Today’s patch is aimed at addressing small audio and multiplayer fixes. Be sure to dig down into the post below to get all of the smaller details before hopping in-game and checking them out firsthand.

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord

Thank you again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Empires what it is today!

—The Age of Empires Team

---

---

Game

Audio

• Fixed an issue in the file path separators that caused sound mods to stop working.

Multiplayer

• Fixed an issue where World RNG could be called during the match loading screen in Arabia, causing players to instantly desync as soon as the game would start.

Ongoing...

Investigation

As always, we are continuing to track issues reported by the community for future updates.

For other known issues, please visit this page to see what’s being tracked!

What's on the Horizon?

Coming Up...

Hey Community!

With this latest update we’re primarily addressing some server requirements that don’t have a visible impact on your play experience, but we did want to make specific mention of the desyncs in MP that you’ve been reporting. These are bugs that we’re actively monitoring and working on, so please keep reporting these errors if you’re running into them. We simply want to assure you that this is of high importance to us, and we’ll be delivering fixes if they’re needed until any problems that may exist are eliminated.

Thank you so much for your patience!

—The Age II: DE Team

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Hello everyone!

This Public Update Preview Program is to test a small update addressing recently reported out of sync issues.

If you've been experiencing any out of sync on arabia, especially, you can help make our release even better by playing the test build and reporting any new issues encountered! You can provide feedback in the official 🛠 Public Update Preview forums. (Note that you must own the game and log in to Steam to access the PUP forum.)


Steam owners can download the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition PUP by following the instructions below:

1. Navigate to your Steam library and right click on Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.2. Select "Properties…" at the bottom of the menu.3. Select the "Betas" tab on the left.4. In the "Beta Participation" dropdown menu, select pup_may.5. The build will begin downloading—once complete, you are ready to play!

We’re definitely listening, and looking for every opportunity to make this the game you love to play.

Thank you!

- The World's Edge Team

Today’s patch is aimed at addressing small stability and performance issues, plus bug fixes, and localization adjustments. Be sure to dig down into the post below to get all of the smaller details before hopping in-game and checking them out firsthand.

This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord

Thank you again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Empires what it is today!

—The Age of Empires Team

---

---

Game

Stability & Performance

• Fixed a crash affecting players using narration on specific languages.
  
• Fixed a crash on Xbox when aging up in Return of Rome.
  
• Fixed a crash on PS5 that could happen during gameplay and when loading the main menu.

Graphics

• Jurchen Monks and Monasteries now use East Asian graphics.

UI

• Changed the interface style for Khitans to Nomadic.
  
• Fixed several instances where the availability of technologies in the technology tree was not displayed correctly.
  
• Units with charge attack types no longer display the charge bonuses on their interface when targeting objects that their charge does not apply against.
  
• The attack of the charge projectile is now displayed in the UI for units with projectile charge types which are fully charged and not currently attacking objects that the charge doesn’t apply against.
  
• Fixed an issue where Donjons had incorrect armor display in Imperial Age.

Xbox

• Human players appearing in recorded Multiplayer screen statistics will now correctly display their icons, and can be interacted with (such as to mute or see their profiles), like in a live game.
  
• Fixed an issue where Serjeants would appear trainable in Dark Age at the Donjon.
  
• Fixed an issue where the Villager Priority System did not properly count Pastures for Khitans.
  
• Non-functional farm commands are no longer present in the Mill interface for Khitans.

PlayStation

• Fixed an issue with held keys when using Mouse and Keyboard.

This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Welcome to another exciting update for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – including fixes for medals and Rocket Carts, plus the newest DLC, The Three Kingdoms, is officially available on Steam!

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord

Thank you again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Empires what it is today!

—The Age of Empires Team

---

---

Build Spotlight

New DLC! The Three Kingdoms

Dive into China’s epic world of The Three Kingdoms, where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy – available now on Steam!

The Three Kingdoms introduces five fascinating new civilizations, each with their own unique units and technologies: the Shu, Wei, and Wu, who represent the legendary Three Kingdoms; and the Jurchens and Khitans, who exemplify the struggle for power in northern China beyond the Three Kingdoms period.

