Display Case
Use item tags to attract buyers and keep hidden storage separate.
Evidence: Community Reported · Scope: Steam Demo; exact build varies by mechanic · Source review: 2026-10-11
Display actual goods to attract buyers, and use signs to source sellers. Confirm the predicted clientele after each layout change.
Buyers, sellers, and the queue
Tagged stock creates display buyers near the front of the queue. A showcase upgrade increases the number of product categories that can attract buyers, not a fixed number of people. Check the live clientele preview.
A display sign converts a random visitor into a seller; it does not add a visitor or attract the corresponding buyer. Too many signs can crowd out other random/appraisal visitors. Attractiveness and reputation also affect the ordinary pool, which is separate from display buyers.
Tags and stock placement
- Inspect actual buyer tags in the clientele panel.
- Place suitable stock and verify the predicted buyer.
- Use estimated displayed value, including labels and event effects, rather than base value alone.
- Compare the buyer’s budget with your stock. Luxury is not itself a valid display tag.
Sign and labeler descriptions
In-game descriptions · Demo 25382790 · reviewed 2026-10-11. Availability and full gameplay effects still need verification.
| Item | In-game description |
|---|---|
| Water Neon Sign | A neon sign that, when placed in the Display Case, will attract customers willing to sell Water. |
| Labeler | Used to edit the label of an item. |
| Blue Labeler | Used to rename an item. |
| Scavenger's Token | A token given by the Scavenger community. Each token placed in the display case will increase the chance of a Scavenger visit. |
| Expedition Sign | Place it in the display case to attract new hirelings for hire and current hirelings ready for expedition. |
Hidden storage
Hidden storage is separate from buyer-facing stock. Cover it after use and check inspection exceptions. Hidden goods do not attract tagged buyers.
Buyer tiers and valid tags
Valid-tag value bands are approximately 1–144 for Tier 1, 145–349 for Tier 2 and 350+ for Tier 3; the exact 349/350 boundary remains unresolved. Household reaches Tier 3 at 300+. In some Beta builds, value-based Tier 3 buyers appear only from day 14. Water labels can override value: Gutterflow–Basewater gives Tier 1, High-quality Tier 2 and Pure Tier 3. Use the stronger scale and confirm the preview.
| Tag | Tier 1 | Tier 2 | Tier 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household | Spacer / young spacer / parent | Citizen | Upper-level servant |
| Food | Starving spacer / spacer / chef | Expedition supplier | Upper-level private chef |
| Substance | Desperate addict | Worn-out spacer | Upper-level hedonist |
| Medical | Injured spacer / caretaker / doctor | Mid-level nurse | Upper-level hospital supplier |
| Material | Scrap buyer / maintenance worker | Lower-level inventor | Station engineer |
| Tools and Modules (separate tags) | Lower-level inventor | Lower-level inventor | Station engineer |
| Weapon and Ammunition (separate tags) | Scavenger | Self-defence enthusiast | Upper-level security contractor |
| Water | Scav / thirsty spacer | Spacer | Upper-level water stockpiler |
Medical Tier 2 and 3 buyers can carry chemical scanners. A sick-child caretaker may require No Contraband. High-tier weapon buyers exclude makeshift, household and low-tech goods. Tools/Modules and Weapon/Ammunition count as separate tags, but the same customer cannot be attracted twice in one day.
Seller-conversion items
| Item | Conversion chance | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Scavenger’s Token | 20% each, stacked to 100% | Scavenger seller |
| Black Lamp: Thief | 10% each + 1% per 2 Black Market reputation, cap 95% | Thief |
| Black Lamp: Petty Thief | 20% each + reputation term, cap 95% | Petty thief |
| Black Lamp: Food Thief | 30% each + reputation term, cap 95% | Food thief |
| Water/Food/Material/Medical/Household neon sign | 75% | Corresponding seller pool |
| Junior appraisal certificate | 33% | Appraisal customer |
Conversion rolls run in order and do not guarantee extra visitors. With two normal slots, two successful high-priority signs can fill both before the certificate is checked. Remove competing signs when seeking appraisal customers.
The third attractiveness threshold (400 or 500) and negative Lower-level reputation cutoff are unresolved. Use the live clientele display. For hidden storage protection, put goods inside the compartment and cover it.
Value and upgrade checks
An upgrade enabling two product categories does not guarantee exactly two customers. Compare the preview with one category and then two.
Buyer tiers use estimated value after labels and events. The exact 349/350 upper-tier boundary is unresolved; use the current preview instead of relying on one Credit.
If buyers are scarce, remove excess signs, display saleable goods and check the preview again. Food and Water Neon Signs attract sellers; actual food and water attract buyers. A water shortage can raise displayed value, but is not a required trigger for a stockpiler.
Sources
Fan-made guide. Not affiliated with Questing Goose Studio or tinyBuild. Community values retain their source and version conditions; a source-review date does not indicate a new gameplay test.