Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition News

Join us for the World Cup 2020 Finals LIVE this Weekend!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Over 193 teams from 57 nations joined the 2v2 World Cup tournament; now, after several weeks of intense matches, the best players in the world will face off in some of the most exciting team-games of the year!

The final four teams battling for the crown—Norway, Spain, Brazil A, and China A—faced a path full of adversity to make it this far, but their greatest tests still lie ahead.

TOURNAMENT RECAP

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Norway (TheViper & MBL) played against Vietnam B and the Czech Republic in the group stage. They faced a tough Vietnam B squad who fought all the way to the final game, where Norway emerged with a 3-2 victory. They then faced France and Russia in the Round of 16 and Quarterfinals, but their biggest test comes this Saturday when they face Spain (TaToH & LaaaaaN) in the Semifinal.

Norway achieved 4th place in the 2018 2v2 World Cup event.

Spain (TaToH & LaaaaaN) emerged from their group after battling China B and Argentina B. They eliminated Argentina A in the Round-of-16 and faced a tough matchup against Canada at the Quarterfinals. Spain’s teamwork and strategy pushed them through to the Semifinal, where they face Norway. GamerLegion teammates, Viper and TaToH, will be on opposite sides in this matchup.

Brazil A (Dogao, Miguel & FeAge) met Turkey and Finland B in the group stage. Brazil A beat the crowd favorite, Finland B, and their unconventional strategies in a 3-1 set to advance. They then eliminated their compatriots, Brazil B, in the Round of 16 before facing Vietnam A (the 2018 World Cup Semifinalists) in the Quarterfinals—winning the tournament’s (arguably) most entertaining series yet with a 3-2 score.

China A (Mr_Yo & Lyx) round out the semifinalist group of this year’s 2v2 World Cup. They claimed second place in the 2018 2v2 World Cup, and look ready to emulate—if not improve—their run this year. They defeated France and Ukraine in their group. They faced their compatriots, China B, in the Round of 16, and eliminated the 2018 World Cup winners, Finland A, in the Quarterfinals by a score of 3-1—a repeat matchup straight 2018 Finals.

THE BEST IS YET TO COME

[hr][/hr]The semifinals (Norway vs Spain, Brazil vs China) will take place this Saturday, December 19. The losing teams will wrap up their tournament during the third-place consolation match on Sunday, December 20, followed immediately by the Grand Finals. Each matchup will be decided in a best-of-7 series.

All four teams will face their greatest challenges over this weekend, and each player must perform to the peak of their skill in order to win. The opponents will be ready to punish any mistake, and none of the teams want to go home with any medal less than gold.

WHERE TO WATCH

[hr][/hr]Tune in THIS WEEKEND (December 19th and 20th) on T90Official’s or NachoAoE’s streams to cheer for your favorite players as the final four teams fight for the 2020 World Cup crown and their share of the $30,000 prize pool! You won’t want to miss a moment of the action!

[h3]🏆 WHAT: 2020 World Cup Finals[/h3]
[h3]📅 WHEN: Saturday, December 19 - Sunday, December 20[/h3]

[h3]:arrowsright: Watch T90Official on twitch.tv[/h3]

[h3]:arrowsright: Watch NachoAoE on YouTube[/h3]

Age Of Empires 2 is about to drop a new expansion full of wine-powered nightmare men

Age Of Empires 2

is about to receive its sixth expansion pack, Lords Of The West, just a casual 22 years after the base game first wololoed its way onto our screens. From January 26th in the year of our lord 2021, players will be able to take the knight-happy Burgundians and the castle-dropping Sicilians for a spin, as well as play through three new campaigns – one each for the new civs, and a third for the Britons, featuring good old Edward Longshanks. Longshanks, of course, was the baddie off of Braveheart, and thus also the baddie off of AoE2’s first ever campaign, where you played as William Wallace in a series of adventures that were totally based on history and not the film.

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Red Bull Wololo III: SIGN-UPS are OPEN!

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THE EVENT

[hr][/hr]IT'S BACK! Red Bull Wololo is returning for its THIRD installment on January 2, 2021, and its arrival guarantees another thrilling spectacle as the biggest 1v1 Empire Wars competition in Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition!

The best players in the world will face each other in a custom version of Empire Wars—a unique game mode that skips the buildup of a traditional match. Instead, combatants begin in the Feudal Age: bringing the most exciting action to the forefront as players battle across 13 new and existing maps.

THE STAGE

[hr][/hr]The global tournament will be played in two stages. Red Bull Wololo III’s Open Qualifiers will be played over two weekends, with the eight finalists earning an invite to participate in the Main Event with eight of the top Age of Empires players in the world.

...there's a twist, however...!

Red Bull Wololo III introduces an overarching story to the entire tournament series, weaving each Wololo event into a larger narrative:

Civilizations in each Red Bull Wololo event are fighting over a castle which has a library containing the knowledge required for world domination. Each Wololo event represents a different civilization trying to gain control of the castle and its library: with Red Bull Wololo I and II representing Western Civilization, and Wololo III now representing Asian Civilization. The tournament series will conclude in a grand final where the winners of each tournament battle it out—an event you won't want to miss.

