View source for Age of Empires

{{Short description|Real-time strategy video game series}}
{{About|the video game series|the first game in the series|Age of Empires (video game)|the similarly titled book|The Age of Empire: 1875–1914}}
{{Featured article}}
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{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox video game series
| image                  = Age of Empires Franchise logo-horiz.png
| platforms              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Microsoft Windows]]
* [[Classic Mac OS]]
* [[Windows Mobile]]
* [[PlayStation 2]]
* [[macOS|OS X]]
* [[N-Gage (device)|N-Gage]]
* [[Nintendo DS]]
* [[Windows Phone]]
* [[iOS]]
* [[Android (operating system)|Android]]
* [[Xbox One]]
* [[Xbox Series X and Series S|Xbox Series X/S]]
* [[PlayStation 5]]
}}
| developer              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ensemble Studios]]
* [[Big Huge Games]]
* [[CaptureAge]]
* [[Climax Studios]]
* [[Forgotten Empires]]
* [[Hidden Path Entertainment]]
* [[Relic Entertainment]]
* [[Robot Entertainment]]
* [[Tantalus Media]]
* [[TiMi Studio Group]]
* [[Virtuos Games]]
* [[Wicked Witch]]
* [[World's Edge]]
* [[Superstar Studios]]
}}
| publisher              = [[Xbox Game Studios]]<br />[[Tencent Games]]
| genre                  = [[Real-time strategy]]
| spinoffs               = ''[[Age of Mythology]]''
| first release version  = ''[[Age of Empires (video game)|Age of Empires]]''
| first release date     = October 15, 1997
| latest release version = ''[[Age of Mythology: Retold]]''
| latest release date    = September 4, 2024
}}

'''''Age of Empires''''' is a series of historical [[real-time strategy]] video games, originally developed by [[Ensemble Studios]] and published by [[Xbox Game Studios]].

The first title in the series, ''Age of Empires'', focused on events in Europe, Africa and Asia, spanning from the [[Stone Age]] to the [[Iron Age]]; the expansion game explored the formation and expansion of the [[Roman Empire]]. The sequel, ''[[Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings]]'', was set in the [[Middle Ages]], while its expansion focused partially on the [[Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire]]. ''[[Age of Empires III]]'' and its two expansions explored the [[early modern period]], when [[European colonization of the Americas|Europe was colonizing the Americas]] and several Asian nations were on the decline. Another installment, ''[[Age of Empires Online]]'', takes a different approach as a free-to-play online game utilizing [[Games for Windows Live]]. A spin-off game, ''[[Age of Mythology]]'', was set in the same period as the original ''Age of Empires'', but focused on mythological elements of [[Greek mythology|Greek]], [[Egyptian mythology|Egyptian]], and [[Norse mythology]]. The fourth main installment in the series, ''[[Age of Empires IV]]'', was released on October 28, 2021, also focusing on the Middle Ages.<ref name="aoe-fan-preview-2021">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OJ14RVFDGQ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211102/5OJ14RVFDGQ |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |url-status=live |title=Age of Empires: Fan Preview |publisher=[[Xbox]] |via=[[YouTube]] |date=April 10, 2021 |access-date=April 10, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Age of Empires IV launching October 28th with Xbox Game Pass for PC, Available for Pre-order Now – Age of Empires |url=https://www.ageofempires.com/news/aoeiv-preorder-now/ |access-date=August 3, 2021 |website=ageofempires.com |date=June 13, 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The ''Age of Empires'' series has been a commercial success, selling over 25 million copies. Critics have credited part of the success of the series to its historical theme and fair play; the [[Artificial intelligence in video games|artificial intelligence (AI)]] players have fewer advantages than in many of the series' competitors.

==Games==
{{Video game timeline
| 1997 = '''''[[Age of Empires (video game)|Age of Empires]]'''''
| 1998 = ''[[Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome]]''
| 1999a = ''Age of Empires: Gold Edition''
| 1999b = '''''[[Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings]]'''''
| 2000a = ''[[Age of Empires II: The Conquerors]]''
| 2000b = ''Age of Empires: Collector's Edition''
| 2001 = ''Age of Empires II: Gold Edition''
| 2002 = '''''[[Age of Mythology]]'''''
| 2003a = ''[[Age of Mythology: The Titans]]''
| 2003b = ''Age of Empires: Gold Edition Pocket PC Version''
| 2004 = ''Age of Mythology: Gold Edition''
| 2005a = ''Age of Empires II Mobile''
| 2005b = '''''[[Age of Empires III]]'''''
| 2005c = ''Age of Empires III: Collector's Edition''
| 2006a = ''Age of Empires II Deluxe Edition Mobile''
| 2006b = ''[[Age of Empires: The Age of Kings]]''
| 2006c = ''[[Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs]]''
| 2007a = ''Age Of Empires III: Gold Edition''
| 2007b = ''[[Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties]]''
| 2007c = ''Age of Empires III Mobile''
| 2008 = ''[[Age of Empires: Mythologies]]''
| 2009 = ''Age of Empires III: Complete Collection''
| 2010 = ''Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties Mobile''
| 2011a = '''''[[Age of Empires Online]]'''''
| 2011b = ''Age of Empires Online: Defense of Crete''
| 2012a = ''Age of Empires Online: Fertile Crescent''
| 2012b = ''Age of Empires Online: Northern Invasion''
| 2013a = ''Age of Empires II: HD Edition''
| 2013b = ''Age of Empires II HD: The Forgotten''
| 2014a = ''Age of Mythology: Extended Edition''
| 2014b = ''[[Age of Empires: Castle Siege]]''
| 2015a = ''Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms''
| 2015b = ''[[Age of Empires: World Domination]]''
| 2016a = ''Age of Mythology: Tale of the Dragon''
| 2016b = ''Age of Empires II HD: Rise of the Rajas''
| 2018 = ''Age of Empires: Definitive Edition''
| 2019a = ''[[Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition]]''
| 2019b = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - The Last Khans''
| 2020 = ''[[Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition]]''
| 2021a = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Lords of the West''
| 2021b = ''Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – United States Civilization''
| 2021c = ''Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – The African Royals''
| 2021d = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Dawn of the Dukes''
| 2021e = '''''[[Age of Empires IV]]'''''
| 2021f = ''Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Mexico Civilization''
| 2022a = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Dynasties of India''
| 2022b = ''Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Knights of the Mediterranean''
| 2022c = ''Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition''
| 2023a = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Return of Rome''
| 2023b = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Mountain Royals''
| 2023c = ''Age of Empires IV: The Sultans Ascend''
| 2024a = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Victors and Vanquished''
| 2024b = ''[[Age of Mythology: Retold]]''
| 2024c = ''Age of Mythology: Retold - New Gods Pack: Freyr''
| 2024d = ''Age of Empires Mobile''
| 2024e = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – Chronicles: Battle for Greece''
| 2025a = ''Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars''
| 2025b = ''Age of Empires IV: Knights of Cross and Rose''
| 2025c = ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Three Kingdoms''}}

The games in the series focus on historical events throughout time. ''[[Age of Empires (video game)|Age of Empires]]'' covers the events between the [[Stone Age]] and the [[Classical antiquity|Classical period]], in Europe and Asia. Its expansion, ''[[Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome|The Rise of Rome]]'', follows the formation and rise of the [[Roman Empire]]. ''[[Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings|The Age of Kings]]'' and its [[Age of Empires: The Age of Kings|Nintendo DS spin-off]] follow Europe and Asia through the [[Middle Ages]]. ''The Age of Kings''{{'}} expansion pack, ''[[Age of Empires II: The Conquerors|The Conquerors]]'', is set during the same period, but also includes scenarios about the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, [[El Cid]], and [[Attila the Hun]]. ''[[Age of Empires III]]'' and its first expansion, ''[[Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs|The WarChiefs]]'', take place during the [[European colonization of the Americas]]. Its second expansion, ''[[Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties|The Asian Dynasties]]'', follows the rise of Asia in the same period. ''[[Age of Empires Online]]'' focuses on the [[Greeks|Greek]] and Egyptian civilizations. The series' spin-off, ''[[Age of Mythology]]'', and its expansion pack, ''[[Age of Mythology: The Titans|The Titans]]'', are set during the [[Bronze Age]], but focus on [[mythology]] as their themes, rather than history.

