Age of Empires is a real-time strategy video game series developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. The series is set in various historical periods, from the Stone Age to the Renaissance. Players control a civilization and must gather resources, build structures, and train units to defeat their opponents.
1997-2005: The Early Years
The first game in the series, Age of Empires, was released in 1997. It was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to popularize the real-time strategy genre. The game was followed by two sequels, Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings (1999) and Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery (2005).
2006-2014: The Middle Years
The series took a hiatus in the early 2000s, but it returned in 2006 with Age of Empires Online. The game was a free-to-play MMORTS, but it was discontinued in 2014. In 2011, Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties was released as an expansion pack for Age of Empires III.
2015-2023: The Modern Era
The series returned to its roots in 2015 with Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. The game was a remaster of the original Age of Empires II, and it was a critical and commercial success. In 2017, Age of Empires IV was released as the fourth mainline game in the series. The game was set in the Middle Ages and it received positive reviews from critics.
Key Milestones in the Evolution of Age of Empires
- 1997: Age of Empires is released, becoming a critical and commercial success.
- 1999: Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings is released, expanding the series' scope and popularity.
- 2005: Age of Empires III: The Age of Discovery is released, setting the series in the Age of Exploration.
- 2006: Age of Empires Online is released, but is discontinued in 2014.
- 2011: Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties is released as an expansion pack for Age of Empires III.
- 2015: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is released, remastering the original Age of Empires II.
- 2017: Age of Empires IV is released, setting the series in the Middle Ages.
Conclusion
Age of Empires is a classic real-time strategy series that has been enjoyed by millions of players around the world. The series has evolved over time, but it has always retained its core gameplay and appeal. With the release of Age of Empires IV, the series is poised to continue to entertain and challenge players for years to come.