Microsoft, along with the Age of Empires team, has announced that they are going to host a special Age of Empire event on April 10. The event will be called “Age of Empires: Fan Preview” and will act as a sort of a digital reveal of multiple Age of Empire titles. This includes, among others, Age of Empires II Definitive Edition, Age of Empires III Definitive Edition, and Age of Empires IV.
Behold! More Age of Empires Info Is Coming!
The Age of Empires franchise has seen a sort of renaissance over the past few years. After its original developers shut down in 2009 and an unsuccessful attempt at an MMO was made in 2010, Microsoft tapped one of the game’s original developers from Ensemble Studios, Matt Pritchard, who was now working for Hidden Path Entertainment, to work on a high-definition remake of 1999’s Age of Empire II. Age of Empire II: HD Edition would release in 2013. It was followed by three more expansions in as many years. Microsoft then compiled all three expansions in 2017’s Age of Empires II Definitive Edition. The said edition also added 4 new civilizations with more campaign missions and even 4K graphics. That’s not all. Microsoft also recently released the Age of Empires II DE: Lords of the West expansion this 2021. This added three new campaigns, as well as the Burgundians and the Sicilians. In 2020, Microsoft would also release Age of Empire III Definitive Edition. However, unlike with Age of Empires II, Microsoft did not release more expansions following the remake of the 2005 title. Of the three confirmed Age of Empires titles that will be part of the upcoming event, we know the least about Age of Empires IV. Microsoft has yet to reveal any details regarding the latest installment in the Age of Empires franchise since revealing it some time ago. Hopefully, the said fan event will shed some light on what’s to come in the new game. In particular, fans are interested in how its developers would change the gameplay if at all. Age of Empires IV was passed on to Relic Entertainment. The Canadian studio made a name for themselves for their previous works in popular real-time strategy games, Company of Heroes and Warhammer: Dawn of War. Of course, despite being the highlight of the event, Age of Empires IV isn’t the only game that people are dying to hear more from. Age of Empires III Definitive Edition, as already mentioned, did not receive as many expansions nor additional content. This suggests that Microsoft may release more civilizations and campaigns for the said remake. This is especially if we go by what they said in the trailer. So, if you’re interested, make sure that you circle April 10 on your calendars. The Age Of Empires: Fan Preview Event will kick off at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET / 17:00 CET on April 10.
