Set amid the political upheaval and technological change of the 19th century, Anno 1800 asks players to build an empire spanning European cities and South American settlements. Its city-building premise is shaped by the era’s industrial expansion: prosperity depends on meeting residents’ needs while navigating diplomacy, shifting allegiances, and competition with other rulers.
The central challenge is connecting production and commerce. Players establish production chains, manage factory workforces, and plan logistics and trade routes, while choosing whether to deal with rivals through diplomacy, trade, or warfare. Expeditions send specialist crews across the globe in search of fame and fortune, adding exploration to the work of developing metropolises and settling a new continent.
Anno 1800 supports a story-based campaign, a customizable sandbox, and multiplayer, including cooperative and competitive play. The game’s mix of economic planning, exploration, and political maneuvering is the backdrop for those different ways to play.
