So as far as i can tell multi is broke seems to of happened when they released their over priced patch. You cant even play the game with an online profile. Did a reinstll just incase and nope same issue. Anno 1404

I Never played multiplayer (so I don't know if Ubi did something) but at least I believe the game has LAN so you can still play with a friend if you use a program such as hamachi

As far as I know, the server for online multiplayer was hosted by GameSpy, which doesn't exist anymore.
So multiplayer has been dead for several years now.

Ahh well i just assumed multi was down two but my online account which has worked up until the scam release of the history version no longer connects. Aka all my progress on achievements and unlocks is gone. Also im pretty sure i played online with a buddy on steam well after gamespy died.

Of course it won't undo any lost progress or anything like that but for anyone who just wants to conveniently play online multilayer in Anno 1404 or 1701: Gameranger is your friend.