Manor Lords, the well-liked medieval city-building game, almost took a different direction during development. Slavic Magic, the game’s creator, recently shared that a rebellion system was tested but eventually abandoned. This system would have let players defend against uprisings from their own villagers if they didn’t keep them happy enough.
The game’s mechanics were considered in response to a player’s question about the consequences of neglecting villager needs in Manor Lords (Thanks, GR). Right now, unhappy villagers depart the player’s settlement, impeding development but not causing a significant setback. An alternative, more intense rebellion system was contemplated to raise the stakes for players who fail to prioritize their citizens’ wellbeing.
Slavic Magic ultimately chose not to include rebellions. The developer explained on X (formerly Twitter) that they felt it wasn’t satisfying to rally militia to fight your own villagers. Testers also found it illogical for villagers to burn their homes in protest over issues like a lack of food variety during development. Honestly, that second part makes a lot of sense.
Although the rebellion system could be re-evaluated and adjusted for future updates, the current emphasis in Manor Lords is on promoting peaceful and productive governance. Players are required to prioritize satisfying their villagers’ needs and ensuring their wellbeing to prevent the possibility of their skilled workforce abandoning them. It’s a better way to go about it for now, but I’d really like to rule with an iron fist instead.
We’ll have to see if anything comes from the old idea, but I sincerely hope we see something like throwing militia against rebellious villagers.
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