Age of Empires Online
A free-to-play RTS blending classic gameplay with MMO features.
Age of Empires Online is a discontinued multiplayer online real-time strategy game developed by Robot Entertainment and Gas Powered Games, published by Microsoft and released on August 16, 2011. Based on the Age of Empires series, it initially followed a freemium model before transitioning to a fully free-to-play structure. The game was notable for blending traditional real-time strategy gameplay with massively multiplayer online elements.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Robot Entertainment; Gas Powered Games
- Publisher
- Microsoft Game Studios
- Series
- Age of Empires
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows
- Released
- August 16, 2011 (WW)
- Genre
- Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game
- Modes
- Multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Development
Age of Empires Online, initially codenamed Project S, was the first game developed by Robot Entertainment, a company formed by 45 former staff members of Ensemble Studios, the original creators of the Age of Empires series. Microsoft hired Robot to develop the game over 24 months, and the entire studio focused on it as their sole project to secure startup funds. During early production, the game was originally called Age of Empires IV. The development team observed that many RTS developers had moved away from the economic game, and they felt Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings had perfectly blended economic and military aspects. After play-testing that title, they decided to create an Age of Kings style gameplay in an Age of Empires setting. Designers were surprised that fans were most fond of simpler aspects of earlier titles; former Age of Empires II lead designer Ian M. Fischer noted that fans frequently mentioned loving villagers carrying meat or the priest's sound. Invoking nostalgia became a goal despite newer features. The online-only decision was based partly on the success of Age of Empires II's integration with MSN Gaming Zone. Two iterations—a server version and a client version—were created, requiring a heavily modified BANG engine and extensive server code. Excluding tools, the game contains over 1.2 million lines of code.
Premium content
Booster packs allowed players to customize PvE gameplay. The Defense of Crete booster pack was the first released, followed by the Skirmish booster pack, which let players modify every element of PvE gameplay. At launch, vanity packs provided blueprints to stores where players could purchase items to decorate their capital city with in-game gold. In Project Celeste, all content including vanity packs became accessible for free, earned by gathering Empire Points or Coin from any PvE or PvP level 40 content except skirmish.
Reception
Age of Empires Online received mixed reviews, with a Metacritic aggregate score of 70. Critics praised the cooperative missions, graphics, and familiar Age of Empires gameplay, but many criticized the cost of premium content. Justin Calvert of GameSpot gave a 6.5/10, citing weak PvP matchmaking, enemy AI, and pricing, but noted the game effectively infused RTS gameplay with MMO loot and leveling. IGN's Nick Kolan rated it 7/10, critical of best features being locked behind purchases, yet found it addictive. PC Magazine awarded 3.5/5 stars, complimenting the artwork but feeling the free-to-play aspect offered too little. GameSpy's Mike Sharkey initially panned the game but later acknowledged that a major overhaul patch addressed most problems. PC Gamer initially scored it 65/100, but later gave the Celts DLC 90/100, calling it the best free RTS. The game was the third most played Games for Windows Live title in 2012 by unique users. Over its three-year lifespan, players completed 500 million single-player quests, 13.7 million multiplayer quests, and two million arena matches.
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