Devlog #6: In-Game Economy And The Price of Trade Reputation

[p]Hi everyone! We’re back with the sixth devlog for Ways of Alchemy. This time, we’re talking about a serious, complex topic of in-game economy, plus discussing the trading reputation and how it affects the gameplay. [/p][p]🚀 A demo, which is still available, is going to be updated with additional new content soon, so be sure to try it out – we will even have a tutorial soon! As usual, your feedback is everything![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h2]Balancing Gold and Gameplay: Designing an Economy That Feels Alive[/h2][p]Doesn’t get shinier than that. How are you going to spend it, though – is a different question.[/p][p]As the in-game economy is developed, developers are often challenged in a similar way to those of real-world monetary policy: money must hold value, but not become more valuable than everything else. This balance is especially important in Ways of Alchemy, where trade and economic relationships between the Alchemist and buyers play a central role in the gameplay.[/p][p][/p][h2]Buyers and Bargains: Building Reputation One Potion at a Time[/h2][p]Some buyers just want something useful, while others have genuinely curious requests…[/p][p]Buyers are the backbone of the in-game economy. As soon as you start playing, they’ll begin approaching the Alchemist, requesting various potions, ingredients, and materials. Some buyers know exactly what they want, while others are open to suggestions — you can offer them a similar potion instead. However, if you provide exactly what they're asking for, they'll always pay a bit more. Each successful deal boosts the Alchemist’s trade reputation. Such word of mouth functions as a game mechanic, attracting wealthier customers who are looking for rarer and more expensive potions.[/p][p][/p][h2]Why Word of Mouth Matters For Alchemists?[/h2][p]Luckily, there are no five-star reviews on TripAdvisor in Ways of Alchemy. In fact, no trip advisors at all – and several expeditions to attend.[/p][p]Trade reputation is a pretty significant metric in the game – sometimes it makes sense to take orders that are not really profitable so that you can get a boost in trade rep. For example, some tricky buyers prefer to avoid the high prices at the market and will happily purchase building materials from you at a discount.. Not a good deal at all, but the word-of-mouth you gain is invaluable. Originally, the game even featured a “non-finished order” counter that affected the trade reputation, but that didn’t feel right at all, so it’s been cut.[/p][p][/p][h2]No Buyers? No Problem: Sending Your Adventurer to Search for Customers[/h2][p]Brass-statue face attracts customers; they want the same cool looking one! Just kidding, of course, its power simply makes it easier to persuade people.[/p][p]Buyers come to you randomly. While randomness adds excitement and unpredictability to gameplay, our philosophy is that it feels better when the player has some agency, especially when luck turns a bit too cruel. If, by the D20’s will, there’s no dice (pun intended) and no buyers show up at all, you’re not powerless. You can increase the Mirror pillar of your adventurer (by equipping an item that boosts this stat) and send them out to the streets of your town, where they’ll happily promote your shop and attract new customers.[/p][p][/p][h2]Low Risk, Low Reward: How the Pharmacy Keeps You Alive[/h2][p]Where do they spend their profit money they make while dealing with you? We’ll never know.[/p][p]But wait, isn’t it based on cruel randomness, too? You may ask. And you’ll be right! And that’s why we added a pharmacy to the game, to help you get money quickly and efficiently. Sisters of Three-Bodied God have a pharmacy and will gladly purchase your potions. The catch is that it will be the lowest price ever. Low risk, low rewards. For being a mediator, these nuns will take a great amount of their cut. They will pay a single (!) coin for the Coagulation potion. Let the three-bodied God be the judge.[/p][p][/p][h2]Why It's Important To Teach the Alchemist How To Work Hard[/h2][p]Hard labour is something you have to learn. It may seem a bit too strange to do it as an Alchemist, but it’s generally pretty rewarding, just like in early life.[/p][p]With all that, they are ready to teach the Alchemist or any Adventurers the skill of labour for a large amount of money. The higher the rank of this labour, the more expensive it will be.[/p][p]We wanted to provide players wil options to improve their character for money, but not connect it to alchemy. After all, the forbidden knowledge can’t be bought. Basic things, like hard labour, can be taught for money though. [/p][p][/p][h2]Earning the Trust of Adventurers, One Safe Expedition at a Time[/h2][p]Nobody wants to go on suicide missions. Prove your good intentions and they will want to work with you.[/p][p]An important part of your budgeting plan involves hiring adventurers. These individuals are essential, as they gather the rare materials needed for your alchemic deeds, making them invaluable. First, you'll need to provide living space for each adventurer you hire. Second, you can't simply throw money at the problem and expect to hire a royal guard. At the start, only the most reckless and affordable adventurers will agree to join you. Gaining the respect and trust of more experienced adventurers will take some time and successfully finished expeditions. With each expedition that went safe and sound, your guild’s reputation will grow, attracting stronger adventurers.[/p][p][/p][h2]Why the Market Exists, And Why It’s Overpriced[/h2][p]If only there could be a way to find materials and food without going to crowded, expensive places like this…[/p][p]And of course, there’s a market. This is where you can buy plant seeds, building materials and some food. Except for seeds, it will be cheaper to get things somewhere else, but the presence of a market is important so that you can actually spend your money comfortably. High-level materials will cost a fortune here… and yet, purchasing them will allow you not to wait for eternity as you make them by yourself.[/p][p]There’s another way to earn money at the market — once your trade reputation reaches a certain level, you can open your own small shop to sell potions directly, without having to worry about finding buyers. However, the Adventurers’ Guild frowns upon market sellers and will look down on you if you choose this path.[/p][p][/p][h2]Medieval Landlords, Land Prices and the Cost of Your Growth[/h2][p]Land has tons of opportunities, so it’s essential to possess it. But just like in real life, not even being an Alchemist makes it easy to own it.[/p][p]Another crucial aspect of the economic balance is land price. It ties together various parts of your farm's development: you need land to grow ingredients, provide housing for workers and expand operations. While you can obtain all of these things, you’ll have to choose between acquiring a little of everything or focusing on a few elements in greater quantity. Keep in mind that land prices will continue to rise drastically over time.[/p][p][/p][h2]Economy is Everywhere & Everything[/h2][p]Everything revolves around the economy, especially going to sinister places like Extinct Hamlets of the Halflings to seek out rewards.[/p][p]The in-game economy is also affected by other systems – the tax collector, royal orders and adventures. We have already touched upon some of these topics in previous devlogs and will talk more about others later on. If you have already played our demo, how did you feel about the economic balance? Did you manage to get rich not knowing where else you could potentially splurge or did you make every bronze denier count?[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]
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