This is my very first time writing a post like this. I’ve been a long-time fan of this game, having picked up AOE1, RoR, AOE2, The Conquerors, AOE3, and AOE4 over 25 years. While I usually just enjoy playing, a couple of things recently have nudged me to finally share some thoughts. Specifically, I saw a tweet (https://x.com/SandyofCthulhu/status/1902050688643035499) that touched on some stories in developing (though didn’t capture the full context ), and the announcement of the new 3k dlc.
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Some older players might remember: the controversy around the original AOE1 Yamato (Japanese) campaign. As I recall, originally, at least two scenarios culminated in a historically inaccurate victory, where the Yamato civilization conquered Chosen they didn’t actually conquer in reality. This ending was later changed in subsequent patches (Kyushu Revolts) because of this controversy.
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After this controversy, I sometimes wonder if maybe Ensemble Studios decided not to touch Northeast Asian history anymore. It’s noticeable that after AOE1, we didn’t get dedicated, multi-campaigns specifically for the Chinese, Japanese, or Korean civilizations in AOE2, even after Koreans civ was introduced. Yes, these civs featured in Historical Battles, but that was the extent of it. Personally, after the Koreans were added in The Conquerors, I kept hoping that one day we’d see a full Korean historical campaign exploring their rich history. For this hope, I’ve been waiting for this for 25 years. I’ve purchased all the AOE2 DLCs over the years, including the HD edition, always hoping for more focus on this region.
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So, when I recently heard rumors about reworks for the Korean and Chinese civs, and adding three more related civs, I was genuinely thrilled. It felt like maybe, finally, the time was coming. There’s so much potential, especially in the eras following the collapse of the Tang Dynasty, for fascinating campaigns between these civs. Imagine scenarios based on:
The Koreans-Khitan Wars (993-1019)
The Jurchen conflicts with Goryeo (1104 and 1107)
The Mongol invasions of Korea (1231-1257)
The Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598)
The collapse of Khitan due to Jurchen, the relationship between Khitan, Jurchen, Song dynasty, Mongols, and Koreans etc etc.
These are examples of interesting historical conflicts.
- But these historical events remain untapped for campaigns. Instead, I saw development focus for 3k. It led me to imagine how decisions might get made.
A: Okay, what’s the theme for our next big AOE2 content drop? Maybe it’s time to finally focus on some of that Northeast Asian history
B: How about focusing on a theme like the 3k period? It’s huge in China, and many Western fans know it from games and stories. Big potential audience, likely good revenue. Plus, there have been successful 3k-related games recently showing the interest is there."
A: Good point.
C: But what about campaigns for the newer civs, or giving the Japanese or Koreans their own campaigns?"
A: Meh, maybe next time.
So, it feels like Korean history takes a backseat.
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Yes, maybe the perception is that Koreans have a minor fanbase. Is that why, even in the recent V&V and 3k dlc which added 3 separate missions featuring Japanese and Chinese, but nothing new for Koreans? Look at the impressive number of campaigns dedicated to South Asian and Southeast Asian civs added over the years – they highlight the gap. After 25 years, the only official dedicated Korean mission remains the Noryang historical battle. It starts to feel more like a message, intentional or not, that reads like: “Your history isn’t popular enough; why should we invest in representing you?”
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Long story short, after years of waiting and seeing the direction things continue to take, I’ve personally decided I have to quit investing further. I won’t be purchasing additional DLCs for anymore. I know that because interests like mine seem to be considered minor, my individual decision won’t change the big stream of development or the community focus. It’s just one purchase lost. But at least I wanted to share my thoughts and express this frustration.
It leaves me with questions for the developers, Considering the consistent lack of dedicated campaign content, even as a unit potentially inspired by Korean history (Hwacha, precursor to the rocket carts, being added in the new DLC for other civs) appear, why did you add the Korean civilization 25 years ago and there is no campaign? Is this because they were included without genuine consideration for telling Korean stories?
Thanks for reading my first – and perhaps last – post on this topic.
