Rayman 3 (GameCube)

This page details pre-release information and/or media for Rayman 3 (GameCube).

Sub-Pages#

Concept ArtCharacter sketches, environments and more!

Early Development#

Rayman 2000#

Shortly after the release of Rayman 2, a few people worked on a project codenamed "Rayman 2000". It would serve as a direct sequel to Rayman 2, still in 3D and it would include environments featuring towns, streets and buildings attached to trees. This universe, being more urban than what Rayman games usually portray, was appparently requested by Michel Ancel himself.

The project was ultimately canceled but some ideas were taken to create some of the scenery for Clearleaf Forest.¹

Main Game#

During the early production stage of Rayman 3, early footage, screenshots and artwork show that development initially began with Rayman utilizing his design from Rayman 2, as opposed to the new redesign that debuted with the final game. He also appeared in a design similar to that of second game, wearing a yellow scarf and different shoes, and another with a small cape.

Other elements include unused areas, such as an underwater level and a different HUD, which resembles the same one of Rayman 2 in some early screenshots. Some locations appear fairly similar to the final game, but still show some differences in aesthetic and lighting. Additionally, there were several kinds of Hoodlums that were going to appear but ended up getting scrapped.

According to the lead gameplay programmer, Olivier Dauba, he originally developed a first-person mode for the game because he was a huge fan of Half-Life. This feature was not included in the final version due to the lack of time. Although there is a zoom button that allows you to go into first-person, you can't fight while zoomed in. It was also revealed that Rayman was going to have limbs at one point, but the idea was quickly put aside.

Scrapped Levels#

Aquatic World#

There were plans to have an aquatic level included in the game. Its official name is unknown. Most of the information we have on it comes from the VIPZone of RaymanZone, which has now been deleted.

The area would have been inhabited by jellyfish-like creatures known as Zaqs and other aquatic life, and it would have been exploited by the Hoodlums who would have set up a giant washing-machine near a lagoon. Rayman then would've had to save the Zaqs from the Hoodlums, who filled them with washing-powder and used them to clean their laundry. An underwater chase sequence was also planned, during which Rayman had to flee from a submarine that was launching torpedoes at him.

"We wanted to create a fast submarine level. As a general rule, underwater levels are very boring because they're too slow and fairly difficult to handle. So we simplified the swimming action in all levels to the utmost. You only use the stick to move forward, and we direct the player's path a little. That way, everything's focused on speed. Lastly, we even decided to build the level on a chase principle, for a maximum sensation of speed. So Rayman's pursued by a submarine which fires torpedoes. If he doesn't advance, he gets hit. Even the swimming animation was adapted. Rayman uses his hair as a propeller to move forward."

— An interview with game designer Michaël Janod ²

Ultimately, the aquatic world was removed from the game, as the developers ran out of time to finalize it and thought it "lacked rhythm" compared to the other worlds.³

Unknown Area#

An unknown area that looks kinda like an oasis. It is unclear if this was meant to be an early version of the Desert of the Knaaren, or an entirely different level.

Scrapped Characters#

Clark#

According to the book L'Histoire de Rayman, Clark was planned to appear in the game but got cut for unknown reasons. One of the game's early scripts mentions that he was going to help Rayman, Globox and Murfy protect the Fairy Council from the Hoodlums during their invasion.

Ly#

Alongside Clark, Ly the Fairy was also planned to make a return in the sequel. It is unknown what her involvement in the game would be but there are some early renders of her model from Manuel Hauss, one of the game's graphic artists. Minus the blue lips, her design seems it would be identical to Rayman 2 albeit more expressive now.

A statue of Ly can be found in the final game, hidden within a secret room in The Longest Shortcut.

Wooglah#

The Wooglah is a gigantic bird that would play a major role in the story. In one of the game's earlier story scripts, Rayman and Globox would have encountered the Wooglah in Clearleaf Forest and would ride it to travel to the Land of the Livid Dead. At some point the Wooglah gets injured, forcing the duo to land to the Bog of Murk. Rayman would then have to traverse the marshland and seek an antidote to treat the bird's injuries.

As development went on, the game's storyline ended up getting revamped and the Wooglah was eventually scrapped from the game.

