"Mercantile" is the final project I devised for a Computer Art course: a browser-based adventure game revolving around a mysterious merchant. Since I had so much fun working on it, and since I received such enthusiastic feedback during critique, I decided to continue adding onto it over time.
Mercantile is very much a work in progress, so keep checking back! Who knows? Next time you visit, there may be something new...
Merchants are an unavoidable fixture in any game that gives you money to buy things. These characters often fade into the background as mere setpieces, but I've always had an appreciation for helpful NPCs who showed novel agency and relevance within the narrative, or who otherwise distinguished themselves by having unique designs and compelling personalities.
Zacharie from OFF, the Duke from Resident Evil 8, Spamton from Delta Rune, and the Happy Mask Salesman and Beedle the Bard from the Legend of Zelda franchise are all exemplary video game merchants, albeit for different reasons and to differing degrees. Who are these characters? Do they have any other customers? How do they source their merchandise? Why do they know so much? And just what is so alluring to us about their their solicitious geniality...? 😳
My primary interest in this trope is, of course, the fact that so many fans become smitten with these peculiar characters. I thought to myself, "Everyone loves a merchant character... But when will someone invent a merchant character who loves you back?" And then I did not wait for an answer. The answer is right this fucking second. Congratulations on your new creature! They are obsessed with you :)
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness! It's a 2003 PS2 game, featuring the exploits of the demon Laharl, Prince of the Netherworld, and his loyal(?) retainer Etna, as they attempt to claw their way back to power after Laharl misses his chance at a frictionless succession by sleeping through his father's death. I played this game back when I was a kid, so it's really nostalgic for me. :)
Whisper of Hell:
Summon Assembly:
Whatever you want them to be! The customer is always right... 😉
Sorry about that! If you clear your browser's cache (it's usually in something like Settings -> Privacy -> Clear Cookies & Site Data), the site should start loading the correct versions of the pages! :') I'm working on solutions to shake loose coins out of the cache so the site doesn't keep old versions of the pages after an update... Feel free to reach out if you know how to fix this lol.
Sure! There's a link to a Google Form below where you can leave whatever feedback you have for me, and sign up to be notified of major site content updates. You can also shoot an e-mail over to mercantile.game@gmail.com :)
→ Vote for your favorite path, or leave feedback and suggestions on the Google Form! ←
Go toward the light to play again! :)
