Expansion packs are an opportunity to reinvigorate a game. They let experienced players return to a familiar place, but still see new sights. We want the Far Away expansion to both add new missions and add reasons to revisit the original set. One of the biggest features is the new creature AI system. You can check out a prototype PNP version right now and integrate it into your Far Away experience today.

This AI system is introduced in Mission 10 as a nanobot system infecting local wildlife. Instead of ROLEPLAYing the creatures, explorers must now contend with creatures controlled by the roll of a DIE. In subsequent missions, players have the option to use either the AI system or the classic rules.

The current rules (as of 4/4/21) are in the download, but here’s the quick rules summary. For each species, players roll the selection die and match the result to the AI card. Every member of that species does the move and action for that roll.

The goal is to provide an alternative to the roleplaying that removes ambiguity. If you roll a 2 for the Fascis Rattus, they all move 1 hex away from their den and scare whatever’s in the hex. Hopefully, we’ve listed out all the tiebreakers and other bits that allow for someone to make a definitive choice.

We’re putting this AI module in the expansion, and not the base game reprint. We believe the roleplaying is a fundamental part of Far Away. That “nature documentary” vibe is what we designed around. The AI lets you try a different take on the game and experiment with a different tone. It also opens the game up to people who didn’t particularly like the roleplaying, but enjoyed other parts of the game.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about the new system. Does it work for you? Do the creatures still have their own attitudes? Please share your experiences as we keep working on the future of Far Away.

--Alex