1. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
  2. News

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition News

Join the Age of Empires II: DE 2021 New Year Celebration!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
With another year behind us, we’re hosting a party to celebrate all the adventures that lie ahead—and you’re all invited! Come join us in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition as we celebrate (albeit a bit late) the start of a new year (and new update) to the game!

We’ve prepared a bunch of new, celebration-themed goodies for you to unlock and enjoy over the next few weeks, so don’t miss the 2021 NEW YEAR CELEBRATION EVENT!
  • Unlock three new Celebratory Profile Icons!
  • Unlock a new Age Up Celebration with Fireworks and Cheering!
  • Unlock a New Year Celebration Scene for your Town Center!
  • Unlock Fireworks for your Research Complete and Building Upgrades!





New Rewards!
Starting TODAY through FEBRUARY 8, complete the in-game tasks within the time limit to unlock all the New Year celebration goodies! The first challenge unlocks a new profile icon and is required to save all of your unlocks:
🎯 Sign into Xbox Live.
🏆 Unlocks the Serjeant with Balloon-Sword profile icon.
💾 *Required* if you want to save any rewards unlocked during the event!
Each of the following challenges must be unlocked in order and on separate days:
🔒 Win a Standard or MP game playing as one of the following civs: Spanish, Ethiopians, Japanese or Incas.
🧱 [Mod] Unlocks the New Year Celebration Scene for the Town Center.

🔒 Create 21 Hand Cannoneers in any one game.
🏆 Unlocks the Flemish Militia Cheers profile icon.

🔒 Advance to Castle Age from Dark Age within 21 minutes.
🧱 [Mod] Unlocks the Age Up Fireworks and Cheering Celebration.

🔒 Create 21 Cannon Galleons or Elite Cannon Galleons in any one game.
🏆 Unlocks the Coustillier Firework profile icon.

🔒 Cumulatively construct 21 Bombard Towers in any games.
🧱 [Mod] Unlocks the Fireworks replacement for Research Complete and Building Upgrades.


Keep It All!

Remember: if you sign in to Xbox Live during the event, you’ll get to keep all of the mods and profile icons you’ve achieved! Sign in, earn your rewards, and enjoy the 2021 New Year Celebration event!

—The Age of Empires Team


Event Wallpapers


[h3]:savedisk:  1920x1080 || 1920x1200 || 2560X1080[/h3]

Server Maintenance - Monday, February 1



WHAT: Server Maintenance (Matchmaking Servers)
WHEN: Monday, February 1 @ 2:00p PT / 5:00p ET / 22:00 UTC (Countdown)
EST. DOWNTIME: 1-2 HOURS

[h3]GAMES & PLATFORMS IMPACTED[/h3]
[h3]OBJECTIVES[/h3]
  • Routine server updates and maintenance.

[h3]DETAILS[/h3]This coming Monday, February 1st, 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 1 and 2 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!

Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition — Hotfix 44834


[hr][/hr]
◆ UPDATE 44834 ◆
[hr][/hr]Today's (January 28) hotfix introduces a handful of solutions for some of the gameplay issues that cropped up with the January update, while work continues on other bugs you've reported—including specific crashes that some users are experiencing. Here's the list of changes:
  • Fixed an exploit which would result in the Lithuanian Relic bonus stacking beyond the +4 cap, failing to decrement if the Relics were ejected from the Monastery, and stacking to infinity (and beyond).
  • Fixed an exploit which allowed users to delete enemy walls using TowerDonjon, and Gate foundations.
  • Fixed an out of sync error triggered by placing building foundations over enemy units or buildings hidden by the fog of war.
  • Please let us know if you continue to be awarded Lords of the West achievements without completing the listed requirements, as we have taken steps to resolve this. If you continue to experience it, please visit our forum and describe what you were doing when the achievements were rewarded, and whether or not you were rewarded other achievements or event challenge unlocks at the same time.

If you continue to experience any crashes, performance issues, or technical hiccups in the game, please take the time to reach out to the support team so they can assist you.


[hr][/hr]
◆ ONGOING INVESTIGATION ◆
[hr][/hr]Crashes are the primary focus of our ongoing investigation, as well as performance issues noted by a subset of players. For those experiencing them, the most important thing you can do is contact our support team: both for assistance and to provide details that will help our team understand the problem.

ːGimmeAnAː Age of Empires II Support Center

We are also tracking and working on fixes for several other game issues identified by the community over the past week. For issues which have been verified, keep an eye on the Known Issues page for updates; and if you encounter a new problem that is not listed, please check the official forum to contribute to a discussion thread if one already exists, or start a new one if (and only if) it does not.


