Summary
Trading is something humans have done throughout history. It may be between individuals or entire countries, but the basic principle remains the same: two parties agree to an exchange of goods. One of the simplest forms of trade is known as thebarter system. At its core, bartering is the act of directly offering one product in exchange for another, as opposed to making a purchase with an agreed-upon currency. While the story that early bartering gave way to the invention of money is a myth concocted by Adam Smith to sell capitalism, that doesn’t change the significant impact it has had on human culture and history. Bartering comes in many different forms and may exchange many different things. Sometimes, it may even include offering a favor instead of a physical item. But the basic underlying principle remains unchanged.
A lot of video games like to incorporate in-game currency as a mechanic. The name and appearance of the currency may vary: gold, groschens, caps, shards, drachmae, credits, bells, rupees. But whatever the label, it comes down to the same idea- it’s a currency within the game’s worldthat can be obtained by the protagonist and then used to make purchases. This is a pretty widespread concept that can be found in every genre and is usually acceptable for players as long as it doesn’t try to force players to spend actual money. But sometimes, it’s interesting to see something different. Some games like to change things up by using a barter system. It may be the only way to trade, or it may be offered as an alternative to currency, but an effective barter system can really change how the game is played.
AlthoughFalloutandS.T.A.L.K.E.R.(both heavy inspirations) had their own forms of currency, Rebellion’sAtomfallmade the interesting decision to do away with money entirely. But as curious a choice as it is, it makes sense. The game portrays an alternate Lake District that’s been cordoned off after the Windscale Disaster, and the subsequent shortage of resources inevitably led to society collapsing. Getting all the competing factions to agree on a shared currency and being able to produce that currency would be an uphill battle at best, if not outright impossible. Bartering, however, is a universal language. There are several merchants the player can encounter throughout the game,all of whom rely on the exchange of goods instead of money. The basic format is simple: the player character can offer items from their inventory and pick items they would like from the merchant, and if the trade is considered fair, it can be accepted.
Interestingly, while the basic mechanics are straightforward, having a barter system instead of in-game money does affect how deals are approached. The player can’t just save up and collect money to buy a particular item. They actually have to go out and find something valuable to exchange for it. The limited inventory space, combined with the need to have a specific item to offer, forces players to be more pragmatic in what they trade. However, it is also a great way to unload unneeded resources and get something helpful in return. For instance, if the player has collected rifle ammo but doesn’t have a rifle, they could exchange the bullets for something more immediately useful, like ammo for a gun they actually have or medical supplies.
Now,technically, gold is the primary currency for the Forgotten Realms, and that’s what most players will be accustomed to using. However, it’s not the only option available.Baldur’s Gate 3also has an option to barter with merchants. Of course, this option can be a bit more complicated than simply exchanging gold since it requires a lot more math and value discernment. But when done right, it also becomes a great way to obtain more expensive items.
However, bartering can do more than just purchasing goods.It can also purchase favor with merchants. Each merchant has an attitude towards the player that is affected by their interactions. One way players can improve their relationship with merchants is by bartering their excess inventory. Handing out items without any immediate gain might seem odd, but in the long run, it can be very helpful since building up a good reputation with merchants can lead to better prices.
TheCivilizationseries revolves around, well, building a thriving civilization. That requires the player to juggle a lot of responsibilities,includingmaintaining trade relations with other countries. And what is international trade ultimately if not a barter system with extra steps? Just like in real life, being able to effectively trade with other nations is important to the economy, and different civilizations are going to access different resources. So, trade can be a good way to get access to otherwise unavailable resources. Players can trade with other leaders at any time and may themselves receive offers.
Of course, just like in real life, it’s not always as simple as two countries realizing they have something the other needs and making an exchange. Bartering can also be used to gain political favors, such as open borders. Sometimes, leaders will try to leverage resources in exchange for other services, like supporting them in a war. And sometimes personal grudges can get in the way. After all, it’s impossible to please everyone, and any leader that dislikes the player will be a lot harder to form an agreement with. And sometimes it’s just impossible to make a deal because one partner’s terms are unacceptable to the other.
This bizarre roguelike takes placein a mysterious post-apocalyptic worldwhere bartering has become pretty standard, though it does get a bit weird. The closest thing in the game to an actual currency is drinking water, which is measured in “drams,” but that has a few challenges. For one thing, it requires a container, and carrying too much adds extra weight, not to mention players have to drink it to survive. So, naturally, the logical alternative is to barter. While exploring, the player can find artifacts from the old world, which can be traded with various merchants. Each item has a price, which is determined by several factors. This is where things get a bit more complicated since using the barter system effectively requires the player to offer items of equal value to the merchant.
However, this one gets a bit more complicated due to the game’s rigorous survival mechanics. Among other things, players have to ensure they’re properly equipped while exploring, and they have a limited amount of space and weight capacity. Trying to grab loot can get in the way by adding extra weight and taking up space that could be used for something else. So sometimes it’s better to just leave it and prioritize practical resources.
If international trade seemed difficult to manage, tryinterstellartrade between species.Stellaristasks players with building and managing an empire. One of the biggest parts of keeping an empire going is an effective trade network. That means some interstellar bartering with other species is going to be necessary. ButStellarisalso adds a few extra challenges. Making an agreement is one thing, but in order to actually uphold it, the player needs to build entire trade routes for their ships. As if that weren’t difficult enough, they also have to deal with pirates. After all, bartering isn’t all that effective if one partner’s goods are stolen before they can be handed to the other. So, solid anti-piracy measures are also essential.
Of all the games on this list,Stellarisprobably has the toughest bartering system to master, but a skilled player who can juggle the responsibilities can eventually build a powerful trade network across the galaxy.
With a title likeRogueTrader, it’s not much of a surprise that players are expected to do some trading. And a lot of that trading comes in the form of bartering rather than exchanging money. Of course, it does come with some challenges. In theWarhammer 40kuniverse,bartering isn’t exactly known to be consistently fair or even ethical. It involves bartering with some very shady institutions with deals that are often stacked in one participant’s favor, often with goods that were obtained through exploitation and violence. Fortunately, even in this world, bartering is a good way to earn favor with different factions, and gaining a more favorable reputation makes them more willing to make better offers.
Instead of money, the ability to trade is based on something called aprofit factor, which increases the player’s reputation as their merchant company grows more powerful. There are various ways to improve it, but the higher the profit factor, the better the options for bartering. When it gets really high, players can even start getting items for free.
Voidtrainsees the player character as an engineer warped to an alternate dimension where they navigate a surreal railroad. One interesting detail about the void is its economy runs entirely on good old-fashioned bartering. Bartering is such a staple of this world that train stations havevending machinesthat use the barter system. They work like regular vending machines, except instead of having a set price, each item requires something different in exchange. For example, a piece of wood might cost a piece of scrap metal. This doesn’t always work perfectly since the player can only make a purchase if they have the required item, but it can be a great way to quickly obtain resources when just short of the needed amount. And when vending machines offer parts, that saves on time and resources needed for crafting.
But the barter system invoidtrainis used for more than just exchanging resources. Getting into the arena requires players to pay an “entrance fee” that comes in the form of a resource combination, and the prizes are also typically resources. The “lootcatchers” (small seal-like creatures that collect materials from the void) will help the player in exchange for water. The researcher will research projects in exchange for the necessary resources. The rofleemo help on the train in exchange for food and shelter. Bartering is used as a means of paying for services.
It is worth noting thatVoidtrainis currently in early access and that its barter system could change in future updates.
