Age of Empires IV releases on PlayStation 5 on November 4th, and its arrival marks a major milestone for the franchise, welcoming a whole new community of console gamers into the fold. Everything that makes Age IV iconic is here: build sprawling cities, manage resources, and command your armies across land and sea. The game features five epic campaigns with 43 missions (including expansions), spanning 500 years of history from the Dark Ages to the Renaissance.
Since its release, Age of Empires IV has earned high praise—winning Best Sim/Strategy Game at The Game Awards in 2021 and claiming PC Gamer’s Best Strategy Game title. The game has continued to evolve through new civilizations, campaigns, and modes—each deepening the experience and celebrating the enduring legacy of Age of Empires. Now, that journey expands once again as Age IV makes its debut on PlayStation 5.
With full controller support, a custom-built tutorial, smart automation features, and a redesigned UI, Age IV has been thoughtfully adapted for PS5 while staying true to the strategic depth fans love. It’s a warm invitation for newcomers to jump in and for longtime players to experience the game in a fresh, comfortable way from the couch to the battlefield.
Curious how a game built for mouse and keyboard found its rhythm on a DualSense controller? Step behind the curtain to see how our team reimagined Age IV for console – preserving every bit of its strategic soul while making it effortless to play from the couch.
Pre-Order Age of Empires IV on PlayStation 5!
Age of Empires IV is available for pre-order now on PlayStation 5.
Coming November 4th!
UI Reimagined for Console Players
Bringing Age of Empires IV to consoles was no small feat. The team knew the PC user interface (UI) had to be completely reworked to feel intuitive and accessible for console players. This meant taking a complex RTS packed with hotkeys, asymmetric civ mechanics, and layers of strategic info, and making it all work seamlessly with controller inputs.
After plenty of experimentation, the answer came into focus: dynamic radial menus, smart automation systems, intelligent building placement, and a clean, streamlined layout that keeps the focus on strategy and not micromanagement. It took many months of iteration to design, implement, and fine-tune these systems into what players see today.
The result? Controls that aren’t just functional, they’re genuinely fun to use. Console players have been crushing it with these changes, even climbing the ranks in competitive play. For the PS5 version, the experience was optimized for features unique to the DualSense controller as well, including:
- The Light Bar dynamically changes color to signal key gameplay moments, like when you’re ready to Age Up, when you’ve reached your population cap, or to reflect your player color in skirmish and multiplayer matches.
- Haptic feedback adds a tactile layer to gameplay, giving players subtle cues during combat or construction.
Prefer a more traditional setup? No problem. Age IV on PS5 also supports full keyboard and mouse integration, giving players the flexibility to play their way without compromising the console-native experience.
Optimize Your Strategy with Automation and Resource Management
The Villager Priority System (VPS) and the Site Menu System (SMS) are powerful new RTS tools created specifically for Age games on consoles. These features enable players to manage their empire with ease, reducing the cognitive load of economic management and allowing buildings to be placed anywhere on the map with just a few clicks. Together, they redefine how strategy unfolds on console, making the gameplay feel intuitive and responsive.
The Villager Priority System was first introduced in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and enhanced for Age of Empires IV. The VPS empowers players to delegate economic management to AI while they focus on base building and combat. With a single button press, the VPS can assign all the players villagers to gather resources using predefined presets crafted from pro-level strategies or custom user defined settings. The system intelligently manages villagers, allowing them to seek out optimal resource locations and adjusting dynamically as needs change. It’s a smart, streamlined way to keep a players’ economy running smoothly without constant micromanagement, freeing players up to concentrate on the bigger picture.
Working in parallel with the VPS is the Site Menu System. This feature streamlines base building with context-sensitive controls. Using the SMS is as simple as selecting an object or resource on the map and letting the game highlight what players can do with it. For example, if a player highlights a patch of berries, the SMS will instantly suggest building a Mill there. When that option is chosen, a nearby villager will be automatically dispatched to construct the Mill and start gathering food, no need to manually select an idle worker or navigate through multiple build menus. This contextual building menu shines in Age IV’s asymmetric civilization roster, where each civ might have unique structures. No matter which civilization players choose, the SMS intelligently presents only the relevant choices, reducing the steps between player intent and the action. It’s a revolution in RTS console design: by cutting down the clicks needed to get things done, the game lets players execute plans almost as fast as they can think of them. Together, the Villager Priority System and the Site Menu System make the PS5 version of Age IV feel incredibly responsive and player friendly. These innovations ensure that players can effortlessly manage a complex empire with controller in hand.
Rise of a King: A Console-Friendly Tutorial Experience
PlayStation 5 players new to Age of Empires IV can easily get started with a custom-built tutorial campaign designed specifically for console gameplay. Rise of a King is a narrative-driven onboarding experience that sets the stage for the main Norman campaign, unfolding over a 20-year period leading up to the legendary Battle of Hastings.
This tutorial spans five missions and introduces players to the core fundamentals of Age IV – from basic controls and inputs to key gameplay concepts like building, resource management, and combat. It serves not just as a training ground but also a story-rich prelude that helps players ease into the strategic depth of the game.
The tutorial is designed to be revisited anytime, so players can brush up on specific mechanics or controller techniques whenever they need.
Multiplayer & Mods: Expanding the Battlefield
Age of Empires IV isn’t just about building empires it’s also about building memories with friends. Whether players are teaming up to take down AI opponents or going head-to-head in ranked matches, multiplayer on PS5 is packed with ways to play, compete, and just have fun. Jump into PvP or PvE matches with up to seven friends, and thanks to full crossplay support, it doesn’t matter if your crew is on Xbox or PC—everyone’s invited to the party.
If players are more into offline skirmishes with AI companions and opponents, there’s plenty of room for that too. Age IV makes it easy to find your groove, whether you’re a seasoned strategist or just here for the chaos.
For those players that love to spectate, Age IV also features a robust Observer mode. Players can choose to join a variety of game types in progress and kick back and watch the action unfold. This mode is perfect for learning new tactics from top ranked players or cheering on friends.
We can’t forget mods, because who doesn’t love a little extra content? On PS5, players can dive into a curated library of community-made content right from the game. Want new maps? Alternate game modes? Visual tweaks? Balance changes? It’s all there, ready to download and play – you’ll just need to enable mods first.
A New Age Has Dawned!
Age of Empires IV isn’t just the latest installment in a legendary franchise—it’s the crown jewel. With its ambitious scope, modernized gameplay, and strategic depth, it strikes a powerful balance between honoring its legacy and pushing the series forward. Powered by a fully 3D engine, packed with expansive campaigns, and featuring a rich lineup of civilizations, Age IV breathes new life into the classic RTS formula.
Bringing Age of Empires IV to PlayStation 5 is the next step in our mission to make history’s greatest strategy experience more accessible than ever. From the first village built to the final castle siege, every battle tells a story—and now you can command yours from the comfort of your couch. To all players, whether you’ve been with us since the early days or just joined the battlefield – we want to say thank you. Your passion, feedback, and creativity continue to inspire us every step of the way. Age IV on the PS5 is just one chapter in a much larger story, and we’re excited to keep building new empires together. With your support, the future of Age is brighter than ever.
Pre-Order Age of Empires IV on PlayStation 5 today! All pre-orders include Exclusive In-Game Items, and don’t forget that Premium Edition includes up to 5 days Early Access!
Pre-Order Age of Empires IV on PlayStation 5!
Age of Empires IV is available for pre-order now on PlayStation 5.
Coming November 4th!