Xbox Game Studios' Ara: History Untold Pushing Woke Non-Binary Leaders!

Xbox Game Studios Faces Backlash Over ‘Ara: History Untold’ Featuring Non-Binary Leaders

Oxide Games, in collaboration with Xbox Game Studios, is gearing up to release Ara: History Untold, a new historical strategy game set to challenge Civilization. As anticipation for the game builds, one element has stirred controversy: the inclusion of a “non-binary” leader. Ara: History Untold features a trophy titled "Barbenheimer," requiring players to bombard cities 100 times while playing as either a female or non-binary leader. This particular achievement, which awards 20 gamerscore, has sparked heated debate among fans of historical games.

What’s unclear is which historical figure Oxide Games has chosen to reinterpret as non-binary. The Ara: History Untold gameplay trailer revealed various leaders, including Sappho, Itzcoatl, Wu Zetian, Nefertiti, and Elizabeth I, but speculation is rife on who might be receiving this modern twist.

During a Gamescom showcase, the company introduced leaders such as Jeanne d’Arc, Otto von Bismarck, Shaka, and Yaa Asantewaa, leaving many questioning how Ara: History Untold approaches historical accuracy and narrative storytelling. According to the game’s Narrative Designer and Historian, Grace Rojas, the team’s focus isn’t just on facts and figures but on presenting a broader, more nuanced view of history.

Rojas noted, “To understand history, we must also dive deep into the past, examining overlooked aspects that shaped the world.” She emphasized their efforts to provide accurate and respectful representations, stating that they worked with a mix of primary and secondary sources, consulted experts, and sought feedback from individuals connected to the cultures depicted in the game.

When asked about the inclusion of specific leaders, Rojas expressed excitement over leaders like Benito Juarez, Sappho, and Sejong the Great. Each leader in Ara: History Untold will have unique abilities tied to their historical achievements, which influence both gameplay and relationships between AI-controlled leaders. These dynamics affect the way they pursue prestige and victory.

The development team, aiming for "authentic historicity," has carefully crafted Ara: History Untold to feature detailed historical elements alongside moments of levity. The game seeks to offer players a more complex view of history, while adding some creative interpretations. The addition of a non-binary leader, however, raises questions about the balance between historical accuracy and modern inclusivity.

With the game set to release soon, players are eager to experience the innovative mechanics and rich storytelling that Ara: History Untold promises to bring. From Ara: History Untold gameplay previews to the Ara: History Untold dev diaries, there’s no doubt that the game is trying to push boundaries in both storytelling and player engagement. But whether this decision will resonate with the fanbase or be seen as a distraction from the gameplay remains to be seen.

What do you think about the inclusion of non-binary leaders in Ara: History Untold? Is this a step forward in historical gaming or a step too far?