Greetings Merchants,
This week’s patch is focused on onboarding.
The feedback has been very clear: you are being thrown into the deep end when you first start out, with an overwhelming tutorial and a bombardment of game mechanics.
This patch aims to make Medieval Merchant more approachable for new players. When you start the game for the first time, you will be greeted with an introduction level that teaches the game mechanics step by step. More complex mechanics are only unlocked in later levels.
As always, there are also a few QoL improvements and bug fixes sprinkled in.
Trade on, Merchants!
Patch Notes
Onboarding
The first time you start the game, you will be asked to play the introduction. It teaches you the basics of the game and takes about 3 minutes. You can always skip it and replay it if you missed something.
The old tutorial is still there but no longer pops up automatically. If you want to read up on some mechanics, be sure to look for the question mark buttons.
Companions and haggling are locked in the early levels and unlock as you progress through the levels. Don't be surprised if they disappear from the early levels.
Level 1: companions and haggling disabled
Level 2: companions enabled, haggling disabled
Level 3: companions and haggling enabled
Quality of Life
Production Chain UI: You can now inspect production chains from a menu in the escape menu. If you are wondering which Tier 2 goods are required for a Tier 3 good, check there.
Shortcut [Q]: Opens the inventory/caravan panel.
Shortcut [Enter]: Completes the current trade.
Selecting the Max>> button in the trade UI makes the amount slider stick to the maximum amount. If the town keeps producing resources, the trade slider will automatically update accordingly.
Development milestones have been reshuffled to provide better targets to develop towns towards.
Trade missions no longer post notifications in the bottom left corner. The new map overlays should cover this information without cluttering the screen as much.
Bug Fixes
The thief no longer steals immediately upon being hired.
Fixed cases where buying goods from a town incorrectly displayed a profit or loss message, which was nonsensical at that point.
Next Up
For the next patch, we will focus on improving the feel of the UI and game events with more animations, visual effects and sound effects.
We will also start working on improving the companions to make them more engaging.
Stay tuned!