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Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition — Update 9476

Hello, good day, and HAPPY DECEMBER, explorers!

Thanks for your patience while we pull something big together for you! This month’s update is the first major release to introduce a *slew* of new features and fixes to Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. The team has been working hard on new systems that they’re excited to now share with you, as well as fixes and adjustments requested by all of you (the community) over the past month. They’ve been tinkering with a little of everything for everyone: from game balance and performance improvements to civilization adjustments, AI tweaks (to inject some real strategic thinking into those computer players), and other improvements to make the game better than ever!

While the full changelog can be found below, here’s the abbreviated summary of what’s dropping today:

  • Introducing the FIRST Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition Challenge Event!
  • New Stockholm (Home City) Customization!
  • View players’ Casual Rank on a new hover menu
  • New Profile Avatar system to add that *personal* flare when dominating your opponents on the battlefield
  • A ton of stability and performance improvements
  • The return of the Villager gathering improvements
  • Several fixes for units getting stuck in structures and the terrain!
  • Balance adjustments to 11 different civilizations
  • New map pools!
  • New Treaty games in Ranked matchmaking!
  • AI training montage: Complete! Rematch Status: Waiting for players…
  • and more!

You can read the full list below while downloading the update on the Microsoft Store and Steam! Once you’ve had the opportunity to play it, we’ll be looking to hear what you think and what you want to see *next* over on our official discussion channels:



We also want to hear if you’re encountering issues following today’s release! If you’ve already tinkered with your antivirus and worked through the troubleshooting steps that have helped others, remember to reach out to our support team for assistance! We’re here to help, and will continue to work with you over the holiday break to get in and enjoying the game.

That’s it for now! As always, there’s *much* more to come in the months to follow! The new year will only bring more good things to Age III: DE, and we hope you’re as excited as we are to go on this journey in 2021!

Happy holidays!

—The Age of Empires Team

 

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Download on the MICROSOFT STORE

Remember that you’ll need to update your game in the Microsoft Store:

  • Open the Microsoft Store.
  • Click the [ ∙ ∙ ∙ ] symbol next to your profile picture.
  • Select Downloads and updates.
  • Press the Get updates button to automatically detect, download, and install the latest changes to your game!
  • Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 9476

If you are unable to launch the game after downloading the update, make sure you add (or re-add) the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition client or folder as an exception to your firewall and antivirus program.

That’s it; you’re ready to play!

Download on STEAM
Remember that you’ll need to update your game in Steam:

  • Open Steam.
  • Click on Library to see your games list.
  • Click Downloads at the bottom of the Library window.
  • [If the new build does not download automatically,] click the Download Now button to manually download the new update.
  • Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 9476

That’s it; you’re ready to play!

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Please note that custom mods may not be compatible with the latest game update. If you are experiencing issues launching or playing the game after downloading the new build, try disabling your installed mods before trying again.

Still having trouble? Visit our support site!

Become an Age Insider!

Insiders unlock access to exclusive news, updates, and opportunities to provide feedback about future releases. Here are some of the perks:

  • Access to private forums where you can interact with Age developers
  • The chance to join exclusive beta opportunities through Steam and the Windows Store
  • Channels to provide feedback and inspire quality changes in your favorite Age titles