Ara: History Untold

[Revolutionist_8]

The question was just asked on the Insider forums, and we now have an official answer:



I think it was a lovely answer, and I'm taking the risk of re-posting it here. Hopefully Oxide won't come after me for this.

Wow, that's interesting! I like it!

In Hungarian, "ara" also means "bride" (although it's a little bit of an old expression). They really nailed this word with so many variations

 

[Revolutionist_8]

I just realized another positive effect of simultaneous turns - you can not 'abuse' the redo button (for example scouting ahead then going back). I intentionally avoid doing it in Old World or Millennia, but it's even better if there is no temptation...

@KayAU based on your experience during the alpha test, how did simultaneous turns feel? How different is it from the regular, sequential turn based approach that we all love? (and got used to )

 

[KayAU]

@KayAU based on your experience during the alpha test, how did simultaneous turns feel? How different is it from the regular, sequential turn based approach that we all love? (and got used to )

I didn't really think much about it, which I think is a good thing. I recall that in Humankind, you had a type of simultaneous turns as well, but you also had units which could start moving when you approached them, effectively adding a twitch reflex element to a narratively focused turn based strategy game. Ara fortunately doesn't do anything like this that I am aware of. You do your things, put in your moves, and end your turn. Whatever needs to be resolved will be resolved, and then it's the next turn.

To be honest, I do like sequential turns for the directness of action, but there are clear advantages to simultaneous turns as well. Considering the scale of Ara, simultaneous turns is a natural choice. I can't imagine a 36 player game with sequential turns.

 

[CivLuvah]

@KayAU based on your experience during the alpha test, how did simultaneous turns feel? How different is it from the regular, sequential turn based approach that we all love? (and got used to )

In my own experience (I also tried the Technical Alpha), there were moments when I felt someone was a few steps ahead of mean and I had to change strategy. That moment felt dynamic for me.

 

[Thormodr]

A bit of radio silence from Ara. There hasn't been any new you tube videos for a week.

Either they are extremely confident this close to launch or they are making a bit of a mistake here.

Would love to see some more gameplay videos.

 

[PMF]

I'm wondering if maybe the recent Xbox layoffs could be related, either a pause or losing some publisher people? I was looking forward to it today ;_;

 

[ZDY]

Actually, I noticed that the charts indicate multiple players have unlocked some achievements. Days ago when I posted the link on (it's now in a separate thread), there was only 1 gamer tracked. (I took a screenshot of the list to share with people in a gamer chat group before. So I compare the numbers and find the difference)

Not sure whether some reviewers and/or influencers are playing the game. https://www.trueachievements.com/game/Ara-History-Untold/achievements

 

[Razpor]

A bit of radio silence from Ara. There hasn't been any new you tube videos for a week.

Either they are extremely confident this close to launch or they are making a bit of a mistake here.

Would love to see some more gameplay videos.

definitely a mistake

 

[Revolutionist_8]

I didn't really think much about it, which I think is a good thing. I recall that in Humankind, you had a type of simultaneous turns as well, but you also had units which could start moving when you approached them, effectively adding a twitch reflex element to a narratively focused turn based strategy game. Ara fortunately doesn't do anything like this that I am aware of. You do your things, put in your moves, and end your turn. Whatever needs to be resolved will be resolved, and then it's the next turn.

To be honest, I do like sequential turns for the directness of action, but there are clear advantages to simultaneous turns as well. Considering the scale of Ara, simultaneous turns is a natural choice. I can't imagine a 36 player game with sequential turns.

In my own experience (I also tried the Technical Alpha), there were moments when I felt someone was a few steps ahead of mean and I had to change strategy. That moment felt dynamic for me.

Thank you for your feedbacks!

That's good to hear. The fact that I had to race against AI in my own Turn in Humankind was awful... I'm happy it's not like that, and it feels more natural and dynamic.

A bit of radio silence from Ara. There hasn't been any new you tube videos for a week.

