Nayakas is a strategy-driven worker-placement board game set in South India during the turbulent period following the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire. After the empire collapses, several regional chieftains—called Nayakas—begin to establish control over their own territories. In the game, each player becomes one of these Nayakas, attempting to rebuild power, develop infrastructure, and shape a thriving kingdom amidst political instability and changing fortunes.
At its core, Nayakas focuses on resource management, artisan development, and monument construction. Players gather essential resources like stone, wood, culture, and gold. These resources are then used to construct historically inspired structures such as temples, water tanks, and forts, each providing different strategic benefits and prestige. Players can also recruit skilled artisans, whose expertise boosts efficiency and unlocks more powerful building options as the game progresses.
