2026 is underway, and as promised, we’ve got some big news for you. Our Roadmap for spring and summer is here, and there are some truly momentous milestones on the way. From a visual overhaul to a console release and – that’s right – Dragons, 2026 promises to bring some of the most exciting developments in Albion’s history.
Game Director Moritz Bokelmann and Co-Creative Director Michael Schwahn are here with a new Dev Talk to talk you through these big plans.
February 23 sees the release of Realm Divided Part II. This content release expands the Realm Divided update with two further features: Faction Battle Standards and a reworked Bandit Assault.
Faction Battle Standards
Faction Battle Standards are new Faction Warfare carriables that can earn you Faction Points for successfully delivering one to an Outpost.
Battle Standards can be found in active Provinces
Any Faction-flagged player can pick one up
Participating in Faction PvE, PvP, and capturing Outposts increases their value
Battle Standards can be delivered to a friendly Outpost for Faction Points
These are awarded to the carrier and anyone who has fought alongside them or is in the Party when the Battle Standard is delivered
However, enemies who take down the carrier can pick up the Battle Standard for themselves – including the value it’s accrued. This adds a valuable new objective for Faction players to fight over in their quest for superiority.
Bandit Assault
The Bandit Assault event has been overhauled to integrate better into the new Faction Warfare system.
This event now uses the Supply system to mark progress
This means that all Faction activities contribute, not just Outposts
The Bandit Assault has two distinct phases:
The first is a large-scale conflict spanning all lethal Provinces
The second focuses the action on two lethal Provinces
The climax is a multi-Faction battle for valuable chests within two Fortresses
These changes make the Bandit Assault an exciting, high-stakes centerpiece to red zone Faction Warfare, and promise to draw all Factions together in bloody battles.
Spring Update
April sees the release of Albion’s first major content update of 2026, bringing the game into a new era with some foundational changes, including:
A visual overhaul of the open world, making it more readable and atmospheric while maintaining its identity
Significant performance improvements
This is an ongoing endeavour, with this update marking a significant step forward
The Armory, a new tool to discover build loadouts for every content type and skill level
A new 1v1 Arena for PvP training, and a new Crystal Arena map
This update promises to strengthen and revamp Albion Online at its core, laying the groundwork for what’s to come.
Xbox Console Launch
Shortly after the spring update, we’re excited to announce that Albion Online is coming to console, with an official release on Xbox.
This marks a huge milestone on Albion’s cross-platform journey
It brings a brand new UI navigation flow for console, with specifically adapted key screens
This opens the door for possible further console expansions in the future
Albion Online’s Xbox launch is a massive step forward for the game, bringing it to countless new players and offering further playability options to our existing community.
Keeper Event Season
In the summer, we’ll be running a special, time-limited season.
This is the first such season since the Avalonian Invasion of 2019
It centers around a one off “Keeper Event” – more details to follow
This creates a unique, shared experience for all Albion Online players
Narratively, it ties into the update which will follow this season, leading into the biggest gameplay update on our Roadmap…
Summer Update - Dragons
Albion’s summer update brings a truly massive addition to the game, one long-requested by our community.
Dragons.
Dragons represent a central element of Albion’s Arthurian fantasy world
They will provide momentous, memorable objectives for players to prepare for, band together for, and compete for
The most rewarding Dragons will be in full-loot areas, but they will also provide opportunities for non-full-loot gameplay
Dragons offer high-end PvE, competitive PvP, and new opportunities for exploration
Full gameplay details will be revealed closer to the release of that update, but we can’t wait to see the stories that will unfold once they’re unleashed on the world.
That takes us through summer, but there’ll be more to come after that, so stay tuned for further developments. Meanwhile, leave your questions, comments, and feedback in the comments – we’ll be responding to them in a forthcoming video.
And there’s also a special live Q&A with the devs coming up on January 28 at 17 UTC on AlbionTV (twitch.tv/albiononline)! Join us for a chance to pose your question live on stream, and to learn more about what’s coming to Albion Online. More details on the way!
