Report: Ubisoft is Creating a Social Sim Similar to Animal Crossing

Rumor has it that Ubisoft is cooking up a new game called ‘Alterra,’ which might just be a fresh contender in the world of voxel-based social simulations. Think of it as a cross between the ever-popular Animal Crossing and some other favorites in the genre. As these types of games gain traction, with fans already invested in titles like Stardew Valley, Coral Island, and Castaway Paradise on Xbox, Ubisoft seems to be stepping into a competitive arena.

According to whispers from Insider Gaming, Alterra draws inspiration from Nintendo’s beloved Animal Crossing. This means players can expect to find themselves on an island accompanied by Funko Pop-like NPCs, known here as Matterlings. The social sim will reportedly employ Minecraft-esque building mechanics, giving players creative freedom to construct their dream island abode.

But that’s not where the adventure ends! Beyond just your island getaway, Alterra is expected to take players on journeys to various other worlds, each with its own unique biomes. Here, you’ll gather new resources to spruce up your home base. Each world will have its own theme, influencing the design of its Matterlings—characters with large heads reminiscent of fictional and real-world creatures—as well as its enemies and resources.

The report hints that Ubisoft plans to keep the game fresh by regularly introducing new Matterlings with diverse outfits and styles. Interaction with other players seems to be on the cards too, though how this multiplayer element will function remains a bit of a mystery. Could we be hopping into each other’s custom worlds? Only time will tell.

Interestingly enough, Alterra was born from the remnants of another voxel-based project that didn’t make the cut. Its development has been underway for about 18 months in Ubisoft’s Montreal studio. Leading the charge is Patrick Redding, former creative director of Gotham Knights, with veteran Ubisoft producer Fabien Lhéraud also at the helm.

In other exciting tidbits from the Ubisoft universe, there are fresh insights about some intriguing stealth mechanics set to feature in Assassin’s Creed Shadows. But let’s not stray too far from the here and now—what are your thoughts on these Alterra whispers? Could a Ubisoft-led social sim win a spot in your gaming library? We’d love to hear your take down in the comments!