Anno 117: Pax Romana Introduces Modular Ships

22:27 EST update: We've updated the video to link to the Anno 117 video.

The Anno series has long been celebrated for its deep city-building mechanics and complex economic systems. With the announcement of Anno 117: Pax Romana at IGN Fan Fest 2025, Ubisoft has unveiled a new feature to the series: modular ships.

This fresh take on naval gameplay allows players to customise their vessels by adding different modules, tailoring each ship to suit a specific purpose. Whether you're looking to enhance speed, boost firepower, or reinforce defences, modularity is set to redefine how players approach naval strategy in the Anno franchise.

A New Era of Naval Customisation

In previous Anno titles, most notably Anno 1800, ship performance could be influenced by equipping items, such as improved sails or reinforced hulls. While it remains uncertain whether Anno 117 will still feature a similar item system, the introduction of modular ships suggests a more dynamic and customisable approach to naval gameplay.

Players can modify their ships with different components to fit various roles. Need a swifter trading vessel? Add extra sails or oars. Facing hostile waters? Reinforce the hull with additional armor. Want to dominate the high seas? Equip your ships with powerful catapults or archer platforms to give them an edge in battle.

This level of customisation provides an even greater degree of strategic depth, making fleet composition more meaningful than ever before.

Strategic Implications for Naval Warfare in Anno 117

The modular system in Anno 117 encourages a more tactical approach to shipbuilding and combat. Players may no longer rely on a one-size-fits-all fleet with a predefined set of ships to build.

Instead of building specific ships like a Clipper for trading or a Battle Cruiser for destroying islands, each vessel can be optimised for its intended role. Merchants and traders can prioritise speed, while military fleets can be adjusted based on the threats they face.

Additionally, the new module system raises questions about fleet logistics and balance. Manuel Reinher, the Creative Director at Ubisoft Mainz, already spoke about modules requiring additional resources to maintain:

"While human power will make a ship more versatile, it also means you'll have more mouths to feed and loose additional cargo space."

The video also shows there be trade-offs between speed and firepower. When the catapult module is activated on the stern of the ship, the second sail disappears. This most likely means that it's an either/or situation: you will have to choose between the extra speed of the second sail or the extra firepower of the catapult.

These are elements that could make naval management in Anno 117: Pax Romana more engaging and complex than in previous iterations.

How Modular Ships Could Evolve the Anno Experience

This new feature could have broader implications beyond just combat. If modularity extends to non-military vessels, players might have the option to create specialised ships for exploration, diplomacy, or resource transportation. Such depth would bring naval strategy to a new level, integrating seamlessly with Anno 117’s overarching economic and political themes.

This was already possible to some extent in Anno 1800 with items. But unless you had a research facility, there was a limit to the items you could get and the amount of each you would find. If modules only cost resources to apply in Anno 117, this would imply that the amount of specialised ships will be limitless.

Anno 117: Pax Romana is scheduled to be released this year on PC, PlayStation 5 and XBox series S and X. Of course we'll keep you updated with any news being released, so stay tuned for more updates as we learn more about Anno 117 and any new mechanics!

For the full story, watch the Anno 117: Pax Romana Official Overview Trailer from IGN Fan Fest.