IGG’s Lords Online team has moved into the large-scale testing phase for the game, with hundreds of professional testers involved. Meanwhile, the dev team continues to track down and exterminate bugs and make final improvements. One major piece of the puzzle that is falling into place right on schedule is the trade system. According to the latest reports, the trade system is operating smoothly, so now is a good time to take a closer look at its primary features.

Since Lords Online includes a combination of Strategy and RPG elements, the trade system has been designed to take into account both aspects. There are two major parts that make up the trade system: the market and the auction system.

The Market
The market is the place where players can go to trade resources. Players can sell surplus resources to obtain gold with which to buy the resources they lack. The market also allows players to set up pending requests to be filled later.

The market provides balance to the distribution of resources among players. Players can trade with each other as well as doing business with the system. For example, if a player has an abundance of food but lacks a sufficient supply of ore, then he can exchange the food for ore at an exchange rate set by the system. Strategic gameplay elements allow players to use the market to monitor a city’s development and adjust their market tactics accordingly.

Auction System
The game world’s Auction Company gives players the tools needed to trade equipment with one another without having to resort to one-on-one wheeling and dealing. The items obtained from players’ adventures and the resulting battles can be sold through the Auction Company, either at auction or by setting a fixed price.

An auction allows the seller to set a minimum price for an item as well as an expiration date. Whoever places the highest bid before that date will win the item. If no one bids before the time expires, the item is automatically delivered back to the owner. Using the fixed-price method, a seller sets their price for an item. Bidders cannot see that price, so whoever bids high enough to match or surpass the fixed price will purchase the item immediately, completing the sale.

With the auction system, players can build their reputation among the community as a well-traveled adventurer by providing a wealth of valuable items to those in need for a suitable price. Players who have more high-quality equipment than they can use have the opportunity turn a considerable profit while those who find themselves in need of a specific item can use the system to improve their gear without hours or days of grinding to find what they need in the field.

Whether players need to stock up on resources, sell surplus items, or raise cash for that big purchase, the trade system will give them the tools they need to achieve their goals.

As the game continues to take shape, stay tuned to the official Lords Online forum at http://forum.lo.igg.com for the latest news and previews.