There’s a buzz in the gaming world about Ubisoft’s rumored project, ‘Alterra’. Word on the street is that they’re delving into a voxel-based social simulation, drawing inspiration from the beloved Animal Crossing series. With gamers already pretty invested in titles like Stardew Valley, Coral Island, and Castaway Paradise, it’s clear that Ubisoft will have stiff competition as they bring this new concept to Xbox.
According to Insider Gaming, ‘Alterra’ is shaping up to be a charming blend of Animal Crossing’s community-driven vibe and Minecraft’s creative building mechanics. The game reportedly features an island paradise inhabited by quirky characters called “Matterlings,” who boast the large-headed charm of Funko Pop figures. Throughout the game, players can build their perfect island home, utilizing building mechanics reminiscent of Minecraft.
What’s even more intriguing is that players won’t be confined to just their island. Ubisoft supposedly plans on letting us explore a range of worlds, each with unique biomes that provide diverse materials for crafting our dream abodes. Every realm comes with its own thematic flair, populated by Matterlings, creatures, and resources that reflect the environment’s distinct style.
The Matterlings won’t remain static, as Ubisoft has plans to introduce new ones throughout the game’s lifespan. Each species is expected to come with different outfits and traits, adding spice to player interactions. There’s also talk of a multiplayer component, but details on how it might work are still under wraps. Could it be that we’ll get to visit each other’s customized worlds?
It seems ‘Alterra’ is built upon the ashes of another scrapped voxel-based project and has been quietly in development at Ubisoft Montreal for the last 18 months. Behind the scenes, Patrick Redding, known for his work on Gotham Knights, is reportedly steering the creative vision, while Fabien Lhéraud, a seasoned Ubisoft veteran with 24 years under his belt, takes on the role of lead producer.
In other Ubisoft happenings, fresh insights have been shared about the stealth mechanics in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. But back to ‘Alterra’—what do you think? Could a social sim from Ubisoft pique your curiosity? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
