Age Of Empires III

[HeroOfPellinor]

Update 03/21/2005

More details on the graphics engine.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/594/594629p1.html

The Age 3 renderer is built to be cutting-edge and take advantage of the latest technology. But, since our games sell a bunch of copies, we also have to make the graphics gracefully degrade if you don't have an uber box under your desk. That's a tough challenge given the breadth of hardware out there right now. Age 3 easily has the largest compatibility spectrum of any game that we've ever done. I'd wager that we've probably spent as much time on those lower-end parts of the renderer as on the super high-end components.

At the high level, I guess it's in the fairness ballpark to equate it to current shooters, but we're also shooting for an even bigger market at the same time.

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Update 01/04/2005

New preview and screenshots at Gamespy.

Most interesting tidbit.
"Age of Empires III is scheduled to ship in the second half of 2005"

http://pc.gamespy.com Direct link not working.


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Update 01/04/2005

Link to new screenshots and interview with Greg Street of ES. Thanks Spongo.

http://pc.ign.com/articles/576/576023p1.html

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Update 12/14/2004

Link to page from PCG

Screenshot or cinematic?


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Original


AoK (AoE II) is probably still my favorite game of all time. The Conquerers expansion added some interest with the radical new civs, but broke, I felt, the delicate balance and feel of the original. I bought and played AoM and the Titans expansion, but it was definitely not the same quality as AoK. There were too many cheap tactics.

 

[Schadenfroh]

i loved AOE 1, did not like AOE 2

 

[Modeps]

AOE2 > AOE 1
"If these trends continue.... AaaayYYYYY!" -Disco Stu

 

[Bateluer]

AoE3 was Age of Mythology wasn't it.

If they want to actually make an AoE3, then they'll have some stiff competition. Empire Earth, Dawn of the Modern World, and Rome: Total War are all excellent historical strategy games.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
AoE3 was Age of Mythology wasn't it.

Nope.

If they want to actually make an AoE3, then they'll have some stiff competition. Empire Earth, Dawn of the Modern World, and Rome: Total War are all excellent historical strategy games.

I played EE and found it unbalanced and awkward. Ensemble Studios just has a knack for this kind of game. Hmm.....maybe it'll be a MMORTS.

 

[Algere]

Wonder what would improve over previous AoE/AoM incarnations if they were to make a AoE3. Wouldn't be worth it for me if it's only a campaign update for the most part.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Algere
Wonder what would improve over previous AoE/AoM incarnations if they were to make a AoE3. Wouldn't be worth it for me if it's only a campaign update for the most part.

I think adding variety to the rock-paper-scissors approach of AoK would be perfect. Make it rock-rockpaper-paper-paperscissors-scissors-scissorsrock

 

[Czar]

well they would have to beat rise of nations

Only thing I really want to get is some propper defenses, better walls and tower management.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
i loved AOE 1, did not like AOE 2

 

[episodic]

/me continues playing Rome Total War. . .

FLAMING ARROWS AWAY!

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

The second to last page in the January issue of PC Gamer has a promo for news on AoE III in the Februrary edition of PC Gamer. It's quite clear from the shot, which appears to be in game, that the time period will be roughly 1500-1900. It's an unbelievably gorgeous shot of a bustling port town. Could be a cinematic, but it hold promise.

Sea battles could be more important than ever in this game, but Ensemble has been known to forgo accuracy in place of balance, so who knows.

 

[Triforceofcourage]

go buy battle for middle earth to keep you busy until AOE 3 comes out. Thats what I am doing

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
go buy battle for middle earth to keep you busy until AOE 3 comes out. Thats what I am doing

Bleh. I don't care about high profile licenses, I want balanced and deep gameplay, like only Ensemble consistently delivers. Only RTS that rivals AoK for me is RTW. All other pale in comparison.

 

[Triforceofcourage]

Your missing out the game is a blast. This is coming from someone who owns AOE 1 and its expansion pack, AOE 2 and its expansion pack, and Age of Mythology but take my advice as a grain of salt if you want.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Updated first post with screenshot. After the preview in Fed PCG, I may turn this into an official thread.

 

[JBT]

Pic looks good.

 

[spunkz]

battle for middle earth owns! nothing cooler than having your balrog spawn at the gate of the enemy's base and charge in with the LOTR soundtrack playing in the background.

 

[suklee]

Originally posted by: JBT

Originally posted by: Schadenfroh
i loved AOE 1, did not like AOE 2

favorite race: assyrians

 

[warcrow]

I can only imagine the horsepower required to make that game run smooth.

 

[Yossarian]

there was a great community for AoE2, I don't know if that kind of feeling can come back for this game. on the Heaven site Sandy Petersen, one of the big time game designers, used to spend a lot of time almost every day answering questions.

 

[naruto1988]

AoE series was one of the greatest i've played. might have to look into this AoE3 thing.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Yossarian
there was a great community for AoE2, I don't know if that kind of feeling can come back for this game. on the Heaven site Sandy Petersen, one of the big time game designers, used to spend a lot of time almost every day answering questions.

I still remember some of the discussions on that board with Sandyman. Some pretty deep stuff.

There was a long wait for that game, but the steady trickle of info posted on Gamespot and the constant updating by the dev on the Heaven site made it work to their advantage. I suspect this game will be similar. AoM was a patch job project, I think we'll see a similar AoK community build for this game especially if we hear that screnshot was in game.

 

[Spongo]

still no news on ensembles site...

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: Spongo
still no news on ensembles site...

There will be a featured preview of AoE III in the Feb edition of PC Gamer.

Like I said, Ensemble takes their time, so from preview to release is likely gonna be 6 months or more......I'd be very surprised if it was less than that.

 

[jim1976]

Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
Your missing out the game is a blast. This is coming from someone who owns AOE 1 and its expansion pack, AOE 2 and its expansion pack, and Age of Mythology but take my advice as a grain of salt if you want.

You know I was wondering how such an inspiring for these games, book/movie (LOTR) didn't became the no1 title at least for this year. IMO this title deserved greater attention and respect by the gaming companies.
I'm reluctant on purchasing it,I don't want to get frustrated if it's not what is supposed and deserves to be...