Dynamic vendor pricing in computer role - playing

In traditional computer role-playing games (CRPGs), vendors are merchants who trade with players. Until now, these games have used vendors with static pricing or extremely simple pricing models, and this has hindered player immersion. In an effort to solve this problem, we present Crafty, a tool allowing developers to easily implement dynamic pricing mechanics for their games’ vendors. Crafty studies player demand and chooses prices so as to maximise the profit. It thus allows CRPGs to be populated by vendors with intelligence, personality and intent, while requiring minimal effort by developers. Play-testing results show that players perceive such vendors more as fellow characters than as vending machines, improving the experience of the role-play.