Ubisoft’s Upcoming Voxel-Based Game ‘Alterra’ Draws Inspiration from Animal Crossing and Minecraft

Ubisoft Montreal is reportedly developing a new game titled Alterra, a voxel-based social simulation inspired by popular titles like Animal Crossing and Minecraft. According to a report by Insider Gaming, the project has been in development for 18 months and emerged after the cancellation of a previous Ubisoft title that also utilized voxel technology. That earlier project was shelved after four years of development, paving the way for Alterra.

A New Adventure with “Matterlings”

Alterra introduces players to a home island populated by creatures called Matterlings. These NPCs are described as whimsical characters with large heads and small bodies, inspired by a mix of mythical beings and real-world animals. Players can interact with these Matterlings, who vary in design and attire, and venture beyond their home island to explore other worlds.

Players can explore various worlds beyond their island, each offering distinct biomes, resources, enemies, and new types of Matterlings.

The gameplay includes building mechanics similar to Minecraft, where players can construct structures and objects using materials gathered from different biomes. For instance, creating snow-based structures requires venturing into icy worlds inhabited by snow-themed Matterlings. While the specifics of terraforming or altering the landscape remain unclear, the freedom to craft and build forms a core part of the experience.

The game will also feature multiplayer elements, allowing players to interact and collaborate with others. This social aspect aligns with the community-driven appeal of titles like Animal Crossing.

Creative Direction and Development Team

The project is led by Patrick Redding, Ubisoft Montreal’s Creative Director, who previously worked on Gotham Knights at Warner Bros. Games. Joining him is veteran producer Fabien Lhéraud, who has been with Ubisoft for over two decades. The game is described as a “next-gen project,” indicating it is being designed with advanced hardware in mind. However, a release date is still a few years away.

Challenges at Ubisoft

Ubisoft is navigating a challenging period, with its stock value dropping by over 50% over the past year. Bloomberg reports suggest discussions between the Guillemot family, Ubisoft’s founders, and Tencent about potentially taking the company private. Amid this turmoil, workers’ unions went on strike opposing the work-in-office policy.

Moreover, the public perception of Ubisoft has suffered following several underperforming releases, including Star Wars Outlaws and XDefiant.

Despite the challenges, Ubisoft has an ambitious slate ahead. Its next major release, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, is scheduled for February 14, 2025, alongside other projects like Beyond Good & Evil 2 and a Prince of Persia remake.