Michel Ancel on Rayman Wii

The man behind King Kong gets specific on what we can expect from Rayman's first Wii game. First screens.

Ubisoft has built a name for itself as a purveyor of bullet-heavy action in games such as Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six, but there was a time when the company was better known for its limbless hero Rayman. Look for the character to get a major publicity boost later this year when he heads to the Wii.

The story in Rayman Raving Rabbids, as creator Michel Ancel points out, is hardly serious and sees the titular rabbits trying to overthrow the world.

"It's very simple but at the same time, it's an opportunity to develop the characters and the situations," says Ancel. "It's a comedy, like Mars Attacks or some Monty Python movies, I'd like it to sound absurd and funny."

The real selling point for Rayman Raving Rabbids is the controls, which the King Kong team at Ubisoft's Montpellier studio has built around the Wii controller. For instance, to punch a character, you hold the Wii remote and make a punching movement. Punch left and Rayman punches left, punch right and he punches that way too.

But it's not just punching. You'll be able to grab enemies and spin them around, dive into them, ride creatures and even dance with the rabbits.

"These controls are very easy to learn," says Ancel, "because both of your hands directly control Rayman's hands."

Prospective Wii owners can look forward to the game hitting at the same time as the console. The game is also coming to other current and next-gen system.

Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games