Rise of the Empireis a meta-expansion that adds a completely new layer toImperial Settlersby introducing an open-world campaign setting. From game to game, players empires will advance, reaching new eras, goals, technologies, discoveries, and provinces. (You dont need to play the campaign in a set group of co-players as each empire can develop at its own pace and represent different stages of advancement.)

This meta-expansion includes 220 new cards divided into three types: Provinces, Goals & Achievements, and Technologies & Discoveries. In additionImperial Settlers: Rise of the Empireshortens gameplay from five to four rounds.