End-game visual presentation improvement

Age of Empires IV IV - Discussion
1

Hi,

I’d like to suggest some ideas for improving the end-game visual presentation in Age of Empires IV. The current Victory / Defeat / Match completed banner is clean and unobtrusive, but it feels more like a placeholder than a finale. Especially considering how intense and long matches can be.

The end of a match is an important moment. It’s where players get emotional payoff, and where spectators need immediate clarity. Right now, that moment could be stronger.

  1. Clear Winner Presentation

When the match ends:

  • The Victory / Defeat banner appears as it does today

  • It then transitions upward and becomes part of a short end-game overlay

  • Below it, clearly show:

    • Winning player(s) usernames

    • Civilization icons or flags

    • Player badge

In team games, all members of the winning team could be shown together, making it instantly clear who won, even for viewers who just tuned in.

2. Civilization-Themed End Screens

Instead of a static UI-only ending, the background could subtly reflect the outcome using civ flavor:

  • Victory

    • Civ-specific units marching past with banners

    • Flags being raised over a town center

  • Defeat

    • A quiet, damaged settlement

    • Fallen or burning flags

    • Muted colors and reduced motion

These don’t need to be cinematic cutscenes, just lightweight animated backdrops that reinforce the result.

3. Ranked & Progress Feedback

For ranked matches:

  • Show a rank progress bar animation

  • Clearly communicate rating gain or loss

  • Show promotion / demotion moments in a visually satisfying way

This would make ranked outcomes feel more tangible and rewarding (or painful).

4. Team Game Highlights

For team games, the end screen could optionally highlight:

  • MVP player

  • Notable contributions (damage dealt, economy, support)

  • Team synergy rather than just raw stats

This would give team matches better closure and recognition beyond just “Victory”.

5. Spectator & Replay Friendly

These changes would also:

  • Make casted games easier to follow

  • Improve replay clarity

  • Create stronger visual identity for streams and tournaments

The current system works, but with some UI polish and thematic visuals, the end-game experience could better reflect the quality and depth of Age of Empires IV as a whole.

Thanks for reading. Curious to hear what others think.

3 Likes
2

This is a great idea actually
Nice work man!

1 Like