When does Nova Roma release and on what platforms?
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Nova Roma launches in Early Access on January 22, 2026 on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. A free demo is available in early December 2025. The game is developed by Lion Shield Studios and published by Hooded Horse.
What type of game is Nova Roma?
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Nova Roma is a city-building strategy and simulation game set in ancient Rome. It combines complex resource management, infrastructure planning, divine appeasement mechanics, and population management in a historically-inspired setting where you build civilization from ruins.
Who is developing Nova Roma and what's their track record?
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Nova Roma is developed by Lion Shield Studios, the acclaimed creators of Kingdoms and Castles, a beloved city-building game with "Very Positive" reviews on Steam. The game is published by Hooded Horse, a publisher specializing in strategy and simulation games including Manor Lords, Against the Storm, and Old World.
What makes Nova Roma different from other city builders?
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Nova Roma features intricate water simulation systems with dams and aqueducts that allow you to reshape terrain, complex multi-step supply chains from raw materials to finished goods, authentic Roman cultural elements including appeasing gods through temples and rituals, citizen evolution from workers to specialized artisans and gladiators, and the constant balance between urban expansion and divine favor. The game emphasizes strategic planning and resource management with real consequences for your decisions.
Where can I pre-order Nova Roma at the best price?
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You can pre-order Nova Roma on Steam and compare prices across multiple stores on GG.deals. Over 5,038 users have already wishlisted the game on GG.deals. Wishlist now to receive notifications about launch discounts, special offers, and price drops. The best prices are typically available during the Early Access launch period.
What are the main gameplay features and mechanics?
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Key features include: Building cities from humble villages to grand metropolises with hundreds of buildings; Managing complex resource chains from raw materials through production to finished goods; Constructing temples and performing rituals to appease Roman gods for blessings; Shaping terrain with dams and aqueducts to control water flow and irrigation; Satisfying citizen needs from basic food to entertainment like gladiatorial games; Enacting laws and governance policies to manage your population; Experiencing intricate water simulations with environmental consequences; and Managing social classes from plebeians to patricians with different needs and behaviors.
How does the water management system work?
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Nova Roma features an advanced water simulation system that goes beyond typical city builders. You can construct dams to create reservoirs, build extensive aqueduct networks to transport water across your city, manage irrigation for farms and soil fertility, reshape terrain by controlling water flow, and deal with seasonal variations and droughts. Water management is crucial for agriculture, citizen satisfaction, and preventing divine wrath. Poor water management can lead to crop failures, disease, and citizen unrest.
How do the gods and religion work in the game?
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Religion plays a central role in Nova Roma. You must construct temples dedicated to various Roman gods like Jupiter, Mars, Venus, and Neptune. Each god provides different blessings when properly appeased through offerings, festivals, and maintaining their temples. Neglecting the gods can result in divine intervention such as natural disasters, crop failures, or citizen unrest. You'll need to balance religious duties with practical city management, making strategic choices about which gods to prioritize based on your city's needs.
What citizen needs and social systems exist?
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Citizens in Nova Roma have evolving needs based on their social class and profession. Basic needs include food, water, and shelter, while higher-class citizens demand luxury goods like wine, pottery, and access to entertainment such as gladiatorial games and theater performances. Citizens can evolve from simple laborers into specialized artisans, gladiators, merchants, and thespians. Each profession contributes differently to your city. You must manage social classes (plebeians, equites, patricians), provide appropriate housing and amenities for each class, and balance taxation with citizen happiness to maintain a stable society.
What are the production and supply chain mechanics?
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Nova Roma features complex, multi-step production chains. For example, wheat is harvested from farms, transported to mills for grinding into flour, then delivered to bakeries to produce bread. Wine production requires vineyards, wine presses, and aging facilities. You'll need to construct and manage roads and transport infrastructure to move raw materials and finished goods efficiently. Strategic placement of production buildings near resources and markets is crucial. Bottlenecks in your supply chains can lead to shortages, affecting citizen happiness and economic stability.
