Ara: History Untold News

Hey, Ara fans!

Last week, we released an all-new Dev Q&A video featuring our Director of Production, Satch Puri! As we approach launch later this month, we dove into your burning questions and comments.

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One of the hot topics was the Nation Culling system. Satch clarified that Nation Culling at the end of an Act is an optional feature when starting a new game. He explained, “We have a setting that allows human nations to not be culled at Act Transitions. This means that if you're not doing so well when Act Transition happens, you’ll be spared and can still progress into Acts 2 and 3.” AI Nations will still be culled as it helps with balancing resources and territories as the game progresses. Satch hinted that they might consider expanding this feature to AI players post-launch.

In addition to this, Satch shared some exciting updates about the multiplayer experience, revealing that players who are defeated in-game will be able to return as one of the AI nations still standing. This feature aims to keep everyone engaged, ensuring no one is left sitting on the sidelines.



We also addressed questions around era progression! Satch explained that instead of a traditional tech tree, Ara: History Untold utilizes a deck system for technology. This allows players the flexibility to either unlock all available technologies within each era or leap ahead to the next one, possibly gaining a crucial advantage before their rivals.

We covered even more questions in the full video, so don't miss out—head over to our YouTube channel for all the latest insights and details. Pre-order Ara: History Untold before it releases on 9/24/24, and let us know what questions you want answered in the next video!

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

We're thrilled to unveil the different editions of Ara: History Untold, each offering a distinct experience for history enthusiasts and strategy gamers alike. Whether you're aiming to enjoy the base game or delve into exclusive content, there's an edition tailored to your taste.

[h2]Standard Edition – The Core Experience[/h2]

The Standard Edition of Ara: History Untold offers the full base game, allowing you to immerse yourself in leading a nation from the beginning of recorded history to the Information Age and beyond.
As a special bonus for those who pre-order, you’ll receive the Gilded Leader Skin Set. This pre-order bonus adds a touch of luxury to your gameplay, allowing you to enhance five iconic leaders - Ashoka, Elizabeth I, George Washington, Sappho, and Yaa Asentewaa - with prosperity-themed golden costumes. These gilded skins are a celebration of their historical achievements, now reimagined with a luxurious twist.



[h2]Deluxe and Premium Editions – The Ultimate Leadership Collection[/h2]

For those looking to expand their leader roster, both the Deluxe and Premium Editions offer the Exclusive Leader Collection. This collection introduces five new playable leaders - Charlemagne, Genghis Khan, Yoo Gwan-Soon, Hildegard, and Boudicca - each with their own unique leader traits and abilities. These leaders bring fresh strategies and stories to your game, adding depth and diversity to the experience.



In addition to the new leaders, the Deluxe and Premium Editions include the Modern Leader Skin Pack. Imagine Elizabeth I, Genghis Khan, Nefertiti, Sappho, and George Washington in modern attire—with reimagined costumes that breathe new life into these historical figures, showcasing what they might have looked like had they lived in the modern era.



[h2]Premium Edition – The Complete Ara Experience[/h2]

The Premium Edition is the definitive way to experience Ara: History Untold. Along with all the content mentioned above, you’ll also receive the full game soundtrack. Featuring over 100 original tracks, this soundtrack captures the grandeur and global historicity of the game, with performances by the Prague Symphony Orchestra and a wide array of instruments from around the world. It's more than just a soundtrack—it's a global journey through music.



As an additional exclusive, the Premium Edition includes the Digital Art Book. This art book offers a behind-the-scenes look at the stunning visuals of Ara: History Untold, with dozens of never-before-released concept images from the game’s development. It’s a must-have for any fan of game art or those interested in the creative process behind bringing history to life.



[h2]Choose Your Path[/h2]

Whether you’re looking to experience the core game or dive into the wealth of additional content, *Ara: History Untold* offers something for everyone. Pre-order your preferred edition today and prepare to rewrite history - it’s your world now.



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

Last week we debuted a brand new dev diary for Ara: History Untold! Come explore Ara's complex government system with GamerZakh and Gabriela Leskur as they discuss how it affects long-term planning, trade, conflict, and the pursuit of prestige.

