Union Update: Tips for getting started in Anno

Hey Anno Community,

Hard to believe, but the Anno 1800 Console Edition is already one week old! And we were blown away by the reception – thank you very much for all the kind comments and the positive feedback you have written. We’re very happy that Anno 1800 is getting such a great reception on consoles, too!

You have also approached us with some issues you’ve encountered, from some graphical glitches to problems with the diplomacy menu. We’re currently taking a look at those and will keep you updated on any future patch plans for the Console Edition.

Getting Started in Anno

Starting off into a new game you haven’t played before is rarely easy, and we have seen an increasing number of questions of new players – on PC and console alike – with questions about maintaining a positive balance, upgrade strategies and general tips & tricks.

To help your onboarding in Anno 1800, we have listed several good resources and places to get answers to those questions below:

Tutorial Videos

You prefer advice in video form? No worries, we got you covered:

Check out the tutorial video with 7 Essential Tips we created in cooperation with our colleagues from Gameplan!

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Additionally, if you like your tips with a touch of entertainment, check out this guide in a proper Anno 1800 ambience: .

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Community Resources

Of course, with a fantastic community as we have the pleasure of working with on Anno, there are more channels for you to go to for advice, tips and generally ask any questions that pop up during your time with the game.

Firstly, in addition to the in-game “Annopedia” (accessible at any time when playing by opening the main menu) with information to almost all aspects of the game, there’s the awesome fan-created and maintained Wiki for Anno 1800! While its focus is the PC version of the game, you’ll still find plenty of useful information on mechanics, trade and the individual NPCs when playing on console.

For asking questions or discussing game elements, why not join the “Annoverse” Discord server and connect with the community there.

And lastly, there’s a dedicated subreddit for Anno 1800 as well as the (on average more active) general Anno subreddit – the latter also has a neat new thread with useful links.

We’ve seen that several of you have already found your way there, so, don’t hesitate to join our fantastic community and profit from their expertise to also lead your empire to glory and prosperity!

Spring Sale & Annoversary Update

Lastly, while the weather might not always give you Spring feelings quite yet, there is a Spring Sale for Anno on PC on both the Ubisoft Store and the Steam Store with discounts on the History Editions, Anno 2070 and 2205 as well as of course Anno 1800 and its DLC!

Plus, as we know that our community on PC is very much waiting for news on the Annoversary Update (releasing on April 4th!) after all the excitement about the Console Edition: We’ll have the full Release Notes for said update for you next week. So, stay tuned!

Union Update: Anno 1800 Console Edition launches today!

Hey Anno Community,

After our big reveal back in January, it finally happened: Anno 1800 is now available on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S!

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And if you haven’t ordered your copy yet, you can buy it for your preferred platform via this link: www.annogame.com/console. Plus, you have until April 16th to get the Early Adopter Offer – a bonus pack that includes the Imperial and Console Founder pack with additional skins, logos and ornaments, together with the digital artbook!

Learn how to play

Whether you’re new to Anno 1800, need a refresher, or would like to learn more about controls on console, this is the right place for you. We teamed up with Ubisoft Gameplan for this Essential Tips guide: from choosing the perfect game setting and difficulty level for you, to city planning, income growth and trading.

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Free Week – 16th-23rd March

If you are new to Anno 1800 and would like to try the game before purchasing it or want to introduce your friends to the Anno universe, we have got the perfect solution for you. Starting today (5:00 PM UTC) until March 23rd, you will be able to play Anno 1800 for free on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Interested? Then follow this link!

Twitch Drops: Anno 1800 Console Edition

Just a reminder that together with the launch of Anno 1800 Console Edition, our dedicated Twitch Drops Event also starts today! We have quite a few drops for this event, and it last until March 23rd.

By watching any of our partner streamers, you can earn the “Anno Union Banner” for watching 1 hour and the “Celebratory Ship Skin” for the Ship of the Line for watching 2 hours.

In addition, there are 4 company logos, the “Anno Union Billboard” and the “Celebratory Ship Skin” for the Battlecruiser which you can earn from any Anno 1800 streamer.

