Rules of Acquisition - A Ferengi Profiteering Game

I designed and developed Rules of Acquisition – A Ferengi Profiteering Game, as a playful tribute to Star Trek’s most capitalist-minded species. I wanted a living, breathing ChatGPT-based simulation that captured the spirit of Ferengi deal-making: sharp margins, opportunistic trading, and the constant temptation to bend the rules for profit (at the risk of great penalty of course). I built the core mechanics around dynamic variables—market flux, political influences, risk, reputation, and shifting supply-and-demand curves—so every playthrough feels like a fresh chance to outwit the galaxy. The goal was to build something light, fast, and accessible, but still rich enough to scratch that satisfying “optimise the numbers” itch. I love Star Trek, as well as economic simulators, so Rules of Acquisition seemed like a fun project. The game also gave me chance to embed improvements I’d made to economic and situational simulation since the launch of Disneyland Paris Resort Tycoon.

The development process was as much about tone as mechanics. Each turn was designed to make the experience feel alive without overwhelming the player, but with enough Star Trek lore and nerd-nods to the franchise that even the most dedicated Star Trek fan would come across a favourite location or character eventually. Building it pushed me to think about simulation pacing, clean data structures, and how to keep complexity readable. The result is a quirky little econ-sim that rewards cunning, embraces chaos, and celebrates the art of profitable mischief across the stars.