High Seas Trader
| Company type | Video game |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1995 |
| Products | High Seas Trader (video game) |
High Seas Trader is a naval-themed business simulation game released in 1995, where players oversee trading routes, engage in battles against pirates, gather valuable artifacts, and ferry allies to climb the ranks. Advancement unlocks access to bigger vessels, stronger armaments, and increased cargo capacity to boost progression.
Gameplay
Taking place in the year 1650, participants begin their journey commanding a modest ship (Fluyt) with an initial capital of 5,000 gold coins.
Nations
The choice of nation impacts diplomatic ties, which in turn influence port accessibility and the likelihood of hostile sea encounters. The selectable countries include:
- Dutch
- English
- French
- Portuguese
- Spanish
Ships
- Fluyt
- Crew complement: 100
- Cargo capacity: 300 tons
- Armament: Four rows of single cannons
- Cost: 4,000 gold
- Corvette
- Crew complement: 100
- Cargo capacity: 150 tons
- Armament: Four rows of double cannons
- Cost: 8,000 gold
- Merchant
- Crew complement: 200
- Cargo capacity: 500 tons
- Armament: Four rows of double cannons
- Cost: 14,000 gold
- Frigate
- Crew complement: 200
- Cargo capacity: 350 tons
- Armament: Four rows of quadruple cannons
- Cost: 16,000 gold
- East Indiaman
- Crew complement: 250
- Cargo capacity: 700 tons
- Armament: Four rows of quintuple cannons
- Cost: 21,000 gold
- Fourth rate
- Crew complement: 300
- Cargo capacity: 600 tons
- Armament: Four rows of octuple cannons
- Cost: 27,000 gold
Titles
Advancement titles correspond with ship types and estate sizes:
- Peddler (associated with Fluyt and Corvette)
- Journeyman (linked to Merchant and Frigate)
- Tradesman (East Indiaman and Fourth rate; small estate – maximum of two treasures)
- Merchant (medium estate – up to four treasures)
- Master Merchant (large estate – up to six treasures)
- Viscount (awarded upon completing the game)
Guild ladder
Players earn ranks that confer titles, access to larger ships, and estates. Points are gathered across various categories and exchanged for titles; these points reset following each promotion.
Ammo
- Round shot (effective at long distances)
- Chain shot (short-range; used to disable sails)
- Grape shot (short-range; inflicts crew damage similar to a shotgun blast)
Cannons
- Swivel-gun (weighing 0.3 tons)
- Saker (1.0 ton)
- Demi-culverin (1.2 tons)
- Culverin (2.0 tons)
- Demi-cannon (2.5 tons)
- Cannon (3.0 tons)
Banks
Players have the option to store funds in banks for protection, enabling them to resume play with their savings after losing naval engagements. However, these savings diminish over time due to security-related interest charges.
Reception
High Seas Trader received varied critical responses. In 1995, Dragon issue #221 awarded it a rating of two out of five stars. Next Generation rated the PC edition three out of five stars, commenting that although the theme might not appeal broadly, it remains a must-play for enthusiasts of strategic gameplay.
Reviews
- CU Amiga (June 1995)
- Power Play (July 1995)
- Amiga Format (June 1995)
- Amiga Joker (May 1995)
- Amiga Computing (July 1995)
- All Game Guide (1995)
- Amiga Power (July 1995)
See also
- Taipan! (1979)
- Sid Meier's Pirates! (1987)