ARIDA: Backland's Awakening

"The sertão is not a place. It is a way of being in the world."

Meet the Protagonist

Cícera

Cícera is a brave young girl living in the heart of the Brazilian Backlands during the late 19th century. Raised in the harsh and unforgiving landscape of the sertão, she has learned to see beauty in the arid soil, the twisted thorn scrub, and the resilience of those who call this land home.

When drought strikes and her family's survival is threatened, Cícera must venture beyond the familiar paths of her village. Armed with nothing but her wits and determination, she gathers resources, follows animal trails, and searches for water — uncovering, along the way, fragments of a story larger than herself.

She is not a warrior. She is not a chosen one. She is simply a child of the sertão — and that is more than enough.

Cultural Heritage · Education · Representation

Game with Impact

Equipped to Survive:

Equip yourself with a facão and hoe for vital actions — gathering water, clearing paths, and harvesting crops. Always keep a handful of stones close: a blunt tool is worthless when the sertão demands your best.
The Caatinga has its own science. Learn crafting recipes using the region's unique fauna and flora — surviving the backlands means knowing how to turn what's around you into exactly what you need.
Hunger and thirst are merciless in drought. Seek out the village elders, complete their quests, and absorb their ancestral wisdom on finding water and food to stay alive.
Explore the most arid corners of the backlands to uncover hidden stories — and the resources that will keep you on your feet. A full inventory is always a good sign.

A Story That Matters:

ARIDA is rooted in the historical context of the War of Canudos — a chapter deliberately erased from Brazil's official history. The game recovers the voices of the people who called the Bahian backlands home.
The game explores the realities of desertification, forced migration, and drought — struggles that millions in northeastern Brazil still face today, and that have shaped the region's identity for generations.
An immersive portrait of northeastern Brazilian culture: its landscapes, traditions, and the extraordinary resilience of a people who refuse to be forgotten.

Recognized & Awarded:

Recognized by Embratur as a cultural product representing Brazil's heritage on the international stage.
Selected for Google Play Pass, recipient of the ComKids Award, and finalist at Nordic Game Discovery, Courage Cologne, SBGames 2019, and other international festivals.

Supported & Available Worldwide:

Supported by Fundação Cultural do Estado da Bahia (FazCultura) — the first indie game from Bahia to receive state cultural funding.
Available on PC (Steam, Epic, Microsoft, Humble, Nuuvem), consoles (Xbox, Nintendo Switch), and mobile (iOS, Android).