Guide 03 of 20
Controls and Navigation
Merchant Miles is primarily controlled with the mouse. Interactive objects highlight when the cursor is actually over their visible shape.
General controls
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| Left click | Select an object, button, customer, town or route |
| Mouse wheel | Scroll longer town and menu lists |
| Escape | Pause the game or close the current view |
| Space / Enter | Advance Old Marlow's dialogue; closes it on the final page |
Merchant Notebook
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| A / Left Arrow | Previous page or spread |
| D / Right Arrow | Next page or spread |
| Bookmark click | Open an available notebook section |
The keyboard shortcuts work alongside the visible page controls.
Market controls
Click a barrel or its goods to inspect the stock and choose a pricing stance. When a customer finishes browsing, use the controls on their shopping list to accept, reject or answer an eligible counteroffer.
Market-speed controls affect the pace of the day and the amount of time finished customer dialogue remains visible. Pausing stops the game.
Map Room
Clicking a reachable town marker selects the town and automatically chooses an available route when possible. You may also click a route directly to compare alternatives.
Routes connected to the current town can be selected. Other unlocked routes remain visible in black, but selecting one explains that it cannot be reached from your present location. Closed or locked roads are visibly unavailable.
Clicking a rival marker closes the Map Room and opens that rival's page in the Merchant Notebook.
Useful interface cues
A pulsing object usually marks the next tutorial action or newly available information. Examples include the newspaper, Open Market button, Merchant Notebook and Council scroll. Tutorial pulses stop after their intended lesson; they are prompts, not permanent warnings.
Demo presentation shortcut
Press Alt + F1 to toggle the “Merchant Miles Demo” watermark. This does not affect gameplay.
If an input does not respond, see Troubleshooting.