Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition News

WHAT: Server Maintenance (Matchmaking Servers)
WHEN: Tuesday, August 31 @ 2:00p PT / 5:00p ET / 22:00 UTC (Countdown)
EST. DOWNTIME: 2-2.5 HOURS

[h3]GAMES & PLATFORMS IMPACTED[/h3]

• Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (Steam / Microsoft Store)
  
• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (Steam / Microsoft Store)
  
• Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition (Steam / Microsoft Store)
  

[h3]OBJECTIVES[/h3]

• Routine server updates and maintenance.

[h3]DETAILS[/h3]This coming Tuesday, August 31st, the platform team will be taking the multiplayer servers down for regular maintenance. Please note:

• Ranked matchmaking will disabled exactly one hour before the maintenance window to prevent disruption to newly-formed matches.
  
  
• Any matches still in progress at the start of the maintenance window will be disrupted when it begins.
  
  
• DURING THE MAINTENANCE WINDOW, YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE GAME, BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MATCHMAKE OR ACCESS ANY ONLINE FEATURES.

To prevent any interruptions, we recommend wrapping up any games at least 10 minutes before the maintenance window. The downtime is expected to last between 2 and 2.5 hours. You can watch this thread with any changes to the schedule as they arise, as well as the all-clear when the maintenance is complete.

Thank you for your patience!

Relive the march of history! Join the many generations of players who have experienced one of the most beloved franchises, spanning twenty years and leaving a legacy of historical adventures. Remember where it all started with your favorite civilizations and relive the campaigns you know and love. Add the ultimate compilation in the next installment of real-time strategy gaming. With high-fidelity graphics and featuring recently released content, the new Age of Empires Anthology delivers it all. It not only includes titles from the past, but gamers can battle it out in new game modes, discover new civilizations, and enjoy the updated graphics.

In addition to your favorite titles from the past, also included in the anthology is the new Age of Empires IV – Digital Deluxe Edition, with special access to the official Age of Empires IV soundtrack, Unit Counters Chart, an art compilation from digital painter Craig Mullins, and exclusive in-game content. With both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation. Play eight diverse civilizations, four distinct campaigns with legendary historical figures, 8-player multiplayer modes, and a tutorial system designed for first-time players.

Age of Empires Anthology titles included:

• Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, plus the new “Dawn of the Dukes” and “Lords of the West” expansions
  
• Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, plus the new “The African Royals” expansion
  
• Age of Empires IV – Digital Deluxe Edition

*Please note: the Anthology does not include the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – United States Civilization.

This unforgettable anthology is an unrivaled compilation with hundreds of hours of real-time strategy fun that will stand the test of time, and is available NOW on the Steam Store!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/22390/

Here is the latest Ranked Map Rotation as determined by the developer picks and community vote. For the next two weeks, you’ll be able to pick from the new set of maps listed below!

Map pools as of: 6p Pacific (9p ET / 20:00 UTC / 22:00 CEST) on Tuesday, MMMM DD to Tuesday, MMMM DD

This week's 1v1 Community Map Picks are in BOLD.

This week's TG Community Map Picks are in BOLD.

It’s that time again! Visit the official Age of Empires forum to vote for your Ranked map pool for the next two weeks.

[h3]1v1 Random Maps[/h3]
✔ ARABIA
✔ ARENA
✔ GOLDEN SWAMP
✔ RUNESTONES

[h3]Team Games[/h3]
✔ AFRICAN CLEARING
✔ ARABIA
✔ ARENA
✔ BLACK FOREST
✔ ERUPTION
✔ NORTHERN ISLES

To participate in the community ranked map pool vote, you will need to login to the official Age forum using your free Microsoft account. Then, click the images below to jump to this week’s polls.

:alertalert: Polls are open until NOON Pacific on Sunday, August 22 (or 3:00p Eastern / 19:00 UTC), so be sure to cast your vote and check back to see which maps emerge victorious!

Red Bull Wololo V: ENTHRONE sees the return of the highly anticipated 1v1 Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition tournament series! Here, the best of the best are pitted against each other in a custom version of Empire Wars; skipping the first stages of a traditional match to begin in the Feudal Age. This custom mode offers a stunning spectacle and incredible competitive strategy, with the tournament bringing together the 12 best players in the world to compete at the Main Event and be named CHAMPION!
https://youtu.be/vXTQ3GXW93o

Red Bull Wololo I and II had players compete for control of a castle and library in a Western Civilization, while Red Bull Wololo III’s battle took place in an Asian Civilization! Then, the recently completed Red Bull Wololo IV saw players clash as Viking warriors in a Nordic-themed event, which has now lead us into this spectacular final chapter! Our heroes will be plunged into an immersive medieval setting, while the gothic castle Heidelberg in Germany will be transformed for the awe-inspiring LAN final! Players will be transported back in time with cosplay, a fire show, and MORE as the world’s highest-ranked Age of Empires II stars from around the world collide.


Players can sign up now for the open Red Bull Wololo V: Enthrone qualifiers, taking place on August 14-15. Then, the group stage will take place from September 13-16, while the final 12 will compete for glory at the Red Bull Wololo V final from September 18-19. You can catch every minute of the Red Bull Wololo V: Enthrone final LIVE on the official Red Bull Twitch and YouTube channels.

Think you have what it takes to compete at Red Bull Wololo V? Sign up to register for the open qualifiers here:
REGISTER NOW LEARN MORE