Probably Stolen - Cyberpunk Dystopia Capitalism Simulator

Summary

John begins Probably Stolen in Extreme Challenge Mode with no money, stock, or useful equipment—just a shop in a cyberpunk dystopia. To get started, he scavenges through a dump, collecting items to sell while managing the risk of injury and puzzle-like inventory space.

Gameplay and progression

• Scavenge and sell: Junk, tools, food, and weapons can all be valuable to the right customer. Displaying items helps attract buyers looking for those goods.
• Negotiate carefully: Customers buy and sell goods, sometimes offering bulk discounts or accepting lower prices. Discounts can help build reputation, but John initially needs to conserve cash for rent.
• Watch the market: The morning newspaper reports changing conditions, such as shortages and price shifts. John buys water when it is cheap and sells it when demand rises.
• Choose a specialty: John’s shop evolves from selling scavenged weapons and miscellaneous goods to offering water, food, drugs, and drinks. He also pays to provide appraisal services.
• Manage shop expenses: Rent is a recurring priority. Insurance and cleaning can protect the business, while a flashlight makes dump searches safer. A bandage is useful because an injury ends a scavenging trip.
• Handle dangerous customers: The shop attracts wanted criminals and illegal-goods dealers. John considers turning in a wanted customer for a reward, while keeping contraband hidden from security.
• Look for replicants: A customer’s overly formal, robotic manner of speaking raises John’s suspicions. He shoots the customer, who turns out to be a hostile cyborg, earning him a reward.
• Invest in equipment and respond to demand: A refrigerator lets John chill beer, increasing its value. During a water crisis, customers desperately seek drinks, though many refuse beer as a substitute. Eventually, a customer buys the chilled beer, making it worthwhile for John to order more.
• Beware of reputation risks: One customer complains that the drugs she bought were a hoax. Unable to resolve the dispute, she spreads the word and damages John’s reputation.

John’s improvised operation eventually becomes a profitable shop selling drinks, scavenged goods, and illegal substances. He concludes that the game’s familiar shopkeeping format is made more distinctive by scavenging, market events, appraisals, criminal customers, and the threat of AI replicants.

Featured gamer/source: John from Many A True Nerd Game: Probably Stolen