Nomadicriti, an indie game developer based in Nashik, Maharashtra, has spent close to two years building a stealth-action game that puts players in the role of Bahirji Naik — the spymaster behind Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s intelligence network in 17th-century India.
Built on a 2.5D framework with fixed camera angles, Nāyak leans hard into espionage over combat. The main character, Bahirji Naik, is based on a real historical figure — a design decision the studio takes seriously. “No, the main character is based on a real person of utmost historical importance,” Nomadicriti told The Game Tribune, closing the door firmly on any character customization options. The studio has likewise confirmed no multiplayer modes, no modding support, and no in-game purchases.
That was then. As of February 19, 2026, Nāyak is live on Steam in Early Access, priced at $5.99. The studio chose Early Access deliberately — not as a shortcut, but as a feedback mechanism. All core mechanics are implemented and playable; what Nomadicriti wants now is to know whether the spy fantasy truly lands. Does the stealth feel rewarding? Is the enemy behaviour believable? Do the missions deliver the tension they were designed for? Players can answer those questions firsthand right now.
“Maratha history is no longer the cherished treasure of a single community or province; it should prove a source of inspiration, wisdom, and warning to all India.”
G. S. Sardesai (Riyasatkar Sardesai) · Historian
History Through Interactive Storytelling
For the Nashik-based studio, the choice of medium was never accidental. “Video games, in our view, are one of the most powerful storytelling mediums because they allow players to actively participate in history rather than just observe it,” the team told The Game Tribune. Rather than reading about Maratha valor, players are meant to inhabit it — feeling the tension of espionage, the weight of decisions, the thrill of strategy, all firsthand.
Nomadicriti’s roots in Nashik gave the project a particular personal dimension. The city was also home to the legendary Marathi poet Kusumagraj, whose poem “Vedaat Marathe Veer Daudale Saat” vividly captures the valor and spirit of the Maratha warriors — an added layer of inspiration for a team that has always wanted to bring the story of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj to life in an interactive format.
“Our goal is not just to entertain but to immerse players in 17th-century Maharashtra, letting them experience the ingenuity and daring of Bahirji Naik firsthand,” the studio stated. “Through this game, we hope to ignite curiosity about our history and celebrate the brilliance of Maratha warfare beyond the battlefield.”
Change appearance to blend in with different factions, bypass enemy patrols and gain access to restricted areas.
Silently incapacitate enemies without detection, reflecting the Maratha preference for avoiding unnecessary confrontations.
Eavesdrop on enemy conversations to uncover key information and plan your next move strategically.
Scale buildings and exploit unconventional escape routes through 17th-century Maharashtra.
Use terrain and distractions like thrown objects or staged noises to mislead guards and slip past undetected.
Stealth Over Swords
The studio is candid about the historical gaps they had to work around. “Unfortunately, very little is known about Bahirji Naik, as historical records on his espionage tactics are scarce,” the team acknowledged. Rather than letting that absence stall them, Nomadicriti used their research into broader Maratha warfare and intelligence strategies to design mechanics that honour the spirit of his covert operations while still delivering a compelling gameplay experience.
The design philosophy is clear in how objectives are structured. A spy’s strength, as the studio sees it, lies not in open confrontation but in remaining invisible and continuously gathering intelligence. Players are given multiple ways to complete objectives — the approach available to them shifts based on what they have managed to uncover, rather than a fixed linear path.
Master Spymaster
“In our portrayal, Bahirji Naik is depicted as a polyglot and a master of disguise, seamlessly blending into different regions and enemy camps to extract critical information,” Nomadicriti told The Game Tribune.
Beyond infiltration, the game’s version of the spymaster possesses a deep understanding of herbs and chemistry — allowing him to craft smoke bombs, sedatives, and other tactical tools. “Though historical records about his personal life are scarce,” the studio reflected, “one can only imagine the depth of his skills and the adaptability required to survive in such a high-stakes role.”
Works of Historians Referenced
- G. S. Sardesai—
- Babasaheb Purandare—
- T. S. Shejwalkar—
- V. K. Rajwade—
Literary Sources
- Dr. Raj Jadhav (Novelist)—
- Prem Dhande (Novelist)—
- Kusumagraj’s poetry—
Traditional Powadas
- “Shivjanma Powada” by Shahir Prajirao Sarnaik—
- “Afzalkhanacha Vadh” by Agnidas—
- “Tanaji Malusare” by Tulsidas—
Development Challenges
Reconstructing 17th-century Maharashtra for a visual medium proved to be one of the studio’s steepest hurdles. Many forts and old towns from the era have either undergone significant modifications over the centuries or have simply been lost to time, leaving the team with limited visual references to work from. Historical texts, paintings, and local folklore helped fill some gaps, but a degree of interpretation and reconstruction was unavoidable — particularly when adapting spaces to fit the game’s mechanics and 2.5D perspective.
The game’s scope extends beyond Maharashtra, incorporating historically significant locations including Agra, Surat, and Hyderabad, each rendered with architectural styles and customs specific to the era. Players will encounter different dialects, clothing styles, and combat techniques as they move between regions. The entire story is narrated in both Marathi and English.
Technical Specifications & Early Access
The game is built on Unreal Engine 5 and is now available to download directly from Steam. The studio’s minimum requirements are deliberately accessible — an Intel i3 at 2.3GHz, a GTX 1050 4GB, and 8GB of RAM will get you in. The recommended configuration steps up to an i5 at 2.6GHz and a GTX 1650 4GB. Either way, the game only needs 4GB of storage and runs on Windows 10 64-bit.
On content, Nomadicriti has been upfront: the game contains non-lethal violence — stealth-based takedowns to incapacitate enemies — with no blood or graphic injury depicted. The focus throughout is on neutralising opponents without lethal force, consistent with the spy fantasy at the game’s core.
Community engagement is being handled through Discord. With Early Access now live, the team is actively gathering player feedback — particularly on whether the stealth mechanics feel rewarding, whether enemy behaviour reads as fair, and whether missions deliver the tension they were designed for.
System Requirements
Nāyak: Chronicles of a Leader · Official Trailer · Nomadicriti
Step Into the Shadows.
Play Nāyak Today.
Early Access is live. For $5.99, you can step into 17th-century India as Bahirji Naik — master spy, polyglot, and the man behind Shivaji’s intelligence network. Your feedback shapes the game’s final form.
Get it on Steam — $5.99PC · Windows 10 (64-bit) · Early Access · Single-Player
What Was Covered
This feature covered Nāyak: Chronicles of a Leader’s development background, Early Access launch on Steam (February 19, 2026), confirmed pricing at $5.99, system requirements, gameplay systems centred on stealth and espionage, historical research methods, and the character portrayal of Bahirji Naik. Background information was drawn from Nomadicriti’s responses to The Game Tribune; current release details are sourced from the game’s official Steam page. Nāyak is built on Unreal Engine 5 and is available now for PC Windows.