Rise of the Merchants Playtest

About This Game

Rise of the Merchants is a medieval simulation game - combining city-building, economics, politics, and trade, set in a persistent online world. Start with a small settlement in your county, develop it into an influential city, and establish a trade network that extends far beyond its borders. Produce sought-after goods, dispatch trade caravans, build production facilities, and trade with NPCs and other players.

Yet there is no single path to success: overcome challenges through economic acumen, political influence, clever planning, or cunning strategy and live with the consequences of your decisions.

Develop your settlement into a mighty trading city:

Construct over 50 different buildings and production facilities for your growing population. Upgrade your structures into impressive urban landmarks and expand your economic influence across the entire game world. Choose from various building materials, colors, and upgrade levels to give your settlement a unique character. The user interface ensures a quick start with few clicks and a clear overview. New systems are introduced gradually, allowing "Rise of the Merchants" to start off accessible while unfolding increasing economic, political, and social depth as your city grows.

Produce, plan, and trade:

Build complex production chains, process raw materials into high-quality goods, and meet the growing needs of your population. Dispatch trade caravans to neighboring settlements and trade with both NPCs and other players. Factor in distances, terrain, and the threat of bandit raids to keep your trade routes safe and profitable. NPC traders ensure reliable markets even when player activity fluctuates, while the dynamic player-driven economy opens up new opportunities for specialization, cooperation, and competition.

Make your settlers the heart of your strategy:

Each settler brings unique skills, traits, and needs that influence your city's production, trade, security, and social life. Strategically utilize their talents, foster their development, and get to know their strengths, concerns, and personal stories to unlock their full potential. Unexpected stories can emerge from your decisions: a settler you help today might later provide the decisive advantage thanks to a special skill. However, illness, conflict, or poor choices can just as quickly put valuable workers at risk. Outcomes aren't scripted—they emerge from the interplay between your settlers, your decisions, and the living world around you.

Choose your path to wealth and influence:

The game's chapters present specific tasks but do not dictate how you should solve them. Leverage economic strength, political connections, skillful negotiation, or intrigue to achieve your goals. Win the favor of the nobility, assume key roles in the civic and city councils, and use your political influence to unlock new possibilities. Alternatively, resort to sabotage and other cunning tactics in optional PvP to hinder your rivals. Carefully weighed risks and matchmaking systems let you decide just how much you are willing to put on the line.

Write your story in a world that never stands still:

Build and develop your city independently, while trade, competition, and the decisions made by you and your fellow players shape the persistent online world. Regularly changing seasons present you with exciting new challenges.