🚀 Drifter: Edge of the Black
The war's over. Nobody won. The black is wide open.
A mobile space trading game inspired by TradeWars 2002 and the space western genre. Navigate a post-war frontier, buy low and sell high across 1,000 sectors, take missions, dodge pirates, and manage faction reputation — all in 5-minute mobile sessions. Free-to-play with a monetization model that never sells power.
Your Ship. Your Code.
You're ex-something — ex-military, ex-corporate, ex-convict. Doesn't matter now. Beat-up ship, empty cargo hold, full tank of energy. How you survive the black is your call.
Core Features
1,000-Sector Node Map
Not a grid — sectors connect via jump lanes, creating natural chokepoints and trade corridors. Core sectors are safe and regulated. The outer rim is lawless, dangerous, and profitable. Fog of war lifts as you explore.
Energy-Based Sessions
100 base energy, 1 regen per 6 minutes (~10 hour full recharge). A typical session is 10–15 energy: a few jumps and a port stop. Make your moves, come back later. No real-time pressure.
8 Factions, Living Territory
Eight factions — two original war powers and six that emerged from the chaos — compete for territory between sessions. Faction borders shift based on AI behavior and player actions. The map is never the same two weeks running.
Dynamic Markets
Port prices fluctuate based on faction production, trade volume, proximity to conflict, and random events. Pin up to 3 port prices for free to track your routes. Read the market better than the next drifter.
Combat & Missions
Encounter pirates en route, take faction combat missions, run supply or sabotage jobs. Combat encounters consume energy and carry real risk — losing costs cargo and credits.
Async Social
Leave trade tips at ports for other players. Post bounties on pirates. Compete on leaderboards. The universe has other drifters — you just might not be in the same sector at the same time.
Fair Monetization — No Pay-to-Win
Money buys time and convenience, never power. A free player who plays smart can beat a paying player who plays carelessly. That's a design constraint, not an afterthought.
We will never sell: combat power, resources directly, unlimited actions, or critical intel that determines battle outcomes.
The BBS Classic Lives Again
We grew up on TradeWars 2002. Now we're building the version we always wanted — persistent, mobile-first, and fair. Follow development and get first access when we open beta.
Join the Beta List