Age of Empires 3

[Sirotnikov]

So what information do we have about the game, besides that it is going to be ****ing beautiful - and none of our current computers will be able to support this kind of beauty?

[DrSpike]

I know it's the sequel to AOE2.

[Asmodean]

And that it may become a prequel to AoE4

Asmodean

[DrSpike]

Man our gaming knowledge is second to none.

[Jonny]

I know that it will spawn at least one expansion pack, as well as some sort of "Gold Edition" combo.

[DrSpike]

I know that Solver will luuurve it no matter how bad it is.

[General Ludd]

Wow, glowing neon grass.


Technology has progressed so much these past few years, this new level of realism is really astounding.

[lord of the mark]

i enjoyed AOE, i played that before I got Civ. Even bought ROR.

AOK wouldnt run on my PC - the specs were ok, there was a copy protection conflict. Its on my list for the future.

IIUC AOE3 will be set after the AOE2 - IE early modern period - IIUC thats precisely the period covered by Cossacks - isnt there a Cossacks2 coming out? I suspect the MS marketing bulldozer will overwhelm Cossacks, though.

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by lord of the mark

AOK wouldnt run on my PC - the specs were ok, there was a copy protection conflict. Its on my list for the future.

Pirate!

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike


Pirate!

and at the time, i didnt even have a CD writer. AOK copy protection just didnt like the particular model of CD ROM drive on my PC - tech support was aware of the problem, and there was nothing they could do.

Thank goodness i could still return games to EB, in those days.

[lord of the mark]

Originally posted by DrSpike


Pirate!

that wont run on my PC either, it doesnt meet the specs. But, no, I dont think AOE3 will compete with that, the period is the same, but thats more an RPG, IIUC, no?

[DrSpike]

Originally posted by lord of the mark




that wont run on my PC either, it doesnt meet the specs. But, no, I dont think AