I couldn’t disagree more; it seems we are playing two different games. It sounds like you are complaining for the sake of it, as none of your points are valid, in my humble opinion.
5 Likes
I think the aoe thing Microsoft has the last say, this because for coh3 they collected a lot of feedback and all changes made are community request, included graphics, audio improvements…
1 Like
you mean the same audience that hasn’t grow even after new expansion but instead reducing from its glory days ?
1 Like
Aoe IV is an ok game but not even close to aoe 2 DE, the game went too safe and the graphics and animation are just kind of generic IMO, the variant civs are not interesting and Jean civ caused a lot controversy…
1 Like
1.- I don’t know what glory days you’re talking about. The premiere? That happened at the beginning, when the hype made people buy the game to play the campaign, or only for hype, and then those who don’t like multiplayer left expecting another DLC with campaigns. It’s nothing new, it happens in most video games. The good thing is that it has a fanbase that likes multiplayer and keeps the interest of updating its servers, otherwise, we wouldn’t have even had a DLC, and should I remember that it was one of the best-selling of the franchise?
2.- We’re actually in a good time, there were periods where the number of players dropped to 6000 on average, and now we’re increasing and we’re going for 9000. DLC was the biggest contributor, and we’ve had problems with updates due to layoffs in the video game industry. Other DLC will also have the same effect, especially those who like single player content, now that the situation seems more stable and the devs are updating the game more continuously.
3.- You already have a history of criticizing the game since its beta, so I’m not even going to bother debating you. What I don’t like, and the only reason I’m answering this message is that I hate it when people publish wrong data or lie to justify their points.
Nothing more.
4 Likes
Okay, on the topic at hand:
Who is directing the game?:
Well, I don’t know, and I haven’t had much interest in finding out either.
Right now, the only problem we had was the fear that they would cancel the AoE4 DLC like they did with AoE3, but luckily that didn’t happen, and even a teaser image of the new DLC was announced, so I’m very happy.
Personally, I have no idea how the team that makes the designs, updates the patches, or tests the balance, is structured.
As long as they make a good game, good expansions, or do good server maintenance, I’ll be happy.
About Forgotten Studios:
- Regarding the latest information revealed, at least it confirms that Forgotten Studios is supporting the creation of the game, specially the new DLC, which I think is really cool, since I know them from their great work reviving the Age of Empires II franchise with new expansions, and the entire franchise in general.
About Relics:
- On the other hand, it’s been a long time since the Sega layoffs and the change of sponsor to Enola Capital happened, so I want to believe that there is more stability at Relic. Otherwise they wouldn’t even have bothered to announce that they are making Dawn of War 4 while they are in charge of the AoE IV DLC.
1. Player Base vs. Long-Term Strategy
- While AoEIV’s player count has fluctuated, it remains a leading RTS title.
- RTS games naturally have smaller but dedicated communities compared to FPS or MOBAs.
2. Expansions & Ongoing Support
- The game continues to receive new expansions, balance updates, and quality-of-life improvements.
- New civilizations and features show strong developer commitment.
3. Competitive & Esports Growth
- Major tournaments like Red Bull Wololo have kept the game relevant in the competitive scene.
- Pro players from older Age of Empires titles continue to compete in AoEIV.
4. RTS Genre Context
- RTS games have historically lower player retention but maintain strong core communities.
- Compared to other RTS games, AoEIV has had consistent engagement.
5. Game Pass Impact
- AoEIV is available on Game Pass, meaning many players don’t appear in Steam statistics but are still actively playing.
Summary:
While AoEIV’s player count isn’t as high as launch, it remains a well-supported and competitive RTS with expansions, tournaments, and a committed player base. RTS games traditionally don’t see huge numbers like other genres, but AoEIV is still among the strongest in its category.
3 Likes
while the game is in alright state, the communication in multiple instances did suffer from superiority complex, example being season 2 feature list (namely the language surrounding the color picker segment) and the release day notes regarding hotkey rebinding (especially the very poorly chosen line: should you choose to mess with the good thing)
I agree that communication has to improve and has been lacking throughout game development. That being said, I understand that if they are not ready to talk about something, they cannot say anything; however, there should be a balance where the community does not feel left out or uninformed about the game’s future. I feel the community management has failed in that aspect to keep the community happy.
1 Like
That is because there hasn’t been any community managers for two years. They’ve all been let go.
generally poor communication is one issue, condescending tone and straight up arrogance used in above examples tho is a whole other debacle, an issue thats just as problematic as being bad at conveying information in general
I’m pretty sure that Relic Is working on DOW4.
Taking from Relic Discord
So they are working on a new title and the leaks of Dow4 seem pretty real now.
1 Like
Can someone clear something up for me?
I used to follow Relic up until 2018~. In 2012 they lost the IP for the WH40K franchise and had to cancel Space Marine 2 development because of it.
When SEGA nabbed them as a publisher in 2013 they got commisioned to make WH40K titles again.
Now that they are an independent studio do they even have the IP rights to make a warhammer style game?
If that’s the case couldn’t the unannounced project just as easily be an original title?
I think they confirmed on discord they still have the IP, if they still have the IP they won’t create any other IP for obvious reasons, and currently this is the best time for a 40k RTS, this as RTS is experiencing some popularity and of course space marine 2
If i Remember well, Dawn of War is a RELIC IP but i could be wrong. Maybe someone could shared the actual info. It would be very appreciated.
IP rights are complicated and it generally depends on what the contract is between publisher and developer.
That said, Relic did generalise their Discord and explicit add channels for “their” other games (Space Marine 1, vDoW, DoW II and DoW III). So given that nobody is going to have the actual answer here, it’s safe to assume they own the rights to those games at the very least.
1 Like
Just to share why i suppose Relic Is not involving on AOE4
These are the previous artworks for the Sultan’s Ascend DLC
https://www.artstation.com/artwork/9EoBrL
There were RELIC logos on every artworks.
If relic has no say about age IV probably they don’t want to work in aoe IV anymore, who knows may be they wanted crew on siege, better animations and bigger buildings
1 Like
Apparently taking risks is in their world view to make the most generic and outdated game mode possible.
Just a short list
Total War: Elysium 2020 , 2 years after Gwent and artifact
Total War - Arena 2015, like 2 years after Dota 2 and SEGA still forced DoW3
Crucible 2020 by Amazon and that 4 years after overwatch
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning 2008, like 4 years after World of Warcraft
In my opinion they simply give developers wrong priorities. Just because you did copy a fun game, doesn’t mean your game is fun too. Just because you did alter some things, doesn’t mean your game is unique.
A good game designer does understand what makes a game special to the player. All people want is a nice experience, look how Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 did sky rocket as no name single player RPG from a no name developer.
And that’s the main issue, none of their cost-effective games feel remarkable or satisfying.
There is simply no substance after experiencing something that was made only to make money.
Exactly just imagine design a dawn of war RTS for the target audience, it would be nothing alike DoW3.
A lore accurate, grim dark, with symmetrical factions like Age of Empires 2/Westwood C&C, game with massive large customizable armies, so many available resources to collect and the most epic towers and defences ever seen in any game. Is such task possible for Relic today?
2 Likes
shrugs
Opinion is opinion.
I’d hate this to be honest. Never been a fan of symmetrical factions, and that has never been what DoW has been about.
Nor has it been about building massive amounts of defenses. vDoW gave you limited turrets, mines and fortified Listening Posts.
If you want a classic-era RTS, you don’t want any version of Dawn of War.