Download A Merchant's Promise

A Merchant's Promise Game Details

Title: A Merchant's Promise
Genre: Indie, Simulation
Developer: Game Draft Studio
Publisher: Game Draft Studio
Release Date: 21 March 2025
Store: Steam
Game Releasers: P2P

About A Merchant's Promise Game

Become a King's Merchant in this physics-based medieval trading simulator where you transport goods, manage your status, and survive a dynamic world with no hand-holding – regular updates are coming!

"A Merchant's Promise" presents a unique and engaging experience, transporting players back to a stylized medieval world where they embark on a journey from humble beginnings to potentially becoming a King's Merchant. This physics-based trading and transport simulator distinguishes itself through its emphasis on player agency and a rejection of conventional hand-holding mechanics, favoring instead a world that rewards exploration, interaction, and keen observation.

The core gameplay revolves around the meticulous handling and transportation of goods. Unlike many games that abstract item management through inventories and menus, "A Merchant's Promise" adopts a physics-based approach. Players are granted direct control over the items they interact with, from the moment they pick them up to the moment they set them down – or perhaps even throw them. This system introduces a layer of realism and tactile engagement, forcing players to consider the weight, size, and fragility of their cargo. Successfully navigating the environment with delicate goods becomes a challenge in itself, adding a unique dimension to the trading and transport aspects of the game.

The game's mechanics are intricately tied to the player's merchant status. Starting as a "Worthless Merchant," players must prove their worth through shrewd trading and careful resource management. Their reputation directly impacts their ability to influence prices, creating a dynamic economic system where success begets further opportunities. This progression system encourages players to learn the market, understand supply and demand, and develop a keen eye for profitable ventures. The ultimate goal is to ascend the ranks and become a "King's Merchant," a position of influence and prestige that reflects their mastery of the game's economic and logistical systems.

Adding another layer of depth and challenge, "A Merchant's Promise" incorporates light survival elements. Players must manage their character's hunger, thirst, health, and stamina, ensuring that they are adequately fed, hydrated, and rested. These needs must be balanced against the demands of trading and transport, forcing players to prioritize and make difficult choices. For example, spending too much time exploring can lead to exhaustion and vulnerability, while neglecting basic needs can hamper their trading performance.

The game's commitment to player agency extends to its design philosophy, which actively avoids micro-management and prescriptive gameplay. "A Merchant's Promise" deliberately minimizes menus and user interfaces, striving for a more immersive and less intrusive experience. The game also eschews explicit objectives and tasks, refraining from constantly telling players what to do and how to do it. Instead, the game encourages players to explore the world, engage in conversations, read books and scrolls, and interact with their surroundings to uncover its secrets and learn about its intricate systems.

This approach to game design emphasizes discovery and experimentation. Players are encouraged to forge their own path, set their own goals, and learn through trial and error. The game world is designed to be rich with hidden details and emergent gameplay opportunities, rewarding players who are willing to invest the time and effort to explore its depths. This focus on player-driven narrative and emergent gameplay distinguishes "A Merchant's Promise" from more conventional games that rely on linear storytelling and predetermined objectives.

To assist new players in navigating the game's unique mechanics, the developer strongly recommends completing the main game tutorial scene. While the core gameplay loop is relatively straightforward, the tutorial provides valuable insights into the nuances of the physics-based system, the economic model, and the survival elements. The tutorial also highlights the key differences between the full game and the demo version, ensuring that players have a solid foundation before embarking on their mercantile journey.

The development team is deeply committed to improving and expanding "A Merchant's Promise" during its early access phase. The primary focus is on enriching the game world, adding more depth and complexity to its environments, characters, and systems. The developers are also actively working on improving the behavior and interactions of non-player characters (NPCs), aiming to create more believable and engaging inhabitants for the game world.

Furthermore, the development team is dedicated to ensuring consistent and reliable gameplay. Given the inherent challenges of physics-based games, the team is constantly making adjustments to improve stability and prevent unexpected quirks or glitches. Performance optimization is also a high priority, with the team striving to reduce the game's file size and improve its frame rate to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all players.

Finally, the developers are committed to addressing bugs and issues as quickly as possible. They encourage players to report any problems they encounter through the dedicated reporting system, which allows the team to track issues and provide updates on their progress. This commitment to transparency and responsiveness ensures that players have a voice in the development process and that their concerns are addressed in a timely manner.

The concept of permanent death is a core element in "A Merchant's Promise", adding a significant layer of tension and realism. This option means that if the player's character dies, the game ends, and they must start over from the beginning. This mechanic raises the stakes of every decision and encourages players to be cautious and strategic in their approach to trading and transport. It adds a unique element of risk and reward, as players must carefully weigh the potential benefits of a lucrative trade against the dangers of the road.

The weather system is another key feature that adds realism and challenge to "A Merchant's Promise". The game world is subject to a variety of weather conditions, including rain, snow, fog, and extreme heat. These conditions can impact the player's movement speed, visibility, and the condition of their goods. For example, rain can make roads slippery and goods more susceptible to damage, while extreme heat can lead to dehydration and exhaustion.
Players must adapt to these changing conditions and factor them into their trading and transport plans.

The game world is designed to be expansive and interconnected, with a variety of towns, villages, and landmarks to discover. Each location has its own unique characteristics, resources, and economic opportunities. Players must explore the world to find the best trading routes, identify lucrative markets, and uncover hidden secrets. The game encourages players to venture off the beaten path and discover new areas, rewarding them with valuable information and resources.

The economic system is dynamic and responsive to player actions. Prices for goods fluctuate based on supply, demand, and the player's own influence. By carefully managing their trading activities, players can manipulate the market to their advantage. This requires a deep understanding of the local economies and the ability to anticipate future trends.

The game's success hinges on building a strong sense of community and fostering a collaborative environment. By actively engaging with players, providing regular updates, and addressing their concerns, the development team aims to cultivate a loyal and supportive fan base. This community involvement is essential for the long-term success of the game.

"A Merchant's Promise" is a unique and ambitious project that offers a refreshing take on the trading and transport simulation genre. Its emphasis on player agency, physics-based gameplay, and emergent storytelling sets it apart from more conventional games and creates a truly immersive and engaging experience. With its commitment to ongoing development and community involvement, "A Merchant's Promise" has the potential to become a beloved and enduring title for fans of medieval settings and simulation games.

A Merchant's Promise Key Features

• * Experience physics-based medieval trading where every item interaction is in your control!
• * Rise from a Worthless Merchant to a King's Merchant through shrewd trading and risk management!
• * Brave item loss, dynamic weather, and survival elements like hunger and thirst!
• * Enjoy a minimalist UI and embrace exploration, interaction, and discovery!
• * Navigate a living world with evolving NPCs and consistent gameplay improvements!

System Requirements for A Merchant's Promise

To successfully run A Merchant's Promise, your system must meet the following minimum requirements: the operating system must be Windows 10 (64-bit). You'll need at least an Intel i5 Dual Core processor, coupled with 8 GB of RAM. For graphics, a GeForce 560 or Radeon RX 460 is the recommended minimum. The game utilizes DirectX 11, so ensure you have that installed. Finally, you'll need at least 8 GB of available storage space on your hard drive as well as a DirectX compatible sound card.

• OS: Windows 10, 64 Bit
• Processor: Intel i5 Dual Core
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: GeForce 560, Radeon RX 460
• DirectX: Version 11
• Storage: 8 GB available space
• Sound Card: DirectX Compatible

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