[hr][/hr]
◆ MOD WARNING ◆
[hr][/hr]Please note that custom mods may not be compatible with the latest game update. If you encounter performance or stability issues after your mods are disabled, please visit our support page for assistance!

Ranked Map Rotation – January 26



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, January 26 to Tuesday, February 9
👤 1v1 MAP POOL
This week's 1v1 Community Map Picks are in BOLD.
AFRICAN CLEARING
ARABIA
ARCHIPELAGO
ARENA
ATACAMA
COASTAL FOREST
SEIZE THE MOUNTAIN


👥 TEAM GAME MAP POOL
This week's TG Community Map Picks are in BOLD.
AFRICAN CLEARING
ARABIA
ARENA
ATACAMA
BALTIC
BLACK FOREST
COASTAL FOREST
MEGARANDOM
THE MOUNTAIN


👤 1v1 DEATHMATCH POOL


ACROPOLIS
ARABIA
FOUR LAKES
GHOST LAKE
GOLDEN PIT
GOLDEN SWAMP
KILIMANJARO
SERENGETI
VALLEY


👥 TEAM DEATHMATCH POOL


ARABIA
CENOTES
GHOST LAKE
GOLDEN PIT
GOLDEN SWAMP
KILIMANJARO
LOMBARDIA
OASIS
VALLEY

Available Now: Lords of the West!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

AVAILABLE NOW!
[hr]
[/hr]The Lords of the West have arrived in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! A new era is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by challenging your friends in battle with two brand new civilizations, or testing your mettle and strategy in three new, fully-voiced campaigns! Pick up your copy today and expand your gameplay:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1389240/

FEATURES
[hr]
[/hr]Included in the Lords of the West expansion:

[h3]New Civ! The Burgundians[/h3][expand]


Rise from a mere duchy to the marvel of Western Europe through economic might, cultural achievement, and the use of advanced military technology and tactics.

The dukes of Burgundy played a vital role in the politics of medieval Western Europe. They led the transformation from the medieval to the early modern world and ushered in a golden age for the region called the Northern Renaissance. At their height, these “Grand Dukes of the West” controlled large parts of modern-day France, Belgium, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg.  Carving a new polity out of French, English, and Holy Roman domains was a daunting task that came with a high price: decades of war and bloodshed.

However, the Burgundians knew to use more than just warfare to get what they wanted. Their diplomatic and marriage policies proved to be even stronger than their swords.

▶︎ CIVILIZATION BONUSES
  • Economic upgrades are available one Age earlier than other civs
  • Stable technologies are 50% cheaper
  • Gunpowder units gain a +25% bonus to their attack
  • Cavalier upgrade is available in the Castle Age
▶︎ TEAM BONUS
  • Relics generate both Gold and Food
▶︎ UNIQUE UNITS
  • Coustillier: Burgundian cavalry unit that utilizes a powerful shock attack when charging into battle. Strong vs. infantry and archers. Weak vs. Camel Riders and Monks.
  • Flemish Militia: Burgundian unique infantry unit. Strong vs. cavalry. Weak vs. archers.
▶︎ UNIQUE TECHNOLOGIES
  • Burgundian Vineyards: Convert all food into gold at a 2:1 ratio; Farmers slowly generate gold in addition to food.
  • Flemish Revolution: Upgrades all existing Villagers into Flemish Militia, and allows the training of Flemish Militia at Town Centers.
▶︎ FULL TECHNOLOGY TREE


[/expand]
[h3]New Civ! The Sicilians[/h3][expand]


Experience the diverse cultures and martial spirit of the Mediterranean’s crossroads as you build one of the most coveted kingdoms of medieval Europe.

Robert Guiscard arrived in Italy in 1047 CE with a robber-band of 35 men. Within a century, his Hauteville family included dukes in Italy, princes in the Middle East, and even the King of Sicily. Join this intrepid family of Norman adventurers and complete their unlikely and compelling story, starting with Robert Guiscard’s arrival in Italy to his nephew Roger II’s consolidation of the Hauteville lands into the Kingdom of Sicily.

The Italo-Normans, as the conquerors and rulers in Norman Italy and Sicily are now known, were successful on the battlefield because of their fierce disposition, vigorous military tradition, keen affinity for tactics and the use of cunning, and sheer torrid speed. In these, they most closely resembled their Viking and Frankish forebears, but as they settled in Italy and Sicily they embraced local cultural customs and norms of governance.

