PC Games: age of empires

Introduction:

Age of Empires is a popular real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Studios. The game was first released in 1997 and has since become a classic in the gaming community. Age of Empires is set in different historical periods, with the player taking on the role of a leader or ruler of a civilization. The game has spawned several sequels, with the latest installment, Age of Empires IV, being released in 2021. In this article, we will take a closer look at the Age of Empires franchise and discuss its impact on the gaming industry.

History of Age of Empires:

Age of Empires was first released in 1997 for Windows PCs. The game was developed by Ensemble Studios, a game development company based in Texas, USA. The game was initially created as an alternative to the popular turn-based strategy game, Civilization, which was released in 1991. The developers wanted to create a game that was more action-packed and dynamic than Civilization, which was known for its slow pace and lengthy gameplay.

The first Age of Empires game was set in ancient times, with the player taking on the role of a leader of one of several civilizations, such as the Greeks, Egyptians, or Babylonians. The game featured several innovations, such as the ability to create and control units in real-time, rather than having to wait for turns like in Civilization.

Age of Empires was a commercial success, selling over 3 million copies and winning several awards, including Game of the Year. The game's success led to several sequels, including Age of Empires II, which was released in 1999 and is considered by many to be the best game in the franchise.

Age of Empires II

Age of Empires II was released in 1999 and was set in the medieval period. The game featured several improvements over its predecessor, including improved graphics, more civilizations to choose from, and a more sophisticated AI system.

Age of Empires II was even more successful than the first game, selling over 6 million copies and winning several awards. The game's popularity led to the creation of an expansion pack, The Conquerors, which added several new civilizations and gameplay modes.

Age of Empires III:

Age of Empires III was released in 2005 and was set in the colonial period. The game introduced several new features, such as the Home City, which allowed players to customize and upgrade their capital city to provide bonuses to their units and economy.

Age of Empires III was also successful, selling over 2 million copies in its first year. The game's popularity led to the creation of two expansion packs, The War Chiefs and The Asian Dynasties.

Age of Empires IV:

Age of Empires IV was released in 2021 and is the latest installment in the franchise. The game is set in the medieval period and features several new civilizations, units, and gameplay mechanics.

Age of Empires IV has received mixed reviews from critics and fans, with some praising its graphics and gameplay, while others criticize it for not innovating enough and feeling like a retread of previous games in the franchise.

Impact on the Gaming Industry:

The Age of Empires franchise has had a significant impact on the gaming industry, particularly in the real-time strategy genre. The game's innovations, such as real-time unit control and sophisticated AI systems, have been influential in shaping the genre.

Age of Empires has also been influential in popularizing historical settings in games. Before Age of Empires, most strategy games were set in fictional or fantasy worlds. Age of Empires introduced players to real historical settings, civilizations, and events, and helped spark an interest in history and culture among gamers.

The franchise has also had a significant impact on esports and competitive gaming. Age of Empires II has been particularly popular in the esports community, with several professional tournaments held over the years. The game's balance, depth, and skill ceiling make it an ideal game for competitive play, and it has helped to establish the real-time strategy genre as a legitimate esports category.

Age of Empires has also had an impact on game design, with many games borrowing elements from the franchise. Games such as StarCraft, Warcraft, and Command & Conquer have all been influenced by Age of Empires in some way, and the game's legacy can still be seen in modern real-time strategy games.

The franchise has also helped to bring attention to the PC gaming market. While Age of Empires has been released on consoles, the franchise has always been primarily focused on PC gaming. The game's success and popularity have helped to demonstrate the potential of the PC gaming market and have contributed to the growth of the industry.

In Conclusion:

Age of Empires is a classic franchise that has had a significant impact on the gaming industry. The game's innovations in real-time strategy, historical settings, and competitive gaming have helped to shape the genre and establish it as a legitimate e sports category. The franchise has also helped to bring attention to the PC gaming market and has had a significant influence on game design.

While the latest installment in the franchise, Age of Empires IV, has received mixed reviews, it is clear that the Age of Empires franchise will continue to be an important part of the gaming industry for years to come. With its engaging gameplay, rich historical settings, and competitive potential, Age of Empires remains a classic and a favorite among strategy gamers worldwide.