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

The game's core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the relaxing social interactions of Animal Crossing. Instead of anthropomorphic villagers, players will interact with "Matterlings," creatures described as resembling Funko Pop figures with large heads. These Matterlings, inspired by both fantastical creatures (dragons) and familiar animals (cats, dogs), exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.

Beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes, gathering resources and interacting with different Matterlings. However, these explorations aren't without peril, as enemies will pose a challenge. The game incorporates Minecraft-style biome-specific building materials; for example, forested areas provide ample wood for construction.

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

While the details are exciting, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" is still under development and subject to change.

Understanding Voxel Games

Voxel games utilize a unique rendering technique. Objects are constructed from tiny cubes or voxels, assembled to create 3D models. This contrasts with polygon-based rendering (used in games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2), which uses triangles to create surfaces. Voxel games offer a distinct aesthetic and avoid the clipping issues sometimes found in polygon-based games. While polygon rendering is often preferred for efficiency, Ubisoft's embrace of voxel technology in "Alterra" is noteworthy.

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