A trailer that found its way online over the weekend via French publication gamekult has not only confirmed the development of Rayman: Legends -- a follow-up to Ubisoft's successful Rayman: Origins platformer -- but has also seemingly revealed unannounced NFC (near field communication) technology of the Nintendo Wii-U tablet controller.

The "Legends" title appears to describe the game's mythological themes, with castles, dragons and Valkyries, and mentions online multiplayer challenges but the big hook appears to be the ability to place plastic figurines on the Wii-U's tablet controller in order to manipulate the game. The leaked video demonstrates this with a heart-shaped object, a Raving Rabbids figurine, then teases reaching for a model of Assassin's Creed's Ezio Auditore.

According to VG247, a statement from Ubisoft has since officially confirmed the existence of the game and that it is being worked on by Michel Ancel and the Ubisoft Montpelier team, but has played down the finality of the Wii-U's NFC features.

“An internal video showing images of Rayman Origins’ sequel has leaked over the Internet,” said the firm. “This video was intended as a purely internal demonstrative video, and in NO way represents the final game, the final console or their features.

“This video was destined for internal production teams who often create game prototypes with work in progress development kits.”

With the proven success of NFC features in Activision's Skylanders and Nintendo's long-standing license to the Pokemon franchise, it seems like a good fit for the Wii-U. Though it is strange that Nintendo has been so coy on acknowledging its existence.

On a sour note, Ancel's confirmed involvement with Rayman Legends means it's probably going to be even longer before we hear any more about Beyond Good and Evil 2.

What the *$%$ is the point of "Near field communication", it looks like an embarrassingly lame gimmick to me..