===Main series===
====''Age of Empires''====
{{Main|Age of Empires (video game)}}
''Age of Empires'', released on October 15, 1997,<ref name="Age of Empires screenshots and statistics" /> was the first game in the series, as well as the first major release from [[Ensemble Studios]].<ref name="Age of Empires Preview: Microsoft takes a stab at the golden age of wargaming" /> It was one of the first history-based real-time strategy games made,<ref name="Play Age of Empires — Study History in College" /> utilizing the [[Genie (game engine)|Genie]] [[game engine]]. [[GameSpot]] described it as a mix of ''[[Civilization (video game)|Civilization]]'' and ''[[Warcraft: Orcs & Humans|Warcraft]]''.<ref name="Age of Empires Review" /> The game gives players a choice of 12 civilizations to develop from the [[Stone Age]] to the [[Iron Age]]. The expansion pack, ''The Rise of Rome'', published by [[Microsoft]] on October 31, 1998, introduced new features and four new civilizations, including the [[Ancient Rome|Romans]]. Although the two games had contained many [[software bug]]s, [[patch (computing)|patches]] resolved many of the problems.<ref name="Age of Empires" /><ref name="Age of Empires Downloads" />

''Age of Empires'' was generally well received, despite some highly negative reviews. ''[[GameSpot]]'' criticized a confused design, while ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' praised the game as strong in single and multiplayer.<ref name="AoE1MC"/> The [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] named ''Age of Empires'' the 1998 "Computer Strategy Game of the Year".<ref name="Computer Strategy Game of the Year"/> For several years, the game remained high on the sales charts, with over three million units sold by 2000.<ref name="AoESales"/> ''The Rise of Rome'' sold one million units in 2000<ref name=AoESales /> and attained 80% as an [[:Category:Video game review aggregators|aggregate]] score from [[GameRankings]].<ref name="RoRGR"/>

In June 2017, Adam Isgreen, creative director of [[Xbox Game Studios]] announced ''Age of Empires: Definitive Edition'' at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2017]]. It features overhauled graphics with support for [[4K resolution]], a remastered soundtrack, and other gameplay improvements, and was planned to be released on October 19, 2017, but was delayed until February 20, 2018, when it was released on the [[Microsoft Store (digital)|Microsoft Store]].<ref name="pcgamer_definitive">{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-original-age-of-empires-is-being-remastered-in-the-definitive-edition/ |title=The original Age of Empires is being remastered in the Definitive Edition |work=[[PC Gamer]] |first=Christopher |last=Livingston |date=June 12, 2017 |access-date=June 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617134715/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-original-age-of-empires-is-being-remastered-in-the-definitive-edition/ |archive-date=June 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pereira |first1=Chris |title=Age Of Empire: Definitive Edition Remaster's Release Date Announced |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empire-definitive-edition-remasters-release/1100-6452720/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 21, 2017 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121114844/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/next-ps5-restock-set-for-black-friday-2020-walmart-gamestop-will-have-consoles/1100-6475811/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Makuch |first1=Eddie |title=PC's Age Of Empires: Definitive Edition Gets New Release Date After Delay |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pcs-age-of-empires-definitive-edition-gets-new-rel/1100-6456207/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=January 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119235050/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pcs-age-of-empires-definitive-edition-gets-new-rel/1100-6456207/ |archive-date=January 19, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> On May 30, 2019, Microsoft announced that the Definitive Edition would be coming to [[Steam (service)|Steam]], along with the Definitive Editions of both ''Age of Empires II'' and ''Age of Empires III''.<ref name="vg247_definitive_steam">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/05/30/gears-5-aoe-steam-pc-games/ |title=Microsoft to release Gears of War 5, Age of Empires: Definitive Editions, more PC titles on Steam |work=[[VG247]] |first=Stephany |last=Nunneley |date=May 30, 2019 |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604071754/https://www.vg247.com/2019/05/30/gears-5-aoe-steam-pc-games/ |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="pcgamer_definitive_steam">{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-games-on-steam-announced/ |title=Microsoft is bringing more games to Steam, says 'We believe you should have choice in where you buy your PC games' |work=[[PC Gamer]] |first=Wes |last=Fenlon |date=May 30, 2019 |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603062122/https://www.pcgamer.com/microsoft-games-on-steam-announced/ |archive-date=June 3, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

====''Age of Empires II''====
{{Main|Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings|Age of Empires II: HD Edition| Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition|Age of Empires II: The Conquerors|Age of Empires II: The Forgotten}}
''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings'', released on September 30, 1999, used the [[Genie Engine|Genie game engine]], and had gameplay similar to its predecessor.<ref name="The Art of Empires"/> ''Age of Kings'' is set in the [[Middle Ages]], from the [[Dark Ages (historiography)|Dark Ages]] to the [[Renaissance|Imperial Age]]. It allows players to choose one of 13 civilizations, from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.<ref name="Civilizations"/>

On August 24, 2000, Microsoft published the expansion, ''The Conquerors''. It added new units and five new civilizations, including two [[Mesoamerica]]n civilizations: the [[Maya civilization|Maya]] and the [[Aztec]].<ref name="Age II: The Conquerors — The Mayans Showcase" /> ''The Age of Kings'' was a bigger critical success than the first two games, with Game Rankings and [[Metacritic]] scores of 92%.<ref name="AoKGR" /><ref name="AoKMC" /> Microsoft shipped out more than two million copies to retailers, and the game received numerous awards and accolades.<ref name="AoKSales" /> Critics agreed that ''The Conquerors'' expanded well on ''The Age of Kings'', though issues of unbalanced gameplay were raised.<ref name="AoCMC" /> ''The Age of Kings'' and ''The Conquerors'' won the 2000 and 2001 "Computer Strategy Game of the Year" awards from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, respectively.<ref name="Computer Strategy Game of the Year1" /><ref name="PC Strategy" />

In April 2013, ''[[Age of Empires II: HD Edition]]'' was released on the [[Steam (service)|Steam]] [[digital distribution]] platform for Windows operating systems. The ''HD Edition'' includes both the original game and the expansion ''The Conquerors'', as well as updated graphics for high-resolution displays.<ref name="GSAOEIIHD" /> Originally a fan-made modpack made for ''The Conquerors'', ''Age of Empires II: The Forgotten'' was an unofficial expansion that added a new campaign, playable civilizations, maps, and quality of service updates. The Forgotten was later developed into an official expansion with [[SkyBox Labs]] and Forgotten Empires, and in November 2013 ''The Forgotten HD'' was released by Microsoft exclusively for the ''HD Edition'' on [[Steam (service)|Steam]].<ref name="GSAOEIIHD2"/> A third expansion named ''The African Kingdoms'' was released by Microsoft in November 2015, also exclusively for the ''HD Edition''.<ref name="african-kingdoms-release"/> A fourth expansion entitled ''Rise of the Rajas'' was released on December 19, 2016.<ref name="rise-of-the-rajas-release"/> On August 21, 2017, Microsoft announced ''[[Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition]]''.<ref name="AoE23remaster"/>

In June 2019, Adam Isgreen, now the Franchise Creative Director for ''Age of Empires'', shared more information regarding the ''[[Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition]]'' at the [[Electronic Entertainment Expo 2019]]. He confirmed that the Definitive Edition was being developed by Forgotten Empires, [[Tantalus Media]], and [[Wicked Witch Software]]. He announced that the game would feature new 4K graphics, [[Xbox Live]] support for multiplayer, exclusive achievements, four new civilizations ([[Bulgarians]], [[Cumans]], [[Lithuanians]], [[Tatars]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2019/06/09/e3-2019-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-launching-fall-2019-beta-coming-soon/ |title=E3 2019: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Launching Fall 2019, Beta Coming Soon |date=June 9, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612201205/https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2019/06/09/e3-2019-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition-launching-fall-2019-beta-coming-soon/ |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>), three new campaigns, a new spectator mode and tournament features, and additional quality of life improvements. It was released on November 14, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/age-empires-2-definitive-edition-release-date-set-november-14-2019/ |title=Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition release date set for November 14 |first=Samuel |last=Tolbert |work=Windows Central |date=August 19, 2019 |access-date=March 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819191952/https://www.windowscentral.com/age-empires-2-definitive-edition-release-date-set-november-14-2019 |archive-date=August 19, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/9/18658913/microsoft-xbox-e3-2019-age-of-empires-definitive-edition-new-campaign-console |title=Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition and new campaign coming to Xbox Game Pass |first=Ryan |last=Gilliam |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=June 10, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612202426/https://www.polygon.com/2019/6/9/18658913/microsoft-xbox-e3-2019-age-of-empires-definitive-edition-new-campaign-console |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> Bert Beeckman, co-founder of Forgotten Empires, confirmed on June 12 that ''Age of Empires II: HD Edition'' would not be removed from sale after the release of ''Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.dualshockers.com/age-of-empires-2-hd-edition-not-leaving-steam/ |title=Age of Empires II: HD Edition Won't Be Taken Off Steam When Definitive Edition Launches |first=Tomas |last=Franzese |work=DualShockers |date=June 12, 2019 |access-date=June 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612075651/https://www.dualshockers.com/age-of-empires-2-hd-edition-not-leaving-steam/ |archive-date=June 12, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==== ''Age of Empires III'' ====
{{Main|Age of Empires III|Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition|Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs|Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties}}
''Age of Empires III'' was released on October 18, 2005 and was built on an improved version of the ''Age of Mythology'' game engine with the most significant changes being the updated graphics engine and the inclusion of the [[Havok (software)|Havok physics]] [[middleware]] engine.<ref name="Age of Empires III"/><ref name="Havok in Age of Empires"/> The game is set in the period between [[Early modern period|1421 and 1850]], and players can choose one of eight European nations. The game introduced a large number of features, such as [[Age of Empires III#Home Cities|home cities]]. Described by Ensemble Studios as "an important support system to your efforts in the New World", home cities help provide the player with resources, equipment, troops, and upgrades. They can be used across multiple games, and upgraded after each battle; the feature was compared to a [[role-playing game]] character by Ensemble Studios.<ref name="Home City"/> The first expansion to ''Age of Empires III'', ''The WarChiefs'', was released October 17, 2006. Most gameplay changes in the expansion pack were small, but it introduced three new civilizations, with a focus on [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native Americans]].<ref name="Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs: Ensemble's lead designer Sandy Petersen answers our questions"/> The second expansion, ''[[Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties|The Asian Dynasties]]'', went on sale October 23, 2007. It was a jointly developed product; [[Big Huge Games]] helped Ensemble Studios develop the game, with [[Brian Reynolds (game designer)|Brian Reynolds]] joining [[Bruce Shelley]] as lead designer.<ref name="agecommunitypr"/> The game expanded the ''Age of Empires III'' universe into Asia, and introduced three new civilizations.<ref name="Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties (PC) interview"/> Reception towards ''Age of Empires III'' was mixed; ''[[Game Revolution]]'' described it as "about as much fun" as a history textbook, while ''GameZone'' argued it was "one of the best looking games, much less an RTS game, that is out on the market currently".<ref name="Age3MC"/> It sold more than two million copies, and won the ''[[GameSpy]]'' "real-time strategy game of the year" award.<ref name="AoE3sales"/><ref name="PC Real-Time Strategy Game of the Year"/> ''The WarChiefs'' failed to equal the success of its predecessor, with a lower score on both Game Rankings and Metacritic, and ''The Asian Dynasties''' score was lower still with 80%.<ref name="TWCGR"/><ref name="TWCMC"/><ref name="TADGR"/><ref name="TADMC"/>

