Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is launching a new way to play! For the first time, new players can now join the ranks of this historical and stunning RTS experience with a rotating roster of the game’s 16 civilizations which can be played in both single player and multiplayer games FREE of purchase on Steam.[h2]How to Access[/h2]
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is now available to download for free on Steam! New players can jump into a trial version simply by downloading the game on Steam, and open to access straight from the menu!
Already own Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition? Then fear not, as this will not impact current players. All you have to do is invite your friends!
Or, are you ready to access Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition base game with all the civilizations and extras? Get the base game instead!
[h2]What is Included?[/h2][h3]Pool of 3 Playable Civilizations on a Rotating Schedule[/h3]
Players can pick from 3 civilizations on a rotating schedule. Every week, the first civilization adding to the starting pool rotates out and a new one in. First up in the roster of playable civilizations are the French, Haudenosaunee, and Russians.First civilization rotation is on August 18th.[h3]The First Act of the Blood, Ice, and Steel Campaign[/h3]
Take advantage of the first campaign and jump into an epic journey!
Follow Morgan Black; Knight of St. John on his quest to the New World. Do battle with the hardy Ottoman Empire, ferocious pirates and a dangerous secret society. Befriend unlikely allies and earn their aid to complete your quest of defeating the Circle of Ossus; and their plans to obtain eternal life.[h3]Play the Algiers Historical Battle[/h3]
Historical battles are story-driven historical narratives in which you’ll be given specific set objectives to complete. Each Historical battle has fully voiced in-game dialogue, beautifully crafted maps, cities and cinematics and the best part is, you can play them with a friend!
Where to Find Co-Op:
Co-Op is easily accessible from two different places within the UI.
From the Historical Battles screen.From the Multiplayer screen.
- From the Main Menu, click on Historical Battles.
- Select your mission.
- Click on the Host Co-Op button.
- You can choose to make it public or password protected, and like any multiplayer game, invite your friends.
Algiers Historical Battle
- From the Main Menu, click on Multiplayer.
- Choose Host a Casual Game.
- From the Host Game dialog pop-up, under Game Mode, you can choose Co-Op Battle from drop down list.
- After selecting Co-Op Battle, simply choose which battle you want to play from the Co-Op Scenario drop down list.
In the 16th century privateering in the Mediterranean flourished as a result of the staunch rivalry between the Ottoman Empires and the European Christian states. Famous Barbary corsairs like Hayreddin Barbarossa and his brothers gained infamy because of their great success while privateering. In 1516 the brothers managed to take the city of Algiers, deposing its former ruler, and creating their own Barbary pirate state. However, the Spanish were not going to let a pirate state exist so close to their homeland and sent a large army to deal with the Barbary threat and acquire the city of Algiers.
[h3]Access to the Art of War, Compendium, and Tech Trees of All Civilizations[/h3]Art of War
Hone your skills and strategy with the Art of War – a set of 10 in-game tutorials designed to quickly teach the core skills you’ll need to win!
Compendium
Explore the history of each civilization, their military, buildings and more in the in-game Compendium.
Tech Trees
Learn the strategies and tactics available to each civilization in the Technology Tree. Detailing their unique roster of units, technologies, and bonuses to unlock their true potential.[h3]A Collection of 8 Hostable Multiplayer Maps[/h3]
Host a match and choose from 8 Maps!
🌐 Central Asia:[expand][/expand]Central Asia: Teams are separated by two shallow rivers that flow into the Aral Sea in this arid region.
Settlements: Tengri, Sufi.
Outlaws: Wokou Horseman, Wokou Monk.
🌐 Deccan:[expand][/expand]Deccan: A central, forested plateau overlooking a series of strategically placed trade sites.
Settlements: Udasi, Sufi, Bhakti
Outlaws: Marathan Dacoit, Marathan Thuggee
🌐 Great Plains:[expand][/expand]Great Plains: Home of many Natives and plenty of Food.
Settlements: Comanche, Cheyenne, Apache
Outlaws: Comanchero, Renegado
🌐 Guianas:[expand][/expand]Guianas: Control the central resources and settlements in this large valley, or extend to the perimeter of the map to establish a foothold on a trade route.
Settlements: Caribs, Tupi
Outlaws: Pistolero, Pirate
🌐 Northwest Territory:[expand][/expand]Northwest Territory: A green and rainy region divided by rivers with shallow crossings.