What languages are supported?
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Nova Roma supports 18 languages including English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazil), Portuguese (Portugal), Russian, Czech, Hungarian, Turkish, Ukrainian, and more. Full localization includes interface, subtitles, and in-game text.
What are the system requirements?
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Minimum: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel i5-6600K or AMD Ryzen 3 2200G, 4GB RAM, GTX 1050 or Radeon R9 285, 2GB storage.
Recommended: Windows 10 64-bit, Intel i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, 8GB RAM, RTX 2070 or Radeon RX 7600, 2GB storage.
The game is optimized to run smoothly on a wide range of PC configurations, from modest systems to high-end gaming rigs. The developers have focused on performance optimization to ensure smooth gameplay even with large, complex cities.
Can I try Nova Roma before buying?
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Yes! A free demo will be available on Steam in early December 2025, allowing you to experience the core city-building mechanics, resource management systems, water simulation, and Roman atmosphere before the Early Access launch on January 22, 2026. The demo will include a limited gameplay area but will showcase all major game systems so you can make an informed purchase decision.
What content will be in Early Access vs. the full release?
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The Early Access version launching January 22, 2026 will include the core city-building experience with all major gameplay systems: construction, resource management, water systems, religion, and citizen management. Throughout Early Access, the developers will add additional content based on community feedback including new buildings and structures, expanded god pantheon and religious mechanics, additional scenarios and challenges, quality of life improvements, balance adjustments, and bug fixes. The full 1.0 release will feature a complete campaign mode, all planned content, and extensive polish.
Will there be mod support?
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While official mod support hasn't been confirmed for the Early Access launch, Lion Shield Studios has a history of supporting modding communities in their previous game, Kingdoms and Castles. The developers are actively listening to community feedback and may add modding tools and Steam Workshop integration based on player demand during the Early Access period.
Is there multiplayer or co-op?
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Nova Roma is currently designed as a single-player experience focused on deep city-building and management gameplay. There are no announced plans for multiplayer or co-op modes at launch. The developers are concentrating on delivering a polished single-player experience during Early Access.
How can I stay updated on Nova Roma development?
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Follow the official Nova Roma subreddit (r/NovaRomaGame) for community discussions and developer updates. Wishlist the game on Steam to receive notifications about updates, demo availability, and launch. Join the official Discord server to chat with developers and other players. Follow social media channels on Twitter and YouTube for trailers and development diaries. Check GG.deals for the best prices and price alerts. The developers regularly share development updates, screenshots, gameplay videos, and engage directly with the community.
Will my save files carry over from Early Access to full release?
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Yes, the developers have stated that save file compatibility is a priority. Your cities and progress from Early Access should carry over to the full 1.0 release. However, during Early Access, major updates may occasionally require save wipes if fundamental systems change. The developers will communicate clearly about any updates that affect save compatibility and provide advance notice when possible.
Is there a roadmap for post-launch content?
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Lion Shield Studios plans to support Nova Roma throughout Early Access and beyond with regular content updates. The roadmap includes additional buildings and city structures, expanded religious and cultural systems, new scenarios and challenge modes, quality of life improvements based on feedback, performance optimizations, and balance adjustments. The developers are committed to a community-driven development approach, prioritizing features and improvements that players request most. A detailed roadmap will be shared closer to the Early Access launch.
How historically accurate is Nova Roma?
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Nova Roma aims for historical authenticity while maintaining engaging gameplay. The game features accurate Roman architecture, authentic social hierarchies, realistic resource production chains, and genuine cultural elements like religious practices and entertainment. However, some aspects are simplified or adjusted for gameplay purposes. The focus is on capturing the spirit and atmosphere of Roman civilization rather than strict historical simulation. Players will experience the challenges and triumphs of building and managing a Roman city while enjoying accessible, strategic gameplay.