Ubisoft Develops Minecraft-Esque "Alterra"

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

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, described as drawing inspiration from both Minecraft and Animal Crossing, reportedly emerged from a previously canceled four-year voxel game development.

The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Players interact with "Matterlings," unique characters resembling Funko Pop figures, inhabiting a home island. Beyond the island, diverse biomes await exploration, offering varied resources and encounters with different Matterlings, alongside environmental challenges. The Minecraft influence is evident in the biome-specific building materials, with forests providing ample wood, for example.

Matterlings boast diverse designs, drawing inspiration from both fantastical creatures like dragons and familiar animals such as cats and dogs. Clothing variations further enhance their individuality.

The project, under development for over 18 months, is led by Fabien Lhéraud (24 years at Ubisoft) as lead producer and Patrick Redding (Gotham Knights, Splinter Cell Blacklist, Far Cry 2) as creative director. Lhéraud's LinkedIn profile confirms work on a "Next Gen Unannounced Project" commencing in December 2020.

While details remain tentative, the game's voxel-based graphics promise a unique visual style. Unlike Minecraft's voxel-aesthetic approach using traditional polygon models, "Alterra" is built upon true voxel technology, offering a distinct level of detail and interaction. This contrasts with polygon-based rendering used in games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, where clipping issues are common. Voxel games, using interconnected cubes, avoid this problem.

While exciting, remember that "Alterra" is in development and subject to change. However, the blend of social simulation and voxel-based construction hints at a potentially innovative gaming experience.