Summary
- Leaked art reveals Ubisoft’s canceled game, Project Renaissance.
- The game was planned as a Minecraft-like, voxel-based experience.
- Project Renaissance’s cancellation led to the start of Project Alterra.
Project Renaissance: Ubisoft’s Lost Voxel Game
New concept art has leaked for Ubisoft’s canceled game, Project Renaissance, a title that had been quietly in development for four years.
Inspired by Minecraft but featuring realistic human avatars, Renaissance was designed as a sandbox for players to build user-created experiences using blocks of materials like metal, snow, lava, and even fictional resources like thermidium. Unfortunately, despite years of work, Ubisoft pulled the plug on this project between February and May 2023.
The leaked concept art (via MP1st) shows off what could have been—a game where players used gun-like construction tools to build worlds in different environments like caves, mountains, and caverns. Each space could be tagged with unique gameplay modes like “Race to Escape,” giving players a wide variety of ways to create and play.
Compared to Minecraft’s blocky style, Renaissance was aiming for something a bit more detailed, yet it also drew influence from Fortnite with its menu designs and platform structure.
From Renaissance to Alterra
Following the cancellation of Renaissance, Ubisoft shifted its focus to a new project, codenamed Project Alterra. This new title is reportedly inspired by Animal Crossing and will also use voxel-based technology. However, Alterra is still early in development, and with Ubisoft currently delaying several major projects, it may be a long time before we hear more or see it showcased at big events like Ubisoft Forward or Summer Game Fest.
For now, fans can only imagine what could have been with Project Renaissance. The leaked concept art gives a fascinating glimpse into a game that aimed to blend creativity, construction, and adventure—but one that, like many canceled projects, will remain a “what if” in gaming history.
