The Console Age is Coming to Age of Empires

We’re ageing up and heading into the console age. In 2023, Age of Empires will be available on Xbox consoles! Our team has been listening to you when you’ve been asking us to bring these globally beloved RTS titles to Xbox and we’ll be doing that next year. These games have been launched and improved, so it is time to make them available to existing and potential new Xbox users. There will be two new consoles in 2023. Age of Empires II: Complete EditionXbox One arrives January 31, 2023 with Age of Empires IVLater in the year, consoles.

Age of Empires has grown and thrived over 25 years because of players all over the world who’ve conquered campaigns, succeeded in skirmish and mastered multiplayer. Keep our players in the center of all we do, and listen carefully to what they have to say. After hearing your requests, Age of Empires was made its Xbox console debut.

Age of Empires has had an extraordinary year in 2022 with 25+ game updates, over 15 In-Game Events (with great rewards), and more than 14,000 mods. Age of Empires continues to thrive.

It was clear that RTS would be a complex task, and we needed to tackle it carefully. Our team worked hard to create an Xbox experience that feels amazing with a controller and teaches how to use it. Players will be able to get started with the new controller tutorial and a console user interface. We’ve also added a new game AI which helps make resource management in a strategy game efficient and intuitive.

We’re so excited to bring one of the best and most beloved RTS games of all time to Xbox. Age of Empires II: Complete EditionIt has continued to grow since it was released in 2019. After almost 40 updates, 3 DLC additions bringing new civilizations and campaigns, and a constant stream of improvements, the game is the best it’s ever been. There are 83 maps to choose from, as well as 42 multiplayer civilisations. Xbox users will soon be able the full experience of this game.

For those players who are loyal to keyboard and mouse, we’ve ensured that those inputs are supported in the console version. The Xbox game’s functionality is what we have become accustomed to, so there will be crossplay on both platforms. This allows you to play on Xbox with friends or on PC. We’re also bringing the game to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), allowing players to continue their empire building, even when away from PC or console.

2023 will be a big year for those of you who’ve been asking for an Xbox version of Age of Empires as we’ll also be releasing a console version of Age of Empires IVThe release date will be announced later this year. To create the new Age of Empires experience, the console teams worked together closely. We’ll have more to share next year so be sure to follow our official social channels to hear all the news as it comes.

The console version of both games will be made available via the Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. This allows players to enjoy the same trebuchet-launching, castle-destroying, empire-building action on any platform they choose.

We can’t wait to begin this new age. Join us!