In a proactive move to refine Manor Lords‘ gameplay experience, developer Slavic Magic has reached out to the community, seeking feedback on a potentially overpowered mechanic: the global trade and market supply system. As the city-building strategy game navigates its Early Access journey, the solo developer, Greg Styczeń, recognizes the importance of striking the right balance, ensuring a fair and engaging economic system.
Prior to the game’s Early Access launch, playtester feedback raised concerns about the potential for exploiting the trade mechanics, allowing players to amass vast fortunes by specializing in a single resource. To address this issue, Styczeń introduced an oversupply mechanic that fluctuates prices based on import and export trends, aiming to discourage players from solely relying on trade for wealth accumulation.
However, this implemented solution has garnered mixed reactions from the community, prompting Styczeń to initiate a dialogue with players. In a poll posted on the Manor Lords Discord server, the developer presents three options for the global market supply mechanic:
- Keep it as is
- Keep it in the game but tune it down
- Remove it entirely
As of now, the option to keep the mechanic but tune it down is leading with a significant majority of votes, indicating a desire for a more balanced system that still encourages players to engage with production chains and resource management.
Styczeń acknowledges the complexity of the issue, expressing his initial uncertainty about the oversupply mechanic. While he believed that specializing regions in producing certain goods was an intended gameplay dynamic, he also recognized the risk of players relying solely on imports, potentially neglecting other mechanics.
The developer’s willingness to seek player input highlights Slavic Magic’s commitment to fostering a collaborative development process, ensuring that Manor Lords evolves in a direction that resonates with its community. By actively engaging with players, the studio aims to strike the right balance, creating a trade system that encourages strategic decision-making and diverse gameplay experiences.
As the Early Access period progresses, Manor Lords promises to be a dynamic and evolving experience, with the developer remaining receptive to player feedback. The global trade and market supply mechanic is just the first of many potential areas for refinement, as Slavic Magic continues to shape the game’s intricate systems to deliver a polished and rewarding city-building experience.
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