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Anno 117: Pax Romana is an upcoming city-building real-time strategy video game developed by Ubisoft Mainz and to be published by Ubisoft. It is the eighth installment in the Anno series and features strategic city-building gameplay in Ancient Rome, the earliest historical setting in the franchise. For the first time, players can choose between starting provinces: ruling either the Roman Empire in Latium or the Celtic kingdom in Albion, to spread Roman or Celtic cultural influence. Players assume the role of a governor, choosing between paths of loyalty or rebellion, focusing on power or economic growth.
| Anno 117: Pax Romana | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Ubisoft Mainz |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Series | Anno |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 2025 |
| Genre(s) | City-building, real-time strategy |
Ubisoft officially announced the game in June 2024. It is scheduled for release in 2025 on Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S.
Anno 117: Pax Romana is developed by Ubisoft Mainz and to be published by Ubisoft.[1] Announced in June 2024, the game is set to be released on Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in 2025.[2][3] It is the eighth installment in the Anno series and follows known strategic city-building elements.[4] The development of the game has been subsidized by the Federal Ministry of Economics with €5.7 million since summer 2023.[1]
The game will feature the earliest historical setting in the franchise to date, transporting players to the era of Ancient Rome.[5][6] For the first time in the series, players can choose between different starting provinces, ruling either the Roman Empire in Latium or the Celtic kingdom in Albion, spreading the cultural influence of the Romans or the Celts accordingly.[5][7] The player will take on the role of a Governor to develop an empire and shape its future, deciding whether to achieve success through power or economic growth.[8][9] The game offers two paths in terms of the role, either as loyalist or rebel.[10] The developers also plan to focus more on diplomacy than in previous games.[11] Its subtitle, Pax Romana, refers to a nearly 200-year period of relative peace and stability throughout the Roman Empire. The era featured a thriving economy, vast trade networks, and significant cultural and architectural achievements, many of which are still visible in Central Europe today, over 2,000 years later. This period offers a perfect setting for a game centered on trade and city-building, allowing players to step into the role of a praetor, or governor, of their chosen Roman province.[4][12]
In an interview with IGN, creative director Manuel Reinher stated that the team is focused on improving the starting experience for new players while maintaining the game's complexity. They plan to make the game more modular, allowing new players to choose and explore specific provinces with more context and story. Core players can still enjoy managing multiple lands and engaging in trade, as the game will be more adaptable and user-friendly. The team is committed to keeping the brand's legacy while introducing new features. The focus on fresh ideas and more social content is seen as a new way to meet player expectations. They are rebranding to expand the community and strengthen the partnership between players and developers for the best experience.[13]
The game was revealed during the Ubisoft Forward showcase in June 2024.[5][14] A live-action teaser trailer was released to accompany the announcement. It features a public herald reciting Roman scripture to an empty field of sheep, which compensated for the lack of gameplay footage.[5][15] The herald appeared in a second promotional video featuring 117 social media comments from people who had long wished for the Roman Empire to be the setting for the new Anno game.[16][17] Several artworks were released, which, according to the developers, contain some hints about the game's content.[18] A screenshot has been leaked after being accidentally uploaded to the official Anno site and quickly removed. The leaked image showed a large coastal settlement divided into several areas.[19]
In July 2024, Ubisoft Mainz held a contest via Anno Union in which anyone was able to design an ornament for Anno 117. A template was provided for the contest that fans could use to get creative. The silhouette of a statue needed to be completed and sent to Ubisoft.[20] At Gamescom 2024, Ubisoft shared new details about Anno 117. The game is set to introduce significant changes to established mechanics, especially through the concept of Romanization versus Celtic traditions. Players can choose cultural paths that influence city development, production chains, and population progression.[21]
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