Draft:Final Profit: A Shop RPG

Final Profit: A Shop RPG is a role-playing video game developed by Australian indie developer Brent Arnold. Players control Biz, the exiled Queen of the Fae, as she runs her shop, solves quests, collects valuables, and makes investments in order to accumulate enough wealth to defeat the corrupt Bureau of Business. It has elements of management, adventure, and simulation games. It was released in March 2023 for Windows. In December 2023 it featured in the Yogscast Jingle Jam. In May 2024 it was part of the official selection for LudoNarraCon organized by Fellow Traveller Games.

Gameplay
Final Profit is a role-playing video game with pixel art aesthetics, where the main goal is accumulating wealth by engaging with economic systems. Gameplay is divided between being inside a shop owned by the player or being outside in the world, moving between the two can be done freely. While inside, the player manages a table of products that are sold to customers. Experience and levels are gained through sales rather than through traditional RPG combat. At the same time the player will be keeping on top of expenses such as taxes and a loan, with further tasks and added complexity gradually unlocking as progress is made through the game. While outside, the player is free to explore and find new things to unlock for the store, as well as stock up on products and find new customers. Other ways to make money become available later in the game such as buying real estate, engaging with the stock market, and trading commodities. There is also a great deal of side content, most of which lead to rewards and gameplay benefits that boost the productivity and efficiency of operating the store. Automation is also a key element of the gameplay alongside a deep incremental progression system.

Reception
Brandon R Chinn of Superjump reviewed the game at launch favorably, stating that "The gameplay loop is relatively simple and addictive" summarizing with "It's the kind of game that will especially satisfy goal-oriented players". Victor Tan of Checkpoint Gaming described feeling a sense of "accomplishment" from puzzling out the unusual game systems. Mark Isaacson featured Final Profit on Well Played, comparing the game to Stardew Valley, Potion Permit, and Moonlighter. Also noting the Banjo-Kazooie inspired vocal effects. Praising that "One thing that stands out is Final Profit’s presentation".

After Final Profit updated to the 1.1 version Josh Bycer of Superjump covered the game in their Hidden Gems of Game Design series. Where they commented "The game combines elements of shop-sims, JRPG, and idle games into a surprisingly effective loop." but also noting that "The main thing that holds Final Profit back is the very niche experience it offers, which limits its audience." Later on they included Final Profit in Superjump's top 2023 Games of the Year article as one of their favorites for that year.

Final Profit was nominated for the Emerging Developers award and Narrative award at the Freeplay Independent Games Festival but ended up winning the Wildcard award which had not been announced prior.

Joel Couture of Game Developer interviewed the developer as an Independent Games Festival finalist, asking questions focused on the design of the game as well as probing into stigma associated with developing a game using RPG Maker. Final Profit was nominated for Excellence in Design and was the only game developed by a sole developer in the category.

Connor Hog of Game Rant included Final Profit in their list of 7 Best Shop Simulator Games at number 5.