Comic noble intrigue simulator Norland hits Early Access May 16

As part of the Triple-i Initiative stream, Hooded Horse has announced that Long Jaunt’s medieval colony sim Norland, will be hitting Steam Early Access on May 16, 2024.

Norland bills itself as a story generator and compares itself to Rimworld and Crusader Kings. You manage an “up-and-coming” noble family as they manage their domain. You have to help them navigate various intrigue including feuds, power struggles, and other such treachery driven by human folly. Meanwhile, you must also manage a medieval kingdom and keep the unwashed masses complacent while you leech off their hard work.

The press release also says, “Absorb knowledge and technology from books, rewrite them, or create entirely new works,” which sounds amazing. Spreading misinformation is all the rage these days with the cool kids.

This mostly makes me upset that I never got into Rimworld and Crusader Kings if this is how they are. I like games where story just kind of organically develops. I play The Sims for the stories that I both create and help my hapless victims navigate. I can certainly see the influence here, as even the art-style is somewhat evocative of Rimworld.

Norland releases on PC via Steam Early Access on May 16, 2024.