Ubisoft seems to be setting its sights on creating a game that could capture the charm of Animal Crossing, with an interesting spin. Known by its working title Alterra, the project aims to echo the beloved social simulation game that Nintendo celebrated with the release of New Horizons over four years ago. Animal Crossing fans might finally have something on the horizon to look forward to, without enduring a long wait like they did between New Leaf and New Horizons.
Since its inception, Animal Crossing has become a cultural phenomenon, particularly with New Horizons skyrocketing the series to new heights of popularity. It quickly became the second-best-selling title for the Nintendo Switch, surpassing other iconic games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Despite its massive success, Nintendo has been relatively quiet about upcoming developments for the franchise, aside from its mobile variant, Pocket Camp. Should the current speculation about Ubisoft’s plans hold any truth, aficionados of cozy games could soon find themselves immersed in Alterra.
Leaked information shared with Insider Gaming suggests that Alterra will mimic Animal Crossing’s gameplay structure, while also incorporating some elements from Minecraft’s building mechanics. Although development started about a year and a half ago following the cancellation of a similar project from Ubisoft, the anticipation is high given Ubisoft’s reputation. If these rumors turn out to be accurate, this high-profile venture could stand out in a landscape typically dominated by indie developers creating Animal Crossing-inspired games.
What makes Alterra intriguing is its blend of Animal Crossing-style social interactions and Minecraft-like construction elements. According to sources, players will land on an island to mingle with NPCs known as Matterlings, reminiscent of Animal Crossing: New Horizons. These Matterlings vary in design, with some being modeled after real animals and others taking on more mythical forms such as dragons and monsters. Moreover, players will enjoy the freedom to move between islands, meet different players, encounter varied Matterlings, and collect unique materials to build with—enhancing the crafting aspect similar to Minecraft.
Visually, Alterra is expected to utilize a voxel-based approach, aligning with the aesthetics of Minecraft but with characters somewhat resembling Funko Pop figures. However, all of this remains speculation until Ubisoft makes an official announcement. If Alterra turns out to be a reality, players might have some time to wait before its release. Meanwhile, rumors about the next Animal Crossing installment aiming for a 2026 launch could potentially steal the spotlight, though, like Alterra, these are just whispers for now.
For fans of the sandbox genre and cozy simulators, both titles are worth keeping on the radar. Whether Alterra will indeed emerge as a true hybrid of Animal Crossing and Minecraft remains to be seen, but the potential for something fresh and exciting in the gaming world is certainly enticing.
