Today’s hotfix is aimed at addressing stability and performance issues, along with some balance 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

Thanks 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

• Game no longer crashes upon closing the title after exiting a Multiplayer match while a monk holds a relic.

Hotkeys

• Fixed an issue where command group selection wasn’t firing unless shift group appending was enabled.
  
• Toggle Idle Pointer hotkey now works properly.

Xbox

• Fixed an issue where trees were invisible and un-targetable on Xbox when the Small Trees option was enabled in the settings.

Gameplay

General

• Bombard Towers now have 100% accuracy instead of 92% accuracy when Greek Fire is researched, as intended.

Fixes

• Fixed an issue where units may not be added back to a formation after killing a target or going idle.
  
• Fixed an issue where walls always had lower selection priority than nearby objects.
  
• Fixed an issue to prevent Villagers blocking themselves when building palisade walls or stone walls, leaving gaps and sometimes staying idle.
  
• Units no longer stop attacking enemy foundations once the building is complete.
  
• Villagers no longer continue walking to Town Centers and garrison when the town bell has been activated again.
  
• New sheep no longer get unintentionally killed by Villagers when ungarrisoning from the Town Center.
  
• Collide & Correct has been disabled to prevent units from accidentally scattering.

Civilization Balance

Portuguese

Organ Guns

• Fixed an issue where Organ Guns would largely ignore hill bonuses/penalties
  
• Fixed an issue where converted Elite Organ Guns would deal the damage of unupgraded Organ Guns unless the player had researched the Elite upgrade themselves
  
• Fixed an issue where Organ Guns missed shots would only deal half damage instead of the intended full damage
  
• Fixed an issue that prevented Organ Gun projectiles from dispersing properly
  
• Fixed an issue that caused Organ Guns projectiles to pass between units without hitting them
  
• Increased projectile dispersion from 0.25 to 0.6
  
• Reduced the number of projectiles from 6 to 5 (7 to 6 for Elite)
  
• (Elite) Organ Gun gain +1 damage against Skirmishers

AI

Scripting

• Up-path-distance 0 now returns the correct value instead of always returning 65535.

: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.

Where were you in 1998? Perhaps listening to Cher’s Believe, watching Titanic, playing with your Tamagotchi and relaxing on your inflatable couch? Or were you playing the Age of Empires DLC The Rise of Rome? This beloved evolution of the first Age of Empires game has taken on a new form and joined the Definitive Edition era in the Return of Rome DLC for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.

Yes, you read that correctly, Age of Empires content available in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Bringing the civilizations and action of ancient worlds to AoE II: DE. Purchasers will be able to switch to Return of Rome in the game’s main screen and take on fresh challenges.

• 3 new campaigns created specifically for Return of Rome. Sargon of Akkad (Sumerians), Pyrrhus of Epirus (Macedonians) and Trajan (Romans). With new missions to tackle and stories told through the familiar AoE II: DE style, you’ll be able to live more moments from history.
  
• All 16 original Age of Empires civilizations from the Assyrians to the Yamato. Get to grips with the civilizations that started the Age of Empires journey.
  
• One new civilization, the Lac Viet. In honor and recognition of Rise of Rome’s phenomenal popularity in Vietnam, we’ve added a new civilization with Return of Rome. Adding something new for established and beginner players.
  
• New D3 Game Mode. D3 is an homage to a fan favorite rule set that is now fully integrated into the game.  This rule set reduces rush tactics and allows players to start their early game more robustly, only allowing fighting with a single unit until entering the Bronze Age, ensuring players reach later Ages for equal battles.  This rule set also bans walls and towers, making for exciting match ups later in the game.
  
• The Roman civilization will be playable in the main AoE II: DE title. If you’ve ever wondered how the Romans might fare against the Aztecs, now’s your opportunity to find out.

Catch a glimpse of what Return of Rome has to offer in our teaser trailer:

Return of Rome is available to pre-order now on Steam! This innovative DLC is available to prepurchase, or as a bundle with Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition. Rome is calling. It’s time to return.

Pre-order the Return of Rome today and be ready to conquer your opponents and forge a new Roman Empire on May 16, 2023!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/2141580/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition__Return_of_Rome/

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/31630/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition__Return_of_Rome_Bundle/

Heat getting to you already? 🌶️ 🔥 The Spicy Expeditions event is rollin' out and away forever on April 25th, so don't forget to grab your rewards before then!  

Remember: if you sign in to Xbox Live during the event, you’ll get to keep all of the mods and profile icons you’ve achieved! Sign in, earn your rewards, and have fun!

We hope you enjoy the Spicy Expeditions Event!

—The Age of Empires Team

Hello and welcome to an exciting and fun-filled update for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! This is a huge one with massive balance changes, bug fixes, and some new mods available as in-game options!

Plus, there’s an all-new Spicy Expeditions Event to celebrate Spring time! The merchants have come to town and have brought some very flavorful rewards from faraway lands. Complete daily challenges and unlock saffron fields, burning chilis, and colorful shops to decorate your Town Center!

