Mycelia North American Expansion: Inside the New Adventure

We sat down with the creative minds behind Mycelia – North American Expansion to learn how they’re evolving their beloved board game. From new gameplay twists to the rich ecosystems of North America, the team shared how this expansion deepens strategy, celebrates biodiversity, and keeps the magic of Mycelia growing for new and returning players alike.

From Europe to North America

What inspired you to create a regional expansion centered on North American fungi, and how do these new mushrooms change the feel of the game?

North America is a greater corner of the world that has a real deluge of fantastic fungi that have been researched and documented very well. So it was easy for me to collate a big list of interesting and beautiful mushrooms that I could potentially use in the expansion. The cards from the expansion have a few different elements that change the game - there are now "wild spores" in some of the mushroom growing requirements and also some fun new decay actions.

Mycelia North American Expansion: New Mechanics, New Depth

The expansion adds saplings, symbiosis bonuses, and Grandfather trees. How did these mechanics evolve, and what do they bring to the overall strategy of Mycelia?

Straight away I knew that the mechanics would involve trees because I wanted to emulate the symbiotic relationship between trees and the fungi mycelium. But it was a long journey of trial and error on what the trees would actually do in the game and how to actually make it fun and satisfying when you finally grow one. Making it so the saplings are open to any player to convert into a tree, gives a sense of threat from other players, if you leave your saplings un-protected others can swoop in and reap the rewards from your hard work! 

Balancing Old and New

With a successful base game already loved worldwide, what challenges did you face in designing an expansion that adds complexity without overwhelming players?

With designing any board game or expansion there is always a temptation to add more and more ideas, mechanics or fixes. So my ethos for game design is less is more. But the few things that you do add in need to have a big impact on play and, most importantly, the fun of the game! With this in mind, the expansion only adds ONE extra action that you can perform on your turn. So there isn't a huge learning curve with the new mechanics but they open up a whole new level of tactics! 

Exclusive Kickstarter Edition: Mycelia North American Expansion

This expansion includes special Kickstarter-only components like wooden saplings and the Yellow Patches card. Why was it important to reward backers with these unique extras?

The lovely folks who back the game actually make it happen - without them there wouldn't be an expansion at all. So I try to give them something extra to make it fancier! And don't forget the delicious cotton drawstring bags! Backers deserve that luxury surely?

Looking Ahead in the Mycelia Universe

With Mycelia already a global success, how do you see expansions like this shaping the long-term future of the game — and are there other regions or themes you’re eager to explore next?

After this expansion I'm going to focus on some new games, firstly STAG which is about beetles. But I will definitely come back to Mycelia with some more expansions but I reckon I may steer away from any more regions. There are so many cool niches within the fungi world so I have loads of options - I'd probably look at 'bioluminescence' - you could have a rad glow in the dark box! 

Thank you to the Mycelia team for sharing their vision for the North American Expansion. With new ecosystems, imaginative species, and strategic depth, this expansion invites players to rediscover the thrill of fungal networks while exploring the diverse landscapes of North America.

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About the Creators

The Mycelia team blends a love of nature with a passion for immersive tabletop gaming. Known for their vibrant artwork and innovative mechanics, they craft experiences that celebrate ecosystems while challenging players to think strategically and play cooperatively.

Back Now Mycelia North American Expansion on Kickstarter