Nested Lands News

[p]Dear survivors![/p][p][/p][p]A huge and awaited update for the demo has arrive! We’ve made tons of changes, improvements, and tweaks — all shaped by your feedback. Now it’s your turn to dive back in and let us know what you think!

Remember: your voice matters, and we always follow your requests, so feel free to quote on Discord and Steam.[/p][p][/p][p]Changes[/p][p][/p][p]Features:[/p]

• [p]Added naked villager models (yes, with genitals)[/p]
• [p]New NPCs footstep VFX[/p]
• [p]New VFX foot track ton for the NPCs[/p]
• [p]Added mouse sensitivity and motion blur options[/p]
• [p]Added a new heavy attack for the player [/p]
• [p]Added new voice-over and text messages on all random events and now your character speaks when interacting with dead animals for the first time;[/p]
• [p]Added new player character voice-over for day/night cycle, looting and Village Management;[/p]
• [p]Now your character consumes stamina on block and has better block detection based on attack direction.[/p]
• [p]Added torches for the NPCs[/p]
• [p]Added new items into the looting spots[/p]

[p] [/p][p]Fixes:[/p]

• [p]Localization updates[/p]
• [p]Various graphical changes and improvements[/p]
• [p]Tons of optimization and bugfixes[/p]
• [p]Updated the village management system[/p]
• [p]Various balance fixes with the Plague[/p]
• [p]Various balance fixes for the village[/p]
• [p]Changed Stone Spear damage from 130 to 80; Throwing Spear damage from 30 to 80;[/p]
• [p]Increased Plague Medicine find chance (50 to 90 in some loot places);[/p]
• [p]NPC graphics improvements[/p]
• [p]Removed some useless quests[/p]
• [p]Fixed the Plague spot interaction time so that a player could avoid catching a Plague for the first time[/p]
• [p]Changed rain and fog chances to appear[/p]
• [p]Various village immersion changes
  
  Overall, more than 150 fixes and changes were made and we will be happy to hear your thoughts about it.
  [/p]

[h2]
How can I share my feedback?[/h2][p]Join our Discord server for real-time support, updates, and more. You can leave your feedback there and seek help from the devs and fellow players.[/p][p]If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to tag our community manager @lutra_lutra for help.[/p][p]You can also post on the Steam Community Hub, where our team is actively monitoring feedback.[/p][p]After you test the game, we will ask you to complete a survey on your impressions and rate different aspects of the game. This feedback will help us improve Nested Lands and enhance your future gaming experience. You will find the link to the survey in the game menu. We will also remind you about it and post the link on our Discord and Steam accounts.[/p][h2]
A Demo Is a Work in Progress[/h2][p]The Nestled Lands Demo represents an early glimpse into the world we are building. While it's fully playable, please note that many features and systems are still under active development. For example:[/p]

• [p]Multiplayer is not available yet[/p]
• [p]Only a limited number of biomes can be explored[/p]
• [p]Some enemies are not included[/p]
• [p]Difficulty settings (easy, medium, hard, custom) are not implemented (the demo runs on a single preset difficulty)[/p]
• [p]The quest system is being actively expanded and refined[/p]
• [p]NPCs are undergoing some polish (facial animations, voice acting, etc.)[/p]
• [p]…more changes and refinements are in the works at this very moment![/p]

[p]This is just the beginning! As development continues, much more new content will be added, existing content polished, and gameplay depth enhanced. We appreciate your patience and feedback, and we are excited to share more with you in the future![/p][p][/p][h2]Thanks for Playing![/h2][p]Your support and feedback during the demo phase mean everything to us. Nestled Lands is being shaped by players just like you, actively improved with the community’s help. And we’re just getting started.[/p][p]Stay vigilant, – The Nested Lands Team[/p][p][/p]