Several [[special edition|collectors' editions]] of ''Age of Empires III'' included a hardcover [[artbook]]. The last page of the artbook has a pictorial depiction of the series; the [[Roman numeral]]s below each panel range from I to V, indicating the series would include an ''Age of Empires IV'' and ''Age of Empires V''. Ensemble Studios employee [[Sandy Petersen]] said that the image "was total speculation on [their] part".<ref name="aoe3 heavengames"/>

In 2008, Microsoft announced they were closing down Ensemble Studios following the completion of ''Halo Wars''. Some of its employees would form a new team as part of [[Microsoft Studios (game studio)|Microsoft Studios]].<ref name="Microsoft Shuttering Ensemble"/> Kevin Unangst, director of [[Games for Windows]], denied it was the end of the ''Age of Empires'' series, telling ''[[The San Francisco Chronicle]]'' "we're very excited about the future potential for ''Age of Empires''".<ref name="Game news: Microsoft to close 'Halo Wars' studio"/> ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' confirmed, in an interview with Microsoft's corporate vice president of interactive entertainment, Shane Kim, that Microsoft continued to own ''Age of Empires'' and that they had plans to continue the series.<ref name="Kim: We Still Believe in PC Games"/> However, Bruce Shelley wrote in his blog that he would not be part of any new studios formed.<ref name="Ensemble Studios Closing"/><ref name="Ensemble dev speaks out on closure"/>

Following the announcement of remastered editions of previous games, Microsoft announced ''[[Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition]]'' on August 21, 2017.<ref name="AoE23remaster"/> On May 30, 2019, the company revealed that the ''Definitive Edition'' would come to [[Steam (service)|Steam]] in the future, along with the Definitive Editions of both ''Age of Empires'' and ''Age of Empires II''.<ref name="vg247_definitive_steam"/><ref name="pcgamer_definitive_steam"/> On August 28, 2020, Microsoft announced at Gamescom 2020 that [[Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition]] would release officially on October 15, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Release Date Set for October 15 |url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition-release-date-october-15-trailer-new-game-modes-gamescom-2020-2286929 |access-date=August 30, 2020 |website=NDTV Gadgets 360 |date=August 28, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828214306/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition-release-date-october-15-trailer-new-game-modes-gamescom-2020-2286929 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On January 23, 2020, Microsoft announced a closed beta for early February of that year. Betas ran on Steam and the Microsoft Store, with each beta session including a small piece of the game.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-3-definitive-edition/beta |title=The Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition beta starts in February |first=Dustin |last=Bailey |date=January 23, 2020 |access-date=January 23, 2020 |archive-date=January 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124081303/https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-3-definitive-edition/beta |url-status=live}}</ref> The first closed beta session began on February 11, 2020, and ended on February 19, 2020.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=AgeOfEmpires |number=1227311020538056704 |date=February 11, 2020 |title=🏹 #AoE3DE: Incoming, Insiders! First round of invites are out now—sign up as an Insider and keep that profile updated if you'd like your chance at joining our beta! ageofempires.com/insiders}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/uninstalling-the-age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition-beta/71908 |title=Uninstalling the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Beta |author=Licidy |date=February 19, 2020 |archive-date=March 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324022159/https://forums.ageofempires.com/t/uninstalling-the-age-of-empires-iii-definitive-edition-beta/71908 |url-status=live}}</ref> The second closed multiplayer session began on March 31 and ran until April 7.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=AgeOfEmpires |number=1245049249924091907 |date=March 31, 2020 |title=Prepare your stations: #AoE3DE Beta keys are out! Good luck to you all and remember: check your spam just in case, brush up on the NDA and leave your feedback on the Beta forums. We're counting on you! ⚔️ For a chance at this and other Beta opportunities: ageofempires.com/insiders!}}.</ref> The game was released on October 15, 2020.

====''Age of Empires IV''====
{{Main|Age of Empires IV}}
On August 21, 2017, Microsoft announced ''Age of Empires IV'', developed by [[Relic Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-22-age-of-empires-4-revealed-with-relic-at-the-helm |title=Age of Empires 4 revealed with Relic at the helm |first=Jeffery |last=Matulef |work=[[Eurogamer]] |date=August 21, 2017 |access-date=August 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822052924/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-08-22-age-of-empires-4-revealed-with-relic-at-the-helm |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The title was officially released on October 28, 2021,<ref name="aoe-fan-preview-2021"/> with eight civilizations available at launch: the [[Abbasid Caliphate|Abbasid Dynasty]], the [[Medieval China|Chinese]], the [[Delhi Sultanate]], the [[Kingdom of England|English]], the [[France in the Middle Ages|French]], the [[Holy Roman Empire]], the [[Mongol Empire|Mongols]], and the [[Kievan Rus'|Rus]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Age of Empires 4's First Civilizations, Campaign, and Gameplay Details Revealed - IGN |date=April 10, 2021 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/age-of-empires-4s-first-civilizations-campaign-and-gameplay-details-revealed |language=en |access-date=April 11, 2021}}</ref> 
The game is set during the [[Early Middle Ages]] to the early [[Renaissance]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-4/time-period|title=Age of Empires 4 starts earlier and finishes later than Age of Empires 2|first=Richard|last=Scott-Jones|work=[[PCGamesN]]|date=November 15, 2019|access-date=September 19, 2022|archive-date=September 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920173248/https://www.pcgamesn.com/age-of-empires-4/time-period|url-status=live}}</ref> with the earliest appearance of any civilization being in the year 750. The game features four Ages, the same as those in ''Age of Empires II'' — Dark Age, Feudal Age, Castle Age, and Imperial Age.
This title incorporates several features and mechanics of ''Age of Empires II'' that were changed or removed in ''Age of Empires III''.

Like other ''Age of Empires'' games, ''Age of Empires IV'' has received several new civilizations in updates. Recent updates have added the [[Ottoman Empire|Ottomans]], [[Mali Empire|Malians]], [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantines]], and [[Japan|Japanese]], along with several variants of civilizations already in the game: the [[Ayyubid dynasty|Ayyubids]], [[Joan of Arc|Jeanne d'Arc]], [[Order of the Dragon]], and [[Zhu Xi|Zhu Xi's]] Legacy, for a total of 16 civilizations at present.

