- A software engineer couple from Google and Amazon unveil demo after 3 years of development
- Summer Game Fest Women-Led Game Showcase Revealed, Scheduled for Steam Release in Q4 2026
- Praised by major media outlets including IGN, a healing life simulation set in the ancient Egyptian myth of ‘Aru’
If the world after death is this peaceful, it might not necessarily be a bad thing. Fields of Aaru, a healing open-world life simulation developed over three years by Zymartu Games’ software engineer couple Marcel and Thu from Google and Amazon, unveiled a Steam demo at the Summer Game Fest Women-led Game Showcase.
Targeting a release in the fourth quarter of 2026, this game is set in ‘Aaru,’ a paradise from ancient Egyptian mythology, and features farming and building houses along the Nile River while exploring ancient secrets hidden deep in the desert. Game media outlet IGN described it as a “healing life simulation set in the afterlife of ancient Egypt, where you interact with the gods and enjoy farming and fishing.”
Ancient Egyptian landscapes created by the golden twilight of the Nile and the vast sandy plains of the desert
Fields of Aru is a game that combines healing life simulation with elements of exploration, construction, farming, and RPGs. The fertile greenery stretching along the Nile, the endless golden deserts, and the silhouettes created by pyramids and obelisks impressively capture the unique aesthetics of ancient Egypt.
Various activities, such as fishing by the river, relaxing at an oasis, and exploring ruins beyond the desert, flow naturally together to complete a unique atmosphere where reality and myth intersect.
Sound is also an element that further enhances the immersion of the world. Furthermore, the sound design, which blends the sounds of water, birds, and the silence of the desert, captures both the comfort of a healing life simulation and the mystery of exploration.
Digging irrigation canals, baking clay, offering sacrifices to the gods… A reenactment of ancient Egyptian life
The game goes beyond a simple farming game and focuses on experiencing the ancient Egyptian way of life. Players can directly experience various ancient technologies, such as transforming the land by creating irrigation canals, crafting tools by firing clay, and shaping stones to erect structures.
Additionally, a ‘God System’ exists where players can obtain blessings from gods such as Ptah, Harpy, and Sekhmet by offering sacrifices at temples, introducing strategic changes to the gameplay. The structure of exploration and growth is also organically connected, with features such as opening new areas and expanding movement paths when obelisks are restored.
Deep within the desert lie hidden oases, ruins, pyramids, and tombs, and the resources and knowledge obtained from these places are utilized to further develop the village.
A 3-Year Passionate Project by a Couple of Former Google and Amazon Software Engineers
Zymartu Games, based in Sacramento, USA, is an indie studio that has been developed for over three years by a married couple, Marcel and Thu, who are software engineers from Google and Amazon. Based on solid technical skills, they aim to create original games that combine a deep atmosphere and worldview with the player’s creativity.
Fields of Aru garnered attention from various gaming media immediately after its reveal. MonsterVine described it as “a game that combines farming, construction, and village restoration set in an afterlife inspired by ancient Egypt,” while GameGrin noted that “the diverse gameplay elements, ranging from interacting with residents and quests to learning ancient crafts, are impressive.”
An experience of living another ‘daily life’ beyond the boundary of life and death. By adding mythical imagination to the familiar framework of life simulation, ‘Fields of Aru’ shows the potential to establish itself as a new form of healing game.
Expectations are high as to whether this paradise, where tranquility and mystery coexist, can offer players another special daily experience.
Information regarding ‘Fields of Aaru’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Zymartu Games (Sacramento, CA / Marcel & Thu husband-and-wife development team) |
| Genre | Cozy Open World Lifestyle Sim / Farming RPG / Exploration Sandbox |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Scheduled for release | Q4 2026 |
| demo | Free Steam demo available |
| background | Ancient Egyptian Mythological Paradise ‘Aaru’ / Nile River Basin and Desert |
| Development period | 3 years+ |
| Developer Background | A couple of former Google and Amazon software engineers |
| Public history | Summer Game Fest Women-Led Games Showcase / IGN Official Special |
| New system | Blessings of the gods such as Ptah, Hapi, and Sekhmet (obtained by offering sacrifices or temple services) |
| Main Content | Farming · Fishing · Irrigation · Clay Firing · Stone Forming · Obelisk Restoration · Tomb Exploration |
| Main Keywords | Ancient Egypt, Afterlife, Cozy, Farming, Nile River, Obelisk, Mythology, Open World |
| Official Channel | X · Bluesky |
| Steam Page | Go to Wishlist |
