Ubisoft Unveils "Alterra," a Minecraft-Inspired Social Sim | SEO Optimized

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 Minecraft and Animal Crossing, is said to be a revival of a previously canceled four-year project.

Blending Building and Social Interaction

The core gameplay loop in "Alterra" is described as similar to Animal Crossing. Players interact with "Matterlings," unique characters resembling Funko Pops, inhabiting a home island. These Matterlings, inspired by mythical creatures and common animals (with clothing variations), offer social interaction opportunities.

Beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes, gathering resources and encountering new Matterlings. However, these expeditions aren't without peril, as enemies pose a threat. The game incorporates Minecraft-style biome-specific building materials, with forested areas providing ample wood, for example.

Development and Team

"Alterra" has been in development for over 18 months, 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, remember that "Alterra" is still under development and subject to change.

Understanding Voxel Games

Voxel games utilize tiny cubes or voxels to construct 3D objects, much like digital LEGO bricks. 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 unique interaction possibilities. While Minecraft uses a voxel-like aesthetic, it's not technically a voxel game, employing traditional polygon models for its blocks.

Ubisoft's embrace of voxel technology in "Alterra" represents a potentially innovative approach to game development, promising a fresh and engaging experience.