Manor Lords, the city-building game that captivated players upon its early access launch last year, has seen a noticeable deceleration in updates since the beginning of 2025. While developer Slavic Magic has teased a variety of new features, the actual implementation of these enhancements has been limited. In a recent Steam update, Greg Styczeń, the game’s creator, shed light on the reasons behind this slowdown, revealing that the studio is engaged in a comprehensive overhaul of the game’s underlying systems.
Transformative Changes Ahead
Styczeń articulated the complexity of the undertaking, stating, “I know you’ve been waiting a long time, and the reason for the delay is pretty simple. We’re overhauling a lot of systems at once.” This ambitious rework encompasses critical elements such as building mechanics, production chains, and environmental interactions, all aimed at enriching the gameplay experience.
While specific details remain under wraps, Styczeń did elaborate on one significant change—the affinity system. This system dictates how structures relate to their surroundings. He noted, “We wanted a more in-depth relational system between buildings and other buildings, as well as between buildings and their environments.” The team experimented with conventional methods, such as applying effects within circular zones, but found that the flexible plot system of Manor Lords posed challenges in this regard.
Styczeń candidly described the difficulties of fitting rectangular plots into circular areas, likening it to “not pleasant” experiences. Instead, the team has devised an environmentally contextual solution. The game will feature diverse environments, including meadows, woodlands, farmlands, rural areas, and urban settings. Each building will possess unique affinities; for instance, apiaries will thrive in expansive woodland regions. Moreover, some structures will enhance the affinities of others, creating a more interconnected gameplay dynamic. For example, apiaries can amplify the benefits that pollination orchards receive from nearby meadows.
In addition to these systemic changes, Styczeń hinted at other exciting features in development. Players can look forward to new shopfronts and artisan workstations, a fresh map titled “divided,” which is characterized by a mountain range, and a novel camera feature that allows players to peer through fortification walls, providing a glimpse of soldiers stationed within towers and turrets.
As the studio navigates these substantial changes, Styczeń acknowledged that the frequency of smaller patches has diminished. “Because we’re working on all these big changes, we haven’t been able to put out smaller patches. They would make things messy or break stuff that’s still being worked on,” he explained. While a timeline for the rollout of these features remains unspecified, Styczeń assured players that updates will continue as the development progresses. “I’ll keep posting here as we get closer and share more along the way,” he concluded, leaving the community eager for what lies ahead.
