Kalypso Media has announced the next instalment of its acclaimed city-building franchise, Tropico 7, with a first look revealed at gamescom 2025. Developed by in-house studio Gaming Minds Studios, the new title is set for release in 2026 across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, and will also feature on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
The reveal sees the return of the iconic El Presidente, who, in typical fashion, was portrayed as reluctantly cutting short his vacation to unveil the debut teaser trailer. With his suitcase in tow, filled with suspiciously stamped passports, the dictator figurehead once again promises players the chance to rule their own island nation in a blend of strategy, satire, and political manoeuvring.
New Era of Dictator Simulation
According to the developer, Tropico 7 aims to expand the scope of the franchise with new systems, more depth, and greater opportunities for mischief. Daniel Dumont, Studio and Creative Director at Gaming Minds Studios, said:
“With Tropico 7, we open a new chapter in city-building, politics, and economics — giving players more control and complexity than ever, while preserving the mischief and satire fans love. This isn’t just a sequel, it’s the ultimate sandbox for would-be dictators. El Presidente would say: ‘The best Tropico ever — because it’s mine!’”
The latest entry introduces a council system, where El Presidente must contend with faction leaders directly, negotiating or manipulating as necessary. While more voices promise more opinions and potential conflicts, the teaser suggests that, true to form, players will retain the option to disregard such challenges entirely.
Building Beyond Limits
Another headline feature is terraforming, giving players the ability to reshape landscapes, divert rivers, and even create entirely new islands. The series’ trademark humour is intact, with the developers describing the mechanic as a way for “megalomaniac dreams” to take shape — whether through building vanity projects or simply moving mountains.
Tropico 7 also introduces a new political affiliation system, allowing players to select a particular style of dictatorship. This choice unlocks relevant edicts, ensuring citizens remain either content or intimidated enough to maintain order. Complementing this is an upgraded military system with new tactical elements, enhancing how players defend their regimes against rebels or foreign threats.
For those preferring softer power, the game promises expanded options for subterfuge and persuasion, from deploying agents and staging PR stunts to dazzling crowds with El Presidente’s trademark charisma.
Expansive Campaign and Sandbox
The scope of Tropico 7 will be larger than any previous entry in the series. Players will lead their nation across five campaign maps, which include familiar faces such as Penultimo as well as a new antagonist, Victoria Guerra.
Beyond the campaign, the game will feature extensive sandbox content, including archipelagos with the largest islands in series history, ten additional scenarios, over 20 sandbox maps, and a random map generator for unlimited replayability.
Players can also expect deeper city-building mechanics, such as synergy effects for strategically placed buildings, new park customisation options, and palace design upgrades. The satirical take on politics returns too, with election speeches, international diplomacy, and even the ability to “relocate” global landmarks for local benefit.
Release and Availability
Tropico 7 is slated for release in 2026 and will be available on PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Kalypso Store, alongside consoles on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. The title will also be accessible from day one through Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Media assets, including the announcement trailer, screenshots, and fact sheet, have been released via Kalypso’s official gamescom 2025 press kit.
With El Presidente returning to reclaim his throne, Tropico 7 looks set to push the series into new territory while maintaining the irreverent political satire that has made it a longstanding favourite among strategy fans.