Age of Empires III and America’s 250th Anniversary

Age of Empires III: DE III - Discussion
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As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, I have found myself reflecting on which Age of Empires title is most closely connected to this historical milestone.

In many ways, I believe the answer is Age of Empires III.

Among all entries in the franchise, AoE3 is uniquely situated in the age of exploration, colonization, revolution, and nation-building. It places the American Revolution within a broader story that includes Indigenous nations, Canada, Mexico, European powers, and later the emergence of modern states throughout the Americas.

What I have always appreciated is that the game does not present history from a single perspective. Through its civilizations, revolution mechanics, campaigns, and later Definitive Edition improvements, it introduces players to a remarkably diverse world that also includes cultures from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The efforts made to improve Indigenous representation and historical authenticity in the Definitive Edition deserve particular recognition.

For these reasons, I cannot help but feel that America’s 250th anniversary is a uniquely fitting moment to revisit and celebrate Age of Empires III.

Whether through community events, historical spotlights, developer commentary, small commemorative content, or simply renewed attention from the franchise, it would be wonderful to see this chapter of Age of Empires receive recognition during such an important historical anniversary.

Regardless of what happens, I remain grateful for a game that encouraged so many players to explore the histories of the Americas and the wider early modern world.

Thank you to everyone who has helped keep AoE3 alive over the years.

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Check in your pocket; the quarter is me too.

Thank you for this important reminder and summary.

̶O̶n̶e̶ ̶P̶o̶l̶e̶ ̶s̶a̶i̶d̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶a̶n̶o̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶P̶o̶l̶e̶

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Yes, I’m about to go through the fire campaign again… and maybe two matches with the United States before that…

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They will do nothing, or post a screenshot at best.

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I wouldn’t even expect a fart from Worlds Edge in our general direction.

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We really had nothing but farts from WE towards the end, eh?

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We just need to be downwind of AOE4 for updates then?

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I’d have expected a great campaign about USA Revolutionary War (or American Civil War? or both?), but I know what we will get.

Absolutely nothing.

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For that, we already have the Fire campaign, and the American Civil War is unlikely to be included due to its controversial nature. Hopefully, we’ll get two historical battles: Antientam and Gettysburg, and a 250-year event played chronologically:

  1. Beginning of colonization and founding of Roanoke and Jamestown: Play the Tutorial: (1587-1607)

  2. Arrival of the colonists: Play the Plymouth random map with the British allied to or against the Haudenousaunee for Thanksgiving Day (1620)

  3. The French and Indian War: Play the Historical Battle of Duquesne and the Ice campaign (1754-1756)

  4. The American Revolution: Play as the United States, controlling the British in a game, and play the Fire campaign (1775-1781)

  5. The War of 1812: Play the Historical Battles of Queenston Heights and New Orleans (1812-1815)

  6. The Mexican-American War: Revolutionize as Texas (with Mexico) or advance to the Imperial Age with the federal state of Texas (with the United States) and send The Alamo card (1846-1848)

  7. The American Civil War: Advance to the Imperial Age with Illinois (with the United States) and send the Lincoln land card and play the custom battle of Atlanta (if they are included, also the battles of Antientam and Gettysburg) (1861-1865)

  8. The Spanish-American War: Play as the United States against the Spanish on the Hispaniola map and advance to the Imperial Age and defeat them (1898)

  9. World Wars: Play as the United States allied with the British and French and defeat the Germans on the France map (1917-1945)

  10. Cold War: Play as the United States on the Korea and Indochina maps against Chinese and then wins a tycoon game against Russia (1950-1991)

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It will be very fun, but the vast majority are not interested.