Machiavelli the Prince
This award-winning 4X strategy classic lets you explore the Old World, exploit risky trade routes, expand your political and military power, and rise to dominance in the Renaissance. Every move can mean the difference between exaltation and excommunication in this multiplayer empire-building game
2026-04-02
About
In Machiavelli you can explore the old world, becoming rich through cunning and risky trade routes. Commerce, politics and cunning are the paths to success.
It's 15th century Europe – resources are bountiful and deception is king. It's the perfect time to execute your plan for world domination. Manipulate military, political and religious powers using bribery, piracy and assassination. Acquire wealth by trading with over 40 cities. But plan your strategy carefully, young prince. Because every move can mean the difference between exaltation and excommunication.
Set during Machiavelli's time in Europe when city-states reigned, this multiplayer strategy game pits you against three other human or A.I. controlled traders in Venice, competing to amass the most wealth and influence by game's end. To achieve lasting fame for your family name, you must build a globe-spanning trading empire with caravans and fleets, always looking to buy low and sell high in the world's commodity markets.
- Hire mercenaries to force open cities that refuse to trade with you.
- Raid your opponents'' caravans
- Buy church offices for your own
- Bribe senators in the Venetian halls of power
- Assassinate the Doge and take his place
- Nominate yourself for Pope
- Excommunicate your foes
- Call crusades on the infidels ... or anyone you don't like
It's 15th century Europe – resources are bountiful and deception is king. It's the perfect time to execute your plan for world domination. Manipulate military, political and religious powers using bribery, piracy and assassination. Acquire wealth by trading with over 40 cities. But plan your strategy carefully, young prince. Because every move can mean the difference between exaltation and excommunication.
Set during Machiavelli's time in Europe when city-states reigned, this multiplayer strategy game pits you against three other human or A.I. controlled traders in Venice, competing to amass the most wealth and influence by game's end. To achieve lasting fame for your family name, you must build a globe-spanning trading empire with caravans and fleets, always looking to buy low and sell high in the world's commodity markets.
- Play on a historic map of Medici-era Italy or a procedurally generated map for a new exploration experience
- Adjustable starting resources and A.I. strength for each player
- Create and modify trade routes for your fleets and caravans with a detailed and intuitive interface
- Bribe cardinals and senators to sway papal politics to your family's favor
- Contend with pirates, brigands and storms along your trade routes
- Rule by love and by fear: patronize the arts to raise your popularity, or undercut your rivals by assassinations, arson and slander
Screenshots
Achievements
Apprentice
Win the game once
Journeyman
Win the game twice
Master
Win the game five times
Grandmaster
Win the game 10 times
Da Vinci
Win the game in 1492 against 3 Elite opponents with pirates and storms set to frequent
Assassino
Assassinate the Doge
Damned for All Time
Assassinate the Pope
New World
Play 20 turns of a single game on a random map