Kerala graphic designer launches sci-fi board game PADA

In a distant solar system, Alanzar is all set to host a legendary tournament called PADA. A powerful planet, Alanzar’s sole aim is to maintain its dominance over the other planets. Unaware of its hidden agenda, rival planets send their sharpest warriors to this fierce battle, which will decide their fate.

Enter the world of Pada (Pan. Attack. Defend. Advance), a board game, which takes players through an exciting universe of interplanetary combat. Developed by Alappuzha-based graphic designer Rahl Ravi, this fast-paced game requires players to plan, time their moves and make tactical decisions.

Board game culture

Rahul, who was working in Bahrain, was inspired by the country’s thriving board game culture and decided to try his hand at creating one. “I have always liked character designing and story-telling. For the game, I decided to create a sci-fi setting with 20 characters,” he says. In five months, the designing was complete.

Board game, Pada
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Special Arrangement

On his return to India in March this year, Rahul got to work, building the physical components of the game — the dice, pawns and chip board. “It is a fun game, which can be played in more than one way. Designed for those above 14 years of age, it is a strategy-based game. A two player mode could take 25 minutes and in a four player format, the game could go on for about 40 minutes to one hour,” says Rahul, who tested the protype on friends and family, before finalising it.

“Anybody who has grown up playing chess, Ludo or card games will enjoy the basic game plan,” says Rahul. Although the recommended age is 14 years, Rahul believes younger children would enjoy it too. “It would help them learn how to strategise and make decisions,” says Rahul.

The game plan

He explains the game: Players command a team of five fighters and use a unique combination of attack and defence to outplay the opponents, eliminate rival pieces and race towards victory. The objective is to move four fighters to the central PADA zone while keeping the fifth fighter safe on the battlefield. With multiple ways to attack, defend and advance, every match offers a fresh and exciting challenge.

Rahul Ravi
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The game is already available in a number of cafes in Kochi and will soon be launched on Amazon, says Rahul. The larger idea is to help people disconnect from digital devices and go back to the joys of an old-fashioned tabletop board game. “People are coming back to board games the world over. It offers a good space to connect with people in the real world,” he adds.

Rahul, who has worked as an art director in films, hopes his game could become a film some day. “There is a story, there are powerful characters… You never know, it could become a movie…“ says Rahul.