn it. Consoles need exclusives. Multiplatform is great for publishers but horrible for console makers and game devs.

The devs should totally get their way on this.

I don't think the multi-platform thing is a big deal, but the suits who sit at the top and grab all the money they can as it moves around them need to learn they can't bully the workers whenever they feel like it.

A strange marketing decision.  Wouldn't releasing it as early as possible on Wii U be better for sales...seeing as how Wii U needs all the games it can get!?

R.I.P 

This is what they get for working for Ubi and what gamers get for wanting a Ubi product. No surprises here.