Discover the exciting world of "Alterra," a new voxel-based game inspired by Minecraft and Animal Crossing, currently in development by Ubisoft Montreal. Dive into the details below to learn more about this innovative project!
Minecraft and Animal Crossing-Inspired Voxel Game In Development
With Building and Social Sim Mechanics
Ubisoft Montreal, the creative force behind hits like Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6, is crafting a fresh voxel game named "Alterra." According to an Insider Gaming article from November 26, this project has risen from the remnants of a previously canceled voxel game that was in development for four years.
The gameplay of "Alterra" is said to echo the cozy charm of Animal Crossing, but with a twist. Instead of interacting with anthropomorphic NPCs, players will engage with "Matterlings" on their home island. These Matterlings, though details are sparse, add a unique social element to the game. Much like Animal Crossing, players can design their homes, explore nature, and socialize with these creatures.
Venturing beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes to gather various materials and interact with different Matterlings. However, the journey isn't without its perils, as enemies will challenge players along the way. The game also incorporates Minecraft-like building mechanics, allowing players to use materials from different biomes—such as wood from forested areas—to construct their creations.
The Matterlings are described as resembling Funko Pop figures with large heads and are inspired by a range of fictional creatures and animals, including dragons, cats, and dogs. Each species has its own variations, often distinguished by their clothing.
"Alterra" has been in development for over 18 months, led by Fabien Lhéraud, a 24-year Ubisoft veteran, as the lead producer. His LinkedIn profile mentions 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 game.
While the news is thrilling, remember that "Alterra" is still in development and subject to changes, so take this information with a grain of salt.
What are Voxel Games?
Voxel games utilize a distinctive approach to modeling and rendering game worlds. They use tiny cubes or pixels, akin to LEGO bricks, to build and render 3D objects. This method allows for detailed and volumetric environments.
A notable example of a voxel game is Teardown, where players strategically plan heists by manipulating the environment voxel by voxel. Interestingly, Minecraft, despite its voxel-like appearance, isn't a true voxel game; it uses traditional polygon models for its blocks.
In contrast, games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 or Metaphor: ReFantazio use polygon-based rendering, creating surfaces with millions of tiny triangles. This method can lead to empty spaces when players clip into objects. Voxel games, however, maintain volume and integrity since each voxel is stacked to form objects.
While most developers favor polygon-based rendering for its efficiency, Ubisoft's "Alterra" promises to deliver a compelling experience with its voxel-based graphics.
