Anno 1800: Console Version Differences, Planned DLCs & Work on New Anno Game

Coming a good four years after its original release on PC 1800 now for them PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S. Shortly before the launch, the developers at Ubisoft address the most important questions about the console version.

In which FAQ not only the differences to the PC version are made clear, but also clarified as to the DLC content, or at which frame rate the construction simulation should run on the consoles. There is also information about cross-play and cross-progression and the possible input methods of the Anno 1800 Console Edition.

Anno 1800: Your most important questions about the console version for the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S

In the course of an in-house blog entry, the Ubisoft Mainz team wants to answer some questions that arose both during and after the live stream with which Anno 1800 for the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S was presented a few weeks ago , dedicate. In addition, there is a preview of another video in which the developers want to talk about the project again at the end of the month.

Anno 1800: Console Edition comes only for the next-gen consoles

First, the developers explain that they want to offer the best possible gaming experience with Anno 1800 on the console, which is why they decided from the outset to release the next-gen consoles from Sony and Microsoft. There is no need to cut corners or remove features to deliver the same gaming experience that we would otherwise enjoy on PC.

Will there be a physical version of Anno 1800 Console Edition?

While there is a Standard Edition, which will contain the complete base game, for around 40 euros, the Deluxe Edition includes the three additional cosmetic DLCs and costs around 10 euros more. The standard variant is also available as a physical version from selected retailers.

Key differences between the PC and console versions at a glance

The console version of Anno 1800 comes with the base game and all the major free updates that have been available for PC for the last four years. The developers’ goal was to “offer the full Anno 1800 base game experience on consoles”. For this reason, not only the complete user interface but also the controls have been revised and an extended tutorial has been added next to the “Annopedia”. The latter is a kind of “in-game wiki with information about all the game’s features and mechanics”.

What about cross-play and cross-progression?

The console version of Anno 1800 should not only enable larger multiplayer matches with up to 16 players, but also allow up to four players per team to play together in co-op mode. However, the multiplayer mode is only supported by players who are on the same platform. Cross-progression, on the other hand, is unrestricted between the Xbox Series X|S and the PlayStation 5.

Which input methods should be available for the console version

In order to provide a smooth gaming experience with the controller, the developers completely redesigned the user interface and controls of the console version. You can therefore confidently say goodbye to the mouse and keyboard. The PC version is the other way around: it is optimized for the use of a mouse and keyboard, which is why the developers are not currently planning any form of controller support.

What frame rate should Anno 1800 have on the console?

Ubisoft also has information on the frame rate of Anno 1800 on the next-gen consoles. Given the complexity of the game with large cities in two regions, the aim is to deliver a smooth gaming experience with a frame rate of 30 FPS on the consoles.

So it is with the DLC content for the Xbox and the PlayStation

Good news for all fans of additional content: Although the focus on the console is on the base game of Anno 1800, which alone is supposed to offer several hours of gaming fun, the free game updates that were available on the PC, as previously mentioned , included. At launch, the first nine cosmetic DLCs will be available for direct purchase. The recently released Dragon Garden package, as well as the three other cosmetic DLCs planned for 2023, will also follow later. The season passes, however, do not come to the console.

Has more DLC content been scrapped for PC due to the console release?

The developers also address a rather critical question in the blog. Apparently quite a few fans were wondering if the development of further DLC content for the PC version would have been scrapped because of the Console Edition. Ubisoft is doing educational work at this point and making it clear that the console edition has been in development since autumn 2021.

Since then, both new content and free updates for the PC version of Anno 1800 have been released. Although both “veteran” Anno developers would work on the console version in a team with new colleagues who came specifically for the project, the plans to complete the development of the PC version were decided independently of the console variant.

Fresh feed from the Anno forge

The developers close the round with a particularly interesting question: As mentioned in an article about the future of Anno at the end of last year, part of the team is already working on a new project, which is currently still in a very early conception phase located. As a result, it is not yet time to talk about the project, but we always enjoy the ideas and requests from the community.

Anno 1800 will be released on March 16th for the Xbox Series X|S consoles and for Sony’s PlayStation 5.

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