While there are plenty of notable fixes and features to look forward to in today’s build, here’s some of the big highlights coming with this month’s update:

• Spicy Expeditions Event!
  
• Massive balance update!
  
• A mountain of bug fixes based on your feedback!
  
• A few Mods are now available as in-game options:
  
  • Small trees
    
  • Idle economy units pointers

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

Thanks 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

---

---

This month is dedicated to the adventurous merchants who risked life and limb to obtain luxuries for their customers throughout the ages. They shared the world’s finest indulgences in colorful shops bursting with spices from faraway lands, thanks to fearless explorers in search of commerce.

TODAY through April 25th, complete the in-game tasks within the time limit to unlock exclusive rewards!



🢂 Q: Do I have to complete the challenges on consecutive days?
[expand type=details]While challenges don’t have to be completed on consecutive days, only one challenge can be completed per day.

This means that you will need to play at least five different days to complete all of the challenges.
[/expand]
🢂 Q: When is the last day I can complete the daily challenges?
[expand type=details]The Spicy Expeditions Event concludes April 25th.
[/expand]
🢂 Q: What do I do if I accidentally unsubscribe from a special mod?
[expand type=details]No problem! All you need to do is click your Profile Icon on the main menu, select Event Mods (under Collection), and then check the unlocked event mod you want to enable!
[/expand]
🢂 Q: How do I change my profile icon?
[expand type=details]You can update your profile icon in your profile:

1. On the main menu, click the Profile Icon next to your name.
   
2. You should now be in the Profile Icons tab under Collections.
   
3. Select your favorite icon, then click the Select Icon button to lock in your choice.
   
4. You’re done!

[/expand]
🢂 Q: How do I download and enable mods?
[expand type=details]For information about how to subscribe to and prioritize your mods, visit this article.
[/expand]

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.

***IMPORTANT***

This coming Wednesday, March 22nd, the platform team will be taking the multiplayer servers down for a large infrastructure update.

Downtime is expected to be 6 hours.

WHAT: Large Infrastructure Server Update (Matchmaking Servers)
WHEN: Wednesday, March 22 @ 12:00p PT / 3:00p ET / 19:00 UTC (Countdown)
EST. DOWNTIME: 6 HOURS

• Age of Empires: Definitive Edition (Steam / Microsoft Store)
  
• Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition (All Platforms)
  
• Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition (Steam / Microsoft Store)
  
• Age of Empires IV (Steam / Microsoft Store)

• Large Infrastructure Server Update

This coming Wednesday, March 22nd, the platform team will be taking the multiplayer servers down for a large infrastructure update. Please note:

• Ranked matchmaking will disabled exactly one hour before the maintenance window to prevent disruption to newly-formed matches.
  
  
• Any matches still in progress at the start of the maintenance window will be disrupted when it begins.
  
  
• DURING THE MAINTENANCE WINDOW, YOU WILL STILL BE ABLE TO LAUNCH THE GAME, BUT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO MATCHMAKE OR ACCESS ANY ONLINE FEATURES.

To prevent any interruptions, we recommend wrapping up any games at least 10 minutes before the maintenance window. The downtime is expected to last 6 hours. You can watch this thread with any changes to the schedule as they arise, as well as the all-clear when the maintenance is complete.

Thank you for your patience!

Nili’s Apartment Cup is back and bigger than ever! Ten of the best players in the world will be fighting for their share of the $50,000+ prize pool. The fourth edition of this legendary series, hosted by Nili_AoE, returns to its roots in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition with many familiar faces, and a few new ones too!

The level of competition is just getting hotter after two challenging qualifiers to make it into the top 10. Get ready for nine intense days of competition, starting with five preliminary rounds of grueling matches before a high-stakes single elimination playoff.

Will three-time reigning champion TheViper defend his title? Can Hera get his revenge after a loss in the NAC III finals? Will Liereyy finally take home the trophy in a LAN event? Can JorDan lock in an elusive S-Tier 1v1 tournament win? Or will a new champion emerge and upset TheViper’s reign? The level of competition has undoubtedly never been higher, and TaToH, Mr_Yo, ACCM, Villese, Vinchester and Nicov might have tricks up their sleeves as well.

The all-star casting lineup features T90, Dave, Nili, and Dash. They will be joined by players casting throughout the event, giving the tournament a unique charm and sense of comradery. The cozy atmosphere of Nili’s Apartment Cup that is well-known and loved and won’t be changed, even though it will be hosted in a much larger apartment in Berlin!

• Group Stages: 11th – 15th at 11:00 UTC
  
• Playoffs: 16th – 17th at 15:00 UTC
  
• Semi Finals: 18th 13:00 UTC
  
• Finals: 19th at 17:00 UTC (PLUS a 4v4 co-op showmatch at 14:00 UTC)

Be sure to tune in from March 11th through 19th on Nili’s Twitch channel for an unforgettable experience featuring the highest level of gameplay Age of Empires II has to offer. This will be an experience you don’t want to miss!

