Sol Trader

Sol Trader is a single-player space simulation that combines top-down 2D spaceflight with strategic management of your network of contacts. You trade goods, ships, components and minerals, as well as favours, contacts and information. There is no set story: you shape your own life and relationships in a procedurally generated society, then explore the solar system, trade, run missions and pursue your own goals.

A life in a living history

Each new game generates a society with thousands of characters and a history spanning 200 years. Characters are born, live and die before your character exists, creating a different society each time. You begin at your character’s birth, choose your parents and make major life choices as you grow up. These decisions shape your personality, skills, attributes, friends, relatives, business contacts and enemies.

Before the game begins, you form relationships in a world of generated characters, events and interactions. You can use family and friends’ connections to government and business to run missions, research other characters by talking with friends and relatives, or build your own reputation. Your goals are up to you, whether that means exploring, trading, leveraging contacts or avenging family members.

Trade and make connections

You fly between planets and interact with characters in cities and in space. Trading goods for profit is one way to make a living, while missions and favours can help you build relationships and access information. The contacts you make can also affect your opportunities and the risks you face.

Ships and the solar system

The game’s universe reaches across the solar system. Travel can be dangerous in some regions, where pirates are known to gather near major gates. You start without a ship: you must take out a loan and hire one, or borrow one from a wealthy relative. Later, you can buy ships and own more than one at a time.

You can customise ships with equipment such as guns, engines, hyperdrives and passenger cabins, subject to each hull’s design. Ships can take damage and be repaired by mechanics you meet on your travels; having a good relationship with a mechanic can make a difference when you return badly damaged.

Modding support

The game supports mods that can change organisations, events, weapons, planets, ships, conversations and the tutorial system.