{"product_id":"mercantile-founders-edition","title":"Mercantile: Founders Edition","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"310\" data-start=\"271\" data-section-id=\"1xt10oa\"\u003eMercantile Beta (Ships June 2026)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"362\" data-start=\"312\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"362\" data-start=\"312\"\u003eBe among the first to step onto the Silk Road.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"640\" data-start=\"364\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong data-end=\"387\" data-start=\"368\"\u003eMercantile Beta\u003c\/strong\u003e is a limited community playtest edition of \u003cem data-end=\"443\" data-start=\"431\"\u003eMercantile\u003c\/em\u003e, running from \u003cstrong data-end=\"488\" data-start=\"458\"\u003eJune through December 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e. This early version includes the full playable game with beta assets and evolving content as the Mercantile community helps shape the final experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1072\" data-start=\"642\"\u003eDuring the beta season, players will receive \u003cstrong data-end=\"742\" data-start=\"687\"\u003emonthly challenges, unlockables, and story elements\u003c\/strong\u003e that expand the world of Mercantile. You'll be encouraged to share feedback, discuss strategy, and help refine the game alongside other players through our \u003cstrong data-end=\"935\" data-start=\"899\"\u003eFacebook and Discord communities\u003c\/strong\u003e. You can also log your matches on the official website to track your progress and see how you stack up against players around the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1364\" data-start=\"1074\"\u003eMercantile was created independently by first-time publisher and designer \u003cstrong data-end=\"1165\" data-start=\"1148\"\u003eDhillon Welsh\u003c\/strong\u003e, developed over \u003cstrong data-end=\"1226\" data-start=\"1182\"\u003enearly 1,200 hours of design and testing\u003c\/strong\u003e. The project is supported by a growing community of friends, artists, and designers who believe in building something ambitious together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1546\" data-start=\"1366\"\u003eThe beta represents the \u003cstrong data-end=\"1434\" data-start=\"1390\"\u003efirst chapter in the Mercantile Universe\u003c\/strong\u003e, a planned trilogy of interconnected games featuring new mechanics, factions, and interchangeable card systems.\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2278\" data-end=\"2281\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"1575\" data-start=\"1553\" data-section-id=\"1ikb8lk\"\u003eWhat is Mercantile?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1667\" data-start=\"1577\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1591\" data-start=\"1577\"\u003eMercantile\u003c\/strong\u003e is a \u003cstrong data-end=\"1641\" data-start=\"1597\"\u003e2–6 player asymmetric strategy card game\u003c\/strong\u003e set across the Silk Road.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1783\" data-start=\"1669\"\u003eEach player commands the favor of a powerful \u003cstrong data-end=\"1736\" data-start=\"1714\"\u003ecity-state faction\u003c\/strong\u003e, each with unique abilities and scoring goals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1991\" data-start=\"1785\"\u003ePlayers build their ledger by drafting contracts from a hidden market or the public Passage while secretly placing \u003cstrong data-end=\"1934\" data-start=\"1900\"\u003edangerous Underworld contracts\u003c\/strong\u003e that can later sabotage rivals and steal valuable cards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2210\" data-start=\"1993\"\u003eYour ledger begins unknown even to you. As cards are revealed and swapped throughout the game, the true shape of your strategy slowly emerges. Every flip is a calculated risk of \u003cstrong data-end=\"2209\" data-start=\"2171\"\u003etiming, information, and deception\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2276\" data-start=\"2212\"\u003eThe winner is rarely clear until the final contract is revealed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2281\" data-start=\"2278\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2301\" data-start=\"2283\" data-section-id=\"xydb7h\"\u003eWhat’s Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2333\" data-start=\"2305\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2331\" data-start=\"2305\"\u003e1 Marketplace Board\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2333\" data-start=\"2305\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2331\" data-start=\"2305\"\u003e6 Player Ledger Boards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2351\" data-start=\"2336\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2349\" data-start=\"2336\"\u003e131 Cards\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2377\" data-start=\"2354\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2375\" data-start=\"2354\"\u003e50 Scoring Tokens\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2394\" data-start=\"2380\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2392\" data-start=\"2380\"\u003eRulebook\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2509\" data-start=\"2397\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"2421\" data-start=\"2397\"\u003eUnlockable Envelopes\u003c\/strong\u003e that guide players through the world of Mercantile and introduce new elements over time\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-end=\"2281\" data-start=\"2278\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-end=\"2544\" data-start=\"2516\" data-section-id=\"1cpnq9e\"\u003eImportant Beta Disclaimer\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2604\" data-start=\"2546\"\u003eThis is a \u003cstrong data-end=\"2572\" data-start=\"2556\"\u003ebeta edition\u003c\/strong\u003e designed for community testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2897\" data-start=\"2606\"\u003eComponents use \u003cstrong data-end=\"2673\" data-start=\"2621\"\u003etemporary assets and prototype-quality materials\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than the final production artwork and finishes found in retail board games. The goal of this release is to put the game into the hands of as many players as possible and gather meaningful feedback from the community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2962\" data-start=\"2899\"\u003eBecause of this, the beta is being offered \u003cstrong data-end=\"2961\" data-start=\"2942\"\u003eat minimum cost\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3131\" data-start=\"2964\"\u003eThe official full production game, \u003cstrong data-end=\"3039\" data-start=\"2999\"\u003eMercantile: Legends of the Silk Road\u003c\/strong\u003e, featuring final artwork and premium components, is scheduled for release in \u003cstrong data-end=\"3130\" data-start=\"3117\"\u003eFall 2027\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nornforge Studios","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43063342760049,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0674\/4739\/0321\/files\/IMG_6078.jpg?v=1773424036","url":"https:\/\/playmercantile.com\/products\/mercantile-founders-edition","provider":"Nornforge Studios","version":"1.0","type":"link"}