The gaming industry has seen tremendous growth and evolution over the past few years, with advancements in technology, the emergence of blockchain and web3, and an increasing focus on player community and experience. Nine Hermits, a cutting-edge game development studio, is at the forefront of this evolution, committed to driving the next generation of gaming by putting players and community first.
Nine Hermits is a global company with bases in Sri Lanka, The Philippines, Dubai, and the United Kingdom. Their talented creative team works seamlessly across these locations to create games that marry culture, tradition, compelling lore, and the latest technology. Their latest project, Mindborn Sons, is an epic game inspired by ancient South Asian and Sri Lankan mythology, immersive gameplay, and stunning visuals combined with the ability to collect, earn, and trade NFT assets.
However, Nine Hermits recognizes that the current landscape of web3 gaming is struggling to connect with the wider community, with a lack of gameplay and lore being the root cause. While Play-to-Earn mechanics can be an exciting extra incentive for players, an over-focus on financial rewards has led to many games neglecting the core tenets of gameplay and lore. This has resulted in hollow, unstable games that lack emotional connections with players and do not provide lasting opportunities.
Nine Hermits aims to fill this vacuum by prioritising gameplay and lore in Mindborn Sons. The game explores the rich history of South Asian mythology and folklore, creating a deep immersion that represents the best of what gaming can offer. By exploring their own culture, the Nine Hermits team creates connections that run deep and make players feel a real connection to the characters and their surroundings.
Nine Hermits is fortunate to have a leadership team with a wealth of experience and expertise in the creative, tech, and interactive media industries. Randika Rajapaksha, Virajith Perera, and Yasith Sirisena bring unique skill sets and perspectives to the table, which have helped shape the direction of the company and its flagship game, Mindborn Sons.
Randika Rajapaksha is a natural leader with exceptional management skills, client relations, and outreach experience. As the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Nine Hermits, he oversees operations within the Colombo office and has built strong relationships with leading creative brands including telcos in South Asia. He also has over 15 years of art direction, and product design, and has worked with many international brands and experience in the MENA region. He is an expert in emerging web3 technologies, making him a valuable asset in the fast-evolving world of Web3 gaming. Randika is part of Grow Studio UK and an exclusive partner with Blockmeet, Avalanche.
Virajith Perera, the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder, is a mythos creator, Storyteller and sound designer. He has over 15 years of extensive experience in leading creative teams and executing ideas, from comics to video games. Before joining Nine Hermits Virajith helped various game studios in sound designing. He was the Game Director and Head of Story for Sri Lanka’s first-ever attempt at a AAA standard gaming title, “Threta” by Prodigi Interactive.With his vast experience in storytelling and worldbuilding, Virajith is responsible for the development of the overall story, characters and the Mindborn Sons universe.
Yasith Sirisena, the Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder is a highly experienced and talented individual in the field of interactive media, game development, virtual reality, and augmented reality. With over 7 years of experience in the industry, he has established himself as a respected and knowledgeable figure in his field. As the founder of Prodigi Interactive, Yasith has been instrumental in contributing to the growth of the interactive media industry in Sri Lanka. The startup has served as a home to many interactive media specialists in the country, and has enabled them to showcase their talents to a global audience.In addition to his work with Prodigi Interactive, Yasith has also produced Threta, an ambitious AAA title from South Asia. This project allowed him to work with a team of talented individuals and gain valuable experience in the game development industry. Furthermore, his involvement as the founder of Megaplay and Gamecity, casual e-sports ecosystems for players and game developers in Sri Lanka, demonstrates his passion for fostering a strong gaming community in the country.
Together, the founders of Nine Hermits bring a wealth of experience and leadership qualities to the table. They are highly motivated, dedicated, and passionate about creating engaging, immersive gaming experiences that put players and community first. With their guidance, the Nine Hermits team has conducted extensive research to create a world inspired by ancient South Asian and Sri Lankan mythology, steeped in tradition and historical accuracy, combined with a narrative that is both compelling and rich in detail.
With their guidance, the Nine Hermits team has conducted research on a never-before-seen level in blockchain gaming to create a world inspired by ancient South Asian & Sri Lankan mythology and characters dating back thousands of years, with a focus on historical accuracy combined with a narrative steeped in ancient tradition. This attention to detail and commitment to quality is reflected in the partnerships that Nine Hermits has established with key players in the metaverse and web3 areas, such as Grow Studio, Nvidia, Avalanche, Blockchain Game Alliance, Eventyr & Unix Gaming.
Nine Hermits was established in early 2022 with a strong focus on game development for the metaverse and web3. Despite the economic downturn in Sri Lanka, the company was able to secure a strong partnership with the GROW Group (UK) and raise initial funding, a testament to their tenacity and vision. Today, Nine Hermits is almost a year old and has accomplished much, winning the trust of various partners and key players in the industry. Nine Hermits is the first Sri Lankan Gaming Company that got featured in the Game Development Conference (GDC) 2023.
Gaming enthusiasts can join the alpha waitlist for Mindborn Sons at mindbornsons.com and be among the first to experience the thrill of this new AAA web3 game. With Nine Hermits’ commitment to gameplay and lore, combined with their expertise and dedication to innovation, Mindborn Sons is set to make a major impact in the growing blockchain gaming industry.