It won’t be long before gamers can download and enjoy the definitive edition of Age of Empires 3. Having launched initially back in 2005, this latest version of the game will offer fans the chance to explore the classic title with the benefit of enhanced features and modernised gameplay. And the good news is that players who pre-ordered Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition on the Microsoft Store, Steam, or via Xbox Game Pass for PC can begin pre-loading the game now. This means you can jump in straight away when the game launches in your region later this week.
WHAT IS THE AGE OF EMPIRES 3 DEFINITIVE EDITION RELEASE SCHEDULE?
Microsoft has confirmed that the Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition release date has been set for Thursday, October 15, 2020.
The tech giant has avoided making it an official exclusive, meaning you can download and play across several different platforms, rather than just the Microsoft Store.
The current download size for AoE 3 is 40GB, but it should be noted that this might go up after a few post-launch patches.
When it comes to when things will be kicking off on launch day, Microsoft has revealed that the Age of Empires 3 DE release time has been set for 2pm BST, on October 15, 2020.
Those waiting to play it in the United States will get access much earlier, and will be able to download and play at around 6am PDT on the same day.
Due to the time difference, gamers in Australia and New Zealand will be waiting the longest for access, which will arrive at 00:00 AEST and 02:00 NZT, on October 16.
For a rundown of how Age of Empires 3 Definitive Edition will play, you can check out the official description below:
The Explorer
At the beginning of each match, you start with an Explorer: a courageous adventurer that can explore the map and claim treasures by defeating menacing guardians. Each treasure collected will grant you a bonus in the form of experience, resources, units, or other advantages to help your civilization gain the upper hand.
Shipments
As your civilization gains experience in a match, you can request shipments from your Home City. These shipments can be resources, units, or other interesting and unique bonuses.
Shipments are represented by cards, and each match lets you bring a fully customizable deck of cards to use over the course of the game. A deck can contain up to 25 cards, of which there are over 100 to choose from when creating your personalized deck! You can even have multiple decks premade to suit your differing strategies, civilization choices, or play style.
Politicians
When you want to advance to a new Age, you’re required to choose a Politician to lead the way. Every Age will offer multiple choices in a Politician, each of whom grants their unique bonuses upon advancement. Politicians may offer you additional resources to kick start your economy, military upgrades, military units, and even hot air balloons if you choose to adopt their policies for your civilization.
Batch Training
Most military units can be trained in batches, allowing you to quickly recruit groups of soldiers to enter the fray! It also opens the door to orchestrating clever ambushes and traps—especially when combined with Home City shipments.
Resource Gathering
Resources gathered by Villagers are instantly added to your stockpiles without having to be dropped at the Town Center or other drop-off points. This streamlined system lets you focus your attention on the action, and helps expand your civilization across the map.
Map Layouts
Maps in Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition are designed to push players to expand into the open, which naturally leads to tense moments and action-packed sequences of gameplay. You’ll be constantly battling for access to resource locations and Trading Posts—creating an ever-evolving tug of war for map control!