More than a decade after its last installment, Age of Empires is launching back into the gaming world with its sequel Age of Empires IV. According to publisher Microsoft Studios, the game is in development and is being ported to PC.
With the average age of PC players around the mid-30s (frequent female gamers ranked around early 40s), it is a valuable time and franchise for the developers and publishers.
The game franchise, which celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this year, invites gamers to travel and experience multiple eras of several civilizations and history.
The original game (1997) was a real-time strategy game where players commanded troops throughout the Stone Age to the Classical period of history.
Age of Empires II (1992) took place in the Middle Ages. Age of Empires III (2005) focused on the Colonial period, where IV will take us, no one really knows.
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The trailer doesn’t hold much information on the up and coming game, and seems to be mostly a tour through the ages that the game has already covered. Interpreting from the lack of any game play teasers in the trailer, it may mean that the game is still in very early development.
” We can’t wait to tap into our strengths as a studio to fuse historical context with deep strategic gameplay, and to bring this franchise back to the forefront of gaming and into the hands of its beloved community,” said developer Canada’s Relic Entertainment in a blog post. “We look forward to sharing with you more details in the months to come. For now, just know we are beyond excited to be working on the next entry into the legendary franchise.”
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To keep fans tasting blood, and excited for the next release, Microsoft is releasing a 4K remastering of the original game. Age of Empires: Definitive Edition will be available on October 19, and should be enough to remind gamers of their love for the franchise.