[previewyoutube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yp_JqZ8kC-w[/previewyoutube]

Gabriela explained that players start with a fundamental form of governance known as a chiefdom, which offers the framework required for early development, including overseeing several cities and feeding an expanding populace. Research will allow you to unlock increasingly complex systems of government as your civilization develops, reflecting the philosophical and historical developments of different nations.



There are many different kinds of governments in Ara, and each offers its own advantages and policies to your citizens. Gabriela gave examples like Theocracy, which provides substantial religious buffs, and Empire, which permits extensive city control and economic benefits. Every type of government affects a player's strategy in different ways by offering different tax levels, imposing city limits, and providing intrinsic bonuses.



Moreover, the traits of leaders in Ara can synergize with specific government types. For instance, leaders with the Independent trait have higher populations in their non-capital cities, making them well-suited for governments that favor widespread territorial control.

We also touched on narrative events that tie into government choices, revealing how citizens may react to tax adjustments and other changes. Government improvements play a crucial role too, with options ranging from City Halls to Water Treatment Facilities, each providing unique buffs when strategically placed within your city’s central region.



For players looking to maximize their government impact early on, Gabriela suggested researching new governments that increase city caps and tweaking policies to suit their evolving needs. Some governments like Theocracy can be accessed early on and provide substantial bonuses for those aiming to expand their religious influence.

For more info on Ara’s government system, be sure to watch the full episode on our YouTube channel. Don't forget to subscribe for more content, join our Insider Program, and wishlist Ara: History Untold ahead of its release on September 24th, 2024!

Stay tuned for more insights, and thank you for being part of our journey!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2021880/Ara_History_Untold/

Great news, Ara fans!

Earlier this week, we released a brand new Dev Diary episode and it’s packed with fascinating insights on Ara’s development! In this episode we sat down with Grace Rojas, Narrative Designer and Historian on Ara, to discuss the historical research process behind the game.

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At the top of the episode we provided a sneak preview of a new series kicking off later this week, focused on the Encarta, Ara’s in-game encyclopedia. This series will showcase the historical inspiration behind various game elements, including leaders, triumphs, and masterpieces, while also giving you tips and tricks for using them in-game.



Grace explained how the team went about the research process, detailing how they chose which time periods and technologies to include across Ara’s three major acts. The team aimed for a balance between historical accuracy and gameplay, acknowledging that once players engage with tech choices, they create their own alternative history. Leader selection was also a meticulous process, with the team wanting to spotlight underrepresented figures like Benito Juarez, Sappho, and Sejong the Great. Each leader's traits and abilities are rooted in their historical actions and personalities, influencing their strategies and behaviors in-game.



The creation of the Encarta was a significant challenge, balancing detailed historical content with accessibility for players. Grace highlighted the importance of capturing players' interest in history through unique cultural interactions and narrative events. We hope that the historical content in Ara will inspire players to learn more about history and encourage curiosity about new subjects and nations!

For our more insightful players, Ara includes several hidden historical Easter eggs and references to discover, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the experience. These subtle details, discovered during the research process, contribute to Ara's living world and historical richness.

Don't miss out on this insightful Dev Diary! Be sure to watch the full video on our YouTube channel and check out the rest of the Encarta series!

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

Xbox has officially announced that it's not only going to have presence at this year's Gamescom, but will be assembling its "biggest booth yet", while PlayStation and Nintendo have both confirmed they're giving the show a miss.

Yep, just one of the big three is planning to rock up in Cologne, meaning that there'll be absolutely no console wars-esque discourse the entire time the show is on. Surely, right? Okay, so definitely not, but at least there won't be any photos of Xbox and PlayStation logos facing each other like they're the flags of two sides engaged in of some kind of dramatic ancient conflict, rather than the occasional bout of corporate handbags.

"The Xbox team is heading BACK to Gamescom," the console maker has just announced via a Tweet, adding: "Visit us at our biggest booth yet August 21-25!" Hey, at least there was enough restraint shown that the tweet didn't contain the exact dimensions of this big booth, followed up by the line 'see, we weren't kidding, it's bigger than your dad's shed'.

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