Ubisoft to Develop a Game Inspired by Animal Crossing

Ubisoft seems to be cooking up something interesting, as they are rumored to be diving into the social simulation genre with a game that might just remind players of Animal Crossing. This new venture, referred to as Alterra, appears to draw inspiration not only from Nintendo’s beloved franchise but also from the building mechanics seen in Minecraft. For fans who are eagerly anticipating another dose of Animal Crossing after the wildly successful New Horizons, this news could be quite exciting.

Animal Crossing has always been a darling among gamers, but the release of New Horizons took its popularity to astronomical heights. It’s the second best-selling title for the Switch, surpassing the likes of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. However, Nintendo has been relatively quiet about what’s next for the series, aside from the mobile app Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. If you’re a fan of these cozy games, the rumors of Ubisoft stepping up might be just the kind of news you are waiting for.

According to an Insider Gaming report, Alterra is being crafted to resemble the gameplay loop of Animal Crossing, with a sprinkle of Minecraft-like building features. Interestingly, Ubisoft had another project along these lines, which got shelved after four years in the making. Now, their efforts seem revitalized with Alterra, benefiting from about 18 months of development so far. The gaming world has no shortage of indie attempts to capture the charm of Animal Crossing, but seeing a major player like Ubisoft exploring this territory adds a different level of intrigue.

Alterra might end up blending elements from Animal Crossing and Minecraft, potentially carving out its unique niche. The game is expected to set players on an island where they can engage with NPCs known as Matterlings, and even travel between islands to meet other players and gather resources. A standout feature reportedly includes the ability to build and create like Minecraft, which might appeal to the creativity-driven gamer.

The buzz is that though Alterra borrows some mechanics from Animal Crossing, its Matterlings will introduce fresh dynamics. These will range from animal-like figures to dragons and mythical creatures, all rendered in a voxel-style similar to what you’d see in Minecraft, with a dash of Funko Pop aesthetic for good measure. Still, it’s worth remembering that these are just leaks and speculations at the moment. If Alterra is indeed taking shape, it could be some time before it hits the shelves, potentially post-2026. Meanwhile, the anticipation for the next installment of Animal Crossing remains, with whispers suggesting a similar time frame for its release. But like all rumors, only time will tell which will reach players first.