For RTS fans, the most exiting part of Microsoft’s E3 2019 press conference was probably whenAge of Empires II: Definitive Editionreceived its first gameplay trailer. The remaster looks great and even includes a brand new expansion filled with 4 new civilizations and 3 new campaigns. Despite its vast improvements, many players such as myself were introduced to the game via the 2013 Steam release ofAge of Empires II: HD Edition. As the upcomingAge of Empires II: Definitive Editionlooks and even plays superior that 2013 re-release, I was wondering ifHD Editionwould be taken off Steam when the newDefinitive Editionarrives on Steam and the Windows Store sometime this fall. Interestingly, that will not be the case.
Burt Beeckman, Co-Founder ofAge of Empires II: Definitive Editioncontributor Forgotten Empires, told DualShockers at an E3 2019 meeting that theAge of Empiresdevelopers and Microsoft decided not to take it down because “they are our customers and we want them to be happy,” which is good to hear in the age ofgames being delisted.That being said, Creative Director Adam Isgreen did clarify that “our support will move onto being onDefinitive Editionbecause we made so many changes that we want to keep going with that one. But we are not going to take HD away. So the people want to continue to play HD are welcome to do so.”
Continuing the discussion, Isgreen reinforced the fact that Microsoft’snew studiofounded to work onAge of Empireswill not be abandoning this new remaster anytime soon. “The important thing is that even when we do [Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition] and when we are going to start talking about[Age of Empires] 4later this year, which I am very excited about, we’re not going to abandon the games. We’re still going to support them. People loveAge II, and if people just want to playAge IIforever okay, that’s cool. We’ll keep making campaigns and stuff for them to do. It really is a long term commitment for us. We want to keep supporting the game.”
If you missed the game when it was at Microsoft’s E3 2019 press conference, you’re able to check it out below. WhileAge of Empires II: HD Editionis currently available on Steam, Microsoft is bringingAge of Empires II: Definitive Editionto the same storefront in Fall 2019.
