Publisher Paradox Interactive has unveiled Victoria 3: Volume 3, the grand strategy game’s latest expansion pass, which promises a busy year in terms of content for those of us who prefer our map games themed around Victorian era economic shenanigans.
Victoria 3’s Volume 3 expansion pass kicks off on April 28, when its next major expansion, The Great Wave, is slated to launch, bringing with it a host of naval changes previously teased by its developer.
Victoria 3: Volume 3 Expansion Pass Content Unveiled
In practice, this translates to “expanded navy mechanics,” including a ship designer that allows us to customize our lumbering vessels, as well as narrative content focused on Japan during the late Edo period.
Here is a breakdown of the key features coming in The Great Wave expansion, as detailed by the publisher in an emailed press release:
- Ship Designer: Design and construct a fleet according to your country’s strategic needs. Build powerful but expensive ocean-travelling warships to influence other nations, or build an efficient fleet designed to keep your coasts safe.
- Flagships: Customize your very own pride of the fleet and let it lead your navy to prestigious victories.
- Ship purchase treaties: Sell your ships to other countries across the globe, and draw profit from your ship building capabilities.
- Gunboat Diplomacy options: Use your fleet to influence other countries in new diplomatic actions.
- Narrative content:
- Steer Japan through the social and political tumults of the late Edo period, characterized by increased challenges to Tokugawa samurai rule. Adapt to or revolt against a changing domestic and international landscape, and reform the country to see your vision through.
- Contend with the entry of Japan onto the world stage, and best the Western powers at their own game. Use your navy to extend the reach of Japan beyond the home islands, and compete for land and influence with your powerful neighbours.
- New historical characters.
- Art: New clothing assets, a Japanese building style, UI skin, map, and table assets.
Victoria 3’s The Great Wave expansion will be accompanied by the free update 1.13, which boosts the role of navies in terms of projecting global power, makes naval combat “mechanically distinct from land combat,” while turning supply into “an important and meaningful part of the military system that can win or lose you wars,” alongside other changes.
Towards the end of 2026, Victoria 3’s Volume 3 expansion pass brings us the State and Revolution Immersion Pack, which introduces Russian-themed content, including a dynamic journal entry “that updates based on the Tsar in power.”
In early 2027, the focus shifts over to China, with the release of the Century of Strife Immersion Pack.
Victoria 3: Volume 3 is available now for the price of $47.97/£40.99/€47.97 or your regional equivalent.
Instantly unlocked with the expansion pass’ purchase, the Warships Bonus Pack grants access to three new cosmetic ship designs.
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