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 canceled four-year voxel project.
The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Instead of human NPCs, players interact with "Matterlings," creatures resembling Funko Pops with oversized heads, inspired by both fantastical beasts and common animals like cats and dogs. These Matterlings exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.
Players establish a home base on a central island, customizing their dwellings and engaging in familiar Animal Crossing activities. However, the experience extends beyond this island. Exploration into diverse biomes unlocks unique building materials; for example, forested areas provide ample wood. This element introduces a Minecraft-esque crafting and exploration dynamic, though the journey isn't without peril, as enemies inhabit these varied environments.
The project, helmed by lead 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. Lhéraud's LinkedIn profile confirms his involvement in a "Next Gen Unannounced Project" initiated in December 2020.
While the details are exciting, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" remains under development and is subject to change.
Understanding Voxel Games
Voxel games employ a distinctive rendering technique. Objects are constructed from tiny cubes or voxels, assembled to form 3D structures, akin to digital LEGO bricks. This differs from polygon-based rendering (used in games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2), which uses triangles to create surfaces. Voxel games offer a unique solidity; players cannot typically clip through objects. While polygon rendering is often preferred for efficiency, Ubisoft's embrace of voxel technology in "Alterra" is noteworthy.