===Spin-off games===
{{Main|Age of Mythology|Age of Mythology: The Titans|Age of Empires: The Age of Kings|Age of Empires: Mythologies|Age of Empires Online}}
''Age of Mythology'' shared many elements of gameplay with the main series,<ref name="Age of Mythology review"/> and was considered a part of the series, despite its different focus.<ref name="Age of Mythology"/><ref name="Microsoft Age of Mythology"/> The campaign in ''Age of Mythology'' tells the story of an [[Atlantis|Atlantean]], [[Arkantos]], and his quest to find why his people are out of favor with [[Poseidon]].<ref name="Age of Mythology review2"/> Microsoft published the game on October 30, 2002,<ref name="Age of Mythology Info"/> and its expansion, ''The Titans'', on October 21, 2003.<ref name="Age of Mythology: The Titans Info"/> ''The Titans'' featured the Atlanteans as a new civilization.<ref name="Age of Mythology:The Titans"/> Its campaign is shorter than previous expansions, and centers on [[Castor and Pollux|Kastor]], son of Arkantos, who falls for the lies of the [[titan (mythology)|titans]] and frees them from [[Tartarus]].<ref name="Age of Mythology: The Titans review"/> ''Age of Mythology'' sold more than one million units in four months.<ref name="AoMSales"/> It scored 89% on Game Rankings and Metacritic.<ref name="AoMGR"/><ref name="AoMMC"/> ''The Titans'' failed to equal the sales success of ''Age of Mythology'', although critics rated it highly.<ref name="TTGR"/><ref name="TTMC"/>

[[Backbone Entertainment]] developed ''[[Age of Empires: The Age of Kings]]'' as a [[turn-based strategy|turn-based]] game for the [[Nintendo DS]]. [[Majesco Entertainment]] published the game on February 14, 2006. It is similar to other turn-based games, such as ''[[Advance Wars]]'', but with a gameplay based on its [[Personal computer|PC]] [[Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings|counterpart]].<ref name="Age of Empires: Age of Kings"/> ''Age of Empires: The Age of Kings'' scored 80% on Game Rankings and Metacritic.<ref name="AoKDSGR"/><ref name="AoKDSMC"/> [[Konami]] brought a game of the same title to the [[PlayStation 2]] around five years earlier than the DS version, but the game had little promotion, and sold poorly.<ref name="PS2prev"/>

On August 16, 2010, Microsoft announced ''[[Age of Empires Online]]'', which was a free-to-play Games for Windows Live online game, it developed in collaboration with [[Robot Entertainment]]. It featured Free-to-play experiences via [[Games for Windows LIVE]] as well as: A persistent online capital city that lives and grows even when you're offline, Cooperative multiplayer quests, trading and a level-based system that lets you progress at your own pace.<ref name="aoeopr"/> Premium content could be earned or purchased, such as access to blueprints and special items, as well as more quests and features. In September 2013, it was announced that the game would remain functional until July 1, 2014, after which it would be shut down due to the content being too expensive to maintain.<ref>{{cite web |title=AGE OF EMPIRES ONLINE SHUTS DOWN |url=http://in.ign.com/news/4395/age-of-empires-online-shuts-down |website=IGN |date=July 2014 |access-date=August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818222305/http://in.ign.com/news/4395/age-of-empires-online-shuts-down |archive-date=August 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

On April 13, 2014, ''[[Age of Empires: World Domination]]'' was announced. It was developed by KLab Games for the [[iOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]] and [[Windows Phone]].<ref name="toucharcade"/> It was released on December 7, 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2015/12/07/age-of-empires-world-domination-soft-launch/ |title='Age of Empires: World Domination' Soft-Launches in Select Countries on iOS and Android |date=December 7, 2015 |website=TouchArcade |access-date=August 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826202121/http://toucharcade.com/2015/12/07/age-of-empires-world-domination-soft-launch/ |archive-date=August 26, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> with the service terminated on November 30, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.aoewd.com/index.php?dc_action=news/index&category=0&page=2#news-161 |title=Age of Empires: World Domination Official {{!}} KLabGames |website=Age of Empires: World Domination Official site {{!}} KLabGames |access-date=November 21, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122071646/https://www.aoewd.com/index.php?dc_action=news%2Findex&category=0&page=2#news-161 |archive-date=November 22, 2016 }}</ref>

On August 25, 2014, ''[[Age of Empires: Castle Siege]]'' was announced. It is a [[Touchscreen|touch-based]] game developed by [[Smoking Gun Interactive]]. It was released on September 17, 2014, for the Windows PC and [[Windows Phone 8]].<ref name="castle released"/><ref name="polygoncastlesiege"/>

==Development==
===Historical elements===
The [[game development|development]] phases of the ''Age of Empires'' games were similar in several ways. Due to the games being based on historical events, the team often had to do large amounts of research.<ref name=BehindBruce /> However, the research was not in depth, which, according to ''Age of Empires'' designer [[Bruce Shelley]], is "a good idea for most entertainment products".<ref name=BehindBruce /> Shelley also said that Ensemble Studios took most of the reference material from children's sections at [[library|libraries]]. He pointed out the goal was for the players of the game to have fun, "not [its] designers or researchers".<ref name="BehindBruce"/> At the [[Games Convention#International Games Convention Developers Conference|Games Convention Developers Conference]] in 2007, Shelley continued with this thought and explained that the success of the series laid in "making a game which appealed to both the casual and hardcore gamer".<ref name=GC07 /> Shelley also remarked the ''Age of Empires'' games were not about history in itself, but rather "about the human experience;"<ref name=GC07 /> they focused not simply on what humans had done but on what they could do in the future such as "going into space".<ref name="GC07"/> Ensemble Studios developed ''Age of Mythology'' in a different way than the previous two games. The team had worried they "couldn't get away" with a third historical-based game, and chose mythology as the setting after they had discussed several options.<ref name="CVGRoA"/>

===Artificial intelligence===
The [[artificial intelligence]] (AI) used in the ''Age of Empires'' series has been developed and improved regularly by designers. AI specialist [[Dave Pottinger]] noted the development team gave the AI in the original game a very high priority, and spent over a year working on it. He said that the AI in the game relies on tactics and strategies to win, instead of "cheating" by giving bonus resources to itself, or tweaking its units to be stronger than normal.<ref name=Dave/> Pottinger later noted that the ''Age of Empires'' series team took great pride in their AI playing a "fair game"<ref name="Age of Empires III Q&A — Technology Overview"/> and didn't know what the player was doing and had to play by the same rules as its human opponents.<ref name="Ars Technica (8 Jan 2018)">{{cite web |last1=Moss |first1=Richard C. |title='The least-worst idea we had'—The creation of the Age of Empires empire |url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/01/the-age-of-age-of-empires-as-told-by-the-devs-who-built-it/ |website=[[Ars Technica]] |access-date=January 10, 2018 |language=en-us |date=January 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110234203/https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2018/01/the-age-of-age-of-empires-as-told-by-the-devs-who-built-it/ |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''Age of Empires'' allows players to choose to play either along specialized, story-backed conditions or as individual battles against the AI (and other players). Choosing to battle against the AI – rather than following the storyline – allows the AI to adapt to players' strategies and even remember which games it won and lost. The AI eventually overcomes players' strategies and easily destroys their villages after several games. For instance, in ''Age of Empires III,'' this is referred to as playing a "Skirmish". However, ''Age of Empires III'' allows players to refine their strategies further against the AI by "building a Deck", which allows players to replace "Home City" shipments with improved alternatives.

In ''Age of Empires II: The Conquerors'' the AI was given a high priority, the result being the "smart villager" feature, which was included in subsequent games of the series. After building a structure that stores or produces resources, smart villagers would proceed to collect resources related to the structure, such as crops from farms or ore from exposed deposits.<ref name="Age of Empires II: The Conquerors — First Impression"/>

''Age of Mythology: The Titans'' lets players use an AI [[debugger]] when creating custom scenarios; players can change the settings of computer players and make them act according to certain patterns.<ref name="Age of Mythology: The Titans -- Volume 1"/> More basic changes to the AI had previously been available in the series' first two games.<ref name="AI Tools"/>

===Graphics and visuals===
The graphics and visuals of ''Age of Empires'' improved with each successive release. From the original release to the second, ''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings,'' noteworthy improvements gained praise from several critics.<ref name="GameSpot citation"/><ref name="Allgame citation"/><ref name="GR citation"/> With the release of ''Age of Mythology'' the praise continued,<ref name="GameSpot citation"/><ref name="IGN citation"/><ref name="GR continues"/><ref name="PC Gamer citation"/> and the fourth release, ''Age of Empires III,'' garnered even more.<ref name="IGN review"/><ref name="1Up review"/><ref name="GameSpyreview"/>

GameSpot praised the improved graphics<ref name="GameSpot citation" /> in the second release, ''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings.'' [[Eurogamer]] welcomed its introduction of female villagers<ref name="Eurogamer citation"/> as compared with the original male only version. [[Allgame]] praised the advanced grouping and path-finding systems in the second release.<ref name="Allgame citation" /> Despite the improved graphics, Allgame complained that units in ''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings'' were at times difficult to distinguish from one another,<ref name="Allgame citation" /> a point numerous reviewers agreed on.<ref name="GameSpot citation" /><ref name="Age of Empires II: The Age Of Kings"/> Nevertheless, Game Revolution wrote that the second release was "the best looking of the 2D RTS games out there right now".<ref name="GR citation" />

