Manor Lords Unveils Major Update: Unreal Engine 5, New Features, and Community-Requested Additions

The next update for Manor Lords, a popular city builder, is set to arrive in the upcoming weeks, bringing with it several exciting new features and improvements.

The developer has recently showcased a preview of the forthcoming patch, highlighting the introduction of crossbows, picturesque ponds, fresh character portraits, and a complete overhaul of the game engine.

In a recent Steam post, the developer, Slavic Magic, outlined the features expected in the next major update. A significant portion of this update is the transition to Unreal Engine 5, a change that's been anticipated for weeks. The focus of this switch is to ensure the game's performance remains optimal.

Among the new features, fishing ponds will make their debut, addressing player demand. This addition will come with a special development branch called 'Winter Fishing,' allowing players to fish year-round, even when ponds are frozen.

Another notable inclusion is the crossbow, offering players a new ranged weapon. Currently, the game features Archer Militia wielding 'warbows,' alongside Light and Heavy Mercenary Archers. Whether crossbows will be a new unit type or integrated into existing ones remains to be seen.

Additionally, players can expect two new character portraits to be available - one depicting an aged man and the other, a youthful woman, as mentioned in the Steam update. The update will also introduce a trade overview in the development screen, listing all past regional transactions. A fix for a persistent bug, which trapped fleeing deer in the terrain, will also be implemented.

The developer's Steam post concludes with advice for other studios, stating that they should prioritize the well-being of their developers over chasing viral success.