Either they are extremely confident this close to launch or they are making a bit of a mistake here.

Would love to see some more gameplay videos.

I'm also baffled to be honest. There have been 4 Encarta episodes, and there are like 30+ nations?! No mid-endgame gameplay, still open questions about a lot of things

Not that it matters for me much, I like exploring and learning in-game, but it definitely feels like either as an oversight, or as an understuffed / no budget problem. The whole marketing of Ara felt weird to be honest... I just hope it won't slip on this, the game definitely looks like a real gem at this point.

 

[KayAU]

I was really hoping for a new Encarta video, I have no idea why they are not promoting the game more at this point. Maybe one will drop tonight? It's usually a little after midnight CET that the Encarta videos are released.

 

[Razpor]

I was really hoping for a new Encarta video, I have no idea why they are not promoting the game more at this point. Maybe one will drop tonight? It's usually a little after midnight CET that the Encarta videos are released.

the marketing is baffling at this point tbh

 

[Sephi]

I think the marketing is fine. Microsoft promotes the game on gamepass. Steam algorithm will promote the game a lot once the game is available. The game shouldn't have trouble to get into topsellers list with that many withlists and the game quality. Also popular civtubers will stream the game and probably get millions of views whereas an encarta video gets 10k views.

 

[Takfloyd]

The marketing videos don't get a lot of views, so they may not even be worth the cost to make. If the game is good, the strategy game community will promote the game for free.

 

[KayAU]

You are hopefully right. I would just really have liked there to be more Ara to look at while we wait.

 

[Revolutionist_8]

I think the marketing is fine. Microsoft promotes the game on gamepass. Steam algorithm will promote the game a lot once the game is available. The game shouldn't have trouble to get into topsellers list with that many withlists and the game quality. Also popular civtubers will stream the game and probably get millions of views whereas an encarta video gets 10k views.

Yes, you're right, I agree 100% with gamepass, the algorithm and the streams.

What I personally find "weird" in the marketing, is that we almost know more of Civ7, a game which will be released in about half a year, than a game which gets released in a bit over a week.
There were said at least two times (maybe even more, but I definitely remember at least two) in Q&A videos that "big things are coming" and "we can't wait to show you more", etc. etc., when the question was about livestreams and such.

For me, the only thing that matters is the game itself (obviously), its quality and possibilities, but I have to admit it's a bit hard to remain hyped when I still barely know the game. I'm already sold, I'm going to buy it on release for sure, I know enough that I know that I'm interested and I want to try it out... buuuut the whole marketing just felt a bit "weird" for me (starting from the first teaser years ago until the very end)

But it's fine, I just hope the game will be at least as good as I imagine it

 

[ZDY]

Actually, I noticed that the charts indicate multiple players have unlocked some achievements. Days ago when I posted the link on (it's now in a separate thread), there was only 1 gamer tracked. (I took a screenshot of the list to share with people in a gamer chat group before. So I compare the numbers and find the difference)

Not sure whether some reviewers and/or influencers are playing the game. https://www.trueachievements.com/game/Ara-History-Untold/achievements

Checked again. More players are tracked now. One of them has even accomplished the achievement "Barbenheimer: As a female or non-binary leader, bombard cities 100 times over any number of games". Must be a warmonger, incredible.

 

[Tonas1997]

Stress-testing the strategic bombing mechanics

 

[Thormodr]

Really enjoyed watching the video on the Nitrous engine.
I wonder what the modding potential will be like for Ara?

 

[Razpor]

I really want to more know about the game , especially the combat and later acts and a week away from release there is literally no content.

 

[Tonas1997]

Please, sir, may I have a crumb of content?

...here you go, kiddo.

Interview: The story behind Ara: History Untold’s name and how it’s trying to fix the same issues as Civilization 7

We speak to Oxide Games’ Gabriela Leskur and Xbox’s Matt Turnbull about the upcoming Ara: History Untold.

www.si.com