▶︎ CIVILIZATION BONUSES
  • Castles and Town Centers are constructed 100% faster
  • Land military units absorb 50% of all incoming bonus damage
  • Farm upgrades provide +100% additional food to Farms before they need to be reseeded
▶︎ TEAM BONUS
  • Transport ships +5 carry capacity and +10 armor versus anti-ship bonus damage
▶︎ UNIQUE UNIT
  • Serjeant: A hardy infantry unit which can also construct Donjons.
▶︎ UNIQUE BUILDING
  • Donjon: Unique fortification used to train Serjeants. Units can garrison in the building for protection; Archers and Villagers shoot additional projectiles when garrisoned.
▶︎ UNIQUE TECHNOLOGIES
  • First Crusade: Upon researching, each Town Center (up to 5) spawns a one-time group of 10 Serjeants.
  • Scutage: Upon researching, each team member receives a one-time payment of 15 gold for each military unit that they own.
▶︎ FULL TECHNOLOGY TREE


[/expand]
[h3]New Campaigns[/h3][expand]

▶︎ EDWARD LONGSHANKS
Edward I is widely considered as one of England’s greatest rulers, mentioned in the same breath as Alfred the Great and Elizabeth I. Known as “Longshanks” for his height and intimidating stature, he was a man that commanded respect as he transformed England from a tattered state into a prominent European power.

▶︎ THE GRAND DUKES OF THE WEST
he Burgundian dukes are driven by ambition and greed. They lead an extremely luxurious life and need to constantly expand their domains in order to pay for it. Image and publicity mean everything to them. Philip the Bold earned his nickname after the defeat at Poitiers and John the Fearless earned his after a defeat in the Crusades, so these dukes know the importance of propaganda.

▶︎ THE HAUTEVILLES
Robert Guiscard arrived in Italy in 1047 CE with a robber-band of 35 men. Within a century, his Hauteville family included dukes in Italy, princes in the Middle East, and even the King of Sicily. Join this intrepid family of Norman adventurers and complete their unlikely and compelling story.

[/expand]
[h3]New Achievements[/h3][expand]

Unlock and earn brand-new achievements on Steam and the Microsoft Store!


ACHIEVEMENT NAME

ACHIEVEMENT DESCRIPTION
The English Justinian
Complete the Edward Longshanks campaign.
The Good, the Bold, and the Fearless
Complete the Grand Dukes of the West campaign.
Haute Culture
Complete the Hautevilles campaign.
Unchivalrous Pragmatist
Defeat Simon the Younger's army before the baronial forces attack in the first Edward Longshanks mission "Vain Ambition".
Throne Thief
Steal the Stone of Scone in the fourth Edward Longshanks mission "Toom Tabard".
Malleus Scotorum
Kill William Wallace before Robert the Bruce betrays you in the fifth Edward Longshanks mission "Hammer of the Scots".
No Wheels
Do not construct a single siege weapon in the first Grand Dukes of the West mission "A Kingdom Divided".
A Second Hastings
Ignore the armistice offered by the British and invade England by wiping out Humphrey's base in the fifth Grand Dukes of the West mission "The Hook and Cod Wars".
Shut Up La Hire!
Defeat the French army before capturing Joan of Arc in the sixth Grand Dukes of the West mission "The Maid Falls".
Self-Made Man
Win without allying with either Argyrus or Guaimar in the first Hautevilles mission "Guiscard Arrives".
Haute, Haute, brief candle!
Inspire a rebellion in the second Hautevilles mission "Roger in Sicily".
Italy Jones and the First Crusade
Do not lose a hero in the fourth Hautevilles mission "Bohemond in the East".
Burgundian Victory
Win a game playing as the Burgundians.
Sicilian Victory
Win a game playing as the Sicilians.
Golden Spurs
Transform at least 50 Villagers into Flemish Militia by researching Flemish Revolution.
Tour d'Italie
Construct a Donjon and use it to train a Serjeant.

[/expand]

PICK UP LORDS OF THE WEST TODAY!!
[hr]
[/hr]There’s no better time to expand your Age of Empires II experience! With free updates every month, new features and content, exclusive game modes and challenges, amazing community tournaments, and other surprises coming to the strategy classic, there’s always something to look forward to as you play and master all it has to offer!

Pick up your copy today, and then come join the discussion on our official social channels:


NEED HELP?
[hr]
[/hr]Visit our support page for some of the most common issues and troubleshooting tips to help you get started in the game:

We'll see you on the battlefield! ⚔