Murkins#

A tribe of Teensies called the Murkins would initially appear in the Bog of Murk. For unknown reasons, they were removed, and got replaced by the Sylkins. The Murkins appeared briefly in the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman: Raving Rabbids.

Mudis#

The Muddibogs that Rayman encounters in the Bog of Murk, originally looked somewhat different. They were creatures made of mud and they were called Mudis, with the name be more fitting with their appearance this time around. Gameplay-wise their behavior would be similar to the final game, except they could use their own substance as projectiles instead of rocks and they wouldn't hide within holes in the ground. Additionally, the Mudis also had larger variants called Mudsters and they would attack by smashing the ground with their enormous fists.

For unknown reasons, the Mudis's design ended up getting reworked and the larger variants were cut from the final release.

Cagalpha#

The Cagalpha (sometimes spelled Kagalpha) was a Hoodlum that was meant to be a boss in Hoodlum Headquarters. In his shrunk form, the Cagalpha is weak but when threatened enough, he can grow his size by inhaling air, turning the little Hoodlum into a massive threatening brute.

At the outset, the Kagalpha was conceived as a boss inside the Hoodlum factory. The initial principle for this enemy was the notion of a small highly-strung person who turns into a big, dangerous character. He was supposed to be present throughout the factory level in the form of a small Hoodlum boss, yelling at his companions to attack Rayman. He himself was supposed to be able to throw crates at our hero, who would then give chase to him. At the end of the level, the Kagalpha inhaled helium which blew him up to an immense size but gave him a tiny little voice. In this form, he tried to crush Rayman who had to deflate him little by little by hitting him with his fists..

The Cagalpha made his debut in the Game Boy Advance version of Rayman 3, under the name of Scaleman.

Kagoubinôme#

The Kagoubinôme was an enemy pair made up of two different Hoodlums: a small thin one and a large obese one. Together, they could attack in various ways by exploiting the size and shape of their bodies. The name roughly translates to "Hoodpair".

The Kagoubinôme, as his name suggests, is in fact composed of two completely different, but complementary, Hoodlums. He can carry out two distinct attacks, playing on the size and shape of the Hoodlums who make up his two-person character. To begin with, at long-distance, the smaller of the two perches on the fatter one and the latter starts rolling around like a ball. The small one - looking like a circus tightrope walker - steers him along, trying to crush Rayman. Later on, in close combat, it's the big Hoodlum who attacks Rayman, using the little one as a nunchaku.

Despite the character's original and attractive game design, the Kagoubinôme was discarded by the developers because his first attack required a lot of space in the level and the second proved very difficult to program.

Unknown Hoodlum#

Very little is known about this enemy. Its existence was revealed by a piece of official concept artwork produced for the game. The Hoodlum itself appears to comprise two distinct Hoodlums, both connected by sewing threads. Each Hoodlum has only one arm and wears chainmail armor. The green one uses a boxing glove as a weapon similar to those wielded by Slapdashes, while the other has a cannon for a hand.

There is no explanation as to why this enemy was removed from the game.

Hoover#

The Hoover is a type of carnivorous plant that was planned to appear in the game. There's not much information about this enemy other than it is described as a great plum lover and Rayman would have to throw plums into its mouth to tame it. It is unknown why the Hoover was cut from the game.

This carnivorous plant is a great lover of plums. Rayman was supposed to make it harmless by throwing enormous plums into its mouth to keep it shut.

Environmental Creatures#

The following creatures were scrapped to avoid overloading the environment with too many animals and sending the player off on false trails.⁴

Goaty#

The Goaty was a sheep-like animal that had long hanging ears, a body covered in long hair, and four ibex-like legs. It was planned that Rayman would use one as a mount to progress through a mountain.

"Goaty looked vaguely like an ibex. He was designed as an animal that Rayman could mount, helping him travel through the mountain universe."

— VIP-zone description, RaymanZone

At some point during development, it seems that Goaty's appearance drastically changed from its conceptual design. It was now much taller, had two legs instead of four and its tail was removed, resembling overall a bizarre-looking creature.

