Age of Empires 3 is Being Delisted and Shut Down

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Age of Empires 3 is Being Delisted and Shut Down

Key Takeaways

  • The original version of Age of Empires 3 has been delisted from digital storefronts.
  • Multiplayer services for the game will cease on October 30, but those who already own the game will still be able to engage in campaign and skirmish content.
  • Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition will remain available for purchase.

As someone who grew up playing Age of Empires 3 back in my dorm room during college nights, this news has left me with a mix of nostalgia and a tinge of disappointment. It feels like bidding farewell to an old friend, one that shaped countless late-night gaming sessions filled with strategy, camaraderie, and the occasional heated argument over resources.

Starting from October 10, the original version of “Age of Empires 3” has been removed from online marketplaces. The game’s multiplayer features will no longer be available as of October 30. First released in 2005, “Age of Empires 3” is a highly popular real-time strategy game from the early 21st century. A Definitive Edition of the game was launched in October 2020, which is an updated version of the original.

Age of Empires 3, which followed the much-anticipated successor to Age of Empire 2: The Age of Kings (1999), was unveiled for PC and PlayStation 2 platforms. It quickly gained significant popularity, selling more than two million copies within its first year and receiving widespread acclaim from both critics and gamers. This real-time strategy game revolves around the colonization of the Americas by Europe between the 1400s and 1800s, offering players the option to command one of fourteen distinct civilizations. In ensuing years, two expansion packs were introduced: The WarChiefs (2006) and The Asian Dynasties (2007). Notably, Age of Empires 3 was the first game in the series to incorporate its multiplayer functionality seamlessly into the game’s interface. Although it remains beloved by many, this installment marks the end of this particular chapter for the franchise.

Starting October 10th, Age of Empires 3 was taken down from online marketplaces. As announced by the developers on Steam, the multiplayer functionality for the game will be shut off on October 30th at 10 am Pacific Time because the technology it relies on is no longer maintained. Players who own the game can still play the campaign and skirmish modes, and Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition remains available for purchase through Steam and the Windows Store. The Definitive Edition, developed by Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires, was launched in 2020 and includes enhanced graphics, new gameplay modes, additional civilizations, and a revamped soundtrack. If you have PC Game Pass, you can play this updated version of the game for free.

Age of Empires 3 is No Longer Available to Purchase

Currently, both “Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition” and “Age of Empires 4” can be played on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. However, as of now, “Age of Empires 3” has not been released on any console yet. Fans have been eagerly waiting for this classic game to make its way onto modern consoles, considering a port seems highly suitable given the remastered version’s impressive upgrades such as 4K Ultra HD graphics, redesigned 3D assets, an updated UI, and mod support. They are hopeful that the game will soon be available on Xbox or other platforms in the near future.

Despite being a specialized category, real-time strategy (RTS) games were incredibly popular during the 2000s. Titles like Age of Empires 3, Halo Wars, and Rise of Nations, now considered classics, continue to captivate players even today. The release of Age of Empires 4 in 2021 has sparked curiosity among fans of this long-standing series about what future installments might bring.

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2024-10-10 22:53