initial publicity material for the game was released mid-2014. during microsoft's e3 2015 press conference, ashen was revealed as an xbox console launch exclusive being developed by aurora44 (now a44) under the id@xbox independent developer program. initially released 2014 design elements of the game included survivalist elements and elemental effects, such as the wind as a help or hindrance. the world's geography and ecosystems were intended to be realistically modeled, to play into intelligent play styles within survival mechanisms; additionally, natural geography was intended to be based on an underlying geology. one in-world game element is an enemy known as the "gnaw", which has the ability to erode the environment "like a searing acid". much of the background, setting, and feel of the world was influenced by cormac mccarthy's novel "the road". combat was described as similar to the "souls series", being high risk, with stamina being a major factor in combat.