Build Your Roman Empire: Anno 117: Pax Romana Confirms Free Demo for All

The highly anticipated strategy builder game, Anno 117: Pax Romana, has been a major highlight of the gaming calendar, and now, fans will finally get a chance to go hands-on with the game before its official launch. In a major announcement at Gamescom, Ubisoft confirmed that a free demo for the game will be available to all PC players, offering an early slice of what has been hailed as “the premier builder game of 2025.” This is a significant moment for the long-running franchise, giving new and old fans alike an opportunity to test their city-building skills in the glorious world of ancient Rome.

When Can You Play? The Demo Release Schedule

The Anno 117: Pax Romana demo is a limited-time event, running from September 2 to September 16, 2025. This two-week window gives players ample time to experience the game’s core mechanics and unique features. The demo will be available on all major PC platforms, including Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect. It’s important to note that, as of now, there is no demo announced for the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S versions of the game, making this a PC-exclusive sneak peek.

The demo is a unique offering, featuring an interesting “1 hour” time limit on each session. However, the good news is that these sessions are unlimited. This means that while you only have 60 minutes to play on each attempt, you can restart as many times as you want. This design choice, while initially a source of debate within the community, is intended to give players a chance to try different strategies and starting provinces without spoiling the full experience. It’s a great way to get a feel for the game’s pace and resource management before committing to the full game.

What to Expect in the Demo

The demo for Anno 117: Pax Romana is far from a small, single-region teaser. Players will be able to choose between the two main starting provinces: the sunny shores of Latium and the misty, untamed lands of Albion. This choice is a core new feature of the game, as each province offers a distinct and different gameplay experience:

• Latium: This province is the classic Roman experience, with rolling hills and a focus on building a traditional, Romanized city. This is the perfect choice for players who want to build a bustling metropolis in the heart of the empire.
• Albion: This more challenging province places you in a foreign land with Celtic inhabitants. You will have to decide whether to enforce Roman traditions or honor and preserve the local Celtic culture. This choice will have a direct impact on your city’s development, production chains, and population progression.

The demo will give players a hands-on look at some of the game’s new mechanics, including the ability to influence your city with the placement of production buildings and the complex needs of your populace. It’s a chance to see the beautifully rendered world of 117 AD, from the intricate building models to the subtle weather effects and the bustling life of your citizens. The demo will also include a number of new features that are a first for the series, making it a fresh and exciting experience for both newcomers and seasoned veterans.

A Triumphant Return for the Series

The confirmation of a free, open demo is a powerful show of confidence from Ubisoft in their product. It allows them to not only generate hype for the November 13, 2025, launch but also to gather valuable feedback from a wide audience. For fans who have been patiently waiting to see if Anno 117: Pax Romana lives up to the high standard set by previous entries, this demo is the perfect opportunity to find out for themselves. It’s a chance to get a jump start on building your Roman legacy and to see why so many are calling this game the future of the city-builder genre.