Michel Ancel Reflects on the Turmoil Behind Beyond Good & Evil 2 and WiLD

Michel Ancel, renowned for his contributions to iconic titles like Rayman and Beyond Good & Evil, recently shed light on the troubled development of two high-profile projects under his name: Beyond Good & Evil 2 (BGE2) and WiLD. In an interview with French outlet Superpouvoir, Ancel candidly discussed the managerial conflicts, technological challenges, and missed opportunities that plagued these projects, ultimately leading to their stalled progress.

What Went Wrong with Beyond Good & Evil 2

For Beyond Good & Evil 2, Ancel cited clashing visions among key Ubisoft Montpellier personnel. While he envisioned a grand space adventure, other team leaders had conflicting priorities—such as procedurally generated dungeons or entirely reworked artistic concepts.

"On BGE2, there were too many problems between managers. The artistic director wanted to redo everything constantly, the game director wanted procedurally generated dungeons, and I dreamed of a space adventure. We couldn’t agree, and teams were left uncertain about leadership decisions," Ancel explained.

He added that while Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot stepped in to address the issues, they were not fully resolved. Despite his limited role in decision-making, Ancel acknowledged his share of responsibility, stating:

"I should have defended the project better, been more present, and more conciliatory with the collaborators."

Currently, Beyond Good & Evil 2 is reportedly under new management, with Ubisoft striving to stabilize its direction.

The Downfall of WiLD

Ancel’s independent studio, Wild Sheep, faced its own set of challenges with the PlayStation-exclusive WiLD. The procedurally generated survival game set in a Neolithic world was abandoned after years of development.

"In 2018, we had a very nice playable version, but transitioning to PS5 slowed production," Ancel revealed.

According to Ancel, disagreements between Sony and Ubisoft regarding the game's future sealed its fate. Sony even offered to double the budget, but Ubisoft’s editorial department ultimately took over, leading to conflicting directives and eventual cancellation.

"The game was crushed by people in Ubisoft’s Paris editorial department who made demands without even playing the game. After two years of wandering, the game was abandoned for not aligning with the initial vision," Ancel lamented.

Burnout, Industry Departure, and Reflection

Ancel retired from game development in 2020, citing burnout and a desire to focus on ecological conservation projects. He admitted that his time in the industry was marked by both creative highs and managerial lows, which often placed him at odds with colleagues and corporate structures.

"There was no single villain—just a sum of unresolved issues among passionate managers, myself included."

Though currently immersed in his environmental pursuits, Ancel didn’t completely rule out a return to gaming, noting that it would require "optimal conditions."