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, reportedly emerged from a previously cancelled four-year development.

The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Players interact with "Matterlings," unique characters resembling Funko Pops, on a home island. These Matterlings, inspired by fantastical creatures and familiar animals (with variations in clothing), offer social interaction opportunities. Beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes, gathering resources and encountering Matterlings and enemies. The Minecraft influence is evident in the biome-specific building materials – forests provide wood, for example.

The game, 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), has been in development for over 18 months. While details remain scarce, the project's voxel-based nature promises a distinctive visual style.

Understanding Voxel Games:

Voxel games utilize tiny cubes (voxels) to construct 3D environments, offering a distinct aesthetic and physics compared to polygon-based games. Unlike Minecraft, which uses a voxel-like aesthetic but employs traditional polygon rendering, true voxel games like the anticipated "Alterra" provide a unique level of detail and interaction. This contrasts with polygon-based games, where clipping through objects might reveal empty space, a phenomenon absent in voxel games due to their block-based construction.

While "Alterra" is still under development and subject to change, its blend of social simulation and voxel-based construction promises a unique gaming experience. Consider this information preliminary, as the project remains in its development phase.