The graphics continued to improve in ''Age of Mythology'' and was praised by a majority of reviewers. ''[[IGN]]'' ranked the graphics in this third release "a joy to watch ... awesome".<ref name="IGN citation" /> ''GameSpot'' agreed, also rating the graphics nine out of ten.<ref name="GameSpot citation" /> ''Game Revolution'' also agreed,<ref name="GR continues" /> and ''[[PC Gamer]]'' stated that the graphics in the third release "are packed with detail".<ref name="PC Gamer citation" />

The trend in improved graphics continued well into the next release, ''Age of Empires III,'' much to the delight of reviewers. ''IGN'' stated: "After seeing the screenshots, our jaws hit the floor at the amount of detail."<ref name="IGN review" /> ''1UP.com'' described ''Age of Empires III'' as "one of the most beautiful games you will put on your computer for the foreseeable future".<ref name="1Up review" /> ''GameSpy'' agreed, stating: "''Age III''{{'}}s graphics are unmatched in the strategy genre."<ref name="GameSpyreview" /> ''Age of Empires III'' builds on and introduces new features to the prior release, ''Age of Mythology,'' such as the inclusion of the award-winning<ref name="havokawards"/> Havok physics simulation middleware<ref name="Age of Empires III3"/> game engine for the Windows version and PhysX for the Mac OS X. The innovative result is that pre-created animations are avoided; instead events are calculated according to the physics engine. Consequently, views of events like building destruction and tree felling are not pre-recorded. ''GameSpot'' also admired the graphics in the fourth release but complained about "the awkward unit behavior".<ref name="GameSpot review, page 3"/> Other graphical features of the game include bloom lighting and support for [[pixel shader]] 3.0.<ref name="Technology"/>

GameSpy awarded ''Age of Empires III'' the "Best Graphics" award at ''GameSpy''{{'}}s "Game of the Year 2005".<ref name="GameSpy's GOTY Graphics"/>

===Music===
[[Stephen Rippy]] has been the series' music director since the first game. He has had occasional help from his brother, David Rippy, as well as Kevin McMullan.<ref name="m4g"/> He created the original music in ''Age of Empires'' with sounds of instruments from the periods in the game.<ref name=AoEH /> These sounds came from actual instruments, and their [[sampler (musical instrument)|digital samples]].<ref name=AoEH /> The tunes were the result of extensive research on the cultures, styles, and instruments used.<ref name="AoEH"/> Rippy said that sound development on ''The Age of Kings'' was easy, since there was knowledge of the instruments used in the Middle Ages. Therefore, they were able to reproduce the tunes for the soundtrack of the game.<ref name="Soundtracks on CD-ROM: Stirring Music That Accompanies the Interactive"/> In ''Age of Mythology'', an orchestral instrumentation was used, instead. According to McMullan, the team also collected large numbers of audio recordings from [[zoo]]s, and created "a massive sound library of [their] own material".<ref name="Age of Music"/> The music of ''Age of Empires III'' was similar to ''The Age of Kings'', in which the team used more historical instruments; Rippy noted the team used instruments such as "[[bagpipes]] and field drums" to give it a realistic feel.<ref name=m4g />

===Collaboration===
Ensemble Studios worked together with [[Big Huge Games]] to develop ''The Asian Dynasties'', ''Age of Empires III''{{'}}s second expansion. This was the first joint venture for both teams. The reason for them doing so was compatible schedules: Ensemble Studios was busy with other projects—particularly ''[[Halo Wars]]''—while Big Huge Games' real-time strategy team had few projects at that time. Big Huge Games did most of the work, but Ensemble Studios designers Greg Street and [[Sandy Petersen]] joined in the [[brainstorming]], and had control over the final product.<ref name="Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties (PC)"/> Both studios had roles in testing the game before its release.<ref name="Brian Reynolds Interview — Part 1 - July 2007"/>

==Reception and legacy==
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The ''Age of Empires'' series has been a commercial success. As of 2008, five of its games have each sold more than one million copies. According to ''[[Gamasutra]]'', ''Age of Empires'' had sold more than three million copies, and ''The Rise of Rome'' sold one million copies as of 2000.<ref name=AoESales /> Around the same time, Microsoft announced that they shipped over two million copies of ''The Age of Kings''.<ref name=AoKSales /> In 2003, Microsoft announced the sales of one million copies for ''Age of Mythology''.<ref name=AoMSales /> By 2004, prior to the release of ''Age of Empires III'', the ''Age of Empires'' franchise had sold over 15 million copies.<ref name="Best-Selling Age Franchise Tops 15 Million Mark"/> On May 18, 2007, Ensemble Studios announced that two million copies of ''Age of Empires III'' had been sold.<ref name=AoE3sales />
Games in the series have consistently scored highly on video game [[review aggregator]] websites [[GameRankings]] and [[Metacritic]], which collect data from numerous review websites. As noted in the adjacent table, the highest rating game is ''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings'', receiving a 92% score from both sites.<ref name=AoKGR /><ref name=AoKMC />

Critics have credited ''Age of Empires'' for influencing real-time strategy (RTS) games such as ''[[Rise of Nations]]'', ''[[Empire Earth]]'', and ''[[Cossacks: European Wars|Cossacks]]''.<ref name="Rise of Nations for PC review"/><ref name="Cossacks: The Art of War (PC)"/> ''[[Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds]]'' was also influenced by the series: it utilized the [[genie (game engine)|Genie]] [[game engine]], as ''Age of Empires'' and ''Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings'' had, and was considered by critics to be a very close replica to the games; ''[[IGN]]'' began their review with the statement "I love ''Age of Star Wars'', I mean ''Star Empires''. Whatever it's called, I dig it."<ref name="Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Review"/> and ''[[GameSpot]]'' wrote that "fundamentals of the ''Age of Empires II'' engine are so intact in ''Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds'' that veterans of that game can jump right in".<ref name="Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds for PC Review"/> In October 2005, Shelley commented on the impact of the series. In a ''[[GameSpy]]'' interview, he explained that parents would "tell [[Ensemble Studios]] that their kid is reading books about ancient Greece because they enjoy playing with the [[trireme]]s so much, or that they want to check out books about medieval history because [the] game taught them what a [[trebuchet]] was".<ref name="AltHist"/>

Shelley has said that the key to the success of the games was its innovation, rather than imitation of its peers. He also claimed the unique elements in the games "helped establish the reputation of Ensemble Studios as masters of the real-time strategy genre".<ref name="Guidelines for Developing Successful Games"/> Mark Bozon of ''IGN'' wrote in his review of ''The Age of Kings'', "The ''Age of Empires'' series has been one of the most innovative real-time strategy games for PC in the last decade or so."<ref name="The Age of Kings is truly upon us..."/> Gamenikki called Ensemble Studios "the developer that started it all" when they talked about how much ''Age of Empires III'' had done to advance the real-time strategy genre.<ref name="Age of Empires III5"/> Shelley has acknowledged the success and innovation of ''Age of Empires'' helped to ensure Ensemble survive its early periods since startup.<ref name="From Borg to Boss"/> In 2005, Shelley complained of critics holding an "innovation bias" against the series; citing the 60% score from ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'', he said that despite ''Age of Empires III'' being "perhaps the best selling PC game in the world" at the time, reviewers expected "something really new" and rated it harshly.<ref name="Shelley decries 'innovation bias'"/>

[[Bungie]] chose Ensemble Studios to develop ''[[Halo Wars]]'', an RTS game based on their [[Halo (series)|''Halo'' series]]. They said that one of the reasons they chose to work with Ensemble was because of the ''Age of Empires'' series.<ref name="bungie"/> They also noted that Ensemble was the perfect choice "to realize the original vision of ''Halo''", which started life as an RTS.<ref name="bungie" />

In 2024, the ''Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado Age of Empires II'' tournament achieved the second-highest viewership in the game's history, with a peak of 85,800 concurrent viewers. The event, held at the [[Castle of Almodóvar del Río|Castle of Almodóvar]], [[Spain]], featured eight top players, including TheViper and Hera, who won the final 5-1. This marked a 12% increase in peak viewership compared to the previous series, reflecting the growing popularity of ''Age of Empires II'' in the [[esports]] scene.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2024 |title=Age of Empires esports hits two-year high viewership at Red Bull Wololo event |url=https://escharts.com/news/red-bull-wololo-aoeii-event-viewership}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==References==
{{Reflist
|refs =
<ref name="1Up review">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3144773&did=1 |title=1UP review |author=Garnett Lee |access-date=October 14, 2007 |date=October 14, 2005 |website=[[1UP.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20100105233119/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3144773&did=1 |archive-date=January 5, 2010 }}</ref>

