Beyond Good and Evil 2, a title that has endured an exceptionally long development cycle, has recently shown surprising indications of continued progress. Rik Godwin, a narrative lead and writer at Ubisoft, announced on social media that he has been actively working on the game for the past two months. This update, confirmed by Godwin after checking with Ubisoft, suggests the company is permitting further acknowledgments of the project's existence.
This is not the first time Ubisoft has alluded to the game's ongoing development. In June, Ubisoft brand director Loïc Gounon reiterated in an interview with Polygon that Beyond Good and Evil 2 remained in active development. However, Godwin's statement is notable as it indicates Ubisoft is allocating additional resources to the project, even as the company faces broader financial difficulties and has undergone significant restructuring.
In May, Ubisoft reported a substantial operating loss of €1.3 billion ($1.48 billion) for its fiscal year ending in March 2026. This financial downturn led to a drop in the company's stock price and a major internal reorganization, dividing the company into five genre-focused creative houses. As part of these changes, the development of six games, including the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time remake, was canceled, and 1,200 jobs were cut during the previous fiscal year.
Development History
Beyond Good and Evil 2 was initially revealed in May 2008. The game's director, Michel Ancel, who also created the original Beyond Good and Evil and the Rayman series, made various statements about its progress over the years. The project was reportedly put on hold in 2016 so the team could focus on a new Rayman game. A significant new trailer showcasing ambitious interplanetary travel was presented at E3 in June 2017. Ancel departed the studio in 2020, and since then, Ubisoft has periodically confirmed development is ongoing without providing concrete details. In 2022, Beyond Good and Evil 2 surpassed Duke Nukem Forever's record for the longest development period for a AAA game.
Given the current climate in the video game industry, where established franchises are being repositioned due to underperformance, it is noteworthy that Ubisoft is continuing to invest in a sequel to a game that did not achieve significant commercial success, especially after more than 18 years in development.