Ubisoft Developing Social Sim 'Alterra' Inspired by Minecraft

Ubisoft Montreal Unveils "Alterra," a Novel Voxel-Based Social Sim

Ubisoft Montreal, renowned for titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6, is reportedly developing a new voxel game codenamed "Alterra," as revealed by Insider Gaming on November 26th. This project, drawing inspiration from both Minecraft and Animal Crossing, reportedly emerged from a previously cancelled four-year project.

The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Instead of anthropomorphic villagers, players interact with "Matterlings," creatures resembling Funko Pops, featuring large heads and designs inspired by both fantasy creatures (dragons) and common animals (cats, dogs). These Matterlings exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.

Players establish a home island, decorating their dwellings and engaging in typical Animal Crossing activities. However, the experience extends beyond the island. Exploration of diverse biomes provides access to unique building materials, echoing Minecraft's crafting mechanics. For example, forested areas yield materials ideal for wooden structures. This exploration, however, isn't without peril, as players will encounter enemies.

"Alterra," under the leadership of Fabien Lhéraud (a 24-year Ubisoft veteran) as lead producer and Patrick Redding (known for his work on Gotham Knights, Splinter Cell Blacklist, and Far Cry 2) as creative director, has been in development for over 18 months. While exciting, it's crucial to remember that the project is still under development and details are subject to change.

Understanding Voxel Games

Voxel games employ a distinctive approach to 3D modeling, utilizing tiny cubes or voxels to construct objects. This contrasts with polygon-based rendering (used in games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2), which uses triangles to create surfaces. The voxel approach provides a unique, blocky aesthetic and eliminates the clipping issues often found in polygon-based games. While polygon rendering is often favored for efficiency, Ubisoft's commitment to voxel technology in "Alterra" is noteworthy.