Anno 117 Pax Romana Promise of the Volcano DLC Adds Series Largest Island

Ubisoft has announced the first major gameplay expansion for Anno 117: Pax Romana, scheduled for release on April 23, 2026. The expansion, referred to as Promise of the Volcano and Prophecies of Ash, introduces the island of Cinis, which Ubisoft Mainz identifies as the largest buildable island in the history of the Anno series.

Cinis serves as an expansion to the Latium province rather than a completely new map. According to reporting from Soren, the landmass is over 13% larger than Crown Falls from Anno 1800, which previously held the record for the series’ largest island. The new region is described as a bountiful area for construction, featuring numerous mining nodes and river slots for citizen exploitation.

Volcanic Mechanics and New Resources

The primary gameplay hook of the expansion is the presence of an active volcano that threatens the city. Ubisoft has detailed several volcano-based mechanics, including eruptions, volcanic winters, and a bloom phase. These environmental factors are expected to influence agricultural productivity, with the bloom phase potentially increasing production and volcanic winters hindering it.

The expansion also introduces obsidian as a new resource. This material allows players to create new items for more demanding population classes, such as boardgames and carved idols, necessitating the development of new production chains.

To mitigate the risks associated with the volcanic environment, players can construct a temple to Vulcan. This building provides boosts to mine productivity and improves the fire safety of the city, a critical feature given the threat of eruptions and falling rocks.

Year 1 Pass and DLC Roadmap

The April 23 release is part of an extensive roadmap for the game’s first post-launch year. Ubisoft has transitioned its previous Season Pass model to a Year Pass system. The Year 1 Pass includes three major expansions and cosmetic bonuses scheduled throughout 2026.

• February 19, 2026: The Masterful Mosaic Pack, a cosmetic DLC priced at €7 that adds new mosaic ornaments, approximately 20 floor tiles, wall sets for Romans and Celts, and alternative skins for the Bathhouse and Forum.
• April 2026: Promise of the Volcano / Prophecies of Ash.
• August 2026: The Hippodrome.
• November 2026: Awakening of the Delta.

Each major expansion is intended to introduce fresh gameplay mechanics, new gods, monuments, and regions to the Roman setting.