There’s a new kind of rebellion stirring in Norland—and this time, it’s wearing rings. Hooded Horse and Long Jaunt have dropped the “Big Summer Update” for their medieval sim-in-progress, and the patch doesn’t just tweak numbers—it completely reshapes how your kingdom looks, functions, and plots behind your back, according to a press release. From visual facelifts to an economy that lets your noble siblings bribe each other with gold and power, Norland’s latest update transforms a kingdom builder into a feudal political powder keg.
The biggest shift is visual. Cities in Norland now evolve more dramatically across time, shedding their humble thatched-roof beginnings for sleek, bustling aesthetics reminiscent of the Hanseatic League. It’s not just window dressing—more building models, layered structures, and clearer development cues make watching your kingdom grow genuinely satisfying.
But the real meat of the update lies in how characters—particularly the Lords—interact with power and wealth. For the first time, noble NPCs get access to their own stash of gold. That means they can independently purchase food, supplies, and jewelry without the player’s micromanagement. Why rings? Because in Norland, a good ring is more than a trinket—it’s a status symbol, a relationship tool, and a subtle threat. A Lord gifting a ring signals alliance… or ambition.
Speaking of ambition, the long-anticipated political system is finally in play. Lords with plummeting loyalty don’t just sulk—they become “politicians,” quietly accumulating influence and scheming for the throne. Disloyal nobles can now receive support from outside lords, and alliances of armies and ideologies can form within your own walls. Ruling isn’t just about growing food anymore—it’s about reading the room, hedging loyalties, and bribing well.
The update doesn’t stop there. Army loyalty has been rebuilt from the ground up, with more complex faction behavior depending on unit personality. Players now get a unified production and finance screen, making it easier to manage who gets what, when, and where. Builders have their own building (finally), and new tools let you visualize distances between connected structures, streamlining city planning without sacrificing depth.
Quality-of-life buffs include better family perks, adjusted tech tree costs, smarter storage systems, and improved bribes (yes, the patch notes literally say “better bribes”). It’s the kind of granular cleanup that’ll be invisible to new players but vital for the community that’s kept Norland steadily charting through Early Access since launch.
Still on the fence? Norland is currently discounted 35% on Steam until July 24. The game typically goes for $29.99, but this might be the perfect time to see how well you fare when your own brother starts whispering about a crown behind your back. The trailer for the update also showcases the major changes made with the detailed patch notes available on Steam.