Age of Empires
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| Portal: Strategy | 
| Age of Empires at Age of Empires Wiki |
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| Age of Empires | |
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| Developer(s) | Ensemble Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| Release date | PC: September 9, 1997 (NA) |
| Genre | Real-time strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
| Age rating(s) | ESRB: T |
| Platform(s) | PC, Mac, Gizmondo |
| Media | CD |
| Credits | Soundtrack | Codes | Walkthrough | |
This article is about the first game in the series of the same name. For more on the series, see Age of Empires series.
Age of Empires, abbreviated to AoE or AOE, is a historical real-time strategy computer game released in 1997. Developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft, the game uses the Genie engine, the same 2D sprite-based game engine used by Age of Kings and Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds. The game allows the user to play as the leader of a historical tribe or civilization from the Stone Age up until the Iron Age.
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[edit] Gameplay
Age of Empires consists of various single-player scenarios in which the player is required to complete specific objectives. Campaigns are a collection of scenarios which are completed in a linear fashion. The original Age of Empires included 4 campaigns, based on Egyptian, Greek, Babylonian and Yamato civilisations. Besides the campaigns, the other main type of single player gameplay is the 'random map' mode (where the map is generated randomly).
[edit] Multiplayer
Age of Empires features online and network play with up to 8 players simultaneously. A mix of random map and death match games have been popular among online players, including some death match variants where players only use specific units (e.g. 'Legions') or a combination of restrictions.
[edit] Civilizations
In AoE, twelve civilizations are available, sorted into four distinct architectural styles which determine their in-game appearance:
| Yamato/Asian | Babylonian/Mesopotamian | Egyptian/Fertile Crescent | Greek/Hellenistic |
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[edit] Ages
A major component of the game is the advancement through the ages. There are four ages: the Stone Age (Paleolithic), the Tool Age](Neolithic), the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. Researched at the Town Centers (for a considerable cost in resources), age advances allow for the availability of more advanced buildings, units and technologies. In order to advance from one age, two buildings from the current age must be built, and the player must have the required food (and gold in later ages) available in their stockpile.
[edit] Technology
Technological advances come in many categories, such as military upgrades (better armed and armored units), economic upgrades (e.g. increasing the rate of gathering resources etc), religious upgrades (e.g. faster conversion rates for priests etc) and infrastructure upgrades (e.g. stronger fortifications). As basic technology research is completed, more advanced technologies may become available. Some technologies are not available to certain civilizations.
Technology plays a very important role in the strategy of the game. As a civilisation progresses through the ages, technology becomes more and more expensive.
[edit] Units
Villagers are the most basic units in Age of Empires. Their primary function is to collect resources. Food is acquired by hunting, foraging, farming, and fishing. Villagers can also construct buildings and repair both buildings and naval vessels.
Priests are non-combat units which can heal allied units or "convert" enemy units (in which case the target unit changes allegiance). Infantry units, such as clubmen, swordsmen, and hoplites use melee combat to attack at short range. Mounted units include chariots, cavalry), and war elephants. Archers, mounted or on foot, attack at range. Siege units are of two types: catapults and ballista.
[edit] Buildings
The Town Center is one of the most important buildings in the game. Here villagers are created, and age advancement is researched.
Military units are created at specific buildings relevant to their discipline (e.g. archers are created at an archery range). All sea units are created at the docks.
[edit] Wonders
Wonders are enormous monuments representing the architectural achievements of the time. They require huge amounts of resources to build and are constructed very slowly. Wonders do not produce units or allow research. When a wonder is completed, a countdown timer begins. If the wonder is still standing at the end of the timer, the builder wins the game.
| Age of Empires series |
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| Age of Empires | Rise of Rome Age of Empires II | The Conquerors | Age of Kings Age of Empires III | The War Chiefs | Asian Dynasties |
| Spin-offs |
| Age of Mythology | The Titans |
| Units |
| AOE:Age of Empires | Age of Empires II | Age of Empires III AOM: Age of Mythology |
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