Ara: History Untold News

Happy 2024, Ara fans!

To kick things off, we're excited to share our latest Dev Diary episode, where we delve into the roots and evolution of the 4X genre.

Michelle Menard, Design Director at Oxide Games, takes us on a journey through the origins of strategy games. From their earliest start in board games to the expansive video games we see today, Michelle explains the enduring appeal that has captivated players for decades.

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We also learned about the origins of the term "4X" (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, and eXterminate) and how it has evolved over time, sprouting additional Xs along the way. As the team set out to create Ara: History Untold, they recognized many strategy games leaned heavily on the last two Xs, often military-focused, and wanted to provide an alternate way to play.

Enter eXpression and eXperimentation – two new Xs that open up the genre with even more possibilities. Expression allows players to craft and showcase their nations, each with a distinct and personalized identity. Meanwhile, Experimentation tackles the “optimal strategy” issue by allowing players to explore new technology choices and crafting options with each game. This dynamic gameplay style not only poses strategic challenges but also nurtures an ever-evolving experience, shaping the destiny of your growing nation.



As the Ara journey continues, we want to hear from you! Tell us which topics you’d like to see in future episodes. You can check out the full video on our YouTube channel and stay tuned for more exciting updates and Dev Diaries throughout the year!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2021880/Ara_History_Untold/

On January 18th, the Xbox Developer Direct will offer updates on games from some of the studios the behemoth have swallowed over the past several years. Most excitingly, that'll include an update from MachineGames on their in-development Indiana Jones game.

Read more

On January 18th, the Xbox Developer Direct will offer updates on games from some of the studios the behemoth have swallowed over the past several years. Most excitingly, that'll include an update from MachineGames on their in-development Indiana Jones game.

Read more

A brand new Dev Diary has arrived!

In our most recent episode, we took a look at Ara’s Insider Program and all the amazing features awaiting fans who sign up. To help guide us through this, we sat down with Andy Cataldo, Community and Marketing Manager at Oxide Games, to unwrap all the layers of Ara's Insider Program.

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So what exactly is waiting for you upon entry? You’ll get to chat directly with our developers, participate in message boards, get sneak peeks of exclusive content, and be part of Ara's development. The Insider Program is a hub for everything community-related – from news and announcements to discussions, surveys, and even the latest scoop on Technical Alpha news!

Ara's evolution is the result of an ongoing partnership between developers and fans, aimed at crafting the optimal gameplay experience. Your feedback and ideas serve as our guiding compass throughout this developmental journey. Andy explained how the team is constantly testing new features and modes, and collecting feedback on what works, what doesn’t, and what could be improved. It's a cycle – you speak, we listen, and then we test new versions to make sure Ara becomes the game you've been dreaming of.



When you're ready to jump in, head over to AraHistoryUntold.com, complete a quick survey, and attach your DxDiag to ensure your system is all set for future tests. Oh, and here's a heads up – we've got one more Dev Diary lined up before the year waves goodbye. Subscribe, stay tuned, and catch the full video for the latest info on our Insider Program!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2021880/Ara_History_Untold/

Get your anvil ready because this week’s Dev Diary is all about the crafting system in Ara: History Untold!

Lead Designer Michael Califf makes a return appearance to guide us through Ara’s crafting system, which brings a new level of complexity to the 4X genre. Michael breaks down the two major categories, Goods and Equipment, and how players will incorporate them into their overall strategy.

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The basics of crafting are fairly simple. Harvest a resource, build a suitable crafting improvement, and start crafting items for your nation. Goods are items created at Improvements like Weavers, Apothecaries, and Artisan Studios. Players can use these items to boost city stats over a set number of turns. But here’s the twist – some goods will boost one stat while giving another a little nudge in the opposite direction. It's all about finding the right balance! Beyond providing city buffs, certain goods also play a part in crafting new Improvements. Who's making that gorgeous Stained Glass for the cathedral? Your citizens, that’s who!

Equipment is the other side of the Crafting coin in Ara. Players can create these items at Improvements like the Forge and Village Hall to train new troops or specialized citizens such as merchants and missionaries. These units will help to spread your nation’s influence far beyond your city walls, allowing you to conduct war, diplomacy, or grow your religious following as you carve out a path to victory.



The team has spent countless hours balancing Ara’s crafting system to allow players free reign in creating items that suit their playstyle. There’s so much more to explore in Ara’s crafting system, and this video barely scratches the surface! If you’re ready to learn more, you can catch the full episode on our YouTube channel and be sure to subscribe for future Dev Diary content.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2021880/Ara_History_Untold/