Are you ready to win the hearts of adorable villagers through dance battles? Of course you are, and that’s where Bollywood-inspired fantasy RPG, Aikyam comes in. This larger-than-life depiction of Ancient India needs your help to unite the village and put a stop to evil forces through the power of Bollywood dance.
We had the pleasure of speaking with Thousand Stars Studio all about Aikyam, from the game’s characters to the mechanics, and their love for Bollywood.
Hop, skip, and twirl into Aikyam
Aikyam is Bollywood through and through, something I haven’t seen often enough in video games. Admittedly, my knowledge of Bollywood was very limited, so after discovering Aikyam, I began researching all aspects of Bollywood. Doing so made me realise that bringing such a vast culture and its traditions to life through a video game was going to be no easy feat and it’s important that it’s done correctly.
GameScout: What made you go for a Bollywood theme?
Thousand Stars Studio: We were inspired by the dramatic, musical problem-solving often found in Bollywood films, where characters sometimes break into dance to win each other over. We felt that this concept was naturally fun and exciting, and we wanted to capture that same energy in Aikyam. Moreover, we wanted to create a world that feels larger than life, and Bollywood’s vibrant, over-the-top style—with its bold tropes and flair—was the perfect fit to convey that sense of excitement and whimsy.
GameScout: How are you going to make sure Bollywood is represented accurately?
Thousand Stars Studio: The team is putting in a lot of research to understand how dancing is portrayed in Bollywood films, as well as drawing inspiration from their storytelling devices to shape our game mechanics. At this point, we have a giant library of moves that would work really well for our characters and their proportions! We’re also keeping certain humorous tropes from Bollywood movies that I grew up watching, adding a touch of nostalgia and fun to the game.
The characters are what really drew me into Aikyam. They’re a diverse bunch, made up of humans and animals and they are all dressed in vibrant outfits. The sheer amount of personality that radiates from their look alone made me want to find out more about their stories and how they contribute to the in-game world.
GameScout: The characters have a unique appearance. What was the planning process like to reach this design?
Thousand Stars Studio: The characters in Aikyam are a unique blend of styles crafted by our character concept artist, Arvind Soni, and our art director, Sally Luc.
Arvind is a painter with a distinct Indian art style reminiscent of Pahari painting, who drew inspiration from Sally’s playful, toy-like designs. By merging these two artistic approaches, Arvind created characters that beautifully fuse traditional and whimsical elements. This collaboration resulted in a distinctive and memorable look for the characters, giving the game a truly one-of-a-kind style!
The turn-based RPG aspect of the game will see players engage in dance battles that are inspired by Indian cinema. Apart from dazzling your opponents with your moves, you’ll have to manage your party to strategically plan your attack and make sure you’re dealing as much damage as possible to your opponents. As the crowd of spectators get behind you, more powerful moves will be at your disposal.
GameScout: Turn-based RPGs are part of a crowded market. How will your battles stand out and how will you ensure they remain feeling fresh throughout the entirety of the playthrough?
Thousand Stars Studio: We believe that Aikyam’s levelling system is one of the key features that sets it apart. Instead of simply gaining experience points, players grow stronger by helping others and convincing them to join their cheer party. Background citizens play a crucial role in boosting the player’s power level, allowing them to unleash powerful attacks more effectively.
The more players explore and assist those in need, the stronger they become.
On top of that, our Skill Tree is designed to let players unlock unique aspects of their dance moves. A basic attack might start with a single QTE dealing a set amount of damage, but by spending Karma points, players can customise and upgrade these moves, making their attacks even more dynamic and powerful.
GameScout: How many members can you have in your party and what are your personal favourite moves and why?
Thousand Stars Studio: Players will have access to a total of three core party members in the game. We’ve got some incredible dance moves planned for the final release, many of which pay homage to iconic Bollywood choreography. But we’re keeping them under wraps for now, you’ll have to experience them for yourself!
From the demo, my personal favorite moves belong to the main character, Vishva, and the demo’s main villain, Jaya. Vishva’s Twirling Garba Spin is inspired by the barrel rolls from Garba, a vibrant Gujarati folk dance. Having seen it many times in person, I find it such a freeing, captivating, and energetic move, perfectly suited to our determined hero, Vishva!
Jaya, on the other hand, has a completely different energy. Her dance feels almost animalistic as she commands the stage, performing alongside her crew atop a khaat—a traditional Indian bed. It’s a striking display of attitude and dominance, making her every bit the quintessential Bollywood villain!
As alluded to, Aikyam allows you to recruit a cheer party that will play an important role in head-to-head battles. To get villagers to become a part of your cheer team, you will have to spread kindness. Although we didn’t see too much of the recruitment part in the demo, Thousand Stars Studio were able to tell us more about what this will look like.
GameScout: What type of quests will you do to help villagers and get them on your cheer team?
Thousand Stars Studio: Our quest system is organised into several tiers, starting with small acts of kindness, followed by more complex helping quests, and finally the big quests outlined by the main story. Acts of Kindness are mini, rewarding tasks that allow players to brighten the lives of the citizens. These might include simple actions like returning a baby peacock to its nest, helping a kid overcome hiccups, or striking brave poses to calm frightened villagers. These quests are typically region-based and incorporate mini-puzzles, adding extra layers to the journey.
Larger Helping Quests involve more intricate problem-solving. These quests focus on citizens who are directly impacted by the demons, requiring players to step in and resolve challenges with creativity and determination. Each tier offers a different level of engagement, enriching the world and the player’s experience.
GameScout: The demo sees you earn Karma. What is Karma used for?
Thousand Stars Studio: Karma serves as a currency for various purposes, but its most important role is tied to the Skill Tree. Players can use it to unlock different parts of the dance moves, upgrade attacks, and even discover entirely new abilities. Karma is earned by exploring the world and helping people, making it a fun reward for engaging with the game’s world.
In the latter moments of the demo, Aikyam is plunged into chaos when demons arrive. These little blue characters with horns and red eyes are a complete contrast to the joy and warmth felt at the beginning of the demo. It just goes to show that you truly never know what is going to happen in Aikyam.
GameScout: At the end of the demo, we see demons arrive. Will the full game pick up from there? What do the demons want with the village of Aikyam?
Thousand Stars Studio: The story will definitely pick up with the arrival of the demons! The village of Aikyam is home to a powerful artefact known as the Celestial Glue, and the demons have caught wind of its existence. We’re incredibly excited for players to experience the full game and uncover why the demons are kidnapping citizens and what they truly want with the artefact.
GameScout: Are there any plans to launch Aikyam on Nintendo Switch?
Thousand Stars Studio: We’re looking into the possibilities of bringing Aikyam to Nintendo Switch, but unfortunately we do not have any updates at this time for it.
The demo was only around for a limited time, wrapping up on December 31, 2024. However, there are more exciting updates to look forward to as the team continue to work on the game.
GameScout: Why was the demo released for a limited-time and are there any plans to release another demo in the future?
Thousand Stars Studio: The limited-time demo release was mainly thanks to our selection for Xbox’s amazing Winter Showcase. We were lucky to be part of it, giving us a chance to see what players enjoyed and where they faced challenges. A lot of people reached out with valuable feedback, which was incredibly motivating and validating, and so we’re working towards iterating Aikyam for better quality. We will announce our future plans and showcase participation on our social media when the time arises, so stay tuned!
If you are interested in Aikyam, make sure to wishlist it on Steam and keep up with the game as it progresses via the following platforms:
