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Nova Roma Early Access Launch Guide: Release Times, Platforms, Price, and More

Build your Roman city in Nova Roma — aqueducts, gods, citizen needs, and dynamic weather. Early Access begins March 26, 2026 worldwide.

Nova Roma, the Roman city-builder from Lion Shield, launches in Early Access on March 26, 2026.


Developed by the studio behind Kingdoms and Castles and published by Hooded Horse, the game has been on a lot of wishlists since its announcement.


It places you in charge of building a new Roman civilization from scratch, complete with aqueducts, divine intervention, and a population that has opinions about pretty much everything. Here is everything you need to know before it goes live.


Gameplay Overview

At its core, Nova Roma is a resource management and infrastructure game. It takes the familiar grid-based city-builder format and layers several systems on top of it. Here is what you will be working with:

  • Supply chains for moving raw materials and processed goods across difficult terrain

  • Water systems including dams, aqueducts, and reservoirs tied to dynamic weather and seasonal flooding

  • Divine mechanics where temples earn blessings from Roman gods, but neglecting them can trigger events like lightning strikes from an angered Jupiter

  • Citizen needs covering food, wine, pottery, safety, and entertainment through coliseum games and gladiator events

  • Edicts and laws to manage taxation, growth, and social structure

  • Environmental systems including seasonal weather, a day-night cycle, land reshaping, and threats from barbarians


War, politics, and deeper cultural mechanics are planned for after the Early Access period wraps up.


Release Times by Region

Nova Roma goes live on March 26, 2026. Here are the launch times for key regions:

  • New York (EDT): 2:00 PM

  • Los Angeles (PDT): 11:00 AM

  • Sao Paulo (BRT): 3:00 PM

  • London (GMT): 6:00 PM

  • Berlin (CET): 7:00 PM

  • South Africa (SAST): 8:00 PM

  • East Africa (EAT): 9:00 PM

  • Moscow (MSK): 9:00 PM

  • Dubai (GST): 10:00 PM

  • New Delhi (IST): 11:30 PM

  • Beijing (CST): 2:00 AM (March 27)

  • Tokyo (JST): 3:00 AM (March 27)

  • Sydney (AEDT): 4:00 AM (March 27)

  • New Zealand (NZDT): 7:00 AM (March 27)


Platforms

Nova Roma will be available across a solid range of platforms at launch:

  • Steam

  • Epic Games Store

  • GOG

  • Microsoft Store

  • Xbox and PC Game Pass (Day-one Game Preview)

  • macOS

  • Steam Deck (Playable)


No dedicated console versions beyond PC Game Pass have been announced at this time.


Price

An official price has not been confirmed ahead of launch. Community speculation, based on similar indie city-builders in Early Access, points to a range of around $15 to $25 USD.


A free demo has been available on Steam since December 2025. According to Steam ratings, the demo has earned a Very Positive reception with a 94% approval rating from over 600 reviews.


Early impressions from demo coverage have been encouraging, with most feedback landing on the same note: the foundation is strong, but a few things still need smoothing out. As one reviewer put it, "Nova Roma feels like it's got all the pieces it needs to find success, but right now those pieces seem to be a bit out of place. That said, what is there is a wildly addictive and thoroughly interesting city-builder that puts the power in your hands. Once some of the more annoying bugs and issues are fixed, I think this game will be a force to be reckoned with."

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