According to a leaked report, Ubisoft is working on Alterra, an Animal Crossing-style game.
Ubisoft is working on a game inspired by Animal Crossing called “Alterra”, according to a leaked report. In the game, players will build their own house on an island inhabited by NPCs called “Matterlings”. Players will be able to leave their homes to explore new biomes, Matterlings, and materials.
Three-Dimensional Pixel Graphics and Building Mechanics
According to Insider Gaming’s report, Alterra will use voxel (three-dimensional pixel) graphics to render its world. For those unfamiliar, voxel graphics display cubes on a grid like in Minecraft. Alterra is also expected to feature construction and crafting mechanics that will allow players to build items and spaces from materials they find in the world. The report claims that Alterra was developed from a canceled project that also used voxel graphics.
Insider Gaming claims to have seen footage of Alterra’s NPCs. The Matterlings reportedly resemble Funko Pops, which are cartoon figures with large heads, albeit in voxel style. Some Matterlings resemble fictional creatures such as dragons, while others resemble real-world animals such as birds and polar bears.
According to the report, Alterra is being developed at Ubisoft Montreal. Patrick Redding (previously the director of Gotham Knights) is the creative director of the project. Fabien Lhéraud, who has worked as a marketing, brand and media manager at Ubisoft for more than 20 years, is the executive producer of Alterra. Reports indicate that the game has been in development for 18 months and is likely still years away.
Ubisoft has not yet made an official statement about Alterra, but the leaked details seem to excite Animal Crossing fans of the game and players who love the building mechanics. Voxel graphics and the unique design of the Matterlings could make Alterra an intriguing entry in the genre. An official announcement about the game is expected to come from Ubisoft in the coming months.