On AI at CPG

On AI at CPG

Far Away: Corporate Espionage has a new behavior module for the alien creatures. In the lore, they are controlled by a nanobot AI. These days, the term “AI” has become overused and dripping with connotations skewed based on how much of your net worth is tied to a tech company. While I hold the controversial view that board games are not “art”, board games are one of the mediums that stand to be affected by the recent surge in AI technologies, much like illustration, graphic design, and writing. Generative AIs can create card art, write manuals, and make advertisements, all in service of Cherry Picked’s goals. Those are also things humans do. Given the tension around these AIs, I wanted to describe how CPG views generative AI and plans to use some of these tools.

Far Away: Corporate Espionage Demo

Far Away: Corporate Espionage Demo

We’re excited to announce a playable demo of Far Away: Corporate Espionage. This includes two of the new missions and the AI module for alternative creature behavior. Check out the print-and-play. Let us know if you survived and earned the right to join the elite FA:CE division.

We’ll keep updating the demo with more missions and features as they are finished. We have several missions awaiting the final touches before sharing them with the galaxy. Updates should be coming about once a month, so check back frequently.

Creative Energy

Creative Energy

I try to avoid sharing personal life details through Cherry Picked. The mentality of “being your brand” doesn’t appeal to me. Influencer culture makes me yearn for a technological dark age. Moreover, it’s never satisfying to see a Kickstarter project delayed due to slowly unfolding personal drama. I want people to see CPG as a professional entity and that veneer erodes when Alex Jerabek’s problems surface. However, it’s clear CPG is less active following the Hair of the Dog launch and I feel like I owe an explanation. I debated how to post this and want to frame it in the context of other past blogs: a transparent post about the company that hopefully serves as educational insight for other game developers. Four months ago, I had my first kid. It’s been tough to find time for CPG, but the real limiting factor is energy.