Manor Lords Devs Release First Update After Successful Launch
In a refreshing display of transparency and rapid response, the solo developer behind the breakout city-building sensation Manor Lords has already released the game's first significant update, addressing early player feedback just days after its blockbuster Early Access launch. The developer, known as Slavic Magic, expressed surprise at the game's stability, noting that the release has gone "smoother than we expected" and that they are actively combing through community feedback to deploy fixes at a remarkable pace.
The announcement came in a message to the community, where the developer candidly shared their pre-launch anxieties. "It feels strange to say this — but the release is going smoother than we expected," the statement began. "Everything seemed fine and tested, but we couldn’t shake the feeling that the launch would uncover some serious issues."
What's in the First Manor Lords Update?
True to their word of "reacting as fast as we can," Slavic Magic has rolled out a substantial first patch, initially on an experimental branch for public testing before being pushed to the main game. The update targets several key areas identified by players in the opening weekend, focusing on economic balance, progression speed, and combat tuning.
The changes aim to create a more balanced and enjoyable early-game experience, ensuring players can establish their medieval manors without hitting frustrating roadblocks. Here are some of the most significant adjustments included in the initial patch:
- Archer Tuning: The overwhelming power of archer units has been addressed. Their damage has been significantly reduced to bring them more in line with other unit types and encourage more diverse army compositions.
- Sawpit and Logging Fixes: A major bottleneck for many new players was the slow production of planks. The update fixes a critical bug where the Sawpit would only use one timber at a time from the logging camp, dramatically improving the efficiency of this vital production chain.
- Trade and Economy Adjustments: The "over-supply" mechanic in the Trading Post has been tweaked. Now, traders will avoid importing goods that have been over-supplied, preventing players from accidentally tanking their regional wealth on unneeded items.
- Taxation Changes: The King's Tax, or "Royal Tax," has been rebalanced. The frequency of these tax demands has been lowered, giving players more breathing room to build up their treasury in the early stages of their settlement.
- Homelessness Bug Squashed: An issue where homeless families would sometimes fail to start construction on a new home, even with available resources, has been resolved.
A Commitment to Community and a Bright Future
The developer's proactive approach and humble communication have been met with widespread praise from the game's rapidly growing community. The message that "we’re reading absolutely everything you write" is not just a platitude; it's a mission statement backed by immediate action. This first patch is a direct reflection of that promise, targeting the most common points of friction players encountered upon release.
The "Faster progress" mentioned in the update's title is a direct result of these changes. By streamlining plank production and easing early economic pressures, players can now expand their settlements and build their economies more smoothly, allowing them to engage with the game's deeper mechanics sooner.
Having sold over one million copies in its first 24 hours and achieving a peak concurrent player count of over 170,000, Manor Lords is already one of the biggest PC gaming success stories of the year. The combination of a deeply engaging game and a developer who is both talented and exceptionally responsive suggests a very bright future lies ahead as the journey through Early Access continues.
Manor Lords FAQ
What is Manor Lords?
Manor Lords is a medieval strategy game that combines organic, gridless city-building with large-scale, real-time tactical battles. Players manage their settlement's resources, economy, and social structure while also raising and commanding armies to defend their lands.
Who is the developer of Manor Lords?
The game is primarily developed by a single person operating under the studio name Slavic Magic, with publishing support from Hooded Horse.
Is Manor Lords still in Early Access?
Yes, Manor Lords launched into Early Access on April 26, 2024. The developer plans to continue adding features and refining the game based on community feedback throughout this period.
What platforms is Manor Lords available on?
Manor Lords is currently available for PC on Steam, GOG, the Epic Games Store, and is also included with PC Game Pass. An Xbox version is planned for release at a later date.