Victoria 3

Victoria 3 is a historical society and economic simulation. From 1836 to 1936, you guide a nation through industrialization, new political ideas and shifts in international power. Unlike strategy games focused on direct battles, success depends mainly on economy, population, government and diplomacy.

You can lead great powers, colonial states and smaller countries, among others. You decide the direction: reforms can strengthen social groups or trigger resistance, while factories and trade create new jobs and dependencies.

Victoria 3 was released for PC on Oct 25, 2022. Paradox Development Studio developed the game and Paradox Interactive publishes it. Since then, several expansions have been added, including Sphere of Influence, The Great Wave and State and Revolution, released on Nov 5, 2026.

The free 1.15 update accompanies the latest expansion. The core of the game remains managing the economy and governing over the period from 1836 to 1936.

Victoria 3 is available natively for Windows, macOS and Linux. In the platform overview, these versions are listed together as PC. Steam lists single-player and online multiplayer, as well as support for the Steam Workshop.

A native version for PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo Switch is not offered on the official product pages. The new expansion requires the matching PC version of the base game.

You don't control a single character, but the development of a country over decades. Businesses produce goods, the population needs food, clothing and other goods, and the state funds its tasks through taxes. Changes to production methods and trade routes affect prices, employment and prosperity.

Many decisions involve trade-offs: faster industrialization can create new jobs, but at the same time turn old elites and political interest groups against you. Through research, diplomatic negotiations and military threats, you can change your country's position.

State and Revolution was released on Nov 5, 2026. The expansion focuses on the Russian Empire, the rule of the tsars, national movements and the possible consequences of a revolution. Other major expansions such as Sphere of Influence and The Great Wave add to other areas of the base game.

The additional content is offered individually and, in some cases, in the Volume 3 bundle. Such a bundle is not a standalone game, and the expansions require Victoria 3.

On Windows, Steam lists at least an Intel Core i5-3470 or AMD FX-9370 with AVX support, 8 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 660 or Radeon R7 370. Recommended are 16 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5600 XT. Around 10 GB of free storage space is required.

Separate requirement profiles are listed for macOS and Linux. On Mac, Steam lists at least macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, and on Linux Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

The population system divides people into groups with different origins, employment, economic situations and political interests. Rising prices affect their needs, and new production sites change the demand for labor.

The interests of these population groups have political consequences. Reforms, for example on labor rights or forms of government, can gain influence as a result or meet resistance.

A stable economy needs raw materials, businesses, infrastructure and markets. New mines and factories increase production, but require suitable labor and intermediate goods. Imports can bridge shortages, while exports bring in new revenue.

Technological advances open up more efficient production methods. They can significantly shift the demand for goods and labor. The state intervenes in this development through laws, taxes and investments.

Forms of government and laws determine which groups gain political power. You can try to push through reforms against conservative resistance or stabilize the existing system. Changes that come too quickly can trigger protests and unrest.

Politics is linked to the economic system: new classes of workers or entrepreneurs shift the balance of power and thus the options of a government.

Diplomatic relations link states through agreements, trade interests and rivalries. You can seek allies, make demands or pressure other powers with military force into negotiations.

War remains one possible way to pursue political goals. However, the game places just as much emphasis on economic strength, international influence and the consequences of conflict for the population and state finances.

With State and Revolution, Paradox expands the decisions of the Russian tsars with personal goals, new events and the appointment of trusted advisers. Unwanted political actors can be sent to Siberian exile. The gameplay systems also take into account Russification, Polish independence movements and cultural movements in Ukraine and Belarus.

The Russian Revolution and a possible civil war can take different courses. The reorganization of the country after an upheaval is also part of the expansion. Additional historical figures, music and graphic elements complement the events.

Victoria 3 supports online multiplayer alongside single-player games. On Steam, community modifications are available via the Workshop. They can change game rules, events or visuals, for example.

With major expansions and updates, older mods may need adjustments. For the specific mod version, the respective Workshop page is authoritative.

The PC version offers a German-language user interface. Steam also lists English, French, Spanish, Polish, Japanese and Portuguese, among others. Because of its extensive number and menu views, Victoria 3 relies especially on readable text interfaces.