Ubisoft might be venturing into familiar territory with a new project that bears resemblance to Animal Crossing, codenamed Alterra. In a bid to capitalize on the popularity that Nintendo’s snug franchise has garnered, Ubisoft seems to be crafting their own social simulation game. This comes after the stellar success of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which reignited a fervor among fans—made even more noteworthy because it arrived eight years after its predecessor, New Leaf. For enthusiasts keen on indulging in charming, community-driven gameplay without the seemingly interminable wait, this new endeavor from Ubisoft might just be the ticket.
Throughout its evolution, Animal Crossing has amassed a devoted following, but its recent iteration, New Horizons, has brought the series mainstream recognition, earning it the title of the second-best-selling game for the Switch. It even outperformed beloved titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In the interim since its release, Nintendo has let out little about the future of Animal Crossing beyond its mobile version, Pocket Camp. However, should whispers be accurate, Ubisoft might just be holding the antidote for fans yearning for their next cozy gaming engagement.
Rumors shared with Insider Gaming reveal that Alterra will seek to capture the spirit of Animal Crossing’s immersive gameplay loop, incorporating building mechanics akin to those found in Minecraft. After scuttling a similar project that had been in development for four years, Ubisoft’s developers have reportedly been toiling away at this initiative for the past 18 months. While the world has seen a deluge of indie titles taking cues from Animal Crossing, having a heavyweight like Ubisoft dive into such a project would surely draw significant interest.
According to insider information, Alterra will take players to an island setting where they’ll interact with unique NPCs known as Matterlings, mirroring some aspects of New Horizons. Players will also have the opportunity to travel across islands, engaging with fellow gamers, meeting new Matterlings, and sourcing distinct materials, echoing some familiar elements. But in a twist, Alterra is said to incorporate building dynamics using resources found, reminiscent of Minecraft—a clever blend considering how seamlessly these two games complement each other in player imagination.
In Alterra, these Matterlings aren’t mere replicas of the cute villagers found in Animal Crossing. Some will draw inspiration from real-life animals, while others dive into realms of fantasy with dragons, monsters, and other imaginative beings. Visually, the game will adopt a voxel-style design, similar to Minecraft, and give the Matterlings a distinct look, somewhat like Funko Pops. It’s crucial to note that all these details remain unconfirmed. If Alterra indeed materializes, it might still be years before it graces screens. Conversely, the buzz is that Nintendo’s next Animal Crossing release might hit shelves by 2026. Nevertheless, all these are just murmurs at present.
So, while fans ponder the future of their favorite neighborhood-building adventures, Ubisoft might fill that ever-present gap with a unique twist of its own.
