Ubisoft Develops Its Version of an Animal Crossing-Inspired Game

Ubisoft seems to be eyeing a slice of Animal Crossing’s charm with a new social simulation game in the works, reportedly going by the codename Alterra. Since the release of New Horizons, the cozy village life of Nintendo’s celebrated series has captured a broad audience, significantly escalating its fame. As Animal Crossing enthusiasts await what’s next, the scene is shifting, with Ubisoft potentially stepping in to fill the gap with their own unique offering.

Animal Crossing has consistently captured imaginations, but it was New Horizons that truly skyrocketed the series into mainstream acclaim. Being the second best-selling game on the Switch, it even overtook heavyweights like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. In the years following its launch, Nintendo has been relatively mum about forthcoming titles, sticking instead to updates on their mobile version, Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp. If the buzz is legitimate, though, Ubisoft could soon cater to fans itching for their next wholesome gaming adventure.

A whisper from someone reportedly in the know has made its way to Insider Gaming, revealing some promising details about Alterra. This game might walk a similar path to Animal Crossing, yet with an exciting twist of offering building features reminiscent of Minecraft. After shelving a similar project midway through its development about 18 months ago, Ubisoft has reportedly been crafting Alterra since then. Given the sway that Ubisoft holds in the gaming industry, even a whisper of their involvement turns heads in a scene often dominated by indie developers trying their spin on the beloved franchise.

Now let’s talk about what makes Alterra intriguing—it supposedly thrusts players onto an island shared with creatures called Matterlings. Much like New Horizons, these animated companions promise to keep you company, but with added variety. The gameplay might allow players to flit between islands, forging connections with peers, meeting new Matterlings, and gathering special resources. But here’s where it gets thrilling: players will have the capacity to build with collected materials, introducing a flavor reminiscent of Minecraft. The synergy between Animal Crossing’s charm and Minecraft’s creativity seems like a natural evolution, and Ubisoft appears keen to blend these ingredients into something fresh.

What about the Matterlings, you ask? They might not mimic Animal Crossing’s beloved animal residents entirely. Instead, they will mix it up—real-world animal inspirations meshed with imaginary beings like dragons and other fantastical creatures. The game will reportedly feature a voxel-based art style, echoing the blocky charm of Minecraft, but with a figurine-like look reminiscent of Funko Pops. While all of it sounds inviting, it’s essential to remember that none of these details are set in stone just yet. If Alterra is indeed in the making, it might still be a while before it graces our screens. Whispers also suggest a new Animal Crossing installment could arrive by 2026, potentially beating Alterra to the punch, though this is all speculation for now.