I wish that history lessons could show videos of custom AoE maps with recreated player actions that correspond to real-life past events.
Studying history is a combination of 1. Calendars, 2. Maps, 3. Contacts, and 4. Messages.
I've been trying to figure out how to represent Calendar & Map data in a single user interface. (such a program would have other uses outside history, too). A video of a changing map, such as a screen recording of an AoE game, is one way I can think to show that data. Being able to then click on the characters and see what they're doing/saying would be helpful too. This idea is still quite vague in my head, but if anyone has any comments, I'd appreciate the discussion.
The work is very impressive and the following statement should in no way diminish that.
Maybe because I grew up with it, but I love the 2D pixelated version of most old school RTS and grand strategy games. I can't explain why but it feels like how RTS ought to be. Bird view with 3D HD rendered bodies always feels like wasting electricity and meaningless graphics card deterioration.
I'll save you some time.
They remade the game, but it's not available yet.
You can register for the beta IF you accept the NDA.
And you need an xbox live account.
I got stuck at "need an xbox live account".
For AoE players, check out 0AD http://play0ad.com
It's free, open source and very similar but in my opinion a better game.
Not exactly related to the definitive edition but that's a really nice podcast episode about how the reviving of the old Age of Empires games started, how it was to work with the original developers at Microsoft and why 2D still looks so much better than 3D games from that time. I really recommend it!
https://www.hanselminutes.com/568/forgotten-empires-amazing-...
This reminds that we need more open source games. There are old games I would love to play again, especially after the community has fixed the biggest pain points.
Why can't we have open and free games? Why not atleast after commercialization has ended? The current situation feels like stealing from mankinds heritage.
This needs to be done for Empire Earth series as well which seem to have been forgotten and obstacled by Civ, AoE, AoM franchises.
I'd actually be completely fine with the original graphics, so long as they scaled to my larger screen correctly. I enjoy having older games that run on some of the older hardware that I have around (or newer, but far cheaper), but they do tend to have only a short list of supported modes, rather than querying the hardware for capabilities.
While the nostalgia is nice with the BW remaster, Homeworld remaster, AOE 2 HD, and now AOE Definitive, I wish there were more AAA RTS titles coming out at the same rate MOBAs or FPSs come out. It's often considered a dying genre, and we're not inducting new players into it because there aren't enough modern options out there for people to branch out and explore. It's all stuff that 25+ year old gamers remember playing as kids, and get a kick out of being pretty elitist about one of the hardest genres of games. It makes me quite sad, not only as a long-time gamer fan of RTS, but as a game developer who believes it's a genre with a lot of room for innovative and exciting mechanics which aren't being explored because the player-base is shrinking.
At least we got Deserts of Kharak recently which was a really good title. I still play StarCraft 2 because it's the only RTS with an active online multiplayer community, but I would love for there to be regular and more RTS titles coming onto the scene.
Isn't it ironic to release a beta for a "definitive edition" of something?
Somewhat tangential... Would someone like to challenge me to 0 A.D.?
I guess a Linux version would be too much to ask for, this being from Microsoft and all.
Anyone who signed up for the Beta know if there will be Mac Build?
I've waited for this game for a long, long time. AoE was one of the first PC games I played. I've lost hundreds of hours on it.
I attribute all my love of history to Ensemble Studios.
StarCraft Remastered and Age of Empires: Definitive Edition, wow. Feast for classic game players. I played both when they were released, I prefer StarCraft due to its perfect gameplay (multiplayer), competitiveness/balance, it's the real king of RTS. However, Age of Empires is also great with different flavours.
BTW: I've already pre-purchased StarCraft Remastered and can't wait to see it released on 14 August ;-)
The most important question: will it carry Big Daddy and the other cheat units?! (see e.g. http://www.mogelpower.de/cheats/Age-of-Empires_PC_32.html)
I'm super excited about this. Which civilization did you all play with? I remember I liked the Byzantines and the Persians. The Turks also had those knights which were pretty cool.
Signed up more than a month ago (24 June), did the survey, but still no reply. Don't think they're giving out any more beta keys... :(
After a long period of no gaming, I bought a gaming pc last year and the only thing I have played so far is AoE 2 (:
Looking forward to this edition!
I really wish they would make a proper remaster of Age of Empires II. The HD edition doesn't cut it.
woot!
Some people love games no matter the graphics. For me I can't stand games with bad graphics. I think all these reboots are money grabs that add little given today's standards. They need to do a 3D remake of aoe otherwise it's just pointless if you ask me.
I know a lot of people think graphics don't matter. If that's you, I respect that. But for me personally, I would actually consider starting a team to do a 3D remake that is fully compatible with the original.
No interest in UWP. Period.
Release it Steam, or it never happened.
Can we get a proper sequel or remake (again) to Age of Mythology? The extended edition "remake" on steam by Skybox Labs is a travesty. I honestly just pretend it doesn't exist because it's a better experience using the old version from the early 2000's with Voobly.
So many great memories playing custom scenario maps on AOM back in 2005-2006. I still have some of the maps but I lost my own "Lobster Escape" creation.
Also fun fact, around 2013 I discovered that the original ESO multiplayer servers were still online and hosted by Microsoft, the game didn't allow you to login because the SSL certificate was expired, but Fiddler2 actually got around that issue and I was able to login with my old ESO account details (these were originally created as live/hotmail accounts with a custom domain).