The short answer
The September playtest update sends you to unlock tents first in Residents’ Needs and rebalances the starting Journey Points for that unlock. If an older guide sends you elsewhere, read the objective in your build. The September 25 release route has not yet been tested.
Start with the current tent objective
These checks follow the developer’s revised quest order. The hotfix says the Tutorial Assistant can be reopened after declining it, but does not specify the exact menu path. Use the current interface rather than an invented shortcut.
- Open Residents’ Needs and read its active objective before spending Journey Points.
- Check whether tents are unlocked and compare your available points with the displayed unlock cost.
- Follow the tent objective shown by your build. Return to the Tutorial Assistant if you need its written or video explanation.
- Check that the objective advances before following the next step of an older walkthrough.
Sources for this section
- Empire Craft Studios / Toplitz Productions: September playtest hotfix · Checked 2026-09-22 · Published 2026-09-09
If the objective still does not advance
Keep a screenshot of the objective and tent state if you remain blocked. The notes document changes, but do not establish a universal save-repair procedure. Do not delete your settlement to test a guess.
| What you see | What to check next |
|---|---|
| Not enough Journey Points | Record the build, point balance and displayed tent cost. The playtest was rebalanced; an older save or route may differ. |
| No tents in the building list | Distinguish a locked tent from an unlocked building missing in the bar; the hotfix addressed the latter separately. |
| Assistant was declined | Look for the Tutorial Assistant again; the September change allows returning to it. |
| No Whims yet | The playtest deliberately delays Whims until Residents’ Needs is complete. |
Sources for this section
- Empire Craft Studios / Toplitz Productions: September playtest hotfix · Checked 2026-09-22 · Published 2026-09-09
- Empire Craft Studios / Toplitz Productions: Playtest retrospective · Checked 2026-09-22 · Published 2026-09-18
Once the objective advances
Use the next requirement shown in Journey and record its cost before expanding. The Early Access economy is due to change again, so the next guide explains how to compare an old building budget with the screen in front of you.
Sources for this section
- Empire Craft Studios / Toplitz Productions: September playtest hotfix · Checked 2026-09-22 · Published 2026-09-09
- Empire Craft Studios / Toplitz Productions: Playtest retrospective · Checked 2026-09-22 · Published 2026-09-18
Your checklist
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Research checked 2026-09-22. This is a source-based guide; Kingy has not independently play-tested these steps. Evidence and coverage.