Sort the Court Game: Indie Kingdom Simulation

Sort the Court is an indie resource management game where you play as a monarch making rapid-fire decisions to expand a medieval kingdom. You listen to daily requests from your subjects and balance the town’s treasury, citizen count, and general morale through simple yes-or-no choices.

Created by developer Graeme Borland, this title strips away the complicated menus usually found in heavy city builders. Instead, you sit on your throne and answer the people standing right in front of you. Every day brings a new character with a different problem or pitch. You might fund a local business. A vampire might ask to move into the neighborhood. Every ruling shifts your resources up or down instantly.

Weighing the Consequences

The trick is that the results aren’t always obvious. Agreeing to help a knight on his quest might drain your gold reserves right now. But a few days later, he could return to hand over a massive cut of the loot. It keeps players guessing.

You’ll deal with a massive roster of oddball citizens. A talking cat might approach the throne, followed by a friendly ghost or a grandma looking to start a new business. Some of them return with ongoing storylines depending on how you handled their previous visits. Dealing with shady figures like the devil or a weird treasure chest can make you rich quickly. The catch is it usually tanks your town’s happiness. With over 150 unique prompts to encounter, you have to think critically about long-term survival.

Art and Progression

Amy Gerardy handled the art direction, and it gives the project a highly specific, hand-drawn look. The characters actually look like they belong in this bizarre little universe. Bogdan Rybek provided the soundtrack. The music fits the laid-back pace well enough—though it can get repetitive if you play for hours on end.

Eventually, your small settlement turns into a bustling city. The main goal is to grow enough to earn a seat on the Council of Crowns. That said, the game doesn’t force you to stop there. You can keep playing indefinitely to chase higher populations or see what happens if you suddenly start denying everyone’s requests. The format honestly works best in short bursts rather than marathon sessions.

Game Controls

• Y: Vote Yes
• N: Vote No
• Space: Advance dialogue

Credits:

• @graebor – Code
• @amymja – Art
• @bogdan_rybak – Music (listen on Spotify or SoundCloud)

As always, remember to have fun!