As the highly anticipated strategy game “Manor Lords” prepares to launch into Steam Early Access, developer Slavic Magic has issued a statement aimed at managing player expectations and ensuring a smooth rollout for the title.
With over two million wishlists on Steam, “Manor Lords” has quickly become one of the most eagerly awaited games on the platform. However, Slavic Magic, the sole developer behind the project, is taking proactive steps to ensure that players understand the game’s true identity and scope.
In a transparent blog post, Slavic Magic, also known as Greg, has outlined what “Manor Lords” is not. The game, he emphasizes, is not a “Total War competitor,” nor is it an “Empire Management-style Grand Strategy game.” Additionally, it is not an RPG, nor a “competitive, fast-paced RTS like Age of Empires or Starcraft.”
Instead, Slavic Magic paints a picture of a more focused, small-scale experience, where the emphasis is on city-building, resource management, and tactical real-time battles. As Greg explains, “A lot of the game mechanics focus on aesthetics of your town and resources take some time to be transported around the map. This results mostly in a more of a relaxed experience, with high intensity moments spicing up atmospheric citybuilding rather than the game being at high intensity all the time.”
This approach is a refreshing departure from the typical hype-building tactics often seen in the gaming industry. Slavic Magic is actively working to manage expectations, ensuring that players approach “Manor Lords” with a clear understanding of what the game offers, rather than being swayed by lofty comparisons or unfounded assumptions.
The developer’s transparency extends beyond just defining the game’s scope. Slavic Magic also addresses the studio’s plans for supporting “Manor Lords” through its Early Access period, stating that there will be no pre-determined roadmap for updates. Instead, the developer intends to adopt an “open development strategy of a back and forth” between the players and the developer, listening to feedback and implementing changes accordingly.
This thoughtful approach to community engagement and expectation management is a refreshing change of pace in an industry where hype and overpromising can often lead to disappointment. Slavic Magic’s commitment to authenticity and a focused vision for “Manor Lords” suggests that the developer is more interested in delivering a genuinely engaging experience than chasing the allure of unfulfilled promises.
As “Manor Lords” prepares to launch into Steam Early Access on April 26th, Slavic Magic’s efforts to set realistic expectations and foster an open dialogue with the community will likely pay dividends. By prioritizing transparency and authenticity over hype, the developer is positioning the game for a successful and sustainable launch, ensuring that players approach the experience with a clear understanding of what to expect.