<ref name="AI Tools">{{cite web |url=http://planetageofempires.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Other.Detail&id=63 |title=AI Tools |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=April 28, 2008 |date=October 26, 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411221849/http://planetageofempires.gamespy.com/View.php?view=Other.Detail&id=63 |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Age II: The Conquerors — The Mayans Showcase">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofempires2thece/news.html?sid=2588234 |title=Age II: The Conquerors – The Mayans Showcase |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Elliott Chin |date=June 14, 2000 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205235232/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofempires2thece/news.html?sid=2588234 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 }}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Empires II: The Age Of Kings">{{cite web |url=http://computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=2702 |title=Age of Empires II: The Age Of Kings |publisher=[[PC Zone]] |author=Richie Shoemaker |access-date=September 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014230751/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=2702 |archive-date=October 14, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Empires Downloads">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/downloads.htm |title=Age of Empires Downloads |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=February 28, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227011141/http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/downloads.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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<ref name="Age of Empires III Q&A — Technology Overview">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-iii-qanda-technology-overview/1100-6120033/ |title=Age of Empires III Q&A – Technology Overview |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=March 9, 2005 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140323000338/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-iii-qanda-technology-overview/1100-6120033/ |archive-date=March 23, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="Age of Empires Preview: Microsoft takes a stab at the golden age of wargaming">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofempires/news.html?sid=2554687 |title=Age of Empires Preview: Microsoft takes a stab at the golden age of wargaming |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Jeff Sengstack |date=February 14, 1997 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316212239/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/ageofempires/news.html?sid=2554687 |archive-date=March 16, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="Age of Empires">{{cite web |url=http://pcgames.gwn.com/reviews/gamereview.php/id/21/p/0/title/Age_of_Empires.html |title=Age of Empires |publisher=PC Gameworld |access-date=January 14, 2008 |author=James Holland |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221160840/http://pcgames.gwn.com/reviews/gamereview.php/id/21/p/0/title/Age_of_Empires.html |archive-date=December 21, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Empires: Age of Kings">{{cite web |url=http://www.mobiletechreview.com/games/DS/Age-of-Empires-DS.htm |title=Age of Empires: Age of Kings |publisher=Mobile Tech Review |author=Edwin Kee |date=February 2007 |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071216211608/http://www.mobiletechreview.com/games/DS/Age-of-Empires-DS.htm |archive-date=December 16, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Empires: Mythologies">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/946771-age-of-empires-mythologies/index.html |title=Age of Empires: Mythologies |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504054157/http://www.gamerankings.com/ds/946771-age-of-empires-mythologies/index.html |archive-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="Age of Music">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/370/370283p1.html |title=Age of Music |website=IGN |author=Steve Butts |date=September 6, 2002 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080719180353/http://pc.ign.com/articles/370/370283p1.html |archive-date=July 19, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Mythology Info">{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/age-of-mythology/release-info |title=Age of Mythology Info |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |access-date=January 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111045217/http://www.mobygames.com/game/age-of-mythology/release-info |archive-date=January 11, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="Age of Mythology">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/age_of_mytholog.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412010940/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/age_of_mytholog.html |archive-date=April 12, 2008 |title=Age of Mythology |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |author=William Harms |access-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Mythology: The Titans -- Volume 1">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/491/491045p2.html |title=Age of Mythology: The Titans – Volume 1 |work=Dev Diaries |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |author=Rob Fermier |date=August 25, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315044100/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/491/491045p2.html |archive-date=March 15, 2009 }}</ref>

<ref name="Age of Mythology: The Titans Info">{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/age-of-mythology-the-titans |title=Age of Mythology: The Titans Info |publisher=[[MobyGames]] |access-date=January 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060115184811/http://www.mobygames.com/game/windows/age-of-mythology-the-titans |archive-date=January 15, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="Age3GR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/925735.asp |title=Age of Empires III |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509125917/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/925735.asp |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="Allgame citation">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19528 |title=Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings > Overview |publisher=[[AllGame]] |last=House |first=Michael L. |access-date=September 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114122205/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19528 |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>

<ref name="AltHist">{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/age-of-empires-iii/658725p1.html |title=Art & Design: The Alternate History of Age of Empires III |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |author=Allen 'Delsyn' Rausch |date=October 14, 2005 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511181806/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/age-of-empires-iii/658725p1.html |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoCGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914421.asp |title=Age of Empires II: The Conquerors |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827031037/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/914421-age-of-empires-ii-the-conquerors-expansion/index.html |archive-date=August 27, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoCMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires2conquerers |title=Age of Empires II: The Conquerors (pc: 2000) |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080626095412/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires2conquerers |archive-date=June 26, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoE1GR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/90380.asp |title=Age of Empires |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704004628/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/90380.asp |archive-date=July 4, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

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<ref name="AoE3sales">{{cite web |url=http://www.agecommunity.com/press.aspx?PressReleaseID=161 |title="Age of Empires III" Expands into the Eastern World This Fall |work=[[Ensemble Studios]]|publisher=Age Community |date=May 18, 2007 |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080212070331/http://www.agecommunity.com/press.aspx?PressReleaseID=161 |archive-date=February 12, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoEH">{{cite web |url=http://aoe.heavengames.com/town/esteam/chat1.shtml |title=Ensemble Studios Chat 16Oct97 |work=Age of Empires Heaven |publisher=HeavenGames |date=October 16, 1997 |access-date=January 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061111233615/http://aoe.heavengames.com/town/esteam/chat1.shtml |archive-date=November 11, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoESales">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/features/20000307/pritchard_pfv.htm |title=Postmortem: Ensemble Studios' Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |website=[[Gamasutra]] |author=Matt Pritchard |date=March 7, 2000 |access-date=February 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227220828/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20000307/pritchard_pfv.htm |archive-date=February 27, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoKDSGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/927039.asp |title=Age of Empires: The Age of Kings – DS |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706012319/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/927039.asp |archive-date=July 6, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoKDSMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/ageofempirestheageofkings |title=Age of Empires: The Age of Kings (ds: 2006) |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616160332/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/ds/ageofempirestheageofkings |archive-date=June 16, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoKGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/63605.asp |title=Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724050137/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/63605.asp |archive-date=July 24, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoKMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires2theageofkings |title=Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (pc: 1999) |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623221512/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires2theageofkings |archive-date=June 23, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoKSales">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2000/Jan00/CrownedPR.mspx |title="Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings" Crowned No. 1 On Holiday Sales Charts Around the World |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=January 17, 2008 |date=January 27, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103002938/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2000/Jan00/CrownedPR.mspx |archive-date=January 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="AoECSGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/178986-age-of-empires-castle-siege/index.html |title=Age of Empires Castle Siege Reviews |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=August 21, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822052408/http://www.gamerankings.com/iphone/178986-age-of-empires-castle-siege/index.html |archive-date=August 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoMGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/476277.asp |title=Age of Mythology Reviews |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704060057/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/476277-age-of-mythology/index.html |archive-date=July 4, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoMMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofmythology |title=Age of Mythology (pc: 2002): Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611173521/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofmythology |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoMSales">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/mar03/03-11platinummythologypr.mspx |title="Age of Mythology" Goes Platinum With More Than 1 Million Units Sold |work=PressPass |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=January 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222162301/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2003/mar03/03-11platinummythologypr.mspx |archive-date=December 22, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="BehindBruce">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/behind_bruce.htm |title=Bruce Shelley |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=January 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080205131109/http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/behind_bruce.htm |archive-date=February 5, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Best-Selling Age Franchise Tops 15 Million Mark">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/press/default.aspx?no=titans_20040507001 |title=Best-Selling Age Franchise Tops 15 Million Mark |date=May 7, 2004 |work=Games for Windows |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=January 14, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110022609/http://www.microsoft.com/games/press/default.aspx?no=titans_20040507001 |archive-date=January 10, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Brian Reynolds Interview — Part 1 - July 2007">{{cite web |url=http://aoe3.heavengames.com/interviews/TAD/breynolds |title=Brian Reynolds Interview – Part 1 – July 2007 |work=Age of Empires III Heaven |publisher=HeavenGames |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927230447/http://aoe3.heavengames.com/interviews/TAD/breynolds |archive-date=September 27, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CVGRoA">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78972 |title=Interview: Rock of Ages |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=August 19, 2002 |author=Stuart Bishop |access-date=January 23, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080211183410/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=78972 |archive-date=February 11, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Civilizations">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/age2/civilizations.htm |title=Civilizations |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=January 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117165314/http://www.microsoft.com/games/age2/civilizations.htm |archive-date=January 17, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Computer Strategy Game of the Year">{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=1998&cat=199817#199817 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128231921/http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=1998&cat=199817#199817 |archive-date=January 28, 2008 |title=Computer Strategy Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=January 19, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Computer Strategy Game of the Year1">{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=2000&cat=200020#200020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128231941/http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=2000&cat=200020#200020 |archive-date=January 28, 2008 |title=Computer Strategy Game of the Year |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=January 19, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Cossacks: The Art of War (PC)">{{cite web |url=http://archive.gamespy.com/previews/december01/cossacks/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080409005917/http://archive.gamespy.com/previews/december01/cossacks/ |archive-date=April 9, 2008 |title=Cossacks: The Art of War (PC) |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |author=Peter "Dirg" Suciu |access-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Dave">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/behind_dave.htm |title=Dave Pottinger |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=January 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080118005127/http://www.microsoft.com/games/empires/behind_dave.htm |archive-date=January 18, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

