| Trade Empires | |
|---|---|
Retailed box art in the United Kingdom |
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| Developer(s) | Frog City Software |
| Publisher(s) | Take-Two Interactive (UK) Eidos Interactive (US) |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date(s) | |
| Genre(s) | Business simulation game |
| Rating(s) |
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| Media/distribution | PC CD-ROM |
| System requirements
64MB RAM |
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Trade Empires is a PC game developed by Frog City Software in San Francisco and published by Eidos Interactive. During development its working title was The Silk Road; however, this was changed by Eidos Interactive as they were concerned about the title being too highbrow.
Trade Empires is a pausable real-time strategy game about building a merchant empire. Gamers build vast transport and trade networks that change over thousands of years as new technologies are developed and more modern products are discovered. The rules of the game are simple; the variety comes in through the discovery of new products to trade and new ways to transport those products.
The game features 19 campaign scenarios based on historical trading periods in human history. A step-by-step walkthrough is playable by users on the Learn to Play mode for the Shang Dynasty of China (1700-1100 BC). The game imitates the historical period through the supply and demand process of that time. Goods such as rice, millet, silk cloth and jade idols are traded during the campaign. The Tang & Song Era (AD 615-1280) of China is also depicted, although not as a Learn to Play option.
Other Asian trading periods include First Civilization (2500-2310 BC); based around the regions of the Indus Valley, Afghanistan, Zagros, Mesopotamia and Assyria.