Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants is a business simulation game set in the 17th century Caribbean. The player assumes the role of an independent captain and must navigate the complex world of alliances, rivalries, and trade routes between the kingdoms of Spain, England, France, and the Netherlands, as well as independent factions of pirates.
The gameplay focuses on two "career paths": Adventurer, which involves combat and conquest, and Trader, which involves setting up trade routes and city building. The player is free to pursue activities from both modes, but the single-player story mode is divided into two distinct campaigns that focus around each career path.
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants also offers a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players, allowing them to battle for control of the seas. This adds a new layer of strategy and competition to the game, as players must navigate their relationships with other players while focusing on their own goals.
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants was released on the PlayStation 3 on October 9th, 2012.