Ubisoft seems to be venturing into new territory with a rumored game called ‘Alterra,’ a voxel-based social simulation that’s said to draw inspiration from Animal Crossing. This news, brought to light by Insider Gaming, hints at yet another competitor in the genre alongside popular titles such as Stardew Valley, Coral Island, and Castaway Paradise. It will be interesting to see how this potential Xbox entry stacks up against these beloved classics.
From what we gather, Alterra aims to mix Animal Crossing’s charm with the creative freedom of Minecraft. The game reportedly offers players an island retreat populated by quirky, Funko Pop-esque characters known as Matterlings. You’ll have the chance to construct and customize your perfect island sanctuary using Minecraft-style building mechanics, inviting a high degree of personalization and creativity.
But the adventure doesn’t stop at your personal oasis. Alterra will supposedly take players on journeys to explore diverse worlds, each with unique biomes rich in resources—essential for crafting back home. Each world is designed to feature its own thematic elements, including distinct Matterlings, which boast big heads and draw inspiration from a mix of imagined creatures and real animals. Expect each biome to offer different challenges, materials, and possibly some foes to contend with.
Moreover, Ubisoft plans to keep the game fresh by introducing new Matterlings over time. Each species will come with different variations and styles, keeping the engagement level high. There’s also talk of multiplayer functionality, though details remain scarce. Could this mean players will be able to visit each other’s worlds? Only time will tell.
The origins of Alterra trace back to a previously scrapped project, and it has been taking shape at Ubisoft Montreal for about a year and a half. Notable figures in the project include Patrick Redding, formerly the creative director for Gotham Knights, who is now serving in the same capacity for Alterra. Fabrien Lhéraud, who boasts a long career with Ubisoft, is leading production efforts.
In related Ubisoft news, there are fresh insights into the stealth elements featured in the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. As far as Alterra goes, does the idea of a new social sim from Ubisoft intrigue you? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
