Age of Empires (Series)

Age of Empires (Series)

Age of Empires is a popular real-time strategy video game series developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. The games allow players to develop a civilization from the Stone Age to the Iron Age while competing against other civilizations.
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rts strategy historical ensemble-studios age-of-empires

Age of Empires: Real-time Strategy Video Game Series

Age of Empires is a popular real-time strategy video game series developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, allowing players to develop a civilization from the Stone Age to the Iron Age while competing against other civilizations.

What is Age of Empires (Series)?

The Age of Empires series is a seminal set of real-time strategy (RTS) video games focused on building civilizations and competing for resources and military might. First developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, the series has spanned over 20 years with multiple core titles and spinoffs.

The gameplay generally involves users selecting a historical civilization to play, such as the Britons or Mongols, and guiding them from the Stone Age to the Iron Age over the course of a match. Players collect resources, build cities and infrastructures, research technologies, and train military units to attack enemies and defend their people.

Key components of Age of Empires gameplay are:

  • Resource gathering - Food, wood, gold and stone must be collected to pay for building and training
  • City and infrastructure building - Houses, military facilities, resource production sites
  • Technological research - Unlocking more advanced capabilities
  • Unit training and battles - Training military units of various types to assault rivals

The series allows for single player campaigns against computer opponents as well as multiplayer matches online. Known for its historical accuracy and attention to detail around various civilizations, Age of Empires has cultivated a dedicated, global fanbase over its many iterations and expansions over the past two decades.

Age of Empires (Series) Features

Features

  1. Real-time strategy gameplay
  2. Choice of different civilizations
  3. Campaign modes with historical settings
  4. Multiplayer battles
  5. Unit and technology upgrades
  6. Resource gathering and management

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase

Pros

Engaging gameplay

Educational value in learning history

Large variety of civilizations and units

Good graphics and soundtrack

Active modding community

Cons

Can be difficult for new players

Outdated graphics in older games

Steep learning curve

Can require fast reaction times

Multiplayer community has shrunk over the years


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