![](/last-mile-000-map.gif)

![](/last-mile-000-play.gif)

# Explore Chaotic Autonomous Systems In My Game Prototype

I had a nifty game idea while [Ivan Reese](https://ivanish.ca) was trying to
explain
[Death Stranding 2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Stranding_2:_On_the_Beach)
to me. Here's the gist:

- In the beginning, you control a lone robot in an isolated corner of a vast
  dark map.
- Your robot randomly follows roads. It passes refineries, mines, and shops. You
  cannot instruct the robot where to go, but you can instruct it to grab/drop
  resources as it meanders by.
- By transporting ore to refineries, and then trading refined metal at shops,
  you can purchase repair kits and other modules.
- Repair kits allow you to revive broken robots and recruit them to your team.
- Robots navigate the map according to their navigation module(s): some robots
  will follow mining routes, others will seek conflict, others will follow
  friends.
- Reprogram robot behavior by equipping new modules. You can acquire new modules
  via scavenging, engineering, trade, and theft.
- As you explore the map, you discover the Eastern forest kingdom and the
  Western seaside kingdom.
- The roads connecting these kingdoms are brimming with activity as military
  skirmishes ramp up into full-blown war.
- How will you participate in the conflict? Will you become a kingmaker? Broker
  peace? Rule the world?

In its current form, _Last Mile_ is fun for almost five whole minutes.
[Try it yourself.](/last-mile) There's definitely a great game somewhere in
here, but I'm not sure if it's worth pursuing. I'd love to hear what y'all
think! Feel free to email me at
[hello@taylor.town](mailto:hello@taylor.town?subject=Last%20Mile).