JOIN THE ACTION

[hr][/hr]The action begins when the Open Qualifiers get underway on the weekends of January 2-3 and 9-10, followed by the Main Event weekends of January 16-17 and 22-24. Registration is open for players to compete in the open qualifiers—whether for experience or for a shot at the crown:

[h3]👉 SIGN UP FOR RED BULL WOLOLO III[/h3]

WHERE TO WATCH

[hr][/hr]Watch the Red Bull Wololo III Main Event LIVE on the official Red Bull Twitch and YouTube channels:

[h3]🏆 WHAT: Red Bull Wololo III Main Event[/h3]
[h3]📅 WHEN: Saturday, January 16- Sunday, January 17[/h3]
[h3]📅 WHEN: Friday, January 22 - Sunday, January 24[/h3]

[h3]:arrowsright: RED BULL on twitch.tv[/h3]

[h3]:arrowsright: RED BULL on YouTube[/h3]

The eight qualifying finalists will meet with eight AoE luminaries: Mr_Yo, TheViper, Hera, Liereyy, TaToH, TheMax, Nicov, and Capoch—all of whom will be waiting and watching for their challengers.

YOUR BATTLE HISTORIANS

[hr][/hr]Every minute will be streamed globally and hosted by a group of legendary casters—including T90Official, Nili_Aoe, and Dave_Aoe—who will be calling the shots on the main English stream. You won't want to miss a minute of the action, and we look forward to seeing you during the event!

Ranked Map Rotation – December 15

Here is the latest Ranked Map Rotation as determined by the developer picks and community vote. For the next four 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, December 15 to Tuesday, January 12

👤 1v1 MAP POOL

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

ACROPOLIS

ARABIA

ARENA

FOUR LAKES

GHOST LAKE

GOLDEN PIT

WATER NOMAD

👥 TEAM GAME MAP POOL

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

ARABIA

ARENA

BLACK FOREST

HIDEOUT

MEGARANDOM

NOMAD

TEAM ISLANDS

VALLEY

YUCATAN

👤 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

Pre-Order Age of Empires II: DE - Lords of the West, coming January 26th!

Lords of the West—the first official expansion to Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition—is now available to pre-order or add to your wishlist for the holiday season. Here's what it brings to Age II: DE:

Challenge your friends with two all-new civilizations, each of which include unique units and technologies for you to explore!
Battle across Western Europe and the Mediterranean in three new campaigns—including the British king, Edward Longshanks!
Claim victory by means of sheer military might, diplomatic prowess, or through overwhelming economic power!
New achievements to earn on your Xbox or Steam account! Check out the full list, below.

Lords of the West will be released on the Microsoft Store and Steam this January 26th, 2021!

TWO NEW CIVILIZATIONS

[hr][/hr][h3]Burgundians[/h3]
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 Burgundian unique unit is the Coustillier, a cavalry unit that utilizes a powerful shock attack when charging into battle!

▶︎ CIVILIZATION BONUSES

Cavalry Civilization
Economic upgrades are available one Age earlier than other civs
Fallen Knights return 50% of their gold cost

▶︎ UNIQUE UNITS

Coustillier: Cavalry unit that can charge their attack stat
Flemish Militia: Heavy infantry unit with a bonus vs cavalry; can only be obtained via the Flemish Revolution technology (see below)

▶︎ UNIQUE TECHNOLOGIES

Burgundian Vineyards: Convert all food into gold at a 2:1 ratio
Flemish Revolution: Upgrades all existing Villagers to Flemish Militia

[h3]Sicilians[/h3]
Experience the diverse cultures and martial spirit of the Mediterranean's crossroads as you build one of the most coveted kingdoms in medieval Europe. The Sicilian unique unit is the Serjeant, a hardy infantry unit that can construct the formidable Donjon.

▶︎ CIVILIZATION BONUSES

Infantry Civilization
Castles and Town Centers are constructed 100% faster
Land military units absorb 33% of all incoming bonus damage
Each Farm upgrade grants Farmers +1 carry capacity

▶︎ 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 UNIT

Serjeant: Infantry unit which can also construct Donjons

▶︎ UNIQUE TECHNOLOGIES

First Crusade: Upon researching, each Town Center spawns a one-time group of 7 Serjeants
Scutage: Upon researching, each team member receives a one-time payment of 15 gold for each military unit that they own

* Note that civilization balance and bonuses may change between now and release.

THREE NEW, FULLY-VOICED CAMPAIGNS

[hr][/hr][h3]Edward Longshanks[/h3]

A bitter hostage of rebel barons, Edward Longshanks vows to reclaim his birthright and lead a shattered England to unprecedented heights of prestige and fortitude. A shrewd commander and cunning politician, his merciless methods are effective, though amoral. Follow him as his thirst for power and glory leads him throughout England, Wales, Scotland, and even on Crusade! In this campaign, you will play as the Britons.

[h3]The Grand Dukes of the West[/h3]

For decades, the dukes of Burgundy have been embroiled in a bloody struggle over control of the mad French king using their cunning, military prowess, and immense wealth. However, as the blood that they spill is paid for with the blood of their own, their focus turns increasingly northwards as they aim to create a kingdom of their own. In this campaign, you will play as the Burgundians.

[h3]The Hautevilles[/h3]

Robert de Hauteville left Normandy in 1047 CE with a small band of thieves. Within a century, members of his family had become dukes in Italy, princes in the Holy Land, and even kings of Sicily. Join these intrepid Norman adventurers as they fuse three cultures into Europe’s most tolerant and sophisticated kingdom. In this campaign, you will play as the Sicilians.

NEW ACHIEVEMENTS

[hr][/hr]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.

PRE-ORDER NOW!

[hr][/hr]Pre-order Lords of the West today and get ready to march into battle with the Sicilians and Burgundians as you guide your forces to victory on January 26th, 2021!

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