Keyboard layouts can now be reset to the default values using a “Reset” button. This technique can also be used to reforest/plant farms and plantations. All upgradeable buildings such as Market buildings, Towers and Mines can also use this multiple upgrade technique. When a house's upgrade button is left-clicked, all of the player's upgradeable houses of the same level on that island can be upgraded at the same time simply by holding the SHIFT key down.

If a ship has been selected when the strategy map is opened it can be added to a route by simultaneously holding the SHIFT key and left-clicking the desired route. The new gold coin limit has been set to 999,999,999 Gold. Colonial goods medal: Platinum for 600 tons of one of the four Colonial Goods in any one of the player's warehouses at the 'Difficult' level of difficulty.Treasury medal: Platinum for 999,999 Gold coins at the 'Difficult' level of difficulty.

Population medal: Platinum for 25,000 inhabitants at the 'Difficult' level of difficulty.

Platinum medals : Platinum has now been added to provide 4 levels of medals.* Time medal: Platinum for 750 hours of ANNO with this profile.

The tool tips for buildings and components in the construction menu now show the expected maintenance costs as well as the construction costs. Playing speed can now be toggled between a permanently higher speed and normal speed using a configurable keyboard shortcut. The tool tip beside the hourglass will now display the total playing time fort he current player profile in addition to the time played this sitting. Players receive a pirate treasure when they destroy the pirate's landmark. The price of the Key to the City has been increased as a result.

With the exception of the Queen, all Guests of Honor may now be invited repeatedly (after a corresponding cool-down period). The number of Trade routes was raised from 20 to 50.

Anno 1701 gameplay