Century: Age of Ashes
Free-to-play dragon aerial combat in a dark fantasy world.
Century: Age of Ashes is a 2021 free-to-play aerial combat video game developed and published by Playwing Bordeaux. Set in a dark fantasy world, it is a third-person multiplayer arena battle game in which players mount dragons and fight. The game is notable for its class-based dragon combat and was released across multiple platforms from December 2021 through September 2022, with mobile versions following in June 2023.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Century: Age of Ashes
- Developer
- Playwing
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 4
- Composer
- Marcus Hedges
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows · Xbox Series X/S · Xbox One · PlayStation 4 · PlayStation 5 · iOS · Android
- Released
- Microsoft Windows · December 2, 2021 · Xbox Series X/S · March 10, 2022 · Xbox One · July 12, 2022 · PS4, PS5 · September 26, 2022 · iOS, Android · June 21, 2023
- Genre
- Aerial combat, third-person shooter
- Modes
- Multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Century: Age of Ashes was conceived in 2014 by art director Pascal Barret and creative director Emmanuel Nouaille, who aimed to create an aerial dragon fighting game with a competitive aspect. Development began in 2017 by Playwing Bordeaux, initially on Unreal Engine 3 with a small team, later shifting to Unreal Engine 4. The game was announced during the 2020 Game Awards ceremony and was originally scheduled for Early Access in February 2021, but was delayed to April 2021, and further postponed after a second closed beta based on feedback. A new trailer at Gamescom 2021 announced the December 2, 2021 release date, introducing baby dragons and a new game mode.
Reader's Guide
Century: Age of Ashes occupies a niche in dark fantasy gaming as a free-to-play dragon-mounted aerial combat title. Its significance lies in its class-based system, offering three initial classes—Marauder (a hunter that marks prey), Windguard (a support class that shields allies), and Phantom (a stealthy assassin that can cloak)—later adding the Stormraiser. Each class is bound to a specific dragon type. The game features three 6-versus-6 modes: Gates of Fire (capture the flag), Carnage (team deathmatch), and Spoils of War (announced in November 2021), plus a 3-versus-3 mode. Players fly across maps, using Fireball, Dragonbreath, and class-specific skills to attack and dodge. The PC version received 'mixed or average' reviews on Metacritic. Its legacy includes a multi-platform rollout from December 2021 to September 2022, with mobile versions in June 2023, reflecting a sustained post-launch presence.
Did You Know?
- It was developed on Unreal Engine 3 before shifting to Unreal Engine 4.
- A new game mode called Spoils of War was announced in November 2021.
- Mobile versions for iOS and Android released on June 21, 2023.
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