[p]Welcome to the Nested Lands Demo, Survivors![/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for checking out the demo version of Nestled Lands! This page is here to help you get started, answer common questions, and provide guidance if you run into any issues during your playthrough.[/p][p][/p][h2]Frequently Asked Questions 
[/h2][h3]⏳ How long is the demo?[/h3][p]Depending on your playstyle, the demo offers at the very least 3 hours of gameplay. You’re welcome to play through it again and try different strategies!
[/p][p]The demo version will be available on Steam up until the very release of the game. Take your time and recommend the game to your friends!
[/p][h3]⚔️ What content is included in the demo?[/h3][p]The Nested Lands demo offers a slice of the full game, showcasing several core systems and mechanics. Here’s what you can expect:[/p][p][/p][p]Core Gameplay:[/p]

• [p]Explore one of the islands of Norovellir[/p]
• [p]Manage resources and inventory[/p]
• [p]Experience the reworked Plague system[/p]
• [p]Basic day-night cycle[/p]

[p]Combat & Survival:[/p]

• [p]Melee and ranged combat with bandits[/p]
• [p]Simple dodge/block mechanics[/p]
• [p]Needs and health systems[/p]
• [p]Basic stealth elements with stealth kills[/p]
• [p]Hunting and foraging for the respawnable resources[/p]
• [p]Plague system with two development levels [/p]

[p]Village Building & Management:[/p]

• [p]Build structures, production buildings, and houses[/p]
• [p]Improved village management system[/p]
• [p]Assign professions to villagers[/p]
• [p]Make your village run seamlessly[/p]
• [p]Grow and manage your village[/p]

[p]Narrative & Events:[/p]

• [p]Introductory quests and short story segments[/p]
• [p]Dialogue system with early NPCs[/p]

[p]Crafting & Progression:[/p]

• [p]Basic crafting (tools, weapons, healing items, and food)[/p]
• [p]Upgrading gear with materials found in the wild[/p]

[p]This is just the beginning — but even now, there’s a lot to uncover (and survive) in Norovellir.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]👅 What languages are supported in the demo?[/h3][p]Currently, Nested Lands is available in English, Russian, Chinese, and Portuguese. More language options will be considered based on community demand.
[/p][p]Localization is also still under development, so errors and inaccuracies may occur. We will fix them by the release.
[/p][h3]📹 Can I stream or create content from the demo?[/h3][p]Absolutely! We love seeing your villages and adventures. Please tag us with #NestedLands or post your videos and shots in Discord so we can see and share your content with the community.
[/p][h3]🐞 I found a bug! How can I report it?[/h3][p]As this is a demo version, you may encounter various glitches, bugs, and technical issues. These are entirely normal and expected during testing — after all, this is part of the process! 
[/p][p]We encourage you to push the game to its limits and explore all the features, as your feedback helps us to improve the experience. Please report issues in any of the following ways:[/p]

• [p]Press F1 in-game to send a bug report[/p]
• [p]On Steam Community Forums [/p]
• [p]On our Discord server in the #bug-report channel[/p]

[p]Please include:[/p]

• [p]A brief description of the issue[/p]
• [p]Your system specs[/p]
• [p]Steps to reproduce the bug (if possible)[/p]
• [p]A screenshot or video (if possible)[/p]

[h3]💬 How can I share my feedback?[/h3][p]Join our Discord server for real-time support, updates, and more. You can leave your feedback there and seek help from the devs and fellow players.[/p][p]If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to tag our community manager @lutra_lutra for help.[/p][p]You can also post on the Steam Community Hub, where our team is actively monitoring feedback.[/p][p]After you test the game, we will ask you to complete a survey on your impressions and rate different aspects of the game. This feedback will help us improve Nested Lands and enhance your future gaming experience. You will find the link to the survey in the game menu. We will also remind you about it and post the link on our Discord and Steam accounts.
[/p][h3]💾 Will my progress carry over to the full game?
[/h3][p]At this time, demo saves will not carry over to the final release due to differences in game structure and balance. We recommend using this opportunity to experiment and explore.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]What's New in the Demo[/h2][p]The Nestled Lands Demo includes a variety of exciting updates based on your feedback from the Alpha version. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new:[/p]