Snorty#

The Snorty was a creature that would act as the game's "caretaker", meaning if Rayman was unable to solve a puzzle, the Snorty would appear to assist him.

"In a way, this creature - dressed in a vest - was supposed to serve as the game's "caretaker". That is, his role was to help the player if the latter was blocked in the game."

— VIP-zone description, RaymanZone

Snoot#

The Snoot was a creature that looked like an hippopotamus and it would serve no purpose in the game, other than being a background character. This creature apparently lived in the Clearleaf Forest.

"Rayman was to have come across this kind of hippopotamus in the Clearleaf Forest. He had no particular purpose in the game. He was just an environmental animal, drinking from a stream."

— VIP-zone description, RaymanZone

Early Build#

On October 31st, 2012, a few screenshots of an unknown early build became known to the public. One of the most notable differences is Rayman's model having a yellow hood, as well as different shoes. Among these, there are various changes in terms of aesthetic, level design and more.⁵

General Differences#

• The HUD from Rayman 2 is present here. Both the player and the boss's health bar icons are replaced with a little white sparkle.
• There are no gems or Teensie cages.
• There are no laser-washing powder cans.
• There's a Debug Mode.
• The score counter isn't present.

Clearleaf Forest#

• The flying hook is replaced with what it looks like a purple Lum, similar to the ones from Rayman 2.
• The stone near the Meadowscrew is missing.
• There is only one shovel near the wanted posters. The ground also got raised up a little.
• The fences surrounding the Meadowscrew are absent.

The Bog of Murk#

• It takes place during daytime.
• The path to Begoniax's house is different.
• There are no Mawpaws flying around.
• Begoniax's house looks slightly different.
• The liquid inside the cauldron is orange instead of green.
• The chain on Razoff’s wrecking ball doesn’t appear to be the finished version.

The Land of the Livid Dead#

• There are no Teensie engravings on the walls.
• Less grass around the area.
• The monoliths and the cave look different.
• The skybox seems unfinished.
• Is that the Wooglah over there?

The Desert of the Knaaren#

• The giant bone platforms are absent.
• The skull torches look slightly different. The left one has an extra tooth.
• Two Hoodmongers seem to be present here. In the final version, they are replaced by a Hoodo and a Hoodmonger Officer.
• The Hoodlum airship on the top right looks different. The Black Lum insignia is also missing.

The Summit Beyond the Clouds#

First screenshot#

Note: According to an anonymous developer, the area was an very early iteration of the level.⁶

• There are a bunch of stars hovering around Rayman.
• Globox is present here. His model looks identical to his final one.
• Above the windmill is a purple Lum.
• There is a red Lum in the level.

Second Screenshot#

• The funkyboard is completely absent.
• There are no obstacles or enemies on the way.
• Different skybox and aesthetic.
• Globox seems to be absent here.

Debug Mode#

2002#

E3 2002 Trailer#

This is footage of Rayman 3 from the 2002 Electronic Expo. A couple of differences can be seen in this trailer.

Watch on YouTube

• The trailer features a couple of additional scenes that were absent from the final release.
• There are no laser-washing powder cans present in this trailer, indicating that they might had not been conceptualized yet.
• There is a map in the place of the wanted posters at 0:48.
• Some Hoodlums have different designs, most notably the Stumblebooms and the Hoodmonger Officers. The latter looks like a regular Hoodmonger but with chainmail armor.
• At 0:56 a Hoodoo can briefly be seen protecting the Stumblebooms. In the final version, the Hoodoo is protecting a Spinneroo who is a little further ahead.
• Whenever Rayman or an enemy takes damage, small star particles spawn from their models.
• In the fight against Reflux, Rayman seems to glow blue whenever he jumps.
  • Reflux's fire attacks look visually different and there is no fog surrounding the arena.

Ubisoft E3 Press Kit Disc 2: Games 2002#

Screenshots from the GameCube version.

Screenshots from the PC version.

Screenshots from the PlayStation 2 version.

Magazines#

Joystick Issue 136 (April 2002)#

An early screenshot of the Fairy Council.

• The platform where Globox was originally found, is missing entirely.
• The moons appear to be more detailed in this build, with some special effects added to them.

References#