Barter Economy & Intrinsic Value System

[vapid rock]

In a post-apocalyptic survival setting, paper fiat currency loses all meaning. To enhance immersion and realism in ARDEM, I propose replacing traditional money with a Barter Economy based on "Trade Units" (TU) and intrinsic item value.

Class,Category,Key Items
S (Elite),Precious Metals,"Gold coins, rings, dental gold, silver, jewelry, working firearms"
A (Survival),Medical & Ammo,"Antibiotics, strong painkillers, clean ammo, fuel"
B (Utility),Supplies,"Canned food, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, drugs"
C (Basics),Tools & Raw,"Batteries, lighters, duct tape, clean water, basic tools"

Trade Unit (TU) Reference Model
To facilitate trading without "money," we use a base unit.
1 TU = 1 Single Round (9mm) OR 1 Cigarette.

Gold/Silver: A universal store of value. 1 Gold Ring/Coin ≈ 100–200 TU. Dental gold ≈ 20–50 TU.

Medical: Life-saving items are high-tier. 1 Pack of Antibiotics ≈ 80–100 TU.

Resources: 1 Liter of Fuel ≈ 5–10 TU. 1 Canned Meat ≈ 5–8 TU.

Expanding the Loot Pool
To make this economy dynamic, I suggest adding:

Batteries/Power Cells: Essential for flashlights and NVGs—rare and high demand.

Seeds: The only currency that pays "interest" through harvests.

Knowledge (Books): Manuals for mechanics or electricity that permanently upgrade a character's value.

Luxury Goods: Coffee and tea to boost morale and trade leverage.

Why this fits ARDEM:
A barter system forces players to make tough choices: "Do I keep this ammo for protection, or trade it for the antibiotics I desperately need?" It slows down the endgame and makes every looting run a calculation of weight versus trade value.

[placid dragon]

This would also give the option to break dental gold from dead zombies

[placid dragon]

From a purely PVE perspective.
As an additional idea I´d say that there could be a banking system or personal stash at the traders so that players could put their tokens, credits, valuables in a safe storage. Or maybe an option to create Store credit with the traders so that you don´t have to carry valuables or currency on you at all times.
I assume PVP players would love to ambush and rob players.

[vapid rock]

SCUM has a banking system, imo trading items against a token brings somehow inflation to a system. i think tokens - here trade units is for internal calculation only. you would exchange goods, if you buy out - against purified gold bars

[raven thicket]

sounds like an idea, id leave this to modders imo

i think just letting people trade naturally should be the primary focus

[sacred brook]

I do agree this should be in the game, but I also like the way tarkov does it with currency on the site, us dollars for us guns ext. It doesn't have to be dollars, but something else has a standard for a post apocalypse currency.

[raven thicket]

idk, i think we are seeing the game in a different light.

im imagining, the world is overrun and thats it

everything happens in world etc

no pre made currency to buy stuff from magical traders

or between players for that

i more like the idea of players assigning value themselves and trading for the most part

[placid dragon]

What about silver dollars?
Silver would be a usefull metal to have.

[raven thicket]

i just dont get why the devs would need to have a built in currency

just doesnt feel like it matches the game vibe

let the modders do that so people can have their arcadey servers

[quiet vigil]

I personally think that the currency will be nails as you need them to (re)build any base, but ammo can also be one, with different values depending on the caliber.

[raven thicket]

This sorta leans towards what I was saying, it's about practical value assigned by the players

[sick rose]

I wonder if they will support mods later on too… so we can just make a currency exchange mod, you change all those type of items… for one type of new currency.

[placid dragon]

As someone who plays mainly PVE just to unwind and have fun, I´d like to see a currency system and stationary traders so that you can buy the things you need.
Not in every phone cell or tool shed, but still a few people that run a business

[quiet vigil]

Yes, mods will be supported. The Devs comes from the Skyrim mod scene.

[sick rose]

So freaking good to hear! ❤️

[vapid rock]

Update: Refined Barter Economy & Ledger System (Current Draft)

Thanks for the amazing feedback! Your input on dental gold and PVE banking was vital. Here is an updated draft that balances hardcore realism with practical gameplay.

1. Scavenging: Jewelry & Dental Gold

To make looting urban areas rewarding, survivors should find valuables on deceased threats. Based on modern demographics, a run through 100 zombies should realistically yield:

• Wedding Bands / Rings: ~15–20 items (Gold/Silver).
• Dental Gold: ~5–8 units (extracted crowns/fillings).
• Watches & Jewelry: ~15–20 items.
  These serve as your primary high-density "currency" for major trades.

2. The "Trader Ledger" (Stationary Banking)

To address concerns about being robbed while carrying loot, I propose Stationary Trader Ledgers:

• Specific traders keep a physical "tab" (Ledger) for you.
• You deposit valuables (Gold, Ammo, Nails), and the trader records the credit in a physical book.
• This credit is local—tied to that specific trader or faction. No "magical" global bank accounts. This keeps the world feeling dangerous and encourages regional travel.

3. Practical Barter Examples (1 TU = 1 Ammo Round)

Using Trade Units (TU) as an internal calculation aid:

• Fuel for Food: 20L Gasoline (150 TU) $\leftrightarrow$ 5x Army MREs (150 TU).
• Protection for Health: A Small Caliber Rifle (250 TU) $\leftrightarrow$ Water Filter Pump (180 TU) + Antibiotics (70 TU).
• Scavenging Success: 2 Gold Rings + 1 Gold Crown (240 TU) secures a rifle and starter ammo.

Why this works:

This hybrid system allows for safe storage (Ledger) for PVE players without breaking the hardcore vibe. It makes faction identity meaningful and every trade route a calculated risk.

[viral hamlet]

The different types of currencies vary widely per game/server. Some DayZ servers it's nails, others it's gold. In my opinion all this does is make getting gear easier.

[vapid rock]

yep.. played SCUM after the wipe last week - i am fully equiped by now. i don't have a solution

[viral hamlet]

Yea it's unfortunate and while I love visiting a trader to just buy all my gear for my run throughs, it does take away from the overall experience and allows players to be more reckless.

[acoustic tree]

Not a fan of traders in community and modded let them add it if they want be traders ruin games because why would you care what you lose if you could buy from a trader at anytime. I’ve played scum and day z and traders always end up in the same way people loot horde and never have to explore or go anywhere because the traders have everything you need. Trading between players isn’t a bad idea but a trader in the world I just cannot get behind,