They say money makes the world go round — in Rise of the Merchants, it also makes enemies, starts fires, and sets hungry rats on your rivals. From developer Black Duke Games, this medieval trading and city‑building simulation proves that behind every great fortune lies a little bit of mischief — and a whole lot of grit.
From Market Stall to Merchant King
You start small: a modest settlement, a handful of coins, and dreams of dominion. Your goal? Build a trading empire that stretches across the realm. But this isn’t a gentle ledger simulator — it’s a world where business is war by other means:
The Deals
- Haggle hard — prices shift with supply, demand, distance, and danger. Strike smart bargains and margins soar
- Feast to forge alliances — wine, mead, and hospitality buy favour with nobles, guilds, and powerful patrons
- Build trade routes — connect your markets to distant cities. Every road, river, and mountain pass is a potential goldmine… or a trap
The Betrayals
- Bribery — coins in the right palms can open doors, secure contracts, or turn guards blind
- Sabotage — rivals blocking your path? Slow their production, disrupt their supply lines, or tarnish their reputation
- Arson — think you can burn down a competitor’s warehouse and get away with it? Think again. Hungry rats have a nose for foul play — and they’ll turn on you if you’re careless
The Perils
- Bandits haunt lonely roads
- Seasons change, disrupting harvests and travel
- Rivals grow bolder as you grow richer
- NPC and player‑run economies evolve in a shared, persistent world
Build, Trade, Rule — Key Features
| Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| 50+ unique buildings | Workshops, markets, guild halls, fortifications — design your city your way |
| Dynamic caravan trade | Guide convoys across dangerous terrain; the longer the journey, the higher the risk — and reward |
| Living population | Every settler has skills, needs, and loyalties. Assign the right people to the right jobs |
| Persistent online world | Trade with — and compete against — other merchants. Their success shapes your opportunities |
| Political influence | Win favour with nobility to unlock exclusive trade rights and protection |
| Single‑player & multiplayer | Build solo or dominate together — co‑op and competitive modes available |
Out Soon — Demo Live Now
- Early Access Launch: October 29, 2026 — Steam
- Free Demo: Available right now on Steam
- Platform: PC (Steam)
- Developer/Publisher: Black Duke Games / Three River Games
The Merchant’s Oath
“Honesty is a luxury. Trust is a strategy. And if you light a fire in the market at night… make sure the rats don’t see you.”
Start your empire, outwit your rivals, and prove that in this world — fortune favours the bold, the clever, and the very, very careful.
Find out more on Rise Of The Merchants
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Published on BizNooz — Business is war