Age of Empires

Age of Empires (AoE) is a history-based real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft. Built on the Genie 2D sprite-based engine, it puts you in command of an ancient civilization as you advance through four ages—Stone, Tool, Bronze, and Iron—unlocking new and improved units with each step forward.

In Age of Empires, you build a civilization from a small group of hunter-gatherers into a vast Iron Age empire. To win, you must gather and manage resources to afford new units, buildings, and advanced technologies. Resources are finite—no new resources appear over time, so once you cut down a tree, it will not grow back. Choose from twelve civilizations, each with distinct strengths and limitations, including different units and technologies. Every civilization also has unique technologies, and none can access every technology in the game. Progress is defined by advancing through four ages: the Stone Age (Mesolithic/Paleolithic), Tool Age (Neolithic/Chalcolithic), Bronze Age, and Iron Age. You research each age advancement at the Town Center, unlocking new technologies, weapons, and units as you move forward.