Mandate Order Early Access Roadmap

Digital Sky enters Early Access with a complete core loop—freeform build, local logistics, seasonal farming, Hundred Schools retainers, diplomacy, conscription, and real-time invasions—but the studio has also published a post-launch roadmap through Games Press that sketches what arrives after the August 12, 2026 launch window. This page translates that public schedule into wiki context: which systems each beat touches, how to prepare on day one, and where to read deeper mechanics in guides, build, combat, systems, review, and tools.

Critical caveat: roadmap slides state that timing may change based on player feedback, performance work, and balance iteration. Months below are planning targets, not guarantees. When a beat slips or expands, update your expectations from Steam news—not from memory of a press screenshot.

Launch baseline (August 2026)

Mandate Order ships on Steam and the Epic Games Store at $19.99 USD with a 15% discount during the first two weeks. Early Access targets roughly twelve months before 1.0. Day-one scope already includes organic city growth, non-global freight, four-season agriculture, retainers, policy and diplomacy layers, armory-gated conscription, walls, siege engines, and large real-time battles on one map.

Before chasing roadmap features, stabilize fundamentals from getting started, how to manage logistics, and how to farm by season. Roadmap content assumes a city that can survive winter and answer its first invasions.

Late August: new map and minimap refresh

The first public beat after launch targets late August with a new map plus blue-green minimap presentation improvements. Map additions change where you apply city layout and starting stronghold tips—not merely cosmetic reskins. A refreshed minimap affects how quickly you spot courier bottlenecks and invasion approach vectors; pair UI changes with controls habits so camera discipline keeps pace with navigation tools.

If you restart on a new scenario, rerun the launch checklist so wells, granaries, and armory paths are verified before mid-game roadmap systems arrive.

September: livestock phase one and building upgrades phase one

September planning includes livestock phase one and building upgrades phase one. Livestock implies new production and satisfaction pressures beyond grain monoculture—likely tying into population and satisfaction and production chains when details ship. Building upgrades phase one suggests tiered structures or efficiency paths; read building upgrades on this wiki for preparation framing and revisit buildings references as patch notes name specific tiers.

Expect freight demand spikes when upgraded workshops consume new inputs. Pre-build courier capacity using warehouses and storage guidance before duplicating industry.

October: livestock phase two, field hospitals, farmland phase two

October targets livestock phase two, field hospitals, and farmland phase two. Hospitals signal deeper disease or casualty recovery loops—overlapping ritual and disasters and potential calamity systems discussed in community materials. Farmland phase two extends seasonal agriculture beyond launch fields; align planting calendars with how to farm by season and watch whether new crops alter winter fuel or trade exports.

Military players should not ignore hospitals: sieges from how to defend a siege may produce wounded populations that stress logistics if recovery chains are local rather than abstract.

November: special locations and Panda Warriors

November planning highlights special locations and Panda Warriors. Special locations usually mean map landmarks with unique resources, rituals, or diplomatic hooks—read diplomacy and policy when interactions touch tribute or alliance timing. Panda Warriors are a named combat addition; the dedicated Panda Warriors page covers what is publicly known without inventing stats.

When new units arrive, revisit troop types, formations and line drawing, and how to conscript so armory chains include any new kit categories.

December: new defensive equipment

December beats focus on new defensive equipment—likely extending walls and siege beyond launch towers, gates, and engines shown in trailers. Defensive gear still flows through workshops and couriers; a shiny wall tool helps only if stone and timber routes survive raids.

Cross-check Phase 20 notes if invasion timing changes coincide with defensive patches—you may need to re-test whether earlier scouting windows still match your garrison plan from how to handle invasions.

Q1 2027: Battle of Changping story campaign DLC

Roadmap materials target Q1 2027 for a Battle of Changping story campaign DLC—a narrative layer distinct from sandbox frontier progression. DLC timing sits outside the base twelve-month Early Access window in planning slides but still depends on production realities. Watch official store listings for separate purchase pages rather than assuming automatic inclusion in the base game.

Campaign DLC may introduce scripted logistics constraints or preset armies; sandbox skills from guides and build hubs should transfer, but save compatibility and mode separation must be confirmed at launch.

How roadmap beats connect to verified pre-launch work

Public demo and beta coverage already emphasized pathfinding and UI polish—topics on demo and playtests with embedded verified footage. Phase 20 Steam news separately cites invasion mechanic adjustments and start-of-game improvements without publishing full patch notes here. Treat roadmap months as content cadence and Phase/demo notes as quality cadence; both can ship in the same month without merging into one feature list.

Player checklist by season

Before September: Stable food, fuel, and armory feed; bookmark building upgrades.

Before October: Hospital district space reserved; audit granaries for farmland phase two.

Before November: Scout special location rumors on new maps; read Panda Warriors.

Before December: Stone and timber surge capacity for defensive equipment tiers.

Before Q1 2027: Decide whether sandbox goals are met before buying Changping DLC—see Early Access FAQ.

Staying current

Return to the updates hub after major Steam posts. Use tools for repeatable diagnostics when patches alter freight or conscription. This wiki remains unofficial—verify every date and price on storefront pages before purchase decisions.