Ubisoft Unveils "Alterra," a Minecraft-Inspired Social Sim Adventure

Ubisoft Montreal, renowned for titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6, is reportedly developing a new voxel-based game codenamed "Alterra." According to a recent Insider Gaming report, this project, drawing inspiration from both Minecraft and Animal Crossing, emerged from a previously cancelled four-year development.

This social simulation game features a gameplay loop reminiscent of Animal Crossing, but with a unique twist. Instead of familiar anthropomorphic villagers, players interact with "Matterlings," creatures described as resembling Funko Pops, with designs inspired by both fantasy creatures and real-world animals. These Matterlings exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.

The game incorporates Minecraft-style exploration and building mechanics. Players begin on a home island, developing their dwellings and interacting with the local Matterlings. Venturing beyond their island, they explore diverse biomes, each offering unique building materials; forests, for example, provide ample wood. However, these explorations aren't without peril, as hostile entities inhabit the various environments.

Development, led by producer Fabien Lhéraud (a 24-year Ubisoft veteran) and creative director Patrick Redding (known for his work on Gotham Knights, Splinter Cell Blacklist, and Far Cry 2), commenced in December 2020 and has been ongoing for over 18 months.

While the concept is exciting, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" is in development and subject to change.

The game's voxel-based graphics deserve further explanation. Voxel games utilize tiny cubes or pixels to construct objects in 3D, providing a distinct aesthetic reminiscent of digital LEGO bricks. This contrasts with the polygon-based rendering prevalent in many other games, which use triangles to create surfaces. The voxel approach offers a unique level of detail and interaction within the game environment. While polygon rendering is often preferred for efficiency, Ubisoft's foray into voxel technology with "Alterra" presents an intriguing development.