Build 143191

Stability & Performance

• Fixed a crash occurring when loading a Victors & Vanquished: Finehair saved game.
  
• Fixed various stability issues.

Xbox

• Fixed a crash happening when loading a Chronicles: Battle for Greece Grand Campaign saved game.
  
• Fixed issue where the performance decreased after repeatedly opening and closing the Chat or Diplomacy menus.
  
• Fixed issue where players were unable to invite friends to a private lobby via Xbox invitations.

Gameplay Fixes

• Rocket carts can no longer fire more volleys than intended after quickly issuing many attack ground commands.

Build 143421

UI

• Fixed an issue that led to inconsistent display and processing of achieved campaign medals in different parts of the game.

Note: this change affects all campaign progress the way it was displayed in the previous version of the game. Medals will appear one tier higher for any campaign mission that has been completed without cheats.

• Fixed an issue that prevented Armenians and Georgians profile icons from being unlocked and saved for Steam users.

Xbox

• Fixed a crash happening upon entering the Historical Battles screen after obtaining a gold medal (crown) in any scenario.

Ongoing...

Investigation

As always, we are continuing to track issues reported by the community for future updates.

For other known issues, please visit this page to see what’s being tracked!

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Dive into China’s epic, The Three Kingdoms, where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy – available now on Steam!

The Three Kingdoms introduces five fascinating new civilizations, each with their own unique units and technologies: the Shu, Wei, and Wu, who represent the legendary Three Kingdoms; and the Jurchens and Khitans, who exemplify the struggle for power in northern China beyond the Three Kingdoms period.

---

The Three Kingdoms is now available on Steam!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3080080/Age_of_Empires_II_DE__The_Three_Kingdoms

---

• Shu – Take the reins of the Kingdom of Shu and fulfil Liu Bei’s dream of restoring the Han dynasty. The Shu unique units are the White Feather Guard, an infantryman that slows down units it attacks, and the War Chariot, a vehicle that fires barrages of bolts from a large repeating crossbow.
  
• Wei – Step into the shoes of Cao Cao and dominate China with massive cavalry armies and nefarious schemes. The Wei unique units are the Tiger Cavalry, a horseman that levels up as it kills units, and the Xianbei Raider, a cavalry archer that fires storms of arrows into the enemy ranks.
  
• Wu – Lead the Sun Clan to glory through infantry and naval prowess. The Wu unique units are the Fire Archer, a ranged soldier that fires incendiary arrows, and the Jian Swordsman, a heavy infantry unit whose shield offers immense protection – until it breaks.
  
• Jurchens – Dominate the rugged terrain of northeast China with the skilled hunters, armored cavalry, and gunpowder weaponry of the Great Jin dynasty. The Jurchen unique units are the Iron Pagoda, a cavalryman that occasionally blocks melee attacks, and the Grenadier, a foot soldier who hurls deadly incendiary bombs at his enemies.
  
• Khitans – Relive the glory of the Liao dynasty and Kara-Khitai, terrorizing your enemies with mobile hordes and diabolical weapons. The Khitan unique units are the Liao Dao, an infantryman whose lethal sword slashes cause lasting damage, and the Mounted Trebuchet, a powerful siege engine carried around by camels. Additionally, instead of farming, the Khitans gather food from Pastures, which can be tended by two Villagers instead of just one.

Experience the Romance of the Three Kingdoms through a riveting narrative from the viewpoint of all three kingdoms and their founders!

• Shu
  
  • Liu Bei — In the midst of a bloody civil war, the sandal maker Liu Bei and his sworn brothers fight to restore the ailing Han dynasty. Can this honorable commoner save the empire, or will it fall into the hands of the ruthless warlord Cao Cao?
• Wei
  
  • Cao Cao — The greatest warlord of his time, Cao Cao rises from a mere cavalry commander to the true power behind the throne of China. Will his ambitious schemes and tactical skill be enough to place his own dynasty on the throne of the Middle Kingdom?
• Wu
  
  • The Sun Clan — After their father is murdered, the sons of the Sun Clan fight for revenge while building themselves up to be the rulers of southern China. Will their struggle make them worthy of the Mandate of Heaven, or are they doomed to become footnotes in history?

