Anno (video game series)
A German real-time strategy series focused on island colonization.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Anno is a real-time strategy and economic simulation video game series conceived in 1996 by Max Design. The series focuses on players establishing colonies on small islands, exploring regions, engaging in diplomacy and trade, managing resources, and conducting combat on land and sea. Most games are set during Renaissance and Empire-building historical periods, with cultures and architecture based on real-life elements, though civilizations are neutral from exact nations.
- conceived
- 1996
- creator
- Max Design
- genre
- Real-time strategy, economic simulation
- first_title
- Anno 1602
- publisher
- Ubisoft (most recent entries)
- developer
- Ubisoft Blue Byte (most recent entries)
- best_selling_title
- Anno 1800 (over 3 million copies sold as of 2023)
Lore & Background
The Anno series was conceived in 1996 by Max Design, with the first title, Anno 1602, becoming Germany's best-selling German-developed computer game as of December 2002, with 2.5 million copies sold worldwide and 1.7 million in Germany. Its sequel broke the sales-speed record, becoming Germany's fastest full-price computer game to reach 500,000 domestic sales, and ultimately sold over one million units in German-speaking countries. Combined with its predecessor, the series reached 4.5 million sales worldwide by October 2006.
Each game in the series is mainly a stand-alone title with recurring gameplay mechanics, though each installment amends existing mechanics and adds new features, with expansion packs adding further content. Initial games focused on single-player or multiplayer over LAN or online connections, while later titles added a campaign mode with unique storylines. The series has also included spin-off titles for handheld consoles, such as Anno 1701: Dawn of Discovery for the Nintendo DS, and mobile games like Anno: Build an Empire, though several have since been shut down.
Most entries in the series have received average reviews from critics. The series has seen various developers and publishers over its history, with the most recent entries developed by Ubisoft Blue Byte and published by Ubisoft. Spin-offs include Anno Online, a free-to-play browser game that ran from 2013 to 2018, and Anno 2205: Asteroid Miner, a mobile companion app shut down in October 2018.
Reader's Guide
The Anno series holds significance as a long-running German real-time strategy and economic simulation franchise, notable for its focus on island colonization, resource management, and trade during historical periods. Its first title, Anno 1602, achieved remarkable commercial success, becoming Germany's best-selling computer game of all time as of 2002, with 2.5 million copies sold worldwide. The sequel broke domestic sales-speed records, underscoring the series' strong appeal in German-speaking markets. By October 2006, combined sales of the first two games reached 4.5 million worldwide.
The series' legacy includes its influence on similar games like The Settlers and The Patrician, and it inspired the open-source game Unknown Horizons. Despite average critical reception for most entries, the franchise maintained a dedicated player base through iterative gameplay improvements and expansion packs. The shift to campaign modes in later titles added narrative depth, while spin-offs for handheld consoles and mobile devices expanded its reach, though many of these have been discontinued. The series continues under Ubisoft Blue Byte, demonstrating enduring interest in its blend of strategy, economy, and exploration.
Did You Know?
- The series was conceived in 1996 by Max Design.
- Anno 1602 was Germany's best-selling German-developed computer game as of December 2002, with 2.5 million copies sold worldwide.
- The sequel to Anno 1602 became Germany's fastest full-price computer game to reach 500,000 domestic sales.
- Combined sales of the first two games reached 4.5 million worldwide by October 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Anno series?
Anno is a real-time strategy and economic simulation franchise that tasks players with building colonies on small islands while managing trade routes, resource chains, and land or naval combat. The series was originally conceived in 1998 by Max Design and has since become one of Ubisoft's longest-running German-developed IPs.
What was the first Anno game and when did it come out?
The series launched with Anno 1602, which introduced the core loop of establishing settlements, producing goods, and expanding across a map of islands. It was initially published under the shorter "A.D." label before the franchise settled on the Anno name.
What time period do Anno games take place in?
Most entries are rooted in the Renaissance and early Empire-building era, drawing on real-world architecture, trade goods, and cultural details. However, the in-game civilizations are intentionally neutral and do not map one-to-one onto specific historical nations.
Who develops and publishes the recent Anno titles?
Ubisoft Blue Byte, a German studio, has handled development of the more recent entries, while Ubisoft serves as the publisher. This partnership has carried the series forward through its modern releases.
What makes Anno different from other city-builder or strategy games?
Rather than focusing purely on military conquest or pure city management, Anno blends economic simulation with real-time strategy, requiring players to balance production chains, inter-island trade, diplomacy, and combat simultaneously. The small-island map design and Renaissance aesthetic give it a distinct flavor compared to open-world alternatives.
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