When we first began building our first game, Unsung Empires: The Cholas I, the name–mouthful as it was–made sense to us at that time. It framed our story as a historical epic, centered on a forgotten empire and its legacy.

Naturally, Unsung Empires: The Cholas II became the working title for our second game, well, because it was the continuation of Rajendra Chola’s journey even if it wasn’t a direct sequel.

But as the game evolved, so did our understanding of what it truly wanted to be.

More Personal, More Powerful

Over time, our story shifted from the bird’s-eye view of empire to the ground-level journey of a single character; a reluctant heir, caught between duty and destiny. This wasn't just about empires and conquests anymore. It was about identity. It was about a personal journey. About what it means to carry a legacy you never asked for.

We wanted the title to reflect that emotional core; not just the grandeur of history, but the intimate weight of legacy, identity, and belonging.

Son of Thanjai brings that human focus front and center.

Local Soul, Global Voice

Son of Thanjai also reflects our creative philosophy: making games with a local soul and a global voice.

Unsung Empires was descriptive but felt distant. Son of Thanjai is rooted in a specific place and heritage and in that specificity, it becomes universal. It’s a story of roots, pride, and struggle–something anyone, anywhere, can connect with.

Stands apart, speaks louder

We started noticing a pattern on our socials: people unfamiliar with our game assumed the game was a historical strategy title. Some even thought it was Age of Empires: India Edition.

The old name had a certain documentary or strategy vibe to it; it sounded broad, maybe even a little academic. But that was never the game we were making.

Son of Thanjai immediately cuts through the noise. It’s distinct. It sparks curiosity. It tells you there’s a character at the center of all this. And more importantly, it sets the right expectations for what kind of experience you're stepping into.

What Changed, What Didn’t

This isn’t a reboot. We haven’t changed the game’s world, mechanics (at least not all of it), or vision. We’ve just given it a name that we feel better fits the experience you get while you play the game.

You’ll still encounter the rich worldbuilding, the echoes of the Chola dynasty, and the immersive design we’ve spent years crafting.

Our Tribute to Thanjavur

"Son of Thanjai" is our love letter to Tamil culture, to Thanjavur’s enduring influence, and to the countless untold stories of its people.

Thank you all for walking with us on this journey. We can’t wait for you to step into the world of Unsung Empires Son of Thanjai and meet the man behind the name.

Wishlist Son of Thanjai