Hello everyone,
I would like to propose a strategic vision for the future of the Age of Empires franchise. Currently, we have a vibrant, yet fragmented community: approximately 12,000 active players in Age 4 and 22,000 in Age 2. If we combined these player bases into a single game, it would jump into the Top 50 most played games on Steam, drastically increasing visibility and attracting new players.
My proposal is a gradual and logical transition to unify the titles on a definitive platform, based on 4 pillars:
- Legacy Engine (Classic Mode)
Instead of simply migrating resources, the initial step would be to create a Legacy Engine within Age 4.
The idea: A game mode in Age 4 that exactly emulates the collection rates, projectile speed, and classic pathfinding of Age 2. This would allow veterans to feel “at home” with a modern look and optimized performance.
- Documentary-Style Campaigns
Age 4 raised the bar for storytelling with its documentary style.
The idea: To release “Remaster Seasons” of iconic Age 2 campaigns (e.g., El Cid, Joan of Arc). Using Age 4’s real filming and narration technology to retell these stories, we add real value and justify the price of new expansions.
- Adapting Civilizations by “Archetypes”
The challenge is to balance the more than 40 civilizations of Age 2 with the unique complexity of Age 4.
The idea: To group civilizations into “Archetypes.” Mesoamerican civilizations (Mayans, Aztecs, Incas), for example, would share a common mechanical base in Age 4, but would retain their specific bonuses and unique units from Age 2. This facilitates balancing and content migration.
- Unified Inventory System (Cross-buy DLC)
To eliminate the financial barrier and encourage transition:
The idea: Anyone who owns a DLC or civilization in Age 2 automatically unlocks it in Age 4 (and vice versa). The player feels that their investment yields double, eliminating resistance to migration.
Conclusion and Logical Impact
I believe a unification project would take 1 to 2 years, but the result would be a modern RTS, with a massive player base and total focus from developers on a single source code, allowing for more frequent updates and a much stronger competitive landscape.