Creating custom worlds in Anno 1701 is made possible through the World Editor, a tool that originally debuted with the "Sunken Dragon" expansion. Whether you are using the classic version or the Anno 1701 History Edition, this editor allows you to move beyond random seeds and hand-craft your own naval empire. How to Get the Editor
The accessibility of the editor depends on which version of the game you own:
History Edition: The updated 1701 World Editor is included by default and optimized for 64-bit systems.
Classic Version: You must have the Sunken Dragon add-on installed to access the official editor.
Community Mods: For advanced users, modern tools like those on GitHub or Nexus Mods allow for even deeper map template customization, though these often focus on newer titles like Anno 1800. Key Features of the World Editor
💡 Design Tip: Aim for "Creative Constraints"—mixing small, resource-poor islands with large, fertile ones creates a more rewarding strategic challenge.
Island Placement: Drag and drop pre-made islands into your preferred layout.
Starting Positions: Manually set where player boats, AI traders, and pirates spawn.
AI Customization: You can often place more third-party AIs (like the Queen or free traders) than the standard game setup allows.
Resource Mapping: Assign specific fertilities (like tobacco or perfume) and mineral nodes to certain islands to force trade or conflict. DevBlog: Island creation - Anno Union anno 1701 map editor
The Anno 1701 World Editor is an official tool that allows players to design custom maps, island layouts, and scenarios. While not included in the original base game, it was released as a core feature of the The Sunken Dragon (also known as Der Fluch des Drachen) expansion pack [16, 19, 26]. How to Access the Editor
Expansion Required: You must have the Sunken Dragon expansion installed.
Menu Location: In the main game menu, navigate to Single Player -> User Content -> Start Editor [26].
Installation Directory: The editor executable can also typically be found in the game's installation folder (usually as WorldEditor.exe) [4].
Enabling Custom Maps: If the "User Content" menu is disabled in versions like the GOG edition, you may need to manually create a folder named UserContent in the game directory [22]. Key Features & Capabilities
The editor provides a range of tools to customize the game world [19]:
Map Wizard: Quickly generate a base map by choosing the world size (standard is ), island size, and resource density.
Island Placement: Add various island types (Northern, Southern, or Reefs) and reposition them via drag-and-drop.
Resource Management: Customize specific islands by adding or deleting resources (like clay or gold) and setting their quantity, including "infinite" options. Creating custom worlds in Anno 1701 is made
Player Setup: Define starting positions for human players, AI opponents, and neutral powers (like the Free Trader). You can also set starting capital and whether players begin with a ship or a warehouse.
Visual Atmosphere: Choose global or island-specific "light profiles" to change the appearance and atmosphere of the environment.
Victory Conditions: Establish custom rules for winning the scenario. Technical Tips
Compression: The editor uses a proprietary .rda compression format for map and island files. Community tools like the 1701 RDA Mini-Packer are often used for manual file management [31].
Saving Maps: Custom maps must be saved in the UserContent folder to be playable within the game's "User Content" menu [19, 22].
If you are looking to dive into the Anno 1701 Map Editor (officially known as the World Editor), here is the essential information on how to access and use it. How to Access the Editor
The World Editor is not part of the base game; it was introduced as a key feature of the "Sunken Dragon" (Fluch des Drachen) expansion pack. To start it: Launch Anno 1701: Sunken Dragon. Navigate to the Single Player menu. Select User Content.
Click Start Editor. The game will minimize, and the editor will open in a separate window. Key Features of the World Editor
The editor allows you to move beyond random map generation and craft specific scenarios: Starting island and precise harbor location
Island Creation: You can manually place islands from a library of presets or use the Wizard to generate a quick layout.
Resource Management: You have granular control over island properties, including fertile soil types (e.g., grain, tobacco) and mineral deposits (e.g., iron, gold).
Environment & NPCs: You can set the climate zones (Northern, Temperate, Southern) and place neutral powers like the Free Trader or various native tribes.
Scenario Triggers: Advanced users can define victory conditions and script events to create custom missions.
For a step-by-step walkthrough on placing islands and configuring resources, this tutorial covers the basics of the World Editor: Tutorial: How to build a card in Anno 1701? Map editor kühler Stratege YouTube• Dec 4, 2016 Where to Find Custom Maps
If you aren't looking to build your own, you can download fan-made maps and scenarios from community hubs like Anno-Pool or the Ubisoft Forums. These files are typically placed in the /UserContent folder within your Anno 1701 installation directory. Tutorial: How to build a card in Anno 1701? Map editor
The editor supports up to 8 players (human or AI). For each player, the editor defines:
When you first open the Anno 1701 Map Editor, the interface looks intimidating. It is a 3D viewport with a large grid overlay. Here is the breakdown of the major sections:
Player enters area (Define a circle around a specific rock outcropping).Spawn pirate ship + Give player 5,000 gold.