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 Minecraft and Animal Crossing, reportedly emerged from a previously cancelled four-year development effort.
The core gameplay loop, according to sources, mirrors the charm of Animal Crossing. Players interact with "Matterlings," unique creatures inhabiting a home island. These Matterlings, described as resembling Funko Pop figures with oversized heads, are inspired by both fantastical creatures (dragons) and common animals (cats, dogs), each with diverse clothing variations.
Beyond the home island, players can explore diverse biomes, reminiscent of Minecraft, collecting resources specific to each environment (e.g., wood from forests). However, exploration comes with challenges, as players will encounter enemies.
The project, helmed by lead producer Fabien Lhéraud (24 years at Ubisoft) and creative director Patrick Redding (Gotham Knights, Splinter Cell Blacklist, Far Cry 2), has been underway for over 18 months. Lhéraud's LinkedIn profile confirms work on a "Next Gen Unannounced Project" starting December 2020.
While the details are exciting, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" is still in development and subject to change.
Understanding Voxel Games
Voxel games utilize a distinct rendering technique. Objects are constructed from tiny cubes or voxels, arranged and rendered in 3D, similar to digital LEGO bricks. 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; players cannot typically clip through objects. While polygon rendering is often preferred for efficiency, Ubisoft's embrace of voxel technology in "Alterra" is noteworthy.
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