Ubisoft Develops a Game Inspired by Animal Crossing

Ubisoft seems to be gearing up to captivate fans of the cozy game genre with a project that’s drawing comparisons to the beloved Animal Crossing series. This venture, intriguingly titled Alterra, appears to be an imaginative take on social simulation games. It has been quite some time since Animal Crossing: New Horizons made its mark, charming millions and renewing interest in Nintendo’s long-standing series. Now, it looks like Ubisoft might be offering a refreshing new option for fans who have been eagerly anticipating what’s next in this genre.

Animal Crossing has always had a loyal fanbase, but New Horizons catapulted the franchise to unprecedented fame. It became the second-best-selling title on the Nintendo Switch, surpassing even iconic games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Since then, fans have been left with scant news from Nintendo about where the series is heading, aside from updates to Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on mobile. However, if the whispers are accurate, Ubisoft may well be stepping into that cozy spotlight, perhaps providing fans with a delightful new fix.

Word from insiders has surfaced, shared with Insider Gaming, detailing that Alterra might mimic the core charm of Animal Crossing while introducing construction elements that fans of Minecraft would recognize and appreciate. It’s reported that Ubisoft has been quietly working on this project for around 18 months, following the shelving of a similar endeavor that was notably further along. Though there are numerous cadences of Animal Crossing-style games developed by indie creators, Ubisoft’s involvement in such a project would undeniably carry considerable weight.

According to a source familiar with the development, Alterra would invite players to engage in a world populated by whimsical creatures known as Matterlings, offering a familiar setup to Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Players would navigate islands, engaging with Matterlings and other players, gathering resources, and embarking on what sounds like delightful mechanics reminiscent of New Horizons. But there’s a twist; Alterra seemingly plans to incorporate construction elements akin to the creative freedom found in Minecraft. Pairing these concepts—social simulation and construction—seems like a natural evolution, and it seems Ubisoft is keen to pursue this innovative blend.

The Matterlings themselves promise to add a unique flavor to Alterra. While some residents will echo the animal motifs found in Animal Crossing, others will diverge into mythical territory with dragons and fantastical beasts. Though the game is still under wraps, it’s said to embrace a voxel-based artistic style, nodding to Minecraft’s blocky aesthetic while infusing its own personality. Keep in mind that all this remains speculative, with official details yet to be unveiled. If Alterra is as anticipated, it might be a while before it hits shelves, potentially trailing behind the next entry in the Animal Crossing series, rumored to appear in 2026. But for now, the excitement and whispers surrounding Alterra are worth keeping an eye on.