[Old Market Simulator]A management SLG that handles business in the old days!

“Old Market Simulator” is a simulation game title developed and published by “Alcedo Games” whose “early access version” has been distributed on the Steam store since May 22, 2024.

Set in a world with a motif of old times, the main feature is the SLG play, which is full of interactive elements, where you grow crops and run your own shop in the market, and grow your shop rapidly while experiencing various management elements and systems.

This new work is recommended for those who are looking for a store management simulation game title that allows for cooperative play, those who want to play the “work experience” PC games that have been popular on the Steam store in recent years, and those who want to support the developers.

A new SLG that challenges old-fashioned store management

“Old Market Simulator”, which is currently being distributed on the PC game portal site “Steam” store, is a recommended new game where you can challenge the elements of “store management” in a world with a motif of old times.

The reason I use “old times” in this article is because there is no clear era setting in the explanation of this work. Looking at the people's clothes and buildings, it seems like the story depicts a time more than 100 years ago, but I can't be sure of that, so I've blurred it out.

This unique game is being developed by indie game developer Alcedo Games, and the same studio is also in charge of publishing. Development is expected to take about three to four months, and the release of the official version is awaited.

The biggest feature of the game is that you can work on the store management sim either solo or online in “CO-OP'', and CO-OP supports simultaneous play by up to two people. This is a work that you can enjoy playing with your friends and family who are close to you on a daily basis.

The designs of the characters and environments, which are purposely reproduced in low poly, are interesting, and the limited number of colors gives you the feeling of watching an overseas picture book. This is a simulation game where the author's personality is reflected in the overall game design.

Immediately after the early access version was released, 22 user reviews were posted on the Steam store, and the overall rating was “positive'', showing that the game is off to a good start. This is a must-see new title that already has the feeling that it will be a “popular game''.

Game features

The player's goal is to “become a successful entrepreneur” in an old-fashioned market. Purchase products from various merchant NPCs that appear in the game, strategically place them on shelves, and watch the movements of customer NPCs to seize “business opportunities.”

It is also possible to grow and harvest “crops” on your own farm and bring them to the store to sell. By increasing your income, you can further expand your farm, so you can get a fair amount of compensation for your labor. Increasing revenue is a priority.

In this game, the “satisfaction level'' of customers who visit your store also affects the outcome of your business, so it is important to manage this reputation and survive in a highly competitive market. Let's play while understanding what the customer wants.

The “profits” earned through business can be further invested in business. Expand your store by purchasing more shelves, adding more products to your inventory, and attracting a wider range of potential NPC customers. This is a fun new work with upstart elements.

As you progress through the game, you will be able to hire “employee NPCs” as needed. “Human resource management elements'' that automate store processes are also important content, and this should increase efficiency.

Employees do not work for free. It is essential to pay a fair price for labor, and only when you do this can you call yourself a manager. Grow your store further by hiring staff to help with cash registers and restocking empty boxes.

The market owned by the player accumulates “dirt” depending on the number of visits from customer NPCs. It needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain cleanliness, which creates a sense of reality that goes beyond the game. It's a highly immersive simulation game.

This game has the concept of time passing, and there are also special events and holidays that occur throughout the year. Events such as Halloween have a significant impact on customer tastes and purchasing habits, so it is important to incorporate these into your business.

Demand for certain products, such as eggs or beer, can spike during Halloween, and you can take advantage of this trend by adjusting your inventory and pricing strategies accordingly. Become a good businessman who can successfully ride the waves of society.

Product prices vary depending on the season, such as spring, winter, autumn, and summer. Maximizing profits throughout the year and adjusting strategies to meet customer demand will also be important elements of play, and there is room for players to demonstrate their tactical abilities.

Check your income and expenses at the end of each day and try to maintain your business. Only careful planning can transform a small market into a “thriving bazaar empire.” This is a recommended new game where you can experience management elements that are almost the same as in the real world.

In addition to the “seasonal events” mentioned above, “surprise events” also occur in the game. These events include both positive and negative events, and depending on the content of the event, you can experience happiness or unhappiness.

Positive events usually result in lower tax rates, increasing customer demand for specific products, while negative events, on the other hand, increase tax rates and prohibit the sale of specific products. It is a game that requires the guts to face difficult situations.

There are countless realistic mechanisms in the game, such as storing perishable products in a “basement'' to prevent them from spoiling, and purchasing the necessary “permits'' to sell various products.

The game is very rewarding to play solo, but it's even more fun when you play co-op online with friends and family. Let's enjoy the game world full of interactive elements while sharing the roles with each character.

Compatible with Japanese interface

The selling price on Steam is 1,200 yen, and it is currently on sale for 20% off at 960 yen, which is the “release commemorative sale price”. It is expected that there will be no change in the selling price even with the official version, but those who want to buy it as cheaply as possible should hurry up and check it out.

The interface supports Japanese as standard. At this point, there are no announcements regarding operation with a general-purpose controller or compatibility with Valve's portable game console “Steam Deck.” Please look forward to future information updates.

Although only the minimum system requirements are listed on the store, Old Market Simulator's system requirements are relatively low. NVIDIA's GTX 660 is the graphic board that is guaranteed in the minimum operating environment.

The minimum CPU model is Intel's i3 3000 series processor or higher performance. The minimum amount of main memory installed is 4GB, which is a low threshold, and there should be many PC gamers who can clear these standards. It's a new game that many people can play.

Prospects for official version

The game still has the features and systems mentioned above even in its early access version, but the official version, which is scheduled to be released in about four months at the latest, will have even more items, NPCs, and customization options.

We are planning to accept feedback from users on the “official Discord server,'' so if you have any impressions while playing the game, or anything to report, feel free to let the developers know.

Many products released as early access versions often have the purpose of gathering information from users who are playing in a different PC environment than the developer. This is to steadily fix reproducible bugs and defects.

In addition, honest opinions about the game are also very helpful for developers. Sending requests such as “I want this part to be done this way'' or “I want this kind of content added'' is also very important in game development.

When a major company develops a AAA game, it is extremely rare for them to test the work in the early stages of development in a public format, which is a major difference from the development approach of indie game developers.

Closed beta tests are sometimes held to check the load on the server, but only indie game developers can be asked, “What do you think of this game?'' with the developer fully exposed.

Because of this, the players who can recommend early access games are those who can actively send opinions and feedback to the developers. If there is no response, early access is meaningless.

This new game is perfect for those who want to cooperate with the developers who are working hard day and night to develop the game and move it to the official version, and the unique opinions from users will surely contribute to the development of the work.

“Old Market Simulator,'' a new recommended simulation game in which you run your own shop in a world featuring the old days, is currently being distributed as an “early access version.''

This title is very similar in style to the recent blockbuster “Supermarket Simulator,'' and if you like that game's worldview and system, you'll definitely enjoy playing this one.

If you are interested, please visit the store now and check detailed game information.

[Recommended points]Let's make your store prosperous!