For more information on the Twitch Drops event and the list of Partner Streamers, please check our our dedicated blog.

FAQs – What does the Anno 1800 Console Edition offer?

Not too long ago, we bundled up the most frequently asked questions about the Console Edition you asked us, and put them together in this Union Update.

Of course, if you still have some burning question related to the Console Edition feel free to leave a comment below or reach out to us on Twitter, Facebook or our official forums.

This is all for today’s blog. Thank you, Anno Community, for your continued support throughout the years. And if you are new and joined because of the Console Edition release, welcome! 🙂

Happy city-building, Annoholics!

Twitch Drops: Anno 1800 Console Edition

Hey Anno Community,

Over the last weeks we have talked a lot about Anno 1800 Console Edition, and now, the release is just a few days away!

As we have done in the past for all releases of the PC version, the release of Anno 1800 Console Edition will be accompanied by a Twitch Drops event where you can earn several ornaments, skins and company logos for the Console Edition.

Viewer: Earning Drops

The Twitch Drops event starts on March 16 – release day – and lasts till March 23.

Anyone watching any of the streamers who sign up for the Twitch Drops event for the mentioned periods will be able to unlock several items for Anno 1800 Console Edition:

By watching any of our partner streamers (see list at the end of this article), you can earn the “Anno Union Banner” for watching 1 hour and the “Celebratory Ship Skin” for the Ship of the Line for watching 2 hours.

In addition, there are 4 company logos, the “Anno Union Billboard” and the “Celebratory Ship Skin” for the Battlecruiser which you can earn from any Anno 1800 streamer. Each day of the Twitch Drops event, a new item can be earned in the order shown on the image below:

The only thing you need to do is to first link your Ubisoft account to your Twitch account and then watch the streamers during the event for the mentioned time to receive your loot for Console Edition.

After receiving a drop, you need to claim it via the Twitch inventory. You can find more information on Twitch Drops in general in this official FAQ.

 

*As PC player, you already own the mentioned logos/ornaments/skins.

Streamers: How to participate

Any streamer can participate by signing up for the event. Simply head to this page for your Twitch account, make sure to connect it with your Ubisoft account, and opt-in to the drops. You can find more info on Twitch Drops in this official FAQ from Twitch.

When you stream Anno 1800 Console Edition or Anno 1800 PC during the mentioned period, your viewers will be able to earn drops.

Partner Streamers

Below you can find a list of all partner streamers participating in the Twitch Drops event where you can earn the two items listed above for Anno 1800 Console Edition:

English

  • https://www.twitch.tv/tsm_theoddone
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Adam_Ayeee
  • https://www.twitch.tv/GalaxyAUS
  • https://www.twitch.tv/kratzy76au
  • https://www.twitch.tv/MissUltimateCanon
  • https://www.twitch.tv/StarMystique
  • https://www.twitch.tv/ThePowerOfGrint
  • https://www.twitch.tv/BenVoyonsDavid
  • https://www.twitch.tv/MadameZoum
  • https://www.twitch.tv/KiNGAlphaTv
  • https://www.twitch.tv/LycanMB
    https://www.twitch.tv/RhystleMania
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Spamfish
  • https://www.twitch.tv/WhatDarrenPlays
  • https://www.twitch.tv/GhostGamingGG
  • https://www.twitch.tv/bajheera
  • https://www.twitch.tv/bikeman
  • https://www.twitch.tv/burkeblack
  • https://www.twitch.tv/chocotaco
  • https://www.twitch.tv/cringer
  • https://www.twitch.tv/danotage
  • https://www.twitch.tv/delrith
  • https://www.twitch.tv/fextralife
  • https://www.twitch.tv/fizziberry
  • https://www.twitch.tv/gassymexican/
  • https://www.twitch.tv/lokenplays
  • https://www.twitch.tv/miktastic
  • https://www.twitch.tv/mukluk
  • https://www.twitch.tv/sayastatic
  • https://www.twitch.tv/simcopter1/
  • https://www.twitch.tv/tangerinechant
  • https://www.twitch.tv/thatsoalykat
  • https://www.twitch.tv/tigerwriter
  • https://www.twitch.tv/toastplaysthis
  • https://www.twitch.tv/tsm_theoddone/
  • https://www.twitch.tv/DonyellFreak
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Eldirtysquirrel
  • https://www.twitch.tv/GWKennie
  • https://www.twitch.tv/HomieDrew
  • https://www.twitch.tv/JordawnTheJew
  • https://www.twitch.tv/KaMiKaZeVonDooM
  • https://www.twitch.tv/KingGeorge
  • https://www.twitch.tv/outerspvced
  • https://www.twitch.tv/SassyGamerLady
  • https://www.twitch.tv/SerenSantiagoTV
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Swstrangla82210
  • https://www.twitch.tv/TrevDaDruben

