Anno 117: Pax Romana

Six years after the previous installment, Ubisoft is launching Anno 117: Pax Romana on November 13 — the eighth title in its globally acclaimed city-building and strategy franchise developed by Ubisoft Mainz. Set during the height of the Roman Empire, the game invites players to take on the role of Governor. For this highly anticipated release, Ubisoft partnered with creative agency Biborg to design and produce the official launch trailer.
Having already created the launch film for Anno 1800 in 2019, Biborg builds on that legacy with Anno 117: Pax Romana, delivering a cinematic film - crafted in collaboration with Mathematic - that elevates the franchise’s storytelling and emotional scope.
Capturing the essence of gameplay in cinematic storytelling
Long awaited by the Anno community, this new chapter transports the franchise to Ancient Rome for the first time, while aiming to reach a broader audience. Biborg’s challenge was twofold: to capture the diversity of Anno 117’s gameplay, from intricate city-building to economic management and military expansion, while making the world approachable and engaging for newcomers. The film draws inspiration from the visual codes of Roman epic films - timeless symbols of cinematic spectacle. Setting its story in a monumental chamber where four Governors- representing different player archetypes - engage in a passionate debate over the future of their empire.

A dialogue between strategy and spectacle
The film’s concept centers on a single actor who portrays five roles — four Governors and one player - embodying the different ways to experience the game: whether focused on visuals, the economy, the military, or simply the pure joy of playing. The transformation was achieved through a thoughtfully designed range of costumes, hairstyles, and dialogue, enhanced with the help of a green screen and integrated into a monumental 3D recreation of a Roman palace.
Diverging visions collide in a theatrical debate, before the player regains control and delivers the final line: “Build Your Roman Empire”.
By blending live-action and gameplay footage, the trailer conveys both cinematic emotion and a true feel for what it’s like to play Anno 117. In addition to the full-length, two-minute version, the launch campaign includes a 30-second pre-roll and several 15-second cutdowns, each centered on a distinct Governor to engage different audiences.
To bring this project to life, Biborg partnered with production studio Mathematic, renowned for its high-quality work (Assassin’s Creed® Shadows, The Crew™ Motorfest), while the gameplay sequences were produced by KWM in Canada. The film was directed by Guillaume Cottet, Creative Director on Lil Nas X’s Montero, and Julien Lejour, whose cinematic eye lends the piece its distinctive strength.