The game features three different factions, including the Elari, the Maru, and the Jorn.

Like previous games in the series, the player starts with a skeleton crew and the player must grow their settlements by collecting resources, building farms for food, and constructing military structures for both offense and defense.

[3] Formally announced at Gamescom 2018, Blue Byte uses the proprietary Snowdrop Engine to develop the game.

According to director Christian Hagedorn, the team had to redesign the game as the gameplay systems they originally designed were overcomplicated.

[7] However, due to the feedback received during the closed beta, The Settlers team released a statement on March 3, 2022 announcing the game will be postponed to a later date, as the quality of the game was not yet in line with the team's vision.