How Empires Work

How Empires Work is an incremental grand strategy game about developing a state into an empire. You begin with a humble click of a button and build systems of taxation, trade, colonization, labour and conquest, progressing from local lordships to an Early Modern state of tax collectors, traders, armies, colonies and bureaucrats.

Build an empire

Explore new regions, build roads and manage provinces as you expand across a hand-painted world. Use diplomatic influence or conquest to bring new lands into your imperial system, and project your influence across the map. Your economy moves capital, commodities and armies, while profit can become power and power can generate more profit.

As your state grows, you unlock automation that turns repeated actions into interlocking institutions. Build economic and political systems, then rely on your aristocracy and growing bureaucracy to manage them and sustain expansion. The game changes as your empire develops, calling for new approaches as history advances.

Govern through crises

You must contend with internal troubles and rival powers, including the French. Her Imperial Majesty has entrusted you with building an empire and provides guidance along the way.