Originally published as Handelsfürsten by Pegasus Spiele in Germany, the game focused on a theme of Old World trading in the 16th century. While the over-all theme of tall-ship trading remains unchanged, all new art has been generated, focusing the items traded towards an American market.
The game play remains unchanged from its original German publication and Reiner design. A classic German-style resource management style of play, with rules that are read and understood in minutes, but a depth of play that allows for a lot of fun re-peat play.
Merchants, along with High School Drama and Paparazzi, will publish in Catalyst new distinctive packaging. The exterior of the box opens like a book, so right on a store shelf people can open it and take a look at more information and art surrounding the game than any back-of-a-box can manage. The smaller, sealed interior box contains all of the components of play. Additionally, as it’s self-contained, it acts as a miniature carrying case when space is at a premium.
