Ubisoft Unveils Social Sim "Alterra," a Minecraft-esque Adventure

Ubisoft Montreal is developing a new voxel-based game, codenamed "Alterra," blending the building mechanics of Minecraft with the social simulation aspects of Animal Crossing. This exciting project, reportedly built upon the foundation of a previously canceled four-year development, promises a unique gameplay experience.

Building, Socializing, and Exploration

The core gameplay loop, similar to Animal Crossing, centers around interacting with "Matterlings," unique characters resembling Funko Pops, on a home island. Players can customize their homes, and embark on adventures beyond their island, exploring diverse biomes teeming with resources and different Matterlings. These journeys aren't without peril, as players will encounter enemies. The Minecraft influence is apparent in the biome-specific building materials – forests provide wood, and so on.

Matterlings, inspired by both fantasy creatures and real-world animals, boast varied appearances based on their attire. The game has been in development for over 18 months, led by producer Fabien Lhéraud (a 24-year Ubisoft veteran) and creative director Patrick Redding (known for his work on titles like Gotham Knights and Far Cry 2).

Understanding Voxel Games

Voxel games utilize tiny cubes (voxels) to construct 3D environments, much like building with LEGO bricks. This differs from polygon-based games (like most modern titles) which use triangles to create surfaces. The voxel approach provides a unique level of detail and interaction with the game world. While Minecraft uses a voxel-like aesthetic, it doesn't technically employ true voxel rendering.

The contrast between voxel and polygon rendering is highlighted by comparing "Alterra's" approach to games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. In polygon-based games, clipping through objects often reveals empty space, whereas voxel games maintain solid volume. Ubisoft's embrace of voxel technology in "Alterra" makes this project particularly noteworthy.

While this information is exciting, remember that "Alterra" is still under development, and details are subject to change.