Game Groups > The Guild series

Die Gilde (original German title) games are medieval business-oriented strategy games originally developed by 4HEAD Studios.

[Note: Some of the information displayed here may vary for earlier or later versions of the games in this series].

The Guild 2 series

Introduction

The Guild 2 series is set medieval Europe, where the player takes on the role of a male or female business person who aims to make a new competitive family-based business enterprise. The player must first choose a scenario (there are usually no campaign modes) which consists of a map overview of the area to be played. The map displayed available towns (and its buildings), maximum available players, and resources. Difficulty will depend on the availability of surrounding resources as well opposing families.

Character Classes

The player may choose a character class which will dictate actions and early economic choices for the player's family. As of the latest version of games in this series, the available character classes are as of the following: * The Craftsman; * The Patron; * The Scholar; * The Rogue.

Each class has unique abilities as well as buildings that may provide goods or access to certain service capabilities. Later versions of The Guild may provide more building and goods variations.

Family Business and Production

The game suggests the player to build a dynasty consisting of various family members who will then help operate business enterprise. First the player must choose a starting class, which will dictate accessibility to buildings unique to each class. These buildings when bought or build in available land plots will serve as the foundation of the player's business and income, which may later be upgraded.

To start a family dynasty the player must woo and wed a non-player character (NPC) and later commence in 'medieval rituals' to produce offspring. All family members may be controlled if the player chooses to do so, however children may not be controlled, but when of certain age may be sent off for apprenticeship and schooling. Each family member will have their own (and possibly different) classes, which may also allow the player access to new buildings not available to the player's starting character.

Production, depending on whether a particular building produces goods or services, usually requires natural resources, manufactured goods, or other related items to produce a items or profitable goods. Natural resources may be gathered by sending in employees (which are hired from the building menu) or any member of the player's family and later using those goods to produce a specified item. These newly produced items may then be used for personal usage (if applicable), stored in an owned warehouse, personally sold by owned buildings at a lower price, or sold at markets for a higher price. Selling goods at markets usually offer the highest margin of income, however the price may fluctuate, depending on the availability of goods in the market. Prices may drop if supply of mentioned goods exceed demand, either due to supply from the player or other NPC competitors.

Political Intrigue

In addition to business, the game series also offers local politics as an integral part of the gameplay, although participating in politics is completely optional. To enter politics, the player purchases a title and must apply for a position at the town hall (some versions may not require a title for the lowest positions). At an appointed time, a vote will be decided in a town meeting to consider each applicant. In order to win the vote, the player must have good relations with person(s) who are eligible to vote. To do so, the player may use social approaches such as bribery, gifts, flirtation, and many other available intrigue in the game to increased the 'relationship meter' between the player and the intended target.

Role-Playing Elements

Although primarily a strategy game, games in this series also features character development. All players (and NPCs) have talents (attributes) as well as skills (character perks), which may be increased as a character levels up through experience. Experience may be obtained by successfully carrying out duties or specified tasks and the player will be notified when the character obtains such experience.