• [p]Villagers are now more intelligent and efficient, with a new backup profession ("Worker") to keep them active. You can also set automatic production quotas for crafting professions, like the Carpenter.
  [/p]
• [p]Farming has also been expanded, allowing you to set specific crop production and use larger Garden Beds for bigger harvests.
  [/p]
• [p]Villagers now have new dialogue options. Additionally, AI improvements enable better pathfinding, allowing workers to collect resources around the village in order to keep them useful in the long term.
  [/p]
• [p]Say goodbye to the tattered old Traveler Tent! The new Player home provides a private bed for added comfort.
  [/p]
• [p]Combat has been rebalanced with a focus on weapon and armor effectiveness, making each battle more tactical and rewarding.
  [/p]
• [p]The plague has been updated with new visuals, mechanics, and evolving effects depending on which island you're on. It’s now more engaging and challenging.
  [/p]
• [p]The quest system has undergone major updates, offering more freedom in how objectives are completed. These changes align better with the new game mechanics and narrative direction.
  [/p]
• [p]A range of new customizable settings will be added, including:[/p]
  • [p]Key bindings[/p]
  • [p]Mouse sensitivity options[/p]
  • [p]Motion blur toggle[/p]

[p]

[/p][p]Additionally, villagers' names are clearer, and the multi-crafting queue lets you prepare multiple items at once, streamlining your production process.[/p][p]These updates are just the beginning — stay tuned for even more improvements as we continue to develop the game![/p][h2]A Demo Is a Work in Progress[/h2][p]The Nestled Lands Demo represents an early glimpse into the world we are building. While it's fully playable, please note that many features and systems are still under active development. For example:[/p]

• [p]Multiplayer is not available yet[/p]
• [p]Only a limited number of biomes can be explored[/p]
• [p]Some enemies are not included[/p]
• [p]Difficulty settings (easy, medium, hard, custom) are not implemented (the demo runs on a single preset difficulty)[/p]
• [p]The quest system is being actively expanded and refined[/p]
• [p]NPCs are undergoing some polish (facial animations, voice acting, etc.)[/p]
• [p]…more changes and refinements are in the works at this very moment![/p]

[p]This is just the beginning! As development continues, much more new content will be added, existing content polished, and gameplay depth enhanced. We appreciate your patience and feedback, and we are excited to share more with you in the future![/p][h2]Thanks for Playing![/h2][p]Your support and feedback during the demo phase mean everything to us. Nestled Lands is being shaped by players just like you, actively improved with the community’s help. And we’re just getting started.[/p][p]Stay vigilant,
– The Nested Lands Team[/p][p]
[/p]

[p]Hello, survivors![/p][p][/p][p]We are beyond excited to finally share the Nested Lands demo with you! Your alpha feedback was absolutely key in shaping this release, and now, it's packed with fresh content and some big improvements. Ready to survive the plague-ridden wilds of Norovellir?[/p][p][/p][p]The demo will also be actively supported with updates and features! So please, if you have any feedback, don’t hesitate to share it with us.[/p][p][/p][p]We are completely open about the development of Nested Lands and want to make the game better and more enjoyable for everyone.[/p][p][/p][p]A world of excitement is yet on the horizon! But for now, we sincerely hope you enjoy the demo. [/p][p]
[/p]

Hello, survivors!

Today, we announced the launch of the demo version of Nested Lands. For the OTK Games Expo, we’ve prepared a brand new version of the game with countless improvements, new mechanics, an updated Plague and new quest system, and more.

Due to the fact that the festival is being held over the weekend, we were unfortunately unable to release the demo in time for it. But don’t worry, the demo version will be available next week, as soon as everything is squared away and approved. To make up for the delay, we are reopening the playtest version so you can refresh your memory a bit. And trust us, you’ll be able to see just how much Nested Lands has evolved in only the past few months.