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<ref name="Ensemble dev speaks out on closure">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ensemble-dev-speaks-out-on-closure/1100-6198093/ |title=Ensemble dev speaks out on closure |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Brendan Sinclair |date=September 24, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103175943/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ensemble-dev-speaks-out-on-closure/1100-6198093/ |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Eurogamer citation">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/aok |title=Age of Empires II : Age of Kings |website=[[Eurogamer]] |author=Geoff Richards |date=November 9, 1999 |access-date=September 22, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090203113938/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/aok |archive-date=February 3, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="From Borg to Boss">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_73/419-From-Borg-to-Boss |title=From Borg to Boss |author=Russ Pitts |magazine=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |date=November 28, 2006 |access-date=February 2, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124112216/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_73/419-From-Borg-to-Boss |archive-date=January 24, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GC07">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gc-07-dont-ignore-casual-gamers-says-age-of-empires-panel/1100-6177108/ |title=GC '07: Don't ignore casual gamers, says Age of Empires panel |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Emma Boyes |date=August 22, 2007 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911115542/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gc-07-dont-ignore-casual-gamers-says-age-of-empires-panel/1100-6177108/ |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GR citation">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/age_of_empires_2_the_age_of_kings |title=Age of Empires 2: The Age of Kings – PC Review |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=September 22, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725140505/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/age_of_empires_2_the_age_of_kings |archive-date=July 25, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="GR continues">{{cite web |title=Age of Mythology |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/age_of_mythology |access-date=October 5, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503095437/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/age-of-mythology |archive-date=May 3, 2012 }}</ref>

<ref name="Game news: Microsoft to close 'Halo Wars' studio">{{cite news |url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/15/entertainment/e144955D60.DTL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315045128/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2008%2F09%2F15%2Fentertainment%2Fe144955D60.DTL |archive-date=March 15, 2009 |title=Game news: Microsoft to close 'Halo Wars' studio |newspaper=The San Francisco Chronicle |author=Lou Kesten |date=September 15, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot citation">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/age-of-empires-ii-the-age-of-kings-review/1900-2537995/ |title=Age of Empires: The Age of Kings for PC review |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=[[Greg Kasavin]] |date=October 12, 1999 |access-date=September 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014044303/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/age-of-empires-ii-the-age-of-kings-review/1900-2537995/ |archive-date=October 14, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpot review, page 3">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/age-of-empires-iii-review/1900-6135842/ |title=GameSpot review, page 3 |author=[[Greg Kasavin]] |access-date=October 14, 2007 |date=October 14, 2005 |website=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111041149/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/age-of-empires-iii-review/1900-6135842/ |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpy's GOTY Graphics">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index20.html |title=GameSpy's Game of the Year 2005, Best Graphics |access-date=October 14, 2007 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013202523/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index20.html |archive-date=October 13, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="GameSpyreview">{{cite web |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/age-of-empires-iii/659812p1.html |title=GameSpy review, page 1 |author=Dave "Fargo" Kosak |access-date=October 14, 2007 |date=October 19, 2005 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017045000/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/age-of-empires-iii/659812p1.html |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Guidelines for Developing Successful Games">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/guidelines-for-developing-successful-games |title=Guidelines for Developing Successful Games |format=DOC |website=[[Gamasutra]] |author=[[Bruce Shelley]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624095817/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/gdcarchive/2001/shelley.doc |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Havok in Age of Empires">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/601/601488p1.html |title=Havok in Age of Empires |website=IGN |author=David Adams |date=April 4, 2005 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206080843/http://pc.ign.com/articles/601/601488p1.html |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Home City">{{cite web |url=http://www.ageofempires3.com/age3/GameFeatures/HomeCity.aspx |title=Home City |publisher=[[Ensemble Studios]] |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080103004059/http://www.ageofempires3.com/age3/GameFeatures/HomeCity.aspx |archive-date=January 3, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN citation">{{cite web |url=http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/376/376253p3.html |title=Age of Mythology review |work=Steve Butts |publisher=IGN |date=November 4, 2002 |access-date=October 5, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071019033651/http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/376/376253p3.html |archive-date=October 19, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="IGN review">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/579/579174p1.html |title=2005 strategy gaming preview |access-date=October 14, 2007 |date=January 11, 2005 |website=IGN |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070912004809/http://pc.ign.com/articles/579/579174p1.html |archive-date=September 12, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Kim: We Still Believe in PC Games">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/kim-we-still-believe-pc-games |title=Kim: We Still Believe in PC Games |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |author=Joe Keiser |date=September 10, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126010737/http://www.next-gen.biz/features/kim-we-still-believe-pc-games |archive-date=January 26, 2011 }}<!--http://www.webcitation.org/5b4IbAhfF--></ref>

<ref name="Microsoft Age of Mythology">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200301/R03.0806.1753.50018.htm.50018.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120629025944/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200301/R03.0806.1753.50018.htm.50018.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 29, 2012 |title=Microsoft Age of Mythology |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |author=Kristian Brogger |access-date=April 22, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Microsoft Shuttering Ensemble">{{cite web |url=http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/908/908973p1.html |title=Microsoft Shuttering Ensemble |website=IGN |author=Levi Buchanan |date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=September 24, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080915111656/http://au.pc.ign.com/articles/908/908973p1.html |archive-date=September 15, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="PC Gamer citation">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/age_of_mytholog.html |title=PC Gamer review |access-date=October 6, 2007 |author=William Harms |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225122840/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/06/age_of_mytholog.html |archive-date=February 25, 2007}}</ref>

<ref name="PC Real-Time Strategy Game of the Year">{{cite web |url=http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html |title=PC Real-Time Strategy Game of the Year |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=January 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080121164505/http://goty.gamespy.com/2005/pc/index15.html |archive-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="PC Strategy">{{cite web |url=http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=2001&cat=200119#200119 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080128231931/http://www.interactive.org/awards.php?winners&year=2001&cat=200119#200020 |archive-date=January 28, 2008 |title=PC Strategy |publisher=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] |access-date=January 19, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="PS2prev">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/strategy/ageofempires2theaok/news.html?sid=2670906 |title=Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings preview |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Chris Kirchgasler |date=January 4, 2001 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090320203655/http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/strategy/ageofempires2theaok/news.html?sid=2670906 |archive-date=March 20, 2009 }}</ref>

