Ubisoft Montreal, renowned for titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6, is reportedly developing a new voxel-based game codenamed "Alterra." This exciting project, drawing inspiration from both Minecraft and Animal Crossing, blends social simulation with building mechanics. Initial reports suggest a gameplay loop reminiscent of Animal Crossing, but featuring unique "Matterlings" instead of anthropomorphic villagers. Players will interact with these Matterlings on their home island, customizing their dwellings, and engaging in activities similar to those found in Animal Crossing.
Beyond the home island, exploration awaits. Players can venture into diverse biomes, gathering resources and encountering various Matterlings while facing environmental challenges. The game incorporates Minecraft-style mechanics, with biomes offering specific building materials – forests supplying wood, for example. The Matterlings themselves are described as having a "Funko Pop"-esque design, with large heads and designs inspired by both fantastical creatures and everyday animals, each with clothing variations.
Development, led by 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), has been underway for over 18 months. While details remain scarce, the project leverages voxel graphics, a unique rendering technique using small cubes to build objects, contrasting with the polygon-based rendering common in many modern games. This approach offers a distinct visual style and potentially unique gameplay possibilities. While the information is promising, remember that "Alterra" is still in development, and details are subject to change. Consider this an exciting glimpse into a potentially innovative title from Ubisoft.
