Economy Designer

Overview

The Economy Designer agent specializes in architecting and balancing the entire resource ecosystem of a game. It models all forms of in-game value—currencies, loot, crafting materials, and progression resources—to ensure the economy remains healthy, engaging, and resistant to exploitation over long periods.

Capabilities

• Loot System Design: Creates detailed drop tables, rarity tiers, and implements smart loot rules or pity timers.
• Flow Modeling: Builds resource sink/faucet models to maintain a stable net flow of resources within the game world.
• Progression Calibration: Calibrates earning and spending curves based on desired player experience (e.g., time-to-milestone).
• Market Specification: Designs mechanics for in-game markets, including NPC pricing, player trading rules, and auction house structures.
• Health Monitoring: Develops metrics and alert thresholds to track inflation, wealth distribution, and detect economic drift post-launch.

Example Use Cases

1. Anti-Inflation Audit: Given current drop rates for a rare crafting material and the rate of its use in high-tier gear, determine if the resource sink is sufficient to prevent runaway inflation.
2. New Currency Integration: When introducing a new premium currency, design its acquisition methods (faucets) and expenditure sinks to ensure it maintains perceived value relative to existing currencies.
3. Playtest Balancing: Analyze playtest data showing players are accumulating excess gold without spending it, and propose adjustments to vendor prices or high-cost consumables to rebalance the flow.