Developer Update: Block Explorer Utility & Structure Footprints

​Editor’s Note:
Following the initial announcement, we revisited the reduced footprint implementation and were able to improve the outcome. Reduced footprints are now live, andService Unit values have been preserved, giving players greater flexibility without any reduction in value.​

It’s time for another developer update, and this one focuses on two meaningful improvements that reflect where Upland is headed next. As we continue building out new features, a key priority is making sure everything works seamlessly together as part of a larger, connected system. Each addition is designed to reinforce the core of Upland, property ownership, trading, and development, while expanding how players interact with the world.

One of these updates will arrive within the next 24 hours, while the other is still in active development. Both are closely tied to upcoming gameplay systems and are designed to deepen strategy and improve the day to day experience across the map.

Block Explorer Utility

As new systems like life, troves, fishing, trade routes, and recipes come online, the role of Block Explorers is evolving. What was once a straightforward tool for exploration is becoming a more strategic asset, tied directly to where you are and how you play.

Location already plays an important role, but with these updates your Block Explorer will become just as important as your position on the map. The troves you encounter, the resources you gather, and even the recipes you unlock will continue to be influenced by where you are, but now they will also depend on which Block Explorer you are using. This adds another layer of decision-making that connects movement, ownership, and activity in a more deliberate and meaningful way.

At the center of this update is the introduction of stamina. Rather than allowing unlimited collection, Block Explorers will operate within defined limits. Stamina represents how many troves an explorer can gather before needing to cooldown, and it also applies when fulfilling recipes, tying it directly into broader gameplay systems. It scales based on rarity. Higher-tier explorers, like terraformers, will be able to operate longer and recover faster, while more common explorers will have tighter limits.

Director Block Explorers will be included in this system as part of a broader collection. Their equivalent rarity tier will be announced in advance, and it will not be the highest tier. While each Director Block Explorer remains a 1-mint asset, they will not function as a technical one-of-one rarity within this system.

This approach allows us to better balance stamina across all players while still preserving the identity of Director explorers. It also leaves room for them to benefit from other systems, such as collection-based bonuses or future modifiers, where their status can continue to stand out in different ways.

The system is designed to be easy to use, especially for players who have built out a collection of multiple Block Explorers. When one Block Explorer reaches its limit, another will automatically take over, ensuring that gameplay continues without interruption.

This creates a clear advantage for players who have built out a deeper collection of Block Explorers, allowing them to stay active longer and make better use of the system overall. The experience remains fluid, while also rewarding players who have invested in collecting and managing multiple explorers.

This change is less about limiting players and more about creating meaningful differences across explorers. It gives weight to rarity and introduces a reason to think carefully about how each explorer is used.

Modifiers

Beyond stamina, we are also exploring modifiers for Block Explorers, and this is where the system becomes more expressive and truly unique. For example, some Explorers may perform better when collecting certain types of troves, while others may improve the likelihood of higher-quality rewards or interact more effectively with specific service structures. There is also room for time-based or seasonal advantages, where using the right explorer at the right moment can produce better outcomes.

There’s also a broader collection dynamic taking shape. While individually Block Explorers may be more common, completing a full series could unlock additional benefits that go beyond the sum of their parts. This creates a longer-term incentive structure that rewards both active play and deliberate collecting.

These modifier systems are not yet finalized and are actively being explored as we shape how Block Explorers will function under this new framework. The examples shared here are intended to give a sense of direction rather than represent final features, and they are not guaranteed to be included as described. We’re sharing this early to provide visibility into where things are heading and to gather feedback from the community as we continue to iterate.

Our goal is to create meaningful differentiation across explorers, and community input will play an important role in helping shape how these systems evolve.

Footprints

The second update arrives tomorrow, bringing significantly reduced footprints across Upland, not just for structures but for all in-game models, with boundaries adjusted system-wide.

Up until now, footprints have placed strict limits on how closely structures and decorative elements could be positioned. In many cases, this created unused space around buildings that made properties feel less complete or harder to design around. This update is a direct response to that friction and is focused on giving players more control over how their properties come together.

Structures will now occupy far less invisible space, making it easier to design tighter, more cohesive layouts. Decorations can be placed closer to buildings, and properties can be developed with a greater level of detail without being constrained by oversized placement boundaries.

These footprint updates will apply to all affected structures and assets, including those already placed on properties.

There are still some technical limitations to be aware of. Footprints will remain rectangular, defined by the outermost edges of a structure. Because of this, certain gaps will still exist depending on the shape of the building. That said, the reduction is significant enough that these gaps should feel much less noticeable in most builds.

For newer structures, the design approach has also evolved alongside this change. Walkways, patios, and surrounding elements have recently been incorporated directly into the structures themselves, which helps absorb the footprint and makes the space around them feel more intentional. The result is a cleaner look that allows players to build right up to the structure in a more natural way.

Whether you prefer more spacing or want to maximize every tile, this update gives you the freedom to decide how your properties should look and function.

Looking Ahead

Both of these updates point toward a more connected and flexible experience in Upland.

Block Explorers are shifting into a role that emphasizes strategy, specialization, and collection depth, tying directly into upcoming systems like troves and recipes. At the same time, reduced structure footprints remove long-standing constraints and give players more control over how their properties take shape.

As new gameplay systems expand what players can do, these updates ensure the tools and environments around them evolve as well.