Just before the Early Access release, I made the decision to pull the merchant and trading system from the launch build. The foundations were there, but I wasn't happy enough with how it worked and, especially, how it controlled.

I'd rather hold something back for a little longer than release a system that doesn't feel ready.

After some more work, testing, and polish, I think it's ready!

You can meet the merchants near Tanura City, browse their wares, spend your hard-earned gold, and finally turn unwanted equipment back into something useful.

Meet the Merchants

Merchants are now available in the world and bring a proper trading loop to Under a Desert Sun.

- Buy and sell equipment: Spend your gold on weapons and gear, or sell items you no longer need.

- Compare your gear: Your inventory is shown alongside the merchant's stock, making it easy to inspect items, stats, and prices before making a decision.

- Different merchants, different goods: Merchants can specialise in weapons, armour, or offer a mixture of equipment.

- Fresh stock as you progress: Merchant stock is randomly generated around Player 1's level. Their wares refresh after you level up and visit again, or once their restock timer has elapsed.

- Merchants have limited gold: They can't buy everything forever. Restocking also replenishes the gold they have available for trading.

- Buy back accidental sales: Sold something you wanted to keep? You can buy it back while the trading window remains open. Once you leave, the buyback list is cleared.

- Mouse and controller support: Inspect, buy, and sell using either control method, including quick actions to make trading faster.

- Inventory space matters: You'll need an available inventory slot before purchasing a new item.

Item Details & Rarity Improvements

Alongside the merchant system, I've made another pass over how items and their rarity are presented throughout the game.

- Improved item details: Text layout and sizing have been adjusted so inventory and equipped-item stats fit more reliably.

- Clearer rarity indicators: Item names and rarity labels now use consistent rarity colours across the inventory, equipment screen, and merchants.

- Matching rarity frames: Item detail panels now share the rarity colours and shimmer effects used by item slots.

- Better readability: Parchment backgrounds remain neutral so stats stay clear and easy to read.

- Fixed vendor rarity colours: Fixed an issue that could cause merchant rarity labels to appear white instead of their intended colour.

This was one of the systems I really wanted in the game, but I also wanted trading to feel like a natural part of the existing inventory and equipment experience rather than something bolted onto it.

I'm much happier with where it is now, so go say hello to the merchants near Tanura City and see what they've got!

A Special Thank You

I also want to give a special thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send feedback so far. It has been incredibly valuable and has made improving the game so much easier.

Seeing people play the game, share their experiences, report things that don't quite work, and suggest improvements has already helped me enormously.

I'm deeply grateful to everyone taking the time to help me make Under a Desert Sun better. Thank you!

Just before the Early Access release, I made the decision to pull the merchant and trading system from the launch build. The foundations were there, but I wasn't happy enough with how it worked and, especially, how it controlled.

I'd rather hold something back for a little longer than release a system that doesn't feel ready.

After some more work, testing, and polish, I think it's ready!

You can meet the merchants near Tanura City, browse their wares, spend your hard-earned gold, and finally turn unwanted equipment back into something useful.

Meet the Merchants

Merchants are now available in the world and bring a proper trading loop to Under a Desert Sun.

- Buy and sell equipment: Spend your gold on weapons and gear, or sell items you no longer need.

- Compare your gear: Your inventory is shown alongside the merchant's stock, making it easy to inspect items, stats, and prices before making a decision.

- Different merchants, different goods: Merchants can specialise in weapons, armour, or offer a mixture of equipment.

- Fresh stock as you progress: Merchant stock is randomly generated around Player 1's level. Their wares refresh after you level up and visit again, or once their restock timer has elapsed.

- Merchants have limited gold: They can't buy everything forever. Restocking also replenishes the gold they have available for trading.

- Buy back accidental sales: Sold something you wanted to keep? You can buy it back while the trading window remains open. Once you leave, the buyback list is cleared.

- Mouse and controller support: Inspect, buy, and sell using either control method, including quick actions to make trading faster.

- Inventory space matters: You'll need an available inventory slot before purchasing a new item.

Item Details & Rarity Improvements

Alongside the merchant system, I've made another pass over how items and their rarity are presented throughout the game.

- Improved item details: Text layout and sizing have been adjusted so inventory and equipped-item stats fit more reliably.

- Clearer rarity indicators: Item names and rarity labels now use consistent rarity colours across the inventory, equipment screen, and merchants.

- Matching rarity frames: Item detail panels now share the rarity colours and shimmer effects used by item slots.

- Better readability: Parchment backgrounds remain neutral so stats stay clear and easy to read.

- Fixed vendor rarity colours: Fixed an issue that could cause merchant rarity labels to appear white instead of their intended colour.

This was one of the systems I really wanted in the game, but I also wanted trading to feel like a natural part of the existing inventory and equipment experience rather than something bolted onto it.

I'm much happier with where it is now, so go say hello to the merchants near Tanura City and see what they've got!

A Special Thank You

I also want to give a special thank you to everyone who has taken the time to send feedback so far. It has been incredibly valuable and has made improving the game so much easier.

Seeing people play the game, share their experiences, report things that don't quite work, and suggest improvements has already helped me enormously.

I'm deeply grateful to everyone taking the time to help me make Under a Desert Sun better. Thank you!