Rayman just celebrated his 30th birthday, marking three decades of the limbless icon’s existence. In contrast to the widespread joy this would normally muster, the internet has fully lost its collective mind over it. Hashtag #Rayman30 is on everyone’s lips because of the extraordinary tribute artwork HenryEd shared on Twitter. It’s the perfect embodiment of everything Rayman is, and in its beauty, it’s a plea to Ubisoft to surprise everyone with something brand new.
The artwork itself is a testament to the love the community has for the character. We have Rayman on stage, with a microphone in hand and rapping—although everyone in the replies is certain that he’s singing “Sex Bomb” by Tom Jones, and I love that picture in my head. The entire gang is there: Globox looking regal, Betilla the Fairy, and even Mr. Dark lurking in the background like the party crasher he is. People are pointing out deep cuts as well, like Lac-Mac from Rayman 2 and even Ed from that old Tonic Trouble game?? The attention to detail is mad, and gamers are calling the artwork, “peak” and “the best Rayman art ever,” which I wholeheartedly agree with.
The thing I noticed recurring in every comment is that no matter the birthday wishes or the build-up for the incredible viral artwork, there is this unmistakable yearning. The many replies say “I wish to see him in another game 🥲” and “Here’s to hoping we get a new Rayman game announce later down the line! 🤞🔥.” Real, mainline Rayman platformers have been in short supply for ages, but Rayman’s birthday is making it feel even worse.
The people are getting hopeful about the community, but it’s in their own ways. There’s even a suggestion to Double Fine, the makers of Psychonauts, to take a shot at a new Rayman game. Imagine that. A Rayman platformer with that specific Double Fine charm and weirdness could be incredible. The community isn’t just asking for a game. They are thinking, in a way, about what kind of game and who could make it special.
As far back as I can remember, gaming has had this character. ‘From his weird, polygonal debut on PlayStation to the gorgeous hand-drawn look he got in Rayman Origins and Legends, he’s had a pretty unique journey. And it’s been more than a decade since Legends dropped. That definitely explains why people have so much nostalgia and cravings.’
The series’ love is still so strong, though. This piece of fan art sparked the entire celebration. People are reminiscing about the memories and talking about the music (Madder by Groove Armada, anyone⁉️) with the character’s pure chaotic vibes. It really shows how much these games mean to people. They aren’t just games to them; they are vivid, delightful experiences that have stuck with them.
Ubisoft, you have to be hearing this, correct? #Rayman30 has become one of the most trending hashtags. The level of engagement is extraordinary. The public and players are crying out loud for it, with no signs of the desire fading. Players are fully prepared to embrace a Rayman game, and as I’ve already said, they are practically begging for it. We know the engine, so, as everyone knows, not putting it to good use would be a grave mistake. It would be incredible if a future-gen Rayman game were developed with the UbiArt engine.
In the meantime, here’s wishing Rayman a Happy Birthday as we have fantastic art and an amazing community honoring an icon. With any luck, the next happy birthday wish we sing will be for his new game.
