Discover the exciting new voxel-based game, "Alterra," developed by Ubisoft Montreal, blending the beloved elements of Minecraft and Animal Crossing. Dive into the details of this innovative project!

Minecraft and Animal Crossing-Inspired Voxel Game In Development

With Building and Social Sim Mechanics

Ubisoft Montreal, the acclaimed studio behind Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6, is crafting a new voxel game under the codename "Alterra." As reported by Insider Gaming on November 26, this project emerges from a previously canceled voxel game that was in development for four years.

The gameplay of "Alterra" draws inspiration from Animal Crossing, featuring a cozy social simulation experience. Instead of interacting with anthropomorphic NPCs, players will engage with "Matterlings" on their home island. Although details are scarce, the essence of Animal Crossing—home customization, wildlife interaction, and community socializing—will be mirrored in this new setting.

Venturing beyond the home island, players can explore various biomes to gather unique materials and meet different Matterlings. However, these explorations are not without challenges, as enemies will pose threats along the way. Incorporating Minecraft's building mechanics, each biome offers specific materials essential for construction. For example, forested areas are rich in resources for wood-based structures.

The Matterlings are visually striking, designed to resemble Funko Pop figures with large heads. They draw inspiration from a range of fictional creatures, including dragons, and real-life animals like cats and dogs, with variations based on their attire.

"Alterra" has been in development for over 18 months, led by Fabien Lhéraud, a 24-year veteran at Ubisoft. His LinkedIn profile hints at his involvement in a "Next Gen Unannounced Project" since December 2020. Patrick Redding, known for his work on Gotham Knights, Splinter Cell Blacklist, and Far Cry 2, is reportedly the creative director for this project.

While this news is thrilling, it's important to approach it with caution, as "Alterra" is still in development and subject to changes.

What are Voxel Games?

Voxel games utilize a unique approach to modeling and rendering, using tiny cubes or pixels to construct and display 3D objects. Think of them as digital LEGO bricks, allowing for intricate and complex creations.

A notable example of a voxel game is Teardown, where players meticulously plan and execute heists by manipulating the voxel environment, breaking down walls and objects pixel by pixel. Contrary to popular belief, Minecraft does not qualify as a true voxel game; it employs a voxel-like aesthetic but uses traditional polygon models for rendering its blocks.

In contrast, games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 or Metaphor: ReFantazio use polygon-based rendering, composed of millions of tiny triangles forming surfaces. This method can sometimes reveal empty spaces when players clip through objects. Voxel games, however, maintain volume and integrity as each block or pixel is stacked to form solid objects.

While polygon-based rendering is typically preferred for its efficiency, Ubisoft's "Alterra" promises to leverage the potential of voxel graphics for a unique gaming experience.