Minecraft-Like Social Sim Game “Alterra” In Development by Ubisoft

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, seemingly a revival of a previously canceled four-year development, blends elements reminiscent of Minecraft and Animal Crossing.

The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the relaxed social interaction found in Animal Crossing. However, instead of anthropomorphic animals, players interact with "Matterlings," creatures described as resembling Funko Pop figures with oversized heads, drawing inspiration from both fantastical beings (dragons) and common animals (cats, dogs). These Matterlings exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.

Beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes, gathering unique resources and interacting with different Matterlings. This exploration, however, isn't without peril, as enemies will challenge players. The game incorporates Minecraft-style mechanics, with each biome offering distinct building materials; for example, forests provide ample wood.

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 details are subject to change.

Understanding Voxel Games:

Voxel games utilize a distinctive rendering technique. Objects are constructed from small cubes (voxels), creating a 3D world resembling digital LEGO. Unlike Minecraft, which uses a voxel-like aesthetic but employs traditional polygon models for individual blocks, "Alterra" will reportedly utilize true voxel rendering. This contrasts with polygon-based rendering (used in games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2) where surfaces are created from triangles.

Ubisoft's foray into voxel-based graphics with "Alterra" presents a promising and unique gaming experience.