Ubisoft seems to be plotting their own take on the charm of Animal Crossing with a new social sim project, currently being developed under the name Alterra. More than four years have passed since New Horizons reignited the series for Nintendo, almost eight years after its predecessor, New Leaf, first captured our hearts. Now, it appears fans of Animal Crossing might not have to endure another lengthy wait to indulge in similar cozy adventures.
Animal Crossing has always had a dedicated player base, but with its latest hit, New Horizons, the franchise reached unprecedented heights. This Switch game has sold more copies than even some of the platform’s giants, like Breath of the Wild and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Since then, news from Nintendo about what’s next for Animal Crossing has been sparse, outside of the mobile endeavor, Pocket Camp. However, if the whispers are true, Ubisoft might offer fans something new to look forward to.
An insider revealed to Insider Gaming that Alterra is shaping up to be a blend of Animal Crossing’s lifestyle simulation with Minecraft’s building mechanics. Apparently, Ubisoft’s developers have been immersed in this project for about a year and a half, following the termination of a similar game in development for four years. While many indie studios have attempted games inspired by Animal Crossing, having a major player like Ubisoft entering the arena could really make waves—if the rumors hold any weight.
It’s emerging that Alterra might be a fascinating mix of Animal Crossing and Minecraft elements. Reports suggest players will find themselves on islands alongside NPCs named Matterlings, echoing New Horizons’ setup. Players can apparently hop between islands, meeting new characters and gathering resources, much as they might in Animal Crossing. However, the pivotal twist here seems to be the inclusion of Minecraft-style building, allowing players to construct with the resources they gather. Animal Crossing and Minecraft have long been seen as potentially complementary, so it makes sense that Ubisoft would aim to merge their key elements.
While these Matterlings will share some similarities with Animal Crossing’s animal villagers, they will offer more variety, including mythical creatures like dragons. In terms of visual design, Alterra plans to embrace a voxel-based aesthetic akin to Minecraft, with Matterlings leaning towards a Funko Pop look. Of course, as with any rumor, this remains unconfirmed. Should Alterra truly be in the works, it’s likely still some years away from hitting the market. Rumors also claim the next Animal Crossing game could arrive in 2026, which might see it launching before Alterra, though this too remains speculative for now.
If these speculations ring true, Ubisoft’s potential leap into the cozy gaming genre could be a refreshing addition as fans await more from Nintendo.