---

Dive into the epic history and legends of China with The Three Kingdoms! Available now on Steam!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3080080/Age_of_Empires_II_DE__The_Three_Kingdoms

---

Today Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is receiving a pre-emptive update to ensure smooth multiplayer functionality during PlayStation Early Access, which starts on May 1st.

As a reminder, on May 6th, The Three Kingdoms DLC will be launching!

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord

Thank you again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Empires what it is today!

—The Age of Empires Team

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Go and pick up a DLC or two, or try that one game you've had your eye on. Don’t miss your chance and take advantage of the Steam Xbox Game Studios Publisher Sale now through May 8th at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET / 17:00 UTC).

Welcome to THE exciting update for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! We’ve decided the legendarily long patch notes weren’t long enough already, and have decided to include even more changes! You can view these addition changes below. And if you haven’t seen our mammoth patch notes preview already, can read that here!

This is our largest ever update for AoE II: DE, and while there are plenty of notable things to look forward to in the notes below, here’s some of the big highlights:

• Bug fixes based on your feedback!
  
• New Visuals for Castles, Elite Unique Units, Monks and Monasteries!
  
• Technology Tree UI updates!
  
• Balance changes!
  
• New Maps!
  
• New features and content to support:
  
  
  • Random Map Scripting
    
  • Scenario Editor
    
  • Modding

This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord

Thank you again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Empires what it is today!

—The Age of Empires Team

---

---

Game

Stability & Performance

• Improved game performance when using the assisted farm placement feature.
  
  • Note: this change does not affect multiplayer latency behavior.

UI

• Added a new Chicken player profile icon as a reward for playing 175 games.
  
• Changed the name of Mayans civilization to Maya.
  
• Changed the name of Incas civilization to Inca.

Xbox

• Fixed a crash happening when opening the minimap on some Xbox models.
  
• Fixed an issue that was freezing the game when dismissing the Chat & Diplomacy menu whilst viewing a Replay.
  
• Fixed Winged Hussar icon not showing in the Civilization Bonuses section of the Technology Tree for Lithuanians.

This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

We are thrilled to announce the next DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – The Three Kingdoms, a riveting and holistic expansion, coming May 6th! Dive into China’s epic Romance of the Three Kingdoms, where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy.

The Three Kingdoms introduces five fascinating new civilizations, each with their own unique units and technologies: the Shu, Wei, and Wu, who represent the legendary Three Kingdoms; and the Jurchens and Khitans, who exemplify the struggle for power in northern China beyond the Three Kingdoms period. Challenge your friends in skirmish matches or battle your way across China with three new campaigns, commanding the forces of fabled heroes such as Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and the Sun Clan. These campaigns feature unprecedented features such as devastating special hero abilities, an interactive decision system allowing you to blaze your own trail, and more!

We have been delighted to work with Forgotten Empires to bring you The Three Kingdoms. Whether you are a passionate historian, an admirer of compelling narratives, a longtime fan of the Age of Empires franchise, or all of the above – The Three Kingdoms will bring you endless hours of joy and fun!


The Three Kingdoms is now available for pre-order with 15% discount on Steam - releasing May 6th!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3080080/Age_of_Empires_II_DE__The_Three_Kingdoms

What is The Three Kingdoms?

“The empire, long divided, must unite; long united, must divide. Thus it has ever been.

In the dying days of the Han dynasty, the empire was like a precious vase knocked off its pedestal. As it fell towards the ground, some refused to accept the inevitable and imagined that the worst had passed.

The more far-sighted positioned themselves to pick up the pieces.”

Created by Forgotten Empires, the passionate team bringing you Age of Empires content for over a decade, The Three Kingdoms is a DLC set in China primarily during the early medieval period, but also featuring two civilizations who rose and fell hundreds of years later. China’s Three Kingdoms, extremely advanced for their time, offer AoE II: DE players the game’s core unit roster along with several unique and region-specific units highlighting the iconic features of each kingdom. Veterans and newcomers alike will enjoy approachable, powerful, and immersive new civilizations!

