So, here we are again.
So after many tests:
Reinstalling game = Didn’t work
Verify game cache = Didn’t work.
Allow RelicCardinal.exe through Firewall = Didn’t work
Allow BsSndRpt64 through Firewall = Didn’t work
Allow WebClient.exe through Firewall = Didn’t work
Disabling Firewall = Didn’t work.
Disabling Antivirus = Didn’t work.
Disabling Antivirus and Firewall = Didn’t work.
Folder allowance through controlled access (reliccardinal) = Didn’t work.
Using phone’s wifi and network share to PC = Didn’t work.
Further tests:
Pinging ports 3478, 5222, 8888 = Somewhat works. 3478 times out though.
I have port forwarded all these ports, still no response from 3478.
Contacting my ISP = Currently not working out. They cannot see any errors from their front. They have been actively trying to Follow up on my problems, but they cannot see any errors so they are just doing ambigious troubleshootings at this point. Latest is that they want me to try to ping to AOE4 IP, which I have no access to.
I mentioned that 3478 doesn’t work to ping, but they see no issues on their end to why that would be 
.
I’ve contacted AOE support TWICE. Both times I have gotten shelved, forwarded to “technicians” and a “sorry we don’t know” pretty much.
The only thing that DOES WORK: Mobile data with network sharing to your PC. Then you can go past the first screen.
Look, I already pay for internet, I am not going to use my cellphones data plan to play AOE.
I geniuenly can’t play the game.
