Microsoft has announced that
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, the "best possible version of the original
Age of Empires, will launch on February 20 worldwide for Windows 10 PCs.
Commenting on the development of the
Definitive Edition, Adam Isgreen, Creative Director at Microsoft, explained:
When we set out to create the Definitive Edition of the original Age of Empires, our goal was to deliver the best possible version of this classic, from a top notch audio-visual presentation to multiplayer to core game systems. Everything needed to be as good as you remembered it (or better!) to deliver a compelling RTS experience 20 years after its original release.
…and that took us a bit longer than we’d originally planned. But, it was important for the team to treat the Age of Empires franchise with the respect it deserves, so we took the time we needed to get features like attack-move and the improved minimap exactly right, and even added things like an in-game tech tree (how did we survive 1997 without that?) that we hope fans will love.
As the
Definitive Edition, fans of the classic RTS will immediately take note of improvements, such assets completely rebuilt for 4K presentation, the ability to play online with Xbox LIVE (in addition to LAN play), campaign narration for every mission, an improved original soundtrack with a new orchestral score, and an enhanced campaign and sceneario editor.
Before
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition officially launches next month, Microsoft is giving everyone a chance to test out the multiplayer beta. Starting January 29, gamers worldwide can play the game for free before it launches on February 20.
20 years after its launch, Microsoft is proud to announce the Definitive Edition of the original Age of Empires. Fully remastered with 4k graphics, re-orchestrated soundtrack, major gameplay improvements, new narrative, Xbox Live multiplayer and achievements, the Definitive Edition brings back the classic game and its Rise of Rome expansion.