Ubisoft Unveils "Alterra," a Social Sim 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, is said to have emerged from a previously cancelled four-year development.

Blending Building and Social Interaction

The game's core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Instead of anthropomorphic villagers, players interact with "Matterlings," creatures resembling Funko Pops with oversized heads, inspired by both fantastical beings (dragons) and familiar animals (cats, dogs). These Matterlings exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.

Players establish a home base on a central island, customizing their dwellings and engaging with the Matterlings. Exploration extends beyond the island, leading to diverse biomes brimming with unique resources and additional Matterlings. However, the journey isn't without peril, as players encounter enemies. The game incorporates Minecraft-style biome-specific building materials; forested areas, for instance, provide ample wood.

A Veteran Team at the Helm

"Alterra," currently in development for over 18 months, is spearheaded 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 his involvement in a "Next Gen Unannounced Project" launched in December 2020.

Understanding Voxel Games

Voxel games utilize tiny cubes (voxels) as their foundational building blocks for 3D rendering, akin to digital LEGOs. This contrasts with polygon-based games (like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2) which use triangles to create surfaces. Voxel games offer a distinct solidity and prevent the "clipping" issues common in polygon-based environments. While Minecraft utilizes a voxel-like aesthetic, its blocks are actually rendered using traditional polygon models. Ubisoft's embrace of true voxel technology in "Alterra" represents a notable departure.

A Promising Prospect

While "Alterra" remains under development, and details are subject to change, the project's blend of social simulation, exploration, and voxel-based graphics presents a compelling and innovative concept.