French

  • https://www.twitch.tv/azriette
  • https://www.twitch.tv/m4fgaming
  • https://www.twitch.tv/pressea
  • https://www.twitch.tv/scoksc2
  • https://www.twitch.tv/sir_thomas_
  • https://www.twitch.tv/zerator
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Jordanisen
  • https://www.twitch.tv/MiiLo_tf
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Phebusa
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Yrohh

Portuguese

  • https://www.twitch.tv/marcelowiek
  • https://www.twitch.tv/silence/

Spanish

  • https://www.twitch.tv/PixelbitsMX

Dutch

  • https://www.twitch.tv/Cohony

Polish

  • https://www.twitch.tv/Yuuhi

German

  • https://www.twitch.tv/abraxsus1983
  • https://www.twitch.tv/annitheduck
  • https://www.twitch.tv/arathrak
  • https://www.twitch.tv/baso
  • https://www.twitch.tv/battlebrothersger
  • https://www.twitch.tv/c4mlann
  • https://www.twitch.tv/d1rtyd3vil
  • https://www.twitch.tv/desman2k6
  • https://www.twitch.tv/edopeh
  • https://www.twitch.tv/fetter_zocker
  • https://www.twitch.tv/gebruedergames
  • https://www.twitch.tv/graenz
  • https://www.twitch.tv/invertmaster
  • https://www.twitch.tv/jessirocks
  • https://www.twitch.tv/maty
  • https://www.twitch.tv/mauriceweber
  • https://www.twitch.tv/maxim
  • https://www.twitch.tv/monstersandexplosions
  • https://www.twitch.tv/nivariasgaming
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Paragleiber
  • https://www.twitch.tv/pietsmiet
  • https://www.twitch.tv/pirolino1966
  • https://www.twitch.tv/radlerauge
  • https://www.twitch.tv/samy
  • https://www.twitch.tv/shurjoka
  • https://www.twitch.tv/sille184
  • https://www.twitch.tv/sirberlinstyle
  • https://www.twitch.tv/tolfus
  • https://www.twitch.tv/underwaterfrank
  • https://www.twitch.tv/Writing_Bull
  • https://www.twitch.tv/zazunotv
  • https://www.twitch.tv/vallegaming

Development of Anno 1800 Console Edition is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action within the framework of computer games funding.

Union Update: Console DevDiary and Free Week

Hey Anno Community,

With the release of Anno 1800 Console Edition drawing ever closer, we wanted to talk a bit more about our work on the project, talk about the why and how and the experience of the team. Check out our DevDiary Trailer below, with Charles, Elisabetta, Jan-Philipp, Lisa and Nicolas giving you some insights into the development of the console version:

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And as a little bonus, we have a small glimpse at the behind the scenes of the creation of the video:

Free Week – March 16-23

We’re also happy to announce a Free Week for Anno 1800, starting in two weeks’ time. Download and play the game on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Epic and Ubisoft Connect from March 16 till March 23rd. Or convince a friend to give it a try and join them for some multiplayer fun!

The Free Week contains the full base game experience, and as with our last Free Weeks, if you purchase the game afterwards, you can simply continue where you left off.

Anno 1800 Postlaunch-Soundtrack

Also releasing at the end of March is the full Anno 1800 postlaunch soundtrack!