Welcome to a new update for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! This is just a small one with some balance changes, plus an all-new Xbox Celebration Event!

While there are plenty of notable fixes and features to which to look forward in today’s build, here’s some of the big highlights coming with this month’s update:

• Xbox Celebration event!
  
• Balance changes!
  
• Bug fixes based on your feedback!

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

Thanks 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

---

---

Hello and welcome to the next event for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition! We are welcoming Xbox players to the community in this new Age. Gbetos and Teutonic Knights are dusting off their Siege Towers and monks are polishing up Relics: everyone is ready to join the party in the Xbox Celebration Event!

TODAY through March 21st, complete the in-game tasks within the time limit to unlock exclusive rewards!




🢂 Q: Do I have to complete the challenges on consecutive days?
[expand type=details]While challenges don’t have to be completed on consecutive days, only one challenge can be completed per day.

This means that you will need to play at least five different days to complete all of the challenges.
[/expand]
🢂 Q: When is the last day I can complete the daily challenges?
[expand type=details]The Xbox Celebration Event concludes March 21st.
[/expand]
🢂 Q: What do I do if I accidentally unsubscribe from a special mod?
[expand type=details]No problem! All you need to do is click your Profile Icon on the main menu, select Event Mods (under Collection), and then check the unlocked event mod you want to enable!
[/expand]
🢂 Q: How do I change my profile icon?
[expand type=details]You can update your profile icon in your profile:

1. On the main menu, click the Profile Icon next to your name.
   
2. You should now be in the Profile Icons tab under Collections.
   
3. Select your favorite icon, then click the Select Icon button to lock in your choice.
   
4. You’re done!

[/expand]
🢂 Q: How do I download and enable mods?
[expand type=details]For information about how to subscribe to and prioritize your mods, visit this article.
[/expand]

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.

Hotfix 78757

Xbox

• Fixed an issue where villagers would stop their automated tasks to help build when queueing multiple buildings, requiring the player to re-assign all villagers.

Yesterday's update (77209) has been rolled back for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition due to performance issues. Our villagers are working double time preparing a patch for next week!

A new Public Update Preview is planned for Steam users today with the planned fixes.

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

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

Ring in 2023 with the Lunar New Year Sale! There's still time to pick up all your favorite games! Don't wait too long - sale ends January 31st!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/813780/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1389240/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition__Lords_of_the_West/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1557210/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition__Dawn_of_the_Dukes/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1869820/Age_of_Empires_II_Definitive_Edition__Dynasties_of_India/

---

https://store.steampowered.com/app/933110/Age_of_Empires_III_Definitive_Edition/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1581450/Age_of_Empires_III_Definitive_Edition__United_States_Civilization/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1581451/Age_of_Empires_III_DE__The_African_Royals/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1817370/Age_of_Empires_III_Definitive_Edition__Mexico_Civilization/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1817361/Age_of_Empires_III_Definitive_Edition__Knights_of_the_Mediterranean/

---

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1017900/Age_of_Empires_Definitive_Edition/

Happy New Year! We hope you have started the year off on a high note and are ready to go because this month we are turning the world of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition upside down. From angry sheep to lazy monks, nothing is going as expected. We have some fun surprises in store with this event. So, get ready for another year of Age of Empires because it’s going to be fun!






Q: Do I have to complete the challenges on consecutive days?
[expand type=details]While challenges don't have to be completed on consecutive days, only one challenge can be completed per day.

Only the Xbox Live challenges can be completed *any* day before the end of the event!

This means that you will need to play at least five different days to complete all of the challenges.[/expand]
Q: When is the last day I can complete the daily challenges?
[expand type=details]The Upside Down Event concludes January 23rd.[/expand]
Q: Do I get to keep all of the event unlocks?
[expand type=showmore]All you need to do is log into your Xbox Live account before the end of the event to keep all of the profile icons and mods you unlock; it's as easy as that![/expand]
Q: What do I do if I accidentally unsubscribe from a special mod?
[expand type=details]No problem! All you need to do is click your Profile Icon on the main menu, select Event Mods (under Collection), and then check the unlocked event mod you want to enable![/expand]
Q: How do I change my profile icon?
[expand type=details]You can update your profile icon in your profile:

1. On the main menu, click the Profile Icon next to your name.
2. You should now be in the Profile Icons tab under Collections.
3. Select your favorite icon, then click the Select Icon button to lock in your choice.
4. You're done!

[/expand]
Q: How do I download and enable mods?
[expand type=details]For information about how to subscribe to and prioritize your mods, visit this article.[/expand]

Remember: if you sign in to Xbox Live during the event, you’ll get to keep all of the mods and profile icons you’ve achieved! Sign in, earn your rewards, and enjoy!

We hope you enjoy this month’s Upside Down Event!

—The Age of Empires Team