It's always bittersweet when a beloved game reaches the end of its life, and Steam recently announced that the iconic The Age of Empires 3 will no longer be available for purchase. Additionally, on October 30, 2024, online multiplayer mode services will cease, which adds to the sense of finality even more. However, online multiplayer is the only area of the game that will no longer be available.
Those who own the game will still be able to play the campaign and skirmish modes. The reported reason for the discontinuation of multiplayer is that the technology is no longer supported on the platform. The Age of Empires 3 and the franchise itself has been a cult hit for decades and while previous games were mainly only known for the campaign modes, The Age of Empires 3 it was still loved by its community and greatly appreciated even in multiplayer.
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Age of Empires 3 is removed from the list and closed
After 19 years, Age of Empires 3 will no longer be available for purchase and the multiplayer services will also soon come to an end.
Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition will continue to be supported
It's good to know, though Age of Empires 3: definitive edition will continue to be supported, offering players an updated experience with modern improvements and new content. THE Definitive edition is available on both Steam and the Windows Store with 4 DLC additions that further expand the civilizations and campaigns. For players who are unfamiliar with the edition and want to try the game before converting, a free trial version of the game is also available.
For those who enjoyed the multiplayer aspect of the original 2007 release, the transition may feel like the end of an era, but at least the campaign and skirmish modes from the original will still be accessible. Furthermore, the Definitive edition offers additional content and improvements that could appeal to both veteran players of the game and newcomers.
The definitive edition offers a similar experience with improvements
THE Age of Empires 3: definitive edition It also brings numerous quality of life updates, such as improved AI, a revamped user interface, and better multiplayer matchmaking services. This makes for a smoother experience for both single-player and competitive multiplayer players. Based on years of community feedback, this edition includes refined game balance and improvements to mechanics that weren't as refined in the original.
Skirmishers and crossbowmen, for example, have had damage and cost changes to better balance infantry rush strategies in the early game. Artillery unit inside The age of empires such as the Culverin and Falconet have been rebalanced with changes to their cost-effectiveness and counters, making them more usable in various stages of the game, as well as many other updates.
How Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition's multiplayer is better than the original
The only reason to stop the The Age of Empires 3 multiplayer is the lack of Legacy support. So players who are exclusively interested in multiplayer gameplay, the Age of Empires 3: definitive edition fully supports multiplayer. It offers an improved multiplayer experience compared to the original 2007 version.
The multiplayer system has been updated with better matchmaking algorithms to ensure fairer games by matching players of similar skill levels. Additionally, it also offers cross-platform support as players on Steam and Microsoft Store can compete with each other, allowing for a larger player base and more diverse matchups. The game also continues to receive more frequent updates and patches based on player feedback, which was not the case with the original game.