While the limited edition “The Four Seasons” Vinyl from Black Screen Records has almost sold out by now (in record time): Don’t worry – you can still preorder from one of these stores. We’re of course also releasing the remaining soundtrack digitally.

The digital version of the soundtrack will make its way to the usual places like Spotify, iTunes in late March. We’ll of course update you as soon as it’s available.

Development of Anno 1800 Console Edition is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action within the framework of computer games funding.

Union Update: Your questions about the Console Edition

Hey everyone, hello Anno Community,

It’s been about two weeks since we unveiled the Anno 1800 Console Edition on Twitch, showing off what the team has been working on for while already. If you missed it, you can check out our full livestream here.

Both during and after the stream we have noticed a few questions popping up that we certainly want to answer – so, read on for more information on the console version. Let us know in the comments if there are any open questions left!

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And we have been filming another video this week, as you can see on the photo below. Stay tuned till late February, when some of our colleagues who worked on the Console Edition talk about the project.

 

Your frequently asked questions

On which platforms are you releasing Anno 1800 Console Edition?

Anno 1800 Console Edition will be available on PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X on March 16th, 2023. As we wanted to provide the best gameplay experience, we decided to use the power of the next gen consoles, with which we felt we can deliver the same experience without cutting corners or removing features.

What versions of the Console Edition are available? Is there going to be a physical version of Anno 1800 Console Edition?

You can choose between the Standard Edition, which includes the full base game, for 40€ and the Deluxe Edition, which includes three additional Cosmetic DLC (Amusements Pack, City Lights Pack, Pedestrian Zone Pack), for 50€.

The Standard Edition is available as physical version at selected retailers.

Find out more by following this link.

Are there any major differences between the PC and the console version?

The Console Edition includes the base game of Anno 1800 with all major free updates released for the PC version over the last 4 years. Our mission was to provide the full Anno 1800 base game experience on consoles. For this end, we reworked the complete UI and controls, and also added an extended tutorial as well as the ‘Annopedia’, an in-game wiki with information on all the game’s features and mechanics.

Does the Console Edition support Cross-play & Cross-progression?

The Anno 1800 Console Edition allows multiplayer matches with a maximum of 16 players, with up to 4 players per team in co-op mode. However, the console version does only support multiplayer between players on the same platform.

Cross-progression between Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 is supported.

What kind of input methods can I use with the Console Edition?

Our main focus during the development of Anno 1800 Console Edition was to achieve a smooth experience with a controller, for which the UI and controls were redesigned. It will therefore not support mouse and keyboard.

Since the PC version is optimized for mouse and keyboard input and for all the additional Season Pass DLC released there, we are currently not planning to add controller support to the PC version.

At what framerate will Anno 1800 Console Edition run?

Our focus for the Console Edition was to provide a smooth gameplay experience at all times considering the game’s complexity with large cities across two regions. The Console Edition therefore has a locked framerate of 30 FP on all consoles.

What are your plans for DLC content for the Console Edition?

For Anno 1800 Console Edition, we have decided to focus on the base game experience of Anno 1800 which already provides many hours of content, especially since we’ll be including the Free Game Updates that have been released for the PC version so far. Upon its release, the first 9 Cosmetic DLC that have already been released on PC will be available for purchase. The recently released “Dragon Garden” Pack as well as the three remaining Cosmetic DLC that are planned to be released in 2023 will become available later this year. There are no plans to release the Season Passes on console.

Did you stop further DLC development for the PC version (as you announced last year) because of the Console Edition?

No, the Console Edition is already in development since autumn 2021 and we continued releasing both content and free updates for PC since.

The team working on the Console Edition here at Ubisoft Mainz is made up of both veteran Anno developers, as well as new colleagues who joined us specifically for this project.

The plans to end main development for the PC version were independent from our plans for a version for console, as we felt that the PC version is in a good position with all the post launch content.

Are you already working on a new project, a new Anno game?

As we stated end of last year in our article on the future of Anno, part of the team is working on a new project that’s currently in an early conception stage. It’s too early to talk about it now but we’re always happy to read the ideas and wishes of our community.