Ara: History Untold News

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.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

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The creation of the Encarta was a significant challenge, balancing detailed historical content with accessibility for players.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 We hope that the historical content in Ara will inspire players to learn more about history and encourage curiosity about new subjects and nations!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'.

Read more

Hey, Ara fans!

Last week, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Satch Puri, our Director of Production, for a brand new Dev Q&A session to answer more of your burning questions about Ara: History Untold!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

One of the hot topics we covered was Nation Culling. Many fans have been rightly curious about this feature, and Satch provided some clarity. Players will indeed have the option to turn off Nation Culling when setting up their game, allowing all Nations to survive the Act Transition if they wish, offering a more flexible and personalized gameplay experience.



We also explored the ocean mechanics of Ara, which offer exciting new ways for your nation to dominate the seas. Oceans are not barriers in Ara, but avenues for exploration, trade, and naval defense. Players can create naval units to defend their trade routes, and certain ships are even able to attack land units and improvements, expanding your strategic options in times of war.



A significant highlight was the discussion on Ara’s AI Leaders. We’re thrilled about the feedback we've received and can't wait for players to experience the AI's unique decision-making process. The Leaders in Ara operates with two modes of thought: one focused on long-term goals and another handling mundane, everyday actions, much like a human would. This dual approach promises to deliver a more dynamic and realistic gameplay experience turn after turn.

For those eager to get hands-on with the game before launch, we have exciting news! We’ve just announced Technical Alpha 3 and it’s coming soon to Insiders! Join our Insider Program by visiting AraHistoryUntold.com and filling out the required information.

For more information check out the full video on our YouTube channel. If you have any questions about Ara, feel free to leave them in the comments—we'll do our best to answer them in the next episode!

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

We’re back with a brand-new Dev Diary! Join GamerZakh and Oxide Games’ Gabriela Leskur as they look inside Ara’s fascinating Narrative Event system. This system introduces new events that challenge players to make pivotal decisions as they take on the role of leading a new nation.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Narrative Events present players with multiple choices that can greatly impact the trajectory of their nation, including relationships with other leaders, prestige boosts, equipment, and other varied outcomes. Gabriela explained how the team drew inspiration from real historical scenarios and designed the events to reflect complex decisions faced by leaders throughout history.



These events come from various sources, such as tribes you encounter, other nations you meet, and citizens from your own nation. Act Goals, a specific type of event, involve nations in friendly competition to see who can build a Triumph first, resulting in a significant boost to their prestige.



The choices presented during these events may often require specific materials or goods to be fulfilled. These resources can either be produced within your nation or discovered in caches scattered throughout the wild. As the game progresses, events will evolve in accordance with the Act structure, with later events demanding more advanced technologies or goods.

For more info on Ara’s dynamic Narrative Event system, be sure to check out the full video on our YouTube channel. We can't wait for players to experience the intricacies of the Narrative Event system when Ara releases later this year!

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

Hey there, Ara fans!

In case you missed it, we released an exhilarating Dev Q&A episode yesterday with GamerZahk and Marc Meyer, President of Oxide Games! We tackled a plethora of questions from our fantastic community, so let's dive right in!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Marc kicked off the discussion with updates on Ara's development progress. The team at Oxide Games is firing on all cylinders, polishing every aspect of Ara to ensure an unforgettable gaming experience. From refining water physics to enhancing performance, rest assured, Ara is shaping up to be something truly special.

Next, we delved into the intricacies of Ara's Leaders, unveiling the attribute system that defines their personalities and strategies. Each leader boasts 3 or 4 minor traits alongside a unique Feature, offering a diverse range of benefits and challenges for players to navigate. Whether harnessing the power of the Charismatic trait to bolster your Nation’s Trade or grappling with the hindrance of traits like Aloof, the dynamic interplay of traits promises to shape each player's journey uniquely.

In response to player inquiries, we're excited to announce that Ara will feature multiple difficulty options for AI opponents! As the difficulty scales up, prepare to face increasingly aggressive leaders and smarter long-term strategies, ensuring a dynamic gameplay experience for veterans and newcomers alike.

Shifting gears, we addressed community feedback regarding Ara's starting locations. Marc clarified the team's decision to start with your new settlement, highlighting the importance of jumping-starting players into the heart of Ara's vibrant world. The rationale behind this decision lies in the exponential growth of Nations, compelling players to hit the ground running to keep pace with the competition. Founding your first city early on becomes paramount, setting the stage for an exhilarating journey of expansion and conquest.



We wrapped up with heartfelt messages from Marc to the Ara community, expressing gratitude for their unwavering support and excitement for what's to come. With Ara's Insider Program continually evolving and updates on the horizon, there's plenty to look forward to as we journey toward launch later this year!

You can watch the full video on our YouTube channel, and be sure to subscribe for future content! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below, and we’ll do our best to answer them in the next episode!

Until next time, happy gaming!

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