Vayan

Vayan is an arena competition in which you play as a village warrior trying to earn the right to rule the Yovas. After their leader Ettlecar appoints his trusted subject Skalope—a chicken descended from a line of athletes—as steward until a true heir is chosen, the decision shames the Yovas and angers the Elders in the afterlife. The Elders cause an eclipse that lets them enter the living world, then organise a tournament to choose a more worthy sovereign. You compete against gods, neighbouring tribes and Skalope, surviving traps and creatures in the arena to prove yourself.

Arena challenges

Between one and four players can compete online or locally in a dynamic arena, where a series of trials is arranged randomly. You dodge flames, leap over spears and fight demons, while avoiding the arena’s edge and the lava below. Falling does not end your run: the Elders let you return repeatedly to try to earn points and climb the champions’ ranking.

Challenges follow one another without loading as the arena changes in real time. Each round leads to a boss, which you can fight alongside opponents or viewers to earn the Elders’ respect.

Solo challenges

Purpose-built arenas offer extreme solo challenges. You can compete for the fastest time, collect points and combos, and record your score in a ranking shared with the community.

Twitch interactions

In arenas, viewers can interact with the game to help or hinder the players. Viewers also have their own scoring system: they progress through the game and unlock special skills based on their points. A Twitch connection is optional; an AI takes the viewers’ place when they are absent. During the eclipse, damned souls may also possess monsters or interfere with the players.

Monsters and equipment

Some challenges pit you against hordes of monsters trying to stop you from becoming champion. The bestiary includes imps, orcs, spiders, carnivorous plants, living-deads, wizards, bewitched spinning-tops, Skalope and dragons.

You regularly find objects to help maintain your place in the ranking:

• Long-range weapons: bazookas, crossbows and exploding barrels.
• Equipment: healing potions and speeding boots that enhance your physical abilities.
• Traps: use them to hinder your opponents.

Evil contracts

At times, a salesman offers contracts signed in your own blood. These extra challenges add further strategic choices to the tournament.