If you’re an Age of Empires fan your ship has come in – make that a whole fleet of ships. This week at Gamescom Microsoft revealed the first new Age of Empires game in 12 years: Age of Empires IV. Additionally, Definitive Editions for Age of Empires 2 and Age of Empires 3 are in development. They will join the first game’s HD remaster, which launches October 19, the 20th anniversary of the series. No release dates for any of these new announcements have been given.
The only information we have on Age of Empires IV is based on the teaser trailer above, and that it’s being developed by RTS veterans Relic Entertainment. Relic is best known for developing tactical real-time strategy series Warhamer 40,000: Dawn of War and Company of Heroes.
We could not be more proud to announce that we’re working on Age of Empires IV! https://t.co/L0HvHAoCAk #Age4 pic.twitter.com/NrHfAq63ga
— Relic Entertainment (@relicgames) August 21, 2017
The announcement trailer is similar to the intro of every Civilization game, showing human history throughout the ages. Notably Age of Empires is entirely focused on warfare.
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition is the HD remaster of the original 1997 RTS game. It was announced earlier this year at E3 during the PC Gaming Show. It’s coming October 20, which also marks the exact 20th anniversary of Age of Empires.
Age of Empires 2 was already given the HD remaster treatment back in 2013 by Hidden Path Entertainment (Defense Grid). Age of Empires II: HD Edition included high resolution graphics, Steam Workshop support, and Steam match-making. It also received three expansion packs. An Extended, HD version of spin-off Age of Mythology launched in 2014.
Release dates and platforms have not yet been announced for Age of Empires IV or Age of Empires II and II Definitive Editions. As strategy games they will most likely be exclusive to PC, at least to start. As they’re published by Microsoft expect them to be available through the Windows 10 Store.
