NĀYAK Enters Early Access - Version 0.1 Now Live

Summary:

We are happy to announce that NĀYAK is now live on Steam in Early Access.

This Early Access release represents the first stable public build of the game. The focus of this version is to deliver the core stealth gameplay loop, narrative setup, and historical setting, while allowing us to gather feedback and improve systems iteratively.

Below is a breakdown of what is currently included and what to expect going forward.

Available Content:

Playable levels:

• 2 handcrafted story levels

• Linear, mission-based progression

• Set in 17th-century Maharashtra, a state in India

Core Gameplay Systems:

• Stealth-focused gameplay

• Enemy awareness, vision, and alert states

• Silent takedowns

• Disguise system (effective in accessing specific zones)

• Environmental interaction (doors, windows, ledges, objects)

• Hiding mechanics (storage chests, bushes)

• Lockpicking doors

• Distraction tools (throwing or setting up firecracker)

Movement:

• Ledge climbing

• Window entry

• Vertical and horizontal stealth routes

Narrative:

• Story told through the eyes of Bahirji Naik

• Missions inspired by historical events from the era of Shivaji Maharaj

• In-game objectives and contextual storytelling

• Illustrated story sequences for each playabale level

• English voiceover accompanying all level introductions

• Subtitles enabled by default

What is NOT Yet Included

These are planned for future Early Access updates:

• Additional levels and missions

• Expanded enemy variety and behaviors

• Polish pass on animations, UI, and audio

• Marathi voiceover

• Performance optimizations

• Accessibility options

Known Limitations

• Some animations and transitions are still work-in-progress

• Balance tuning is ongoing

• Minor visual and audio inconsistency may be present

• Controller support is partial

• Inability to change keybindings

Why Early Access

Early Access allows us to:

• Validate gameplay systems with real players

• Identify edge-case bugs across different hardware

• Improve pacing, difficulty, and usability based on feedback

• Build the game in collaboration with the community

Your feedback will directly influence future updates.

Feedback & Bug Reporting

• Use the Steam Discussions section for feedback and suggestions

• Bugs can be reported via discussion threads (screenshots and videos help a lot)

• We also have a Discord server! The link is on the Steam store page of the game.

What’s Next

Our immediate focus post-launch:

• Stability and bug-fix updates

• Gameplay balance improvements

• Preparing the next content update

Patch notes will be shared regularly as development progresses.

Thank you for supporting NĀYAK in Early Access!