PC games with deep/complex markets

[PieceOfMind]

I've been trying to find some pc games that have some sort of market simulation (or a real market if it's multiplayer and there are enough people) either as a small or large part of the game.

For example, WoW has an auction house and thousands of players per server so the market mini-game can be entertaining on its own.

From what I've read, the Patrician series of games is a lot about the market mini-game too, but I haven't played them. What games can you recommend or know of that have a market in them?

 

[Maniacal]

Patrician is fun. The X series (latest being X3: Terran Conflict) is a space sim that is primarily focused on economics but also has an optional storyline, exploration, fighting and other features. Its also extremely pretty without being a resource hog. EVE Online probably has one of the deepest economies.

 

[Till]

Patrician: Manufacture and trade stuff on markets around the baltic sea
Port Royale: Manufacture and trade stuff on markets around the Caribbean
Ports of Call: Trade stuff around the world. Pretty old game.
Europe 1400(The Guild): Manufacture and trade stuff on a medieval town market
Capitalism: Probably still the best complete business simulation out there.

 

[PieceOfMind]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention X3. I'll be playing that fairly soon I hope.

I think there are some browser-based MMOs out there (probably mostly text) as well, that have a heavy focus on competition in a market. I don't know where to find them though.

I would play EVE Online (possibly) if it didn't have such a god-aweful interface - the in-game text is simply too small to read. It's a shame really.

Thanks for the other suggestions Till. I'll have a look at them.

 

[GoodGame]

Patrician: Manufacture and trade stuff on markets around the baltic sea
Port Royale: Manufacture and trade stuff on markets around the Caribbean
Ports of Call: Trade stuff around the world. Pretty old game.
Europe 1400(The Guild): Manufacture and trade stuff on a medieval town market
Capitalism: Probably still the best complete business simulation out there.

I agree, there's probably no game as economically complicated as Capitalism / Capitalism 2. Both are up for sale on GOG.com.

If you do like auction bidding type board games, WoW or similar MMOs with lots of bidders and lots of goods is kind of a realistic (though ridiculous since you pay per month). MULE is very old and kind of realistic in some ways, at least in the buy low sell high.

There's also a couple of stock market games, plus real web browser ones as well.

A fun semi-casual one is The Corporate Machine.

Pirates of the Burning Sea MMO is now free to play. I heard it was pretty similar to Eve, though thematically like Pirates!/Port Royale.

 

[PieceOfMind]

I went and bought Capitalism 2 on Impulse, so thanks for that suggestion. I'll get around to playing it eventually.

Corporate Machine sounds promising, so I'll probably pick that up. Pirates of the Burning Sea sounds like it could be worth a shot too, though ever since the crap that was Evony/Civony I've been hesitant to invest much time in free MMOs.

 

[GoodGame]

I went and bought Capitalism 2 on Impulse, so thanks for that suggestion. I'll get around to playing it eventually.

Corporate Machine sounds promising, so I'll probably pick that up. Pirates of the Burning Sea sounds like it could be worth a shot too, though ever since the crap that was Evony/Civony I've been hesitant to invest much time in free MMOs.

When I mention Pirates, it's a WoW-like MMO, not a browser game.


EDIT: There's also this game which is strictly crafting and barter in classical antiquity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Tale_in_the_Desert

 

[PieceOfMind]

When I mention Pirates, it's a WoW-like MMO, not a browser game.

I realise that, but I'm just sayin'. Whenever something's free, I think it's worth giving some thought to why it's so.

In any case, I'll be trying it out.

EDIT: There's also this game which is strictly crafting and barter in classical antiquity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Tale_in_the_Desert

Another interesting suggestion - Thanks!

 

[GoodGame]

I realise that, but I'm just sayin'. Whenever something's free, I think it's worth giving some thought to why it's so.

In any case, I'll be trying it out.

Another interesting suggestion - Thanks!

True, though actually most free2play are trying to get you to pay in a nickel and dime format to get over grinding humps, but if you're the patient sort you still don't have to pay. It's interesting that the Lord of the Rings Online company (EA or the developer) reported that their income increased very significantly when they dropped the monthly subscription, and only charged for expansions and microtransactions.

 

[croxis]

Eve online you can change the font sizes

 

[Yui108]

Haven't played the others, but Vicky:R 1 was seemingly okay about this.

 

[PieceOfMind]

Eve online you can change the font sizes

Only in chat windows, to my knowledge.

Haven't played the others, but Vicky:R 1 was seemingly okay about this.

I'm guessing it's 'Victoria', but what the heck is ':R 1'? Is it Victoria: Revolutions?

 

[PieceOfMind]

True, though actually most free2play are trying to get you to pay in a nickel and dime format to get over grinding humps, but if you're the patient sort you still don't have to pay.

Yeah, and in the case of WoW they nickel and dime to do the grinding humps.

It's interesting that the Lord of the Rings Online company (EA or the developer) reported that their income increased very significantly when they dropped the monthly subscription, and only charged for expansions and microtransactions.

Yes, very interesting. I'd assume that whatever the reasons, it was basically because they got more customers that way.

 

[Maniacal]

That is correct (Vicky: Revolutions).

 

[Abaddon]

I have enjoyed ATITD in the past.. more for the setting and wierd grind of building my own house.. not the economy..

Patrician III is pretty good.. you can pick these games up for next to nothing now..

 

[carmen510]

Besides the Victoria series, I've heard about the game Privateer from The Spoony One. The first Privateer that is.

 

[Dachs]

Haven't played the others, but Vicky:R 1 was seemingly okay about this.

It wasn't actually complex, much less accurate or good.