Anno 117 Pax Romana

2022 – UBISOFT MAINZ

With Anno 117, the franchise is navigating new territory in multiple respects. While continuing to build on the brand’s established foundations, this latest installment introduces notable gameplay innovations within a structure designed to support long-term development and future expansion.

As part of a broader effort to re-express the identity of the Anno series, KARAKTER was commissioned to contribute to this evolving vision during the early pre-production stage.

TEAM

Art Director: Tobias Mannewitz
Production Illustrators: Samson Götze, Vilius Petrauskas
Graphic Designer: Tom Probert
Producer: Robert Auls

THE CHARACTERS

In Anno 117, non-playable characters (NPCs) take on a more central role than in previous entries. Their personalities, ambitions, and narrative depth required a new visual approach. Historically, Anno characters have always featured a slightly stylized, cartoon-influenced design. Although that aesthetic had diminished over time, we began our exploration by revisiting it before gradually moving toward a more realistic visual language.

A VISION OF ROME

A third area of exploration involved the visual portrayal of the Roman Empire in a way that fits within the Anno identity. The last Roman-themed project we contributed to was Ryse: Son of Rome, where Rome was presented as an imposing, monumental imperial force. Anno, by contrast, is a more optimistic and accessible brand—neither naïve nor overly serious. For Anno 117, the goal was to develop a depiction of Rome that feels vibrant, urban, and unexpectedly modern. We drew from lesser-known aspects of daily life around 117 AD. For instance, while the athletic “bikini girls” of Villa Romana del Casale are widely recognized, fewer are aware that mixed-sex bathing was relatively common at the time. Such cultural nuances informed our illustrations. We also emphasized Rome’s position as the heart of a vast, interconnected empire. Research revealed historical links that extended from the Mediterranean world to Central Asia and as far as India. This is reflected in our visual concepts, which include people and influences from the empire’s outermost regions—and beyond.

THE ANNO SHIP

This shift raised further questions around brand recognition—particularly in relation to the iconic Anno ship. Could a cover be instantly recognizable as part of the Anno universe without it? And if not, how might the ship be reimagined to serve a new narrative and compositional purpose? These quick ideation sketches incorporate elements from a remarkable 19th-century painting that captures Rome in its full grandeur. Had Ubisoft chosen to pursue this design direction, the artwork would have been entirely reinterpreted and developed into a final cover.

THE ANNO SHIP

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