Son of Thanjai,an ambitious open-world game set in 11th-century Chola dynasty,could shake up the gaming industry. Developed by Chennai-based Ayelet Studio,it features a fictional Chola prince named Vinnendhiran on quest to reclaim his throne. The project,which drew buzz since its Xbox promo,is brainchild of writer and lyricist Madhan Karky,who long dreamed of making a game.
Game’s story unfolds around iconic Brihadeeswara Temple in Tanjore,spanning eight kilometers. Karky,who joined to write song,became key to storytelling. He draws inspiration from games like Assassin’s Creed. “When I went to Egypt,I felt like I already lived there,” he said,stressing need for authentic player experiences.
Before Son of Thanjai,Ayelet Studio released demo Unsung Empires: Cholas,getting 75,000 downloads . Studio Head Abraham K saw need to boost global appeal while keeping cultural roots . “We reworked character,world,combat,” he noted,investing in advanced motion-capture tech to up gameplay .
Choosing Chola dynasty as backdrop was strategic,given their rich history. But Karky was careful not to stick too close to facts. “Whatever is documented in history was all that we’d have been able to tell,” he said. Team went for a fictional narrative,adding characters like Sengazh Chola with Vinnendhiran.
Developers examined linguistic nuances of Tanjore Tamil,ensuring local dialects were spot on. For example,“dream” in this dialect is “soppanam,” not “kanavu.” Game will be in Tamil with subtitles,aiming to connect with local gamers .
Vinnendhiran’s journey is key. Initially spoiled prince,he faces challenges that force him to confront identity and duty. His path begins when cast out of palace,leading him to navigate kingdom’s complexities. “He has to survive streets,be with people,see their issues,help them — or not,” Karky said .
Combat system in Son of Thanjai uses South Indian martial art Kalaripayattu,adding fresh gameplay dynamic. Players choose stealth or combat,game’s environment reacts to actions. “If you walk on water,you stimulate sound to certain radius,” Abraham said,noting intricate design that allows varied play styles.
An innovative aspect is morale system during combat. Enemies react to Vinnendhiran’s actions,their morale shifts based on player’s choices. “Whenever you hit someone,their ‘morale’ gets affected,” Abraham explained. This mechanic adds depth,urging strategic thinking.
Vinnendhiran wields Surul Vaal,a whip-sword that helps him blend in with commoners,enhancing story’s authenticity. Abraham noted challenges of capturing whip-sword’s rapid movements,saying traditional filming fell short. “We had to use hacks to track Surul’s movement,” he said.
Game’s world-building stands out,featuring diverse NPCs with their own stories and gossip about Vinnendhiran’s journey. “Each NPC also has gossip about what’s happening in village,” Abraham added. This attention to detail extends to collectibles inspired by Sangam-era literature,richening player experience.
As gaming community eagerly awaits Son of Thanjai,project stands as a testament to Indian gaming potential. With historical richness and innovative gameplay,it aims for unique space in global market…
