Key Highlights:
- Manor Lords adding fishing ponds in next update.
- Update expected in a few weeks, likely August 2024.
- Game migrating from Unreal Engine 4 to UE5.
Manor Lords Casts Its Net, Fishing Ponds Coming Soon
Fans of the medieval city-building game Manor Lords have reason to celebrate as developer Slavic Magic announces the addition of a much-requested feature: fishing ponds.
This new element is set to arrive with the game’s next update, expected to roll out in the coming weeks.
Since its highly successful launch in April 2024, Manor Lords has been actively engaging with its player base, soliciting feedback to shape the strategy game’s future.
The decision to prioritise fishing ponds is a direct result of this player-developer dialogue, with Slavic Magic’s founder and sole developer, Greg Styczeń, stating that the feature “was requested a lot” by the community.
This was communicated via social media with a tweet put out on X/Twitter that the dev wrote himself.
It is this responsiveness to player feedback that showcases the advantages of the title’s early access model, allowing for rapid iterations based on player desires and experiences.
A simple search on Google Trends would tell you that the community has been asking for this ever since the strategy title launched earlier this year.
Expanding the Medieval Economy
The addition of fishing ponds marks the first expansion of Manor Lords’ food types since its release.
Currently, the game supports seven food resource categories: meat, vegetables, bread, berries, apples, eggs, and honey.
While specific details about the implementation of fishing are yet to be revealed, it’s expected to add a new layer of depth to the city builder’s already complex economic system.
Given Manor Lords’ reputation for historical accuracy and attention to detail, players can likely expect challenges related to the new feature.
These might include managing the ecological impact of fishing, balancing this new food source with existing options, and potentially expanding trade networks to include fish as a valuable commodity.
Unreal Engine 5 Advancement
Alongside the introduction of fishing ponds, the upcoming update will see Manor Lords migrate from Unreal Engine 4 to Unreal Engine 5.
This engine upgrade promises to bring enhanced visual fidelity to the strategy game, with features such as virtual shadow maps being made available as toggleable options in the game’s settings.
The move to UE5 could potentially pave the way for further graphical improvements and performance optimisations in future updates, ensuring that Manor Lords continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the city-building genre.
The Butcher Profession is imminent
While fishing ponds are the headline feature of the upcoming update, Slavic Magic has also reiterated plans to add other community-requested elements in the future.
One such addition is the butcher profession, which is currently “on the priority list” according to Styczeń, though no specific timeline has been given for its implementation.
The developer has previously stated an intention to keep Manor Lords in early access for about a year, depending on player feedback.
This approach allows for continued refinement and expansion of the game based on real-world player experiences and desires.
As Manor Lords continues to evolve, the addition of fishing ponds represents just one step in the game’s journey.
With a dedicated developer at the helm and an engaged community providing constant feedback, the future looks bright for this medieval city-builder.
Players can look forward to casting their lines and reeling in this new feature when the update arrives, likely in August 2024.