Ara: History Untold News

Hey there, Ara fans!

In case you missed it, Ara: History Untold was featured in the Xbox Developer Direct earlier this month, where we unveiled some never-before-seen footage and concept art from the game!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

To kick things off, we got a brand-new look at the Living World: a procedurally generated alternate Earth that dynamically reflects your in-game choices. It's not just a map; it's a vibrant tapestry where thousands of Citizens react to the changes you make over the course of the game.



We also learned more about Ara’s Prestige system, offering you the flexibility to shape your leadership style. In Ara, there are no set victory conditions, allowing you to pursue individual goals while still being able to win the game. Players can earn Prestige through cultural and scientific achievements, building Triumphs, or emerging victorious in war.



Engage with Ara’s Crafting System, a unique challenge rarely seen in the 4X genre. Crafting unfolds at a National scale, where players refine and combine harvested natural resources into various goods and components. Use these to construct Triumphs or enhance your citizens with strategic buffs!



Meet Leaders from diverse backgrounds in Ara. Beyond the usual military and government figures, philosophical, scientific, and cultural prodigies add depth to your choices. Each Leader in Ara has a number of special abilities determined by their personality traits, as well as a powerful and unique Leader trait informed by their contributions to world history.



You can check out the full video on our YouTube channel for exclusive in-game footage, and be sure to join our Insider Program for the latest updates. Your journey in Ara awaits!

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

During Xbox Developer Direct, Oxide Games gave us a new look at Ara: History Untold gameplay and shared an overview of the key features coming to the historical grand strategy title.

The overview also touched upon the game’s crafting system, approach to simultaneous turns, and more.

Tasked with building a nation, as a ruler, you are charged with leading your people from the dawn of society into one of great achievement by exploring new lands, cultivating arts and culture, working on diplomacy, and going head-to-head with rivals.

Read more

Today's Xbox Developer Direct stream offered updates on some of 2024's biggest Microsoft games, including MachineGames' Indiana Jones And The Great Circle, Obsidian's Avowed and Ninja Theory's Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2. If you missed the stream and want a quick roundup of all the news, games, release dates and trailers featured, we've gathered it all together in this post.

Read more

Today's the day of Xbox Developer Direct 2024, a select showcase of forthcoming Microsoft-published games, from sorcerous RPGs to intricate strategy games, which begins at 12pm PT, 3pm ET and 8pm UK. Wait, stop! Come back here, you silly goose. You don't need to go anywhere. I've embedded the livestream below, together with the key things you need to know about the games in question.

Read more

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.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

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/