Michel Ancel Reveals Management Conflicts Behind Beyond Good & Evil 2’s Troubled Development

The long-awaited Beyond Good & Evil 2 has faced a turbulent development journey, with conflicting leadership visions causing delays and confusion, according to Michel Ancel, the creator of the original game. In a recent interview with Superpouvoir, Ancel shared insights into the internal struggles that hindered progress on Ubisoft’s ambitious sequel, a game that was first announced in 2008 and re-revealed in 2017.

A Vision Divided: Creative Clashes at Ubisoft

Ancel revealed that the development of Beyond Good & Evil 2 was fraught with creative disagreements among key managers. While he envisioned a sprawling, player-driven space adventure, the game director pushed for procedurally generated dungeons, and the art director frequently sought to overhaul the game’s designs. This misalignment of goals left the development team unsure of who was making the final decisions, creating confusion and stalling progress.

“In this type of situation, the teams are thrown around and don’t even know who’s in charge and who’s making the decisions,” Ancel explained.

Even Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot attempted to intervene and realign the project’s focus, but the internal struggles persisted. Reflecting on his own role, Ancel admitted that he could have done more to protect the project and foster collaboration. “I have my share of responsibility and I should have defended the project better, been more present and more conciliatory with the staff,” he stated.

Allegations of Toxic Leadership

Following his departure from Ubisoft in 2020, Ancel faced allegations of toxic leadership. While he has denied these claims, Ancel expressed frustration at being portrayed as the sole reason for the game’s troubled development. Instead, he pointed to unresolved issues at the management level as the root cause, emphasizing, “There wasn’t just one big villain, but a whole series of key issues that remained unresolved at management level, including myself.”

A Troubled Sequel with No Release Date

Beyond Good & Evil 2 remains in development, but substantial updates have been sparse. Ubisoft has reassured fans of its commitment to the franchise, recently releasing a 20th Anniversary Edition remaster of the original Beyond Good & Evil. This remaster includes an additional mission designed to serve as a narrative bridge to the long-awaited sequel. However, the game’s protracted timeline and ongoing issues raise questions about whether it can live up to its ambitious promises.

The remaster’s mission, while a welcome addition for longtime fans, serves as a reminder of the gap between Ubisoft’s narrative goals for the franchise and the operational hurdles it faces in realizing them. The lack of tangible progress on the sequel continues to frustrate an increasingly skeptical gaming community.

Behind the Scenes at Ubisoft

Ubisoft has also been making headlines for its broader corporate developments. Reports have surfaced that Tencent, currently Ubisoft’s second-largest shareholder with a nearly 10% stake, is pushing for a greater role within the company. Tencent has reportedly expressed interest in increasing its stake as part of a potential buyout that would take Ubisoft private. 

The Guillemot family, who hold a controlling interest in Ubisoft, are said to be in discussions to structure a deal that allows them to retain power while navigating Tencent’s growing influence. These negotiations come during a challenging period for Ubisoft, which has faced delays in major game launches and other operational hurdles. The future of these talks remains uncertain, but they highlight the shifting dynamics within the company.

What Lies Ahead for Beyond Good & Evil 2

Michel Ancel’s revelations paint a picture of a game bogged down by mismanagement and creative conflicts—challenges that are not uncommon in large-scale game development. As fans continue to await further updates, Beyond Good & Evil 2 serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of unified creative direction and effective leadership. Whether Ubisoft can overcome these hurdles and deliver on the sequel’s promise remains to be seen, but for now, its future remains uncertain.