Quote Originally Posted by screwtype
Very little that's new here except the merchants. And their inclusion hardly augurs well for hopes of a more realistic economic model. Also, the idea of merchants fighting each other over resources is lame.

I suppose we should be grateful for the inclusion of any factor which gives the economic side game a bit more depth, but this seems a rather gimmicky way to go about it.
I agree, it is cheesy.

The only thing missing is a Looney-Toons-inspired Merchant Sabotage in-game video:

:Friendly merchant sneaks slowly from a boulder:

:changes direction of road sign; winks at the camera:

:Enemy merchant caravans passes, takes the wrong direction:

:Friendly merchant watches then grins:

end of video.