<ref name="Play Age of Empires — Study History in College">{{cite web |url=http://www.ensemblestudios.com/blogs/bshelley/archive/2007/04/09/play-age-of-empires-study-history-in-college.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217021055/http://www.ensemblestudios.com/blogs/bshelley/archive/2007/04/09/play-age-of-empires-study-history-in-college.aspx |archive-date=February 17, 2008 |title=Play Age of Empires – Study History in College |publisher=[[Ensemble Studios]] |author=[[Bruce Shelley]] |date=April 9, 2007 |access-date=April 21, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="Rise of Nations for PC review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/riseofnations/review.html |title=Rise of Nations for PC review |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Elliott Chin |date=May 21, 2003 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726221135/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/riseofnations/review.html |archive-date=July 26, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="RoRGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/66971.asp |title=Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725153956/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/66971.asp |archive-date=July 25, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Shelley decries 'innovation bias'">{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=131731 |title=Shelley decries 'innovation bias' |publisher=[[ComputerAndVideoGames.com]] |author=John Houlihan |date=December 22, 2005 |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204083234/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=131731 |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Soundtracks on CD-ROM: Stirring Music That Accompanies the Interactive">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/articles/2001/02_May---Soundtracks_on_CDROM_Suciu.asp |title=Soundtracks on CD-ROM: Stirring Music That Accompanies the Interactive |magazine=[[Film Score Monthly]] |author=Peter Suciu |date=April 30, 2001 |access-date=January 23, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014063350/http://filmscoremonthly.com/articles/2001/2_May---Soundtracks_on_CDROM_Suciu.asp |archive-date=October 14, 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name="Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Review">{{cite web |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/165/165959p1.html |title=Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds Review |website=IGN |date=November 19, 2001 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513113953/http://pc.ign.com/articles/165/165959p1.html |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds for PC Review">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-galactic-battlegrounds-review/1900-2826247/ |title=Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds for PC Review |website=[[GameSpot]] |author=Tom Chick |date=November 20, 2001 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404031753/http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/star-wars-galactic-battlegrounds-review/1900-2826247/ |archive-date=April 4, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TADGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/939516.asp |title=Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties – PC |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080225122013/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/939516.asp |archive-date=February 25, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TADMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires3theasiandynasties |title=Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties (pc: 2007) |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120201249/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires3theasiandynasties |archive-date=January 20, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TTGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914617.asp |title=Age of Mythology: The Titans – PC |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216045429/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/914617.asp |archive-date=December 16, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TTMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofmythologythetitans/ |title=Age of Mythology: The Titans (pc: 2003): Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611155834/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofmythologythetitans |archive-date=June 11, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TWCGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932253.asp |title=Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214173845/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/932253.asp |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="TWCMC">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires3thewarchiefs |title=Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs (pc: 2006) |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125103600/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/ageofempires3thewarchiefs |archive-date=January 25, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="EEGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/792694-age-of-mythology-extended-edition/index.html |title=Age of Mythology: Extended Edition |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=May 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140520044727/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/792694-age-of-mythology-extended-edition/index.html |archive-date=May 20, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="EEMC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-mythology-extended-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Age of Mythology: Extended Edition |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=May 20, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140523012818/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-mythology-extended-edition |archive-date=May 23, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="Technology">{{cite web |url=http://www.ageofempires3.com/Age3/Press/PressRelease2.aspx |title=Technology |publisher=Ensemble Studios |access-date=November 26, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061202163337/http://www.ageofempires3.com/Age3/Press/PressRelease2.aspx |archive-date=December 2, 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="The Age of Kings is truly upon us...">{{cite web |url=http://ds.ign.com/articles/687/687988p1.html |title=The Age of Kings is truly upon us... |website=IGN |author=Mark Bozon |date=February 10, 2006 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080713043125/http://ds.ign.com/articles/687/687988p1.html |archive-date=July 13, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="The Art of Empires">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/features/gdcarchive/2000/terrano.doc |title=The Art of Empires |format=[[.doc]] |website=[[Gamasutra]] |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080624100241/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/gdcarchive/2000/terrano.doc |archive-date=June 24, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

<ref name="bungie">{{cite web |url=http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=bwusept29osix |title=Bungie Weekly Update |author=KPaul |date=September 29, 2006 |access-date=February 2, 2008 |publisher=[[Bungie]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311151708/http://www.bungie.net/News/content.aspx?type=topnews&link=bwusept29osix |archive-date=March 11, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="m4g">{{cite web |url=http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=64 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217213329/http://www.music4games.net/Features_Display.aspx?id=64 |archive-date=February 17, 2008 |title=Interview with Age of Empires III lead composer Stephen Rippy |publisher=[[Music4Games]] |date=February 1, 2006 |access-date=January 23, 2008}}</ref>

<ref name="AOEOGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/605240-age-of-empires-online/index.html |title=Age of Empires Online |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810083752/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/605240-age-of-empires-online/index.html |archive-date=August 10, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoEOMC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-online/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Age of Empires Online |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=March 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904054146/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-empires-online |archive-date=September 4, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoEIIHDGR">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/706762-age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition/index.html |title=Age of Empires II: HD Edition |publisher=[[GameRankings]] |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130411174303/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/706762-age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition/index.html |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoEIIHDMC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Age of Empires II: HD Edition |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701013305/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-empires-ii-hd-edition |archive-date=July 1, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GSAOEIIHD">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-ii-hd-arriving-april-9/1100-6404962/ |title=Age of Empires II HD arriving April 9 |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=March 7, 2013 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909214214/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-ii-hd-arriving-april-9/1100-6404962/ |archive-date=September 9, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="GSAOEIIHD2">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-hd-gets-new-expansion-pack/1100-6416048/ |title=Age of Empires 2 HD gets new expansion pack |last=Gaston |first=Martin |date=November 8, 2013 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924061040/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-hd-gets-new-expansion-pack/1100-6416048/ |archive-date=September 24, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="african-kingdoms-release">{{cite web |url=http://www.forgottenempires.net/age-of-empires-ii-hd-the-african-kingdoms-to-be-released-on-november-5th/comment-page-1#comment-6454 |title=Age of Empires II HD: The African Kingdoms to be released on November 5, 2015 |access-date=December 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208121621/http://www.forgottenempires.net/age-of-empires-ii-hd-the-african-kingdoms-to-be-released-on-november-5th/comment-page-1#comment-6454 |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="rise-of-the-rajas-release">{{cite web |url=http://www.forgottenempires.net/announcing-age-of-empires-ii-hd-rise-of-the-rajas |title=Announcing Age of Empires II HD: Rise of the Rajas! |access-date=December 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219011720/http://www.forgottenempires.net/announcing-age-of-empires-ii-hd-rise-of-the-rajas |archive-date=December 19, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="agecommunitypr">{{cite web |url=http://www.agecommunity.com/press.aspx?PressReleaseID=173 |title="Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties" Gets Ready to Expand Into the Eastern World, Goes Gold |work=[[Ensemble Studios]]|publisher=Age Community |access-date=January 18, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222230036/http://www.agecommunity.com/press.aspx?PressReleaseID=173 |archive-date=December 22, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="aoe3 heavengames">{{cite web |url=http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=st&fn=1&tn=25506&st=181#post182 |title=Age 4 and 5?!? |work=Age of Empires III Heaven |publisher=HeavenGames |author=Botolf |date=May 3, 2006 |access-date=June 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726103818/http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=st&fn=1&tn=25506&st=181#post182 |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="aoeopr">{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2010/aug10/08-16msgamescompcpr.mspx |title=Microsoft Heralds a New Age of Gaming With 'Age of Empires Online' |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |author=[[Microsoft]] |date=August 16, 2010 |access-date=August 16, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100819044643/http://www.microsoft.com/Presspass/press/2010/aug10/08-16MSGamescomPCPR.mspx |archive-date=August 19, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="toucharcade">{{cite web |url=http://toucharcade.com/2014/04/10/age-of-empires-world-domination-announced/ |title='Age of Empires: World Domination' Announced for iOS, Coming this Summer |last=Renaudin |first=Clement |date=April 10, 2014 |publisher=Touch Arcade |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826223649/http://toucharcade.com/2014/04/10/age-of-empires-world-domination-announced/ |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="castle released">{{cite web |url=http://www.winbeta.org/news/age-empire-castle-siege-now-available-windows-phone-and-windows-81 |title=Age of Empire Castle Siege now available for Windows Phone and Windows 8.1 |work=WinBeta |author=Hammad Saleem |date=September 17, 2014 |access-date=September 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920231757/http://www.winbeta.org/news/age-empire-castle-siege-now-available-windows-phone-and-windows-81 |archive-date=September 20, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="polygoncastlesiege">{{cite web |url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/25/6067051/age-of-empires-castle-siege-windows-8 |title=The new Age of Empires is a fast-paced, touch-based game for Windows 8 |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=August 25, 2014 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=August 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826224536/http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/25/6067051/age-of-empires-castle-siege-windows-8 |archive-date=August 26, 2014 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="havokawards">{{cite web |url=http://www.havok.com/index.php?page=awards |title=Awards |publisher=Havok.com |access-date=April 29, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229210006/http://www.havok.com/index.php?page=awards |archive-date=February 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoE23remaster">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-and-3-remasters-announced/1100-6452723/ |title=Age Of Empires 2 And 3 Remasters Announced |last=Knezevic |first=Kevin |date=August 21, 2017 |work=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=September 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726104041/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/age-of-empires-2-and-3-remasters-announced/1100-6452723/ |archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoE:DE GR">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/211323-age-of-empires-definitive-edition/index.html |title=Age of Empires: Definitive Edition for PC - GameRankings |website=gamerankings.com |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521215607/https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/211323-age-of-empires-definitive-edition/index.html |archive-date=May 21, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoE:DE M">{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-definitive-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Age of Empires: Definitive Edition |publisher=Metacritic |language=en |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104163926/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-empires-definitive-edition |archive-date=November 4, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoE2:DE GR">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamerankings.com/pc/260708-age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/index.html |title=Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition for PC - GameRankings |website=gamerankings.com |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-date=November 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121114838/https://www.metacritic.com/game |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="AoE2:DE M">{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition |publisher=Metacritic |language=en |access-date=November 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116145843/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/age-of-empires-ii-definitive-edition |archive-date=November 16, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Spoken Wikipedia|Age_of_Empires.ogg|date=June 20, 2008}}
* {{Official website|http://www.ageofempires.com}}

{{Age of Empires series}}
{{Xbox Game Studios}}
{{Portal bar|1990s|History|Video games}}

[[Category:Age of Empires| ]]
[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
[[Category:Microsoft franchises]]
[[Category:Strategy video games]]
[[Category:Video game franchises]]
[[Category:Video game franchises introduced in 1997]]
[[Category:Video games with historical settings]]