A timeline that is truly interesting.
Recently, Earnest Yuen, the head of the Age of Empires franchise at World’s Edge, officially left his position.
Looking back at the timeline of the past few years, as a long-time Age of Empires III player, I have to say that some things are genuinely fascinating.
Before that period, Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, while not being the commercial center of the franchise, still had a very dedicated player community. There were expectations for new content, discussions about the future, and many players believed that this game, which had accompanied them for nearly twenty years, still had a future ahead.
However, the following two years became one of the darkest periods for Age of Empires III players.
And what frustrated the community the most was not simply the lack of updates.
It was the entire process.
Previously, official signals and announcements about possible new content and DLC had created expectations among players. The community invested its enthusiasm and believed that new content was on the way.
But after a long period of waiting, players did not receive the update they were hoping for. Instead, they received disappointment.
The DLC plans were cancelled, and it seemed as if the future of Age of Empires III had been suddenly pushed into darkness.
For many Age of Empires III players, it was not just a normal project adjustment. It felt like being ignored and left without answers.
Many players felt that their voices were not being heard. Some discussions and feedback within the community were not given the attention they deserved. Some even felt that official channels were trying to reduce the visibility and influence of those discussions.
This period became, for many players, one of the most unforgettable chapters in the history of the Age of Empires III community.
Later, players gradually learned that significant development resources had been invested into projects such as Age of Mythology: Retold.
From a business perspective, Microsoft and World’s Edge certainly had their own strategic considerations.
However, for Age of Empires III players, those two years were still an extremely painful experience.
And I have always had a personal theory.
Some people may say this is a conspiracy theory.
I admit that there is no direct evidence to prove it.
But if you are familiar with my previous comments, you may remember that I have always suspected that there may have been someone within World’s Edge who did not value Age of Empires III, or perhaps simply lacked interest in the game, while having significant influence over important decisions.
I know this sounds like a conspiracy theory.
And I am willing to accept people calling it one.
However, I still believe that the timeline is simply too interesting to ignore.
Before he arrived, Age of Empires III was still moving forward and maintaining its momentum.
During his time in charge, Age of Empires III gradually fell into silence. Players waited for a long time, but could not see a clear direction for the future.
And shortly after he left, new Age of Empires III DLC projects quickly restarted. Not only did we see the project return, but players have already experienced public testing versions.
Of course, I cannot prove that there is definitely a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Maybe it is simply a coincidence.
Maybe there are many other factors involved, such as team changes, resource allocation, and business decisions that players do not know about.
Maybe I am simply thinking too much.
But regardless of what really happened, the disappointment and waiting experienced by Age of Empires III players over the past two years were real.
For everyone who continued to support Age of Empires III, this period will always be remembered.
And now, with the changes in leadership and direction, Age of Empires III has finally received a new opportunity.
I hope the new DLC can be completed successfully. I hope this game, which has accompanied us for twenty years, can continue to grow and receive the support it deserves.
Because Age of Empires III was never a game without value.
It was simply overlooked for a time.
Now, hopefully, it can be seen again and appreciated by more players.
Whatever happened in the past, I wish Earnest Yuen a happy retirement and all the best.
And I wish Age of Empires III an increasingly brighter future.
Perhaps a new chapter for Age of Empires III has finally begun.
Maybe the darkest two years are finally behind us.
