Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts

Scriptorium: Master of Manuscripts is a 2D simulation game from Polish developer Yaza Games and publisher Mythwright. Players take the role of a medieval scribe, accepting commissions from wealthy patrons to create manuscripts. The title was first revealed on August 15, 2024, and launched on Steam on April 17, 2026.

In the game, players manage a manuscript workshop, drawing illustrations and fulfilling orders. Two modes are available: Story Mode, where players build a career by completing specific commissions for items like illustrations, maps, and letters; and Sandbox Mode, which offers unlimited resources and no clients or set tasks. Earnings from commissions can be used to decorate the workshop or purchase new images for the canvas. Drawing involves selecting from thousands of pre-made medieval-style pictures, organized by themes such as "nature," "Hell," "Heaven," and "weapons." These images can be placed on various types of vellum, and text in period-appropriate fonts can be added. Finished works can be exported as PNG files.

After their earlier game, the turn-based medieval strategy Inkulinati, Yaza Games heard from players who wanted more creative freedom. This feedback led them to develop Scriptorium. The studio cited Kingdom Come: Deliverance as a major influence, while the relaxed gameplay style was inspired by titles like Tiny Glade and Animal Crossing. The developers jokingly described the game as "700 years in the making."

Critics praised Scriptorium for standing out in its genre, calling it a "breath of fresh air in the medieval space" thanks to its relaxing, cozy feel—unusual for a game set in the Middle Ages. Reviewers consistently described it as "cosy" and "comfortable," and noted that all in-game artwork was created by humans, with no AI-generated content. Ivy Santiago of Happy Gamer remarked, "You're not just making pretty pictures; you're continuing a tradition that stretches back over a thousand years."