Winter Solstice Update Patch Notes
Game Version Update Log (Oct 20, 2025 - Dec 9, 2025)
Systems & Gameplay
Beast Ecosystem
Added three new beast types: Wolves, Bears, and Wild Boars, along with their respective lairs.
Implemented complete beast behavior logic, including wandering (random idle periods), enemy detection (detection radius), melee attacks, and chase-disengagement mechanics.
Added beast corpse resource piles (providing bones, hides, etc.).
Laborer Profiles
Introduced Laborer Profile Panels, allowing you to view a laborer’s background, stat history, and current status.
Added random hairstyles and facial features for laborers, greatly expanding character customization.
Encyclopedia Rebuild (Renamed “The Grand Atlas of the Realm”)
Rewrote most tutorial texts for better immersion.
Added new sections: “State Affairs”, “Exploration” (resource nodes, enemy intel), and “Military” (unit introductions), with dynamic images, text, and tutorial videos for entries.
Public Opinion System
Updated public opinion calculation: now adjusts based on the percentage of squads meeting criteria for individual opinion factors.
Real-time display of public opinion status.
Gathering Buildings
Removed resource-adjacent placement rules; buildings now function as long as their range covers resource nodes. Lifted the construction limit per resource node.
New Content & Facilities
New Buildings
Sanitation: Added “Waste Pit” (dry latrine) with models, recipes (fertilizer/waste), and resident - using animations.
Water Supply: Added “Well” with resident water - seeking logic and water - fetching animations, plus a groundwater richness map.
New Features
Bulk construction for buildings (e.g., Laborer Tents), supporting up to 10 identical structures at once.
Combat & Units
Combat Performance
Implemented a knockback system: units hit hard (e.g., by catapults, soldier charges) will be knocked back, fall, and get up with animations.
Tuned charge speed curves, acceleration, damage multipliers, and post - charge inertia.
Unit Adjustments
Melee units in hold - position mode can now slightly reposition for better attacks.
Ranged unit range indicators now match actual attack distances.
Fortification Equipment
Adjusted Ballista and Catapult health and collision for better battlefield balance.
Improved ladder - mounting logic for easier use. Added fertilizer to the Clay Pot recipe.
Weapons
Sword - and - Shield units get a starter Wooden Club (crafted at Sawmills) for early - game progression.
City Gates
New Gate buildings can replace sections of existing walls. Added open/close controls in the Gate UI.
Environment, Graphics & Audio
Scene Details
Added flying birds. Upgraded terrain textures (grass, cliffs, rivers, shallows, logged areas), added new tree species, and adjusted winter foliage changes. Improved lighting, added volumetric light effects, and enhanced shadows.
Weather & Seasons
Dynamic snow accumulation/melting on terrain and vegetation. Adjusted seasonal exposure curves for natural transitions. Optimized rain puddle range, raindrop particles, and global illumination for better frame rates.
Audio
Adjusted combat sound falloff for better spatial audio. Refined Public Opinion audio cues and processing - building sound effects.
Bug Fixes
Fixed blurry visuals on high - res displays (incorrect 1080p scaling).
Resolved full - screen flickering on launch.
Fixed mining animation/effect glitches, building overlap issues from old placement rules, and laborer idling during stone mining.
Addressed navigation mesh - related unit stalling/falling. Fixed save - load data loss, crashes, and version mismatches.
Corrected multi - language UI text overlap/missing issues, leftover path decals after building removal, and laborer assignment bugs at Supply Yards.
Fixed ranged unit jitter, Waste Pit production bugs, gate - blocking failures on uneven terrain, catapult pathing errors, main menu laborer animation glitches, and placement bugs at Lumberyards/Jujube Orchards.
Fixed tree - cutting loot/model mismatches, laborer animation bugs when planting trees, Well size/texture errors, Forge texture issues, Spacebar UI misinputs, Encyclopedia crash bugs, and delayed fuel alerts.
Other
Added auto - save (interval adjustable in settings) and Steam Cloud Save support.
Important Notes
Before the test starts, we want to be transparent about known issues and workarounds:
GPU Crashes: Not fully resolved. Update your graphics driver and restart the game if you crash on launch or save creation. We apologize and are working on fixes.
High - Res UI Blurriness: 2K+ screens may have blurry UI. This is a temporary fix as we’re hiring UI staff—thank you for your patience.
Recommended Hardware: Use desktops for stability; avoid laptops for now.
Despite current imperfections, we’re eager for your participation! Join our community to share feedback—it’s invaluable for improving Mandate Order.
Thank you for joining us on this journey!
Winter Solstice is here, and your kingdom awaits. The open - access Ancient Survival & Construction Playtest begins December 22 on Steam—build your legacy with us!