Manor Lords: Players Want a Cosmetic Dirt Brush for Better Path Aesthetics

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Manor Lords is captivating gamers with its unique mix of historical city-building and strategy gameplay, immersing players in the highs and lows of managing a medieval settlement. As an early access title, the game invites active participation from its community, making it all the more intriguing as players aim for authenticity in their creations. A recent post on the game’s subreddit ignited a vibrant discussion about a potential enhancement to enhance the visual narrative of roads within the game: a cosmetic dirt brush. Players are eagerly requesting this feature, hoping it will add a more natural touch to their towns. The community is collectively brainstorming around this concept.

Summary

  • Players want a more aesthetically pleasing method of customizing roads, specifically through the implementation of a dirt brush tool.
  • Suggestions vary from simple cosmetic enhancements to entirely new mechanics concerning how NPCs interact with roads and paths.
  • The community displayed a range of sentiments, from enthusiasm and support for the dirt brush idea to some players advocating for gameplay mechanics rather than cosmetic changes.
  • Current road-building limitations lead to creative workarounds but leave many unsatisfied and yearning for more realistic visuals.

The Call for the Dirt Brush

User Yaki-Yaki made an heartfelt request for a tool akin to the “Erase Shrubbery” feature currently in the game, which they referred to as a ‘dirt brush.’ This proposed addition would enable players to cover grassy areas with dirt, thus enhancing the realism of paths and roads within the game. They emphasized their dedication to maintaining a convincing visual atmosphere for buildings and roadways, noting that “it can be challenging to design believable roads.” The inflexible spaces around structures in the game often limit creative freedom, especially when attempting to create a lively market square, as the rigid boundaries of ‘bounding boxes’ can distort one’s vision. The desire for a dirt brush has sparked much conversation among players, reflecting the genuine challenge encountered in this aspect of the game.

The Community’s Mixed Reception

It’s undeniable that most comments supported Yaki-Yaki’s idea quite strongly. One player added, “I invest a lot of time in creating detailed road layouts to achieve my desired look, and I wholeheartedly agree with this proposal.” Clearly, there’s a deep passion for complex designs among players, as they strive to make their creations appear more dynamic and alive, resembling living, evolving towns instead of static pictures.

instead of just painting it on, the game could simulate a more authentic spread of dirt as characters traverse paths. This suggests that while appearance is important, we should also ensure that the underlying mechanics aren’t neglected.

Workarounds and Creativity

In the absence of an anticipated update featuring a dirt brush, players in Manor Lords have shown their ingenuity by finding a creative workaround. User FasterDoudle suggested using roads connected to burgage plots as a clever trick to fill gaps around buildings. This technique creates a bulging effect on the edges of roads, offering extra width that can conceal unsightly patches of grass. It’s a challenging task, but as FasterDoudle put it, “It may take many roads to get the job done.” Players have shared their tales of filling visual gaps with a mix of humor and exasperation, proving that determination pays off in Manor Lords.

MurphyMcHonor, a player, raised an intriguing point by questioning whether medieval villagers would have preferred to walk on solidified roads instead of trudging through mud as commonly depicted. Given the development of their burgage plots, could it be more likely that they would have valued such improvements? This thought-provoking idea sheds light on how game design can sometimes differ from historical authenticity in terms of player expectations.

Final Thoughts on Set Aesthetics in Game Design

Listening to the community is crucial for developers, particularly one as passionate about crafting an immersive and convincing environment like Manor Lords’ followers. The demand for a cosmetic dirt brush isn’t just about aesthetics; it stemms from players’ craving for control and creativity within the game. This request symbolizes a collective need to foster a deeper bond with the game world, enabling players to leave their unique mark on the environments they build.

From my gaming perspective, it’s all about seeing if that dirt brush will ever materialize or stay just a creative dream in the minds of fellow enthusiasts. One thing’s for sure though, we gamers are deeply invested in making our virtual worlds a testament to our creativity and hard work. Who would have thought that asking for a simple cosmetic tool could spark such profound conversations? As we delve deeper into our journey of creating ancient towns, let’s keep our fingers crossed for an even more visually harmonious gaming experience.

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2025-04-08 19:30