As soon as the demo becomes available, we’ll let you know here, on Steam, and on all our social media.

Join our Discord server to participate in community discussions, to be the first to hear upcoming news, and to communicate directly with our dev team.

Thank you for your patience, and see you soon!

In our last Dev Diary, we covered the upcoming changes your feedback on the Alpha testing inspired us to make. With your help, we are shaping Nested Lands into an incredible, unique take on the survival genre.

Today, we’d like to take a deeper dive into the new Village Features that are currently in development… Without further ado, let’s get started!



[h2]New Art
[/h2]
We’re giving our NPCs a complete visual overhaul in Nested Lands — from new animations and body models, to updated clothing. As you might’ve seen in our recent posts, we are adding nudity to the game — and these changes are designed to support that shift while making our Villagers more detailed and lifelike than ever. Alongside that, we’re enhancing environmental elements like ruined buildings, rock formations, and fire effects to deepen the grim, immersive feel of the world. Some structures now bear strange, cryptic markings… What do you think they might mean?



[h2]Villagers Rework
[/h2]
One of the most requested improvements has been around village life, specifically how villagers manage their jobs and free time. We’ve made various important changes to the system that will make management more intuitive, easier, and streamlined:

• Now Villagers will help you build new structures,
  
• The default profession of the Villagers is now Worker, meaning they will gather resources and help you build things around the base,
  
• Villagers have become more social! They have more interactions between each other, like chitchat, eating at a shared table, working together, and so on,
  
• We’ve vastly improved the storage system, allowing villagers to handle their tasks more efficiently, instead of taking items one by one. And all storage chests in the village are now shared, meaning that your workers will know where to find each item,
  
• And finally, don’t be surprised if a villager triggers a new quest or an unexpected event. NPCs are more involved than ever!
  

[h2]Building Updates
[/h2]
Buildings are another game feature that we have improved upon with your feedback. We know how important it is for players to shape their village into something that feels personal and alive. That’s why each structure will come with three upgrade tiers — Basic, Advanced, and Complete. The basic level is what you’ve already seen in the Alpha — the original building with its essential functions. As you upgrade to Advanced and then Complete, not only will new crafting recipes and interactive features (like the repair anvil in the Blacksmith) become available, but the buildings will also receive visual upgrades to reflect their improved status.

The village will also have its own level, which increases with your building progress. For example, you’d need a Builder’s Hut, Carpenter, and Blacksmith, plus 4 villager houses, to level up your village to level 2. Leveling up your village will also increase the building area, and the building radius will be moved automatically to the new edge of your village. Your village will also have stats, like Protection, Happiness, Warmness, Radius, and others. We’ll dive deeper into how these work in upcoming posts.
Also, we are introducing a new building to serve as the Player’s Home, with a private bed and chest, offering more comfort to the true leader of the village.



Lastly, we’re excited to share that decorative items are on the way! From torches and warning signs to various thematic objects, these additions are still in early development — but they’ll help make your village feel truly lived-in when the full game launches.

[h2]Crafting Changes
[/h2]
You asked — we delivered! Crafting queues are now live for both players and workbenches, streamlining the entire process. No more micromanaging one item at a time — queue up your tasks and let the system handle the rest.

This update also extends to Village Management: each building now has its own crafting queue, giving you greater control and customization over your settlement’s production. It’s all about making your workflow smoother, more efficient, and a lot more satisfying.

That’s it for now! We are actively working on implementing your feedback into the game and expanding the systems to make playing Nested Lands a more immersive and enjoyable experience. What would you like us to dive into next — perhaps a closer look at the upcoming Plague updates? There’s a lot we’re excited to share about this major feature.

Drop your questions and suggestions in the comments — we read everything and love hearing from you. Don’t forget to wishlist and follow Nested Lands to stay updated. See you in the next one!