Ten years ago, the gaming world was abuzz with anticipation for “Wild,” a PlayStation 4 exclusive title. Developed under the leadership of industry veteran Michael Ancel, known for his work on “Rayman” and “Beyond Good & Evil,” the game promised a unique and immersive experience. Sadly, after years of advancement, “Wild” was ultimately canceled, leaving fans heartbroken.
Ancel, who left Ubisoft to establish his own studio, Wild Sheep, had poured his heart and soul into “Wild.” Sony was set to publish the game, marking a important collaboration between the two industry giants. However,a series of unfortunate events ultimately led to the project’s demise.
In a candid interview with Superpower, Ancel shed light on the factors that contributed to “Wild’s” cancellation. He pointed to Ubisoft’s involvement as a major obstacle, stating that the company “crushed the project.”
“The fate of the game was unfortunate,” Ancel explained. “In 2018, we had a very good playable version, but it took us a long time to upgrade the game to PlayStation 5, which slowed down production. on Sony’s part, there were major administrative changes and the game was stopped.”
Adding another layer of complexity, Ubisoft had expressed interest in acquiring ”wild” and had successfully done so. Shortly after, Sony attempted to revive the project, even offering to double its budget. Though, due to the advanced stage of the contracts with Ubisoft, Sony’s offer was ultimately rejected.
Ancel further revealed that Ubisoft’s internal restructuring played a significant role in “Wild’s” downfall. When the Paris branch,led by Tommy Francois,took over the project,it faced significant challenges. Francois’s departure due to controversial allegations compounded the issues, leading to the project being transferred to another department that was struggling.
Despite the disappointment, Ancel expressed a willingness to share footage from the early development stages of both “Wild” and “Beyond Good & Evil 2,” another project he has retained ownership of since 2018. He believes both games held immense promise and hopes that fans will have the possibility to see what could have been.
The cancellation of “Wild” serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties inherent in the video game industry.While fans may never get to experience Ancel’s vision for “Wild,” his willingness to share glimpses into its development offers a bittersweet consolation.
# “Wild”‘s Unsettling Demise: Exploring the Cancellation of a Promised Gem
The gaming community remembers when “Wild,” a highly-anticipated PlayStation 4 exclusive led by industry veteran Michael Ancel, was abruptly canceled, leaving a void of unanswered questions.This interview delves into the complex events surrounding the game’s cancellation, drawing insights from [Guest Name], a video game industry expert specializing in advancement histories.
## The Vision Behind “Wild”: A Dream Deferred
**Senior Editor:** welcome, [Guest Name], and thank you for joining us today.
“Wild” generated a lot of excitement ten years ago. Could you shed some light on what made this project so unique and anticipated?
**[Guest Name]:** Absolutely.Michael Ancel had a remarkable track record with games like “Rayman” and “Beyond good & evil,” so expectations were high. “Wild” promised an immersive open world experience centered on survival and interaction with nature, which was a novel concept at the time. Think of it as “Journey” meets “Shadow of the Colossus,” with a touch of Ancel’s signature whimsy.
## Ubisoft’s Involvement: A Blessing or a Curse?
**Senior Editor:** The article mentions that Ubisoft’s involvement played a significant role in the game’s fate. How did their presence impact the development of “Wild”?
**[Guest Name]: **That’s a complex issue. Ubisoft initially showed interest in acquiring “Wild,” which suggests they saw its potential. however, their acquisition ultimately led too creative clashes and internal struggles within Ubisoft itself.Ancel famously described it as Ubisoft “crushing” the project, hinting at creative differences and perhaps pressure to conform to Ubisoft’s established formulas.
**Senior Editor:** That’s a blunt assessment.
**[Guest Name]:** We’ve seen this happen in the industry before; a smaller studio with a bold vision gets acquired by a larger publisher, and the unique aspects of that vision get diluted.
## Sony’s Attempts at Revival
**Senior Editor:** Despite the acquisition, it seems Sony tried to revive “Wild.” What happened there?
**[Guest Name]:** Yes, Sony was keen on the project due to “Wild”‘s potential as a PlayStation exclusive.
Despite offering to double the budget, Sony’s efforts were ultimately thwarted by the complex legal entanglement with Ubisoft.The situation highlights the challenges of reviving a project effectively intertwined with another company’s interests.
## The Internal Turmoil at Ubisoft
**Senior Editor:** Ancel also mentioned internal restructuring at Ubisoft Paris and Tommy Francois’s departure impacting the project.
**[Guest Name]:** The timing lined up poorly. Ubisoft Paris taking over the project just as it faced significant internal issues, compounded by Francois’s departure, created further instability.
It appears “Wild” became a casualty of those internal upheavals.
## A Promise Unfulfilled
**Senior Editor:** It’s a shame to see such a promising project fall apart.
What are your thoughts on what “Wild” could have achieved had it been completed?
**[Guest Name]:**
We can only speculate,but the early glimpses of gameplay footage suggest a truly unique experience. Ancel’s track record indicates a commitment to innovative gameplay and captivating storytelling.
It’s unfortunate that fans won’t have the prospect to experience the full realization of his vision.
**Senior Editor:** Ancel expressed willingness to share footage from “Wild” development. What do you think this potential glimpse behind the scenes could reveal?
**[Guest Name]:** Showing this footage would be invaluable. It would offer fans a tangible connection to ”Wild” and perhaps provide a better understanding of the game’s lost potential. It could also serve as a poignant reminder of the inherent fragility of game development and the complexities of bringing creative visions to life.