Settlements: Nootka, Klamath, Cree
Outlaws: Comanchero, Renegado
🌐 Malaysia:[expand][/expand]Malaysia: A peninsular region with separate, defendable oceans on each side.
Settlements: Jesuit, Sufi
Outlaws: Marathan Dacoit, Wokou Pirate
🌐 Mongolia:[expand][/expand]Mongolia: Explore generous grassland populated with unprecedented herds of grazing animals and a distant northern Trade Route.
Settlements: Tengri, Shaolin
Outlaws: Wokou Horseman, Wokou Monk
🌐 Saguenay:[expand][/expand]Saguenay: A coastal region with plenty of resources. It may be summer or winter.
Settlements: Cree, Huron
Outlaws: Pistolero, Comanchero
[h2]New Global Events! Unlock New Hero Cosmetics[/h2]
Starting August 2, all players will be able to participate in a Hero Cosmetic challenge event each month! The aim of each of the events is the same – to have a target number of participants join and play to reach the goal of unlocking that month’s Hero Cosmetic to use in game.
In order to participate in the challenge, simply play a single player or multiplayer game to earn XP and gain entry to a leaderboard for the challenge. When there are enough entries on the leaderboard a Hero Cosmetics is awarded to anyone who participates in the challenge.
To find the event progress, navigate to the UI panel on the Main Menu. Statistics are displayed for the following:
- Target number of participants
- Current number of participants
- Icon and description of the Hero Cosmetic reward
Featured Civilization: AugustRewardCosmeticRussiansMila the Bear
Look into those big wide eyes,
could that bear ever harm anyone?
She just wants to play! Hurl around
those enemy soldiers through the air!
[h2]FAQ[/h2]
1) Will the free trial version be available on Windows Store?[expand]This will be available on Steam only. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is available for free via Game Pass![/expand]
2) I already own Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, will this affect me?[expand]This will not impact current Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition owners. However this will be the chance to invite friends and new players to try it out![/expand]
3) Will ranked be available in the free trial version?[expand]Ranked is available only in the base game, which can be purchased here.[/expand]
4) Will free trial players be able to play with players who own the base game?[expand]Yes, trial game players can play with base game owners, and both game owner types can host multiplayer games.
If trial players hosts a multiplayer game, they can choose from the limited set of maps available to host on. If a base game owner hosts, any owned maps can be chosen for the map, and trial game players can join the game even if they don’t own the map.[/expand]
[h3]Need more help? Visit our support page here![/h3]
[h2] 💥July 26th – August 7th💥[/h2]
This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!
💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord
[hr][/hr]◆ UPDATE 90260◆
[h2]Star Age Event[/h2][h3] 🤍July 26th – August 7th🤍[/h3]
Hello Friends!
This month is dedicated to the stars that have always watched and guided our civilizations on Earth. As the sun sets, the stars will take center stage with comets and the majestic Milky Way painting the evening sky.
From the rolling dunes of Arabia to the rolling waves on the coasts of Mesoamerica, the night will spread its magic through the lands of your Empires.
We hope you enjoy and thank you for playing! But this is just the start of a magical journey with much more on the dusk horizon, we are looking forward to telling you more!
New Rewards!TODAY through August 7th, complete the in-game tasks within the time limit to unlock exclusive rewards!
[h3]Event F.A.Q.[/h3]
🢂 Q: Do I have to complete the challenges on consecutive days?
[expand]While challenges don’t have to be completed on consecutive days, only one challenge can be completed per day.
This means that you will need to play at least five different days to complete all of the challenges.
[/expand]
🢂 Q: When is the last day I can complete the daily challenges?
[expand]The Star Age Event concludes August 7th.
[/expand]
🢂 Q: What do I do if I accidentally unsubscribe from a special mod?
[expand]No problem! All you need to do is click your Profile Icon on the main menu, select Event Mods (under Collection), and then check the unlocked event mod you want to enable!
[/expand]
🢂 Q: How do I change my profile icon?
[expand]You can update your profile icon in your profile:
- On the main menu, click the Profile Icon next to your name.
- You should now be in the Profile Icons tab under Collections.
- Select your favorite icon, then click the Select Icon button to lock in your choice.
- You’re done!
[/expand]
🢂 Q: How do I download and enable mods?
[expand]For information about how to subscribe to and prioritize your mods, visit this article.
[/expand]
This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!
[h3]:alertalert: DISCLAIMER[/h3]This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.
For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.
