In the 17th and 18th centuries, merchantmen sailing under the English flag dominated the seas and international trade. The Navigation Acts restricted foreign ships from partaking in the trade between England and her colonies.

Richard Arkwright was one of the English inventors and businessmen who developed the first advanced machines (e.g. the Spinning Jenny and the Water Frame) and founded early factories. The goods produced in this manner were highly regarded in both the old country and by the Englishmen living in the colonies.

In Arkwright, 2 to 4 players lead enterprises and try to develop and run them profitably over several decades. It is important to invest in your own company and ensure that the value of its shares rises. The player with the most valuable portfolio of their shares wins the game.

In the beginning, workers are required to run the factories. However, their expensive wages make machines very desirable. To increase a factory's production of goods, you may hire more workers or improve the technological level of your factory.

You determine the price of your goods for each of your factories. To enhance the chances of selling your goods to serve the demand in England, you can improve the technological level of your factories, increase the quality of your goods, and partake in distribution activities. The higher these factors are, the more successful you will be. However, the higher your prices, the less appealing your goods become.