Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition releases for PC and Game Pass in October

Microsoft has premiered the first trailer for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition and confirmed a release date of October 15 on Steam, the Microsoft Store and Game Pass.

Definitive Edition will feature 4K graphics, rebuilt 3D assets, modernized UI, cross-play multiplayer, and fully enhanced soundtrack and audio, creative director Adam Isgreen said on Xbox.com.

The new version will also add two new game modes and two new civilizations exclusive to the definitive edition.

“It’s been years since we kicked off the idea of bringing back the Age of Empires series in definitive form, and through each game we’ve listened to our fans, learned, and refined our process to make the best possible true Age experience of each game that we can,” Isgreen said.

“In just a few months, long-time Age fans will be able to complete their collection, and those yet to try Age III will be able to experience this groundbreaking game in the best version possible, continuing our mission of setting the standard of what it means to create ‘definitive’ editions of classic games.”

The creative director said a series of Historical Battles have been added to the game set within the time period the game covers, as well as Art of War challenges, which were added after the “overwhelmingly positive community feedback” from their initial appearance in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.