Reviving Nepali Heritage: Creating the Digital Version of Nakka
As I was scrolling through Reddit one day, a post caught my eye. It mentioned how Nepalis are forgetting their traditional games, like Bag Chal. This sparked a memory of a game from my childhood called "Nakka."
Curious to see if others remembered this game, I reached out to friends. Surprisingly, no one seemed to be aware of it. I decided to make a comment on the Reddit post, and to my delight, it received a few upvotes. This made me wonder if Nakka was more than just a local game—it could be a forgotten gem played all over Nepal under different names.
Determined to bring Nakka back to life, I approached a friend who agreed to help with the design. However, like many others, he had no recollection of the game. Undeterred, we began crafting prototypes using PenPot, an open-source design tool. With each iteration, the game started to take shape, and our excitement grew.
Next, we ventured into the realm of game development, using the Godot Game Engine—an open-source platform known for its flexibility and ease of use. Translating the intricacies of Nakka into a digital format posed its challenges, but with perseverance and dedication, we overcame each hurdle.
Throughout the process, ChatGPT played a pivotal role in content creation and organization. From brainstorming ideas to refining the wording of the game's mechanics, ChatGPT provided valuable insights and suggestions, ensuring that our project stayed on track. Even this post is crafted by GPT.
As the design evolved, we transitioned to Figma for its robust collaborative features and seamless workflow. With the final touches in place, we were ready to unveil our creation to the world.
After months of hard work and collaboration, we proudly released the digital version of Nakka. The game captures the essence of traditional Nepali gaming while embracing modern technology. It's a testament to our shared heritage and a celebration of the games that have shaped our childhoods.
To share our creation with a wider audience, we built a website using Publii—an open-source static CMS with a user-friendly GUI. This platform allowed us to showcase Nakka and connect with fellow enthusiasts eager to relive this nostalgic pastime.
As I reflect on this journey, I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunity to preserve and celebrate Nepali culture through gaming. Nakka may have been forgotten by many, but with our digital adaptation, its legacy lives on for future generations to discover and enjoy.