Overview
The property and housing system in The Bustling World allows players to buy, sell, and customize residences. Property prices fluctuate based on in-game market conditions, meaning a house in a thriving commercial district costs more than one in a quiet village. This ties directly into the game's economy and trade systems.
Buying and selling
Players can purchase properties throughout the game world. Prices are dynamic and reflect factors like location, regional prosperity, and demand. Selling a property returns a value based on current market conditions, so a well-timed purchase in a developing area can turn a profit once that region grows.
When the player rises to the rank of faction steward (see city management), they gain the ability to conduct city planning. This includes designating residential areas where NPCs will independently build their own homes. Higher-level NPCs contribute more to a city's development but also demand more resources.
Decoration
Approximately 1,000 ancient items are available for home decoration. These include furniture, lamps, vases, paintings, fine china, farm tools, and other household objects. Every item can be freely placed inside a home to create a personalized living space. The game features over 5,000 hand-drawn textures across its environments and objects, with the developers confirming that no AI-generated art was used in the production process.
The decorative items are described as "realistically restored" from historical Chinese sources, matching the game's overall commitment to authentic Tang and Song dynasty aesthetics. These 1,000 decorative items are separate from the nearly 2,000 building components available through the construction system.
NPC housing behavior
NPCs also participate in the housing system. They independently decide where to live, what kind of house to build, and what type of shop to open. An NPC might relocate to a wealthier city for better opportunities, or flee their home during a military conflict. This emergent behavior means that cities grow and change organically based on NPC decisions rather than following a scripted layout.