I don't believe a global Auction House is coming and wouldn't want one for the sole reason of it breaks the game's immersion factor. Just as the red Global chat does now. I should not be able to talk to someone on the other side of the lake and I would have no idea what they were selling in this setting.
IMHO As it did in the past, it will in Xsyon. Certain tribes will become known as trade hubs. Certain merchants I hope would be known as producing quality items for a good price and people will travel to get those items from those trade hub towns, or from the small village that might be the vendors home. All of this information will pass through word of mouth with local chat or common talking, no global system as there shouldn't be that technology in this setting.
SWG is the closest system to what I envision in Xsyon only without the Bazaar or search ability. Totems I believe will become like NPC vendors (similar to the quest system) and well run towns will become the trade hubs of the land. This will bring crowds, and spur on other supporting businesses such as taverns, logistic types (haulers and bodyguards)...and yes, thieves.
I have tought of that issue as well - so trading ... well it IS important, and it will happen!
It starts with children at the age of about 4 - they really start to trade "Can I stay awake longer, I'll clean up my room if i may :-)"
Thats the first stage of trading
So I guess something like "wandering" trades will emerge from the community, people that wander around from tribe to tribe and conduct trade - or even deliver some sort of messages ... I refer to the film "Postman" of course ;-)
The more likely solution will be to make use of the forum to announce needs and trades.
Probably depends on how immersed the players/tribes want to be - putting locations on the forum will likely also attract Pvp and "evil" players - even now some players "protect" the paths to the more experienced / resourceful players in the game - and they request "toll" for passing ...
With the global chat gone (and I really hope that they keep that idea of "shouting range") - communication will be limited to a small area. So its up to some players, that come around alot. However in-game messages will be important, because otherwise it is quite certain that people will choose the forum to relay messages to other players - especially if they are not in the same time-zone.
I am happy to be able to experience and find out how this will work out in the game - and I guess the developers are also looking forward to see how players will cope with the situation
Have fun and kill any trolls on sight :-P
Just found this on the FAW Developer Forumpost:
* Can you explain how the market system will work, as in how will we be doing trades?
Players will be able to post items with prices at a trade totem.
/vote for close of the thread (as the plans of the developers are revealed in the FAQ section)