The story of The Three Kingdoms opens with three intertwining narratives spanning roughly 25 years. Totaling 15 missions across 3 campaigns with branching narratives and dynamic, far-reaching decisions that offer a level of replay value never before seen in Age of Empires, The Three Kingdoms offers a tour par excellence through China’s most fabled and beloved period of history from the viewpoints of all three kingdoms’ founders. Experience storied battles such as Guandu, Changban, and Red Cliffs, and relive the dashing exploits of the honorable and benevolent Liu Bei, the conniving yet brilliant Cao Cao, and the resilient, vengeful Sun Clan!

Included in this DLC

5 New Civilizations

Shu
Take the reins of the Kingdom of Shu and fulfill Liu Bei’s dream of restoring the Han dynasty. The Shu unique units are the White Feather Guard, an infantryman that slows down units it attacks, and the War Chariot, a vehicle that fires barrages of bolts from a large repeating crossbow.

Wei
Step into the shoes of Cao Cao and dominate China with massive cavalry armies and nefarious schemes. The Wei unique units are the Tiger Cavalry, a horseman that levels up as it kills units, and the Xianbei Raider, a cavalry archer that fires storms of arrows into the enemy ranks.

Wu
Lead the Sun Clan to glory through infantry and naval prowess. The Wu unique units are the Fire Archer, a ranged soldier that fires incendiary arrows, and the Jian Swordsman, a heavy infantry unit whose shield offers immense protection – until it breaks.

Jurchens
Dominate the rugged terrain of northeast China with the skilled hunters, armored cavalry, and gunpowder weaponry of the Great Jin dynasty. The Jurchen unique units are the Iron Pagoda, a cavalryman that occasionally blocks melee attacks, and the Grenadier, a foot soldier who hurls deadly incendiary bombs at his enemies.

Khitans
Relive the glory of the Liao dynasty and Kara-Khitai, terrorizing your enemies with mobile hordes and diabolical weapons. The Khitan unique units are the Liao Dao, an infantryman whose lethal sword slashes cause lasting damage, and the Mounted Trebuchet, a powerful siege engine carried around by camels. Additionally, instead of farming, the Khitans gather food from Pastures, which can be tended by two Villagers instead of just one.

Several new units and unit-lines for increased immersion in Chinese history:

• Hei Guang Cavalry — a heavily armored horseman. Regular and Elite Hei Guang Cavalry replace Knights, Cavaliers, and Paladins for the Shu, Wei, and Wu.
  
• Traction Trebuchets — deadly, mobile engines that provide the Shu, Wei, and Wu an excellent long-ranged siege option on land in the Imperial Age.
  
• Lou Chuans — literal floating fortresses that excel against other warships and buildings alike. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Shu, Wei, and Wu.
  
• Fire Lancers — spear-wielding infantry who occasionally use an explosive ranged attack. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Khitans, Koreans, and Vietnamese.
  
• Rocket Carts — this siege engine replaces Mangonels, and instead fires a volley of incendiary rockets at enemies. Available to the Chinese, Jurchens, Khitans, and Koreans.
  
• Dragon Ships — the deadliest Fire Ship in the game, exclusive to the Chinese!

3 New Campaigns:

• Liu Bei (Shu) — In the midst of a bloody civil war, the sandal maker Liu Bei and his sworn brothers fight to restore the ailing Han dynasty. Can this honorable commoner save the empire, or will it fall into the hands of the ruthless warlord Cao Cao?
  
• Cao Cao (Wei) — The greatest warlord of his time, Cao Cao rises from a mere cavalry commander to the true power behind the throne of China. Will his ambitious schemes and tactical skill be enough to place his own dynasty on the throne of the Middle Kingdom?
  
• The Sun Clan (Wu) — After their father is murdered, the sons of the Sun Clan fight for revenge while building themselves up to be the rulers of southern China. Will their struggle make them worthy of the Mandate of Heaven, or are they doomed to become footnotes in history?

As you venture through these campaigns, you will:

• Relive fabled events: like the Oath of the Peach Garden, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and the Battle of Red Cliffs – from up to three different perspectives!
  
• Encounter legendary characters: such as the notorious Lü Bu, the wise Zhuge Liang, and the exalted Guan Yu.
  
• Unleash their deadly heroic abilities: like Green Dragon Strike, Superhuman Aim, and Exploding Bolt.
  
• Train your favorite heroes: from the Three Kingdoms era in the new Hall of Heroes building.
  
• Experience unprecedented gameplay and narrative value: as you use an interactive system to make key decisions that shape each campaign.
  
• Choose from two new difficulty levels: Easiest offers a leisurely cruise through the story, while Legendary could test the mettle of Cao Cao himself!
  
• Marvel at an array of new flora, fauna, and other atmospheric visuals: that will fully immerse you in China’s Three Kingdoms era.

All 5 New Civilizations Available in Ranked Play!

While The Three Kingdoms era sits on the edge of AoE II: DE traditional timeframe, Forgotten Empires was committed to delivering a product with content for everyone at all levels, styles, spheres, and preferences of the Age of Empires experience. Research and design exploration quickly showed that Three Kingdoms China was extremely advanced for its time, making it an easy fit into the AoE II: DE technology tree and design mould. With this in mind, we committed ourselves to the goal of making this DLC fully available in ranked gameplay.

With an instantly recognizable Age of Empires II-feel, plenty of flavor to satisfy the appetites of avid Romance of the Three Kingdoms, fans and the innovative features that AoE II: DE fans have come to expect from each new addition to our beloved game, The Three Kingdoms has something for everyone.

A Message from Forgotten Empires

The Three Kingdoms represents something a little different than we’ve done in our prior work on Age of Empires II. Although authenticity, fun, and innovation have always been hallmarks of the Forgotten Empires brand, The Three Kingdoms pushes each of these farther than our past Age of Empires II releases. Our goal for The Three Kingdoms is to inspire new and longtime players alike to revel in the Age of Empires experience, and we hope it does justice to the game we all know and love – as well as to each and every one of its fans!

Whenever we at Forgotten Empires set ourselves to creating Age of Empires content, we ask ourselves two fundamental questions: “What got you started playing Age of Empires?”, and “What kept you playing Age of Empires?”, which are part of the navigational toolset we use to guide us on that quest.

While there can be as many answers to those questions as there are grains of sand in an hourglass, one is that China’s Three Kingdoms era lends itself particularly well to is a compelling campaign experience. While we’ve told many compelling stories through our historical campaigns over the past decade, we’ve also always asked ourselves the question: “How do we raise the bar further still?” With an epic, detailed, riveting, and thoroughly renowned narrative that is to China as Shakespeare is to the western world, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms offered us an ideal setting to tackle that challenge.

With entertaining new civilizations, stunning new visuals, innovative concepts, fun and varied mission designs, and a gripping narrative with unprecedented depth, all brought to you in the time-proven Age of Empires II gameplay experience, we welcome you to the incredible world of Three Kingdoms China. We hope you enjoy playing The Three Kingdoms as much as we delighted in creating it, and as always, we appreciate your continued passion for this incredible franchise!

Dive into the epic history and legends of China with The Three Kingdoms! Lead five new civilizations – Shu, Wei, Wu, Jurchens, and Khitans – through an era where history and legend collide in a battle for supremacy. Fight your way across China with three new campaigns, commanding the forces of Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and the Sun Clan, each with their unique units, technologies, and heroes with devastating abilities!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/3080080/Age_of_Empires_II_DE__The_Three_Kingdoms

The Three Kingdoms is now available for pre-order with a 15% discount on Steam – releasing May 6th!

The Spring Steam Sale is in full swing and so are discounts on your favorite Age games! Pick up a DLC or two, or try that one game you've had your eye on. Don’t miss your chance and take advantage of the Spring Sale now through March 20th at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET / 17:00 UTC).