Imperator: Rome
Released Apr 2019
Dominate the classical Mediterranean in Imperator: Rome, a grand strategy game from Paradox Interactive. Navigate the dangerous waters of politics and diplomacy as you build up your provinces and conquer foreign lands. Now available with special content and the digital artbook.
65% positive · 27K reviews
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Not yet
Released, but still in active development
Medium confidence
Active Development
Where to buy
Steam $39.99
Can't confirm — worth a look
We couldn't confirm these stores carry this game.
Green Man Gaming Steam key Search IndieGala Steam key Search Prices in USD, as listed by each store.
Buying through an affiliate store helps support the site
Evaluation
Imperator: Rome launched on April 25, 2019 and received paid DLC content through February 2021 (the Heirs of Alexander Content Pack). After a period of dormancy, the game saw renewed developer attention beginning in 2024.
In April 2024, a group of former and current Paradox developers — working partly in their spare time and partly with dedicated studio resources — released Anniversary Patch 2.0.4 "Augustus," featuring 158 bug fixes, performance improvements, and 25 new modding tools. This was explicitly described as a labour of love for the Imperator community, driven by a surge in player interest.
Building on that momentum, in December 2024 Paradox's Studio Manager announced that Patch 2.0.5 had entered open beta, noting that additional resources had been dedicated. That post also left the door open for more: "I'm not making any promises here, but don't hesitate to suggest additional improvements for future updates if we manage to get to that point." Patch 2.0.5 "Augustus" was then formally released on April 24, 2025 — timed again to the game's anniversary — completing a back-to-back pair of annual anniversary patches.
No developer statement has declared the game complete or closed to further updates. The most recent developer communication was the April 24, 2025 patch release. As of today, October 8, 2026, that is approximately 17 months since the last release. The established pattern has been roughly 12 months between anniversary patches (April 2024 → April 2025), so we are now outside that window. However, the April 2025 post mentioned an intent to release a hotfix "in the near future," and the December 2024 announcement hinted at further updates if resources allow. No developer has stated that 2.0.5 was the final update.
The cadence is irregular and resource-dependent — these patches have been described as passion projects assembled from spare time and volunteer effort, not a formal ongoing support commitment. That said, no closure statement has been made, and the developer's own framing consistently leaves the door open. Given the silence since April 2025 is now beyond the established 12-month cadence window, and no new content or communication has appeared, this sits at the edge of the active update pattern. The absence of any "final update" declaration keeps this from being marked complete, but the silence is approaching the point where that assessment may need revisiting.
Evidence
Anniversary Patch 2.0.5 'Augustus' formally released, continuing the annual anniversary patch pattern. Post mentions a planned hotfix 'in the near future' for discovered issues.
Studio Manager announces Patch 2.0.5 open beta, notes additional resources were dedicated, and hints at the possibility of further future updates: 'don't hesitate to suggest additional improvements for future updates if we manage to get to that point.'
Content
5 of 5 released · no outstanding content
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Paradox Interactive
Achievements
72
Platform
Windows, macOS, Linux
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player · Multiplayer · PvP
About this game
Walk in the Footsteps of Legends in Imperator: Rome
Alexander. Hannibal. Caesar. These great men and dozens like them shaped the destiny of a continent. Mighty kings, clever generals and would-be gods made their mark on the ancient Mediterranean. Around this sea, close knit nations tested their mettle and virtue against each other in fierce combat, their cultural and political legacy now inseparable from what we understand as Western Civilization. But nothing was guaranteed. Can you change the course of history in Imperator: Rome?
Imperator: Rome is the newest grand strategy title from Paradox Development Studio. Set in the tumultuous centuries from Alexander’s Successor Empires in the East to the foundation of the Roman Empire, Imperator: Rome invites you to relive the pageantry and challenges of empire building in the classical era. Manage your population, keep an eye out for treachery, and keep faith with your gods.
Imperator: Rome’s features include:
Alexander. Hannibal. Caesar. These great men and dozens like them shaped the destiny of a continent. Mighty kings, clever generals and would-be gods made their mark on the ancient Mediterranean. Around this sea, close knit nations tested their mettle and virtue against each other in fierce combat, their cultural and political legacy now inseparable from what we understand as Western Civilization. But nothing was guaranteed. Can you change the course of history in Imperator: Rome?
Imperator: Rome is the newest grand strategy title from Paradox Development Studio. Set in the tumultuous centuries from Alexander’s Successor Empires in the East to the foundation of the Roman Empire, Imperator: Rome invites you to relive the pageantry and challenges of empire building in the classical era. Manage your population, keep an eye out for treachery, and keep faith with your gods.
Imperator: Rome’s features include:
- Character Management: A living world of characters with varying skills and traits that will change over time. They will lead your nation, govern your provinces and command your armies and fleets. We also introduce our new, more human-like character art.
- Diverse Populations: Citizens, freemen, tribesmen and slaves - each population with its own culture and religion. Whether they fill your armies, fill your coffers or fill your colonies, keep an eye on their happiness - your success depends on their satisfaction.
- Battle Tactics: Choose your approach before battle to counter the stratagems of your foes.
- Military Traditions: Each culture has a unique way of waging war. Romans and Celts have different options available to them. Unlock unique bonuses, abilities and units.
- Different Government Types: Manage the senate in a Republic, hold your court together in a monarchy, answer to the clans in a tribal system.
- Barbarians and Rebellions: Migrating barbarians may sack or settle your best land, while disloyal governors or generals can turn against you - taking their armies with them!
- Trade: Goods provide bonuses to their home province. Will you take advantage of stockpiles for local strength or trade excess goods to spread the wealth around?
- Provincial Improvement: Invest in buildings, roads and defences to make your kingdom stronger and richer.
- Hellenistic World Flavor Pack: Special content designed for the Successor Kingdoms including new army models, new event chains and new art.
- Digital Art Book: A collection of high resolution images from the development of Imperator: Rome with developer and artist insights.
- Wallpaper: Easily accessible versions of the Imperator: Rome loading screens, so you can use them to decorate your own desktop.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Oct 8, 2026
Something about this evaluation looks wrong Report illegal or harmful content