In the not-so-distant future, our world could look very different. Advances in artificial intelligence are occurring every day, bringing us closer to a world filled with machines taking over regular daily tasks. It’s only been a few short years since technological advances like smart phones revolutionized the way we interact with our world. Where will we be in another decade? 

Sentient draws us into this world and challenges us with the task of optimizing robots that help make the world a better place — at least, according to the corporations we run. Building these bots is the easy part. Programming them has proven to be more complicated. A handful of companies have emerged claiming to pull it off, but only one will win out.

Choose your corporation’s focus and prepare to procure new bots to add to your company’s line up. Each type of bot will have a specialty that will reward you for optimizing them in different ways. Acquiring new bots will require you to slightly modify your factories in order to plug them into your network. These modifications can disrupt other bots within your network, so you’ll need to be careful to only place compatible technology into your system.

While carefully considering which androids to program, you’ll also need to consider the investors. Attracting venture capitalists can increase your chances of success if they match the bots that you have acquired. Ultimately, they may help bring enough attention to your company to help you push other competing companies out of the market.

There are five different types of bots that may be available each turn. Each has a very special function in this futuristic setting:

The Information Bot model offers the ultimate in hands-free technology. As it glides alongside the user, important information is displayed with constant updates about work, entertainment, breaking news stories, and more. With patented hover technology, they’ll easily avoid obstacles and can even alert users of danger. It’ll soon be unthinkable to leave the house without one.

While the Information Bots keep citizens safe in the city, Military Units defend the greater urban area. Using a unique energy force modulator, each unit is equipped to handle minor uprisings without endangering law enforcement officials. For larger scale attacks, new classified modules are available.

In the current world of high-speed professional environments, time is one of our most valued resources. Realistic Service Androids seamlessly integrate into society, alleviating the need for many dreary, time-wasting tasks. There will no longer be a need to fold your own laundry, clean your house, or shop for groceries. Your Service Android can cover all your simple daily tasks, while simultaneously keeping track of long-term maintenance needs and automatically scheduling repairs. This will leave you with more free time to work and play!

Traveling to nearby attractions has become much easier and enjoyable with the unveiling of the new Transport Automaton. Comfort and class are coupled with a state-of-the-art, deep neural network that’s constantly improving and adjusting for your ultimate safety and comfort. Interior sensors detect your temperature, mood, and health, automatically regulating the environment as needed, while external instruments help navigate through even the busiest skies.

Manufacturing has seen a surge in artificial intelligence over recent years as tighter safety protocols make it untenable to allow workers near production zones. The latest Industrial Robot announced today will make it completely unnecessary to place valued employees in harm’s way while also increasing efficiency, improving quality assurance, and allowing new manufacturing processes that require increased precision.

Sentient is a dice-manipulation game by J. Alex Kevern (World’s Fair 1893, Gold West). As with his other games, Sentient is filled with smart, simple, and rewarding choices. Each turn involves choosing an available bot, adding it to your factory, and deciding how to divide your resources between optimizing your bot and wooing investors. Players who enjoy a satisfying puzzle will appreciate the difficulty in adding the chosen bot to their factory. Each slot has a die on either side that will be modified based on the chosen bot card. But, adding another adjacent bot the next turn will modify the dice once again. The dice at the end of the round will determine how efficiently your bots were programed and will grant you varying points based on the dice numbers. You may have everything perfectly sorted out — that is, until the last bot you choose changes the adjacent dice. Your plan can crumble and points can easily be lost with an errant decision or wrong choice!

Sara Erickson is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Renegade Game Studios. She loves exploring the amazing Montana wilderness, training her dog, and games that bring people together.