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 cancelled four-year development.
The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Players interact with "Matterlings," creatures inhabiting a home island, engaging in activities reminiscent of the popular life-simulation game. Beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes, gathering resources and interacting with different Matterlings. However, these explorations aren't without peril, as enemies pose a challenge.
The Minecraft influence is evident in the biome-specific building materials. Forests, for example, provide ample wood for construction. Matterlings are described as resembling Funko Pop figures, with large heads and designs inspired by both fantasy creatures (like dragons) and common animals (cats, dogs). Variations exist within each species, based on attire.
Development on "Alterra" has been underway for over 18 months, led by Fabien Lhéraud (a 24-year Ubisoft veteran) as lead producer and Patrick Redding (known for his work on Gotham Knights, Splinter Cell Blacklist, and Far Cry 2) as creative director. While the news is exciting, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" is still in development, and details are subject to change.
Understanding Voxel Games
Voxel games utilize a distinctive rendering technique. Objects are constructed from tiny cubes or voxels, assembled to create 3D models. This contrasts with 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, preventing the clipping issues often found in polygon-based games. While polygon rendering is often preferred for efficiency, Ubisoft's commitment to voxel technology in "Alterra" is noteworthy.
