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 game's core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the relaxing social interactions of Animal Crossing. However, instead of anthropomorphic villagers, players will interact with "Matterlings," creatures described as resembling Funko Pop figures with large heads, inspired by both fantastical beings (like dragons) and common animals (cats, dogs, etc.). These Matterlings exhibit variations in appearance based on their attire.
Building and exploration are central to the experience. Players will establish a home base on their island, then venture into diverse biomes to gather resources and interact with different Matterlings. These biomes, reminiscent of Minecraft, offer distinct building materials; forested areas, for instance, provide ample wood. The journey, however, isn't without peril, as players will encounter enemies.
The project, led by 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, beginning in December 2020.
While the concept is exciting, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" is still under development and details are subject to change.
Understanding Voxel Games
Voxel games utilize a unique rendering technique. Objects are constructed from tiny cubes or voxels, assembled to create complex 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 utilizes triangles to form surfaces. Voxel games provide a distinct sense of volume and prevent the clipping issues often seen in polygon-based games. While polygon rendering is often preferred for efficiency, Ubisoft's embrace of voxel technology in "Alterra" makes this project particularly intriguing.
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