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.

[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.

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.

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.