Ahoy, aspiring merchant moguls!
Welcome aboard for our third devlog of High Seas, High Profits! I've been as busy as a one-legged pirate in a kickboxing contest, so let's dive right in!
Tooltip takeover: knowledge is power (and profit!)
First up, I've implemented a brand new tooltip system. Now you can hover over various elements in the game to get insights into all the intricate mechanics of trade, city management, and navigation. These tooltips will give you the lowdown on all the cool concepts in the game, ensuring you're never lost at sea when it comes to understanding game mechanics. The tooltip system is inspired by games such as Crusader Kings 3 and Norland.
Citizen satisfaction: the foundation of thriving cities
I've introduced a happiness system for your city-dwelling populations. Happy citizens are the wind in your sails, affecting everything from migration to consumption, and even influencing world events.
Each social class - poor, middle, and upper - has its own happiness factors. Balancing the needs of all your citizens is as challenging as navigating a ship through a stormy strait, but when done right - just as rewarding. Fear not! The new detailed happiness window shows you exactly what's influencing your citizens' moods.
I've refined how goods are distributed among social classes. It's a delicate economic ballet, ensuring that luxury goods reach the upper class while keeping necessities affordable for all. The system simulates the complex supply and demand dynamics of a bustling medieval port city. Oh, and I also made a video about it:
https://youtu.be/ByO18aTNN1I
Captains: the real stars of the nautical show
Exciting news from the docks - captains have arrived! These experienced sailors will be crucial in managing your expanding trade network. Each captain comes with their own dashing portrait, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of medieval seafarers.
But a captain's worth isn't just in their appearance. They come with both positive and negative traits that can significantly impact your trading operations. You might discover a master navigator who can shorten your voyage times, or end up with a poor negotiator who struggles to get the best prices in foreign markets. Don't worry though - you can hire a new captain every 12 turns if your current one isn't meeting your mercantile standards.
I've added 20 traits to start with - 10 positive and 10 negative. Keep an eye out for special traits that can only be earned through quests or other in-game events!
https://youtu.be/xIFykC1gQRE
On the horizon
We're currently charting a course towards ship upgrades. Soon you'll be able to enhance your vessels to better suit your trading strategies!
That's all for now, esteemed traders! Check back soon for more updates.
Join the Discord if you haven't already, I value your input like a merchant values their ledger!
Until next time, happy trading!
- Lexy