Title: [Map Generation Bug] Waterlanes spawned without safe/accessible starting gold
Game Version: Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition / Standard / Steam version
Build Number: 16.2.10884.0
Platform: Steam
Operating System: Windows 11
Issue:
In a match on Waterlanes, my side spawned without accessible/safe starting gold, making it impossible or extremely unfair to age up normally.
Map: Waterlanes
Game Mode: 1v1 QuickMatch
Civilization: Mongols
Opponent Civilization(s): Golden Horde
Map Seed: [if available]
Biome: [if available]
Date/Time: 20/06/2026 4:25 GMT +2
Description:
There was no gold deposit on my side / near my starting area, while the opponent had normal access to gold. This prevented normal progression to Feudal Age and created an unfair starting condition.
I can provide replay/screenshots if needed.
Trigger Event:
The issue was present from the start of the match, immediately after the map generated. After scouting/checking my starting area, I noticed there was no accessible or safe gold deposit on my side of the map.
Repro Steps:
- Start a match on Waterlanes.
- Use the same settings as the affected match:
- Game mode: QuickMatch
- Number of players: 2
- Civilization:Mongols
- Opponent civilization(s):Golden Horde
- Map seed: [insert if available]
- Biome: [insert if available]
- Once the game starts, check the starting area around the Town Center.
- Scout the nearby safe side of the map.
- Observe that there is no accessible/safe starting gold deposit on my side.
Expected Result:
Each player should spawn with access to a safe or reasonably accessible starting gold deposit, allowing normal progression to Feudal Age.
Actual Result:
My side spawned without accessible/safe starting gold, while the opponent had normal access to gold. This made it impossible or extremely unfair to age up normally.
Reproducibility / Frequency:
I have not been able to reproduce it yet. It appears to be a random map generation or specific seed issue.
Attachments:
I can provide replay and/or screenshots showing the missing gold spawn.
Match URL from AOE4WORLD → Kaison's Game – AoE4 World
Game #239060194