The new experimental beta for Manor Lords just dropped, and it brings real updates you can feel.
If you’re already deep into your medieval campaigns or just curious about what’s new, this version is worth checking out.
From One Dev to a Massive Following
Manor Lords started as a solo project. One developer took on the challenge of building a detailed medieval strategy sim, and players responded fast. It’s now one of the most talked-about games in the genre on Steam. The team has grown, but the hands-on, community-first mindset hasn’t gone anywhere.
The devs hang out on Discord, reply to bug reports, and constantly tweak the game based on feedback. That’s not a PR claimit’s how they actually work. This beta is a direct result of that feedback loop.
What’s New in This Beta
You’ll notice changes as soon as you start a new map. Resource placement is different now, which forces you to think harder about where to build. Grab farmland early, or chase after iron? It’s your call, but either way, the map will push you to specialize.
Towns controlled by AI have been upgraded too. They’re not passive neighbors anymore. They expand, defend their land, and sometimes pick fights. This makes territory control more intense and strategic.
You’ll also see hints of a new Affinity system and perks. These might affect how your citizens see you or how you build your city. Nothing final yet, but it’s the start of something deeper. Castle upgrades are now more meaningful. They do more than look coolthey help defend your town and may change how you lay out your core buildings.
Combat and militia systems have been adjusted too. Training, fatigue, and equipment are all being balanced to make fights feel tighter and more grounded.
Faster, Smaller Updates
The devs aren’t waiting months between updates anymore. This beta kicks off a new plan: smaller patches, released more often. That results in quicker fixes, faster feedback cycles, and fewer bugs hanging around for too long.
Instead of big reworks, you’ll get focused improvements that target specific systems. It’s better for testing, better for player experience, and easier to track.
How to Join and Why Saves Break
This beta isn’t just a patch – the core systems have changed, so old save files won’t work. If you want to try it, head to your Steam Library, right-click Manor Lords, open Properties, go to Betas, and switch to the experimental branch.
Starting over might sound rough, but it gives you the cleanest view of what’s new. You won’t deal with broken quests or weird behavior from old saves.
Why Now’s a Good Time
If you’ve been waiting for Manor Lords to feel more complete, this is your moment. The updates add challenge, variety, and ways to personalize your playstyle.
And since the devs are watching feedback closely, you actually have a chance to shape what comes next. It’s not a finished game, but it’s not a rough draft anymore either. This version shows where things are going and it’s heading in the right direction.