Ubisoft Montreal, renowned for titles like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Far Cry 6, is reportedly developing a new voxel-based game codenamed "Alterra." This exciting project, drawing inspiration from both Minecraft and Animal Crossing, blends building mechanics with social simulation elements, according to a recent Insider Gaming report.
The game, seemingly a resurrection of a previously canceled four-year project, features a core gameplay loop reminiscent of Animal Crossing. Players interact with "Matterlings," unique characters resembling Funko Pops, on their home island, customizing their dwellings and engaging in activities like bug-catching. Exploration extends beyond the home island, leading players to diverse biomes brimming with resources and new Matterlings, though not without encountering enemies. The Minecraft-esque crafting system allows players to gather materials specific to each biome, such as wood from forested areas.
The Matterlings themselves boast a diverse range of designs, inspired by both fantastical creatures like dragons and familiar animals such as cats and dogs, each with clothing variations. The project, helmed by lead 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.
While the details are tantalizing, it's crucial to remember that "Alterra" is still in development and subject to change.
Understanding Voxel Games
Voxel games employ a distinct rendering technique, utilizing tiny cubes or voxels to construct 3D environments. Think of it as a digital LEGO system. This differs from 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, preventing the clipping issues common in polygon-based games. While polygon rendering is often favored for efficiency, Ubisoft's foray into voxel technology with "Alterra" presents an intriguing prospect. It's worth noting that Minecraft, despite its appearance, doesn't technically use true voxel rendering.
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