Blacksmith Master

Blacksmith Master is a medieval management and strategy simulation game that puts the player in charge of their very own smithy. Developed by Untitled Studio and published by Hooded Horse, the game focuses on managing the entire production chain—from raw material acquisition to the final sale of finished goods—with an emphasis on deep customization and staff management.

The journey begins in a humble workshop tucked away in a small medieval town. The ultimate goal is to grow this operation into a massive, finely tuned industrial powerhouse and become the kingdom's most renowned Blacksmith Master.

The Production Chain: From Mine to Market

What sets Blacksmith Master apart is the comprehensive control the player has over every step of the manufacturing process:

• Resource Management: The player must take charge of the raw material supply. This involves establishing and managing distant camps and mines to acquire essential wood, ores, and gems. Hiring and equipping miners and woodcutters is crucial to ensuring a steady, efficient flow of resources to the forge.

• Refinement and Crafting: Raw ores must be smelted into usable ingots before the actual crafting begins. The player then decides what to produce. The catalog of items is vast, covering historical and fantastical goods:

  • Military Equipment: Weapons, shields, and armor.

  • Tools: Axes, hammers, and farming implements.

  • Household Goods: Spoons, pots, and cooking utensils.

  • Luxury Items: Jewelry, rings, and crowns.

• Shop Design & Sales: The final products are placed on racks and displays for customers to browse. Players must design their shop floor for optimal throughput, ensuring space for both production stations (anvils, forges) and sales areas. The shop can be expanded with multiple floors and decorated to increase its appeal.

Staff and Skill Specialization

A crucial element of the game is the recruitment and training of staff. As the operation grows, players must hire and manage workers for various roles:

• Blacksmiths: Workers can be trained to specialize in metalworking, carpentry, or even gem-setting. Their skills improve over time, allowing them to craft higher-quality items.

• Assistants: These workers are vital for hauling raw materials, moving finished goods, and generally keeping the production line running smoothly.

• Cashiers: They handle customer transactions and can even be trained to cross-sell items.

The player can choose to either take direct control and manually forge items or rely entirely on their trained staff, optimizing the workspace to ensure the team works in tandem on complex projects.

Reputation and Progression

Progression in Blacksmith Master is driven by reputation and research. Fulfilling Merchant Offers—bulk orders from across the kingdom—is a primary source of income and valuable rewards, often unlocking new blueprints and capabilities. A Mastery Tree system rewards players for crafting high-quality items and provides a path to research and develop exciting new goods, constantly expanding the product line and drawing a bigger crowd to their increasingly sophisticated forge.