Age of Empires is entering the console age next year with a new Xbox version.
Age of Empires fans can look forward to two Xbox console launches in 2023: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV. The games will support optional crossplay between console and PC as well as mouse and keyboard inputs.
What to expect on Xbox consoles
Here is how Emma Bridle describes it via the official Xbox blog:
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. We keep our players at the heart of what we do and pay close attention to what they tell us. So, after hearing requests for Age of Empires to make its Xbox console debut, we heard you and we agreed!
2022 has been an incredible year for Age of Empires with over 25 game updates, more than 15 in-game events (with excellent rewards) and over 14,000 mods created and published. The Age of Empires community continues to grow and thrive.
We knew that bringing the complexity of RTS to Xbox consoles was a massive task and one we had to approach carefully and thoughtfully. The team has been working hard to bring an experience that not only feels great using a controller, but also teaches players how to play on Xbox. A new tutorial designed specifically for controller input paired with a new user experience for console will help players get started. We’ve also added a new game AI which helps make resource management in a strategy game efficient and intuitive.
The Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition includes DLC and expansions like Lords of the West. Players will enjoy 83 maps, 42 multiplayer civilizations, 34 single-player campaigns, 10 multiplayer modes, and 7 co-op campaigns.
Xbox Console Release Date
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition arrives on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on January 31, 2023. The Age of Empires IV Xbox console release date is scheduled for later that year. There is no word yet on whether it will be available on Xbox Game Pass for consoles, although they are available on Game Pass for PC. We’ll let you know when we learn more!
