Graphic designer Kerala launches sci-fi board game PADA

Rahul Ravi with a board game designed by | Photo credit: Special arrangement

In a distant solar system, Alanzar is ready to host a legendary tournament called PADA. A powerful planet, Alanzara’s only goal is to maintain dominance over the other planets. Unaware of their hidden agenda, the rival planets send their sharpest warriors into this fierce battle that will decide their fate.

Enter the world of Pada (Pan. Attack. Defend. Advance), a board game that takes players through an exciting universe of interplanetary battles. 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 flourishing board game culture in the country and decided to try to create one. “I’ve always loved designing characters and telling stories. I decided to create a sci-fi setting with 20 characters for the game,” he says. In five months, the design was completed.

Board game, Pada | Photo credit: Special arrangement

On his return to India in March this year, Rahul set to work building the physical components of the game — dice, pawns and tokens. “It’s a fun game that can be played in more than one way. It’s for 14+ and it’s a strategy game. Two-player mode can take 25 minutes, and in four-player format, the game could take about 40 minutes to one hour,” says Rahul, who tested the prototype on friends and family before finalizing it.

“Anyone who grew up playing chess, backgammon or card games will enjoy the basic game plan,” says Rahul. Although the recommended age is 14, Rahul believes that even younger kids would enjoy it. “It would help them learn strategy and decision making,” says Rahul.

Game plan

Gameplay Explained: Players command a team of five fighters and use a unique combination of offense and defense to outplay opponents, eliminate opposing pieces, and chase victory. The goal is to move four fighters into 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 new 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 bigger idea is to help people disconnect from their digital devices and get back to the joy of the old-fashioned board game. “People are coming back to board games all over the world. 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 that his play will be made into a film one day. “There is a story, there are strong characters… You never know, it might become a movie…” says Rahul.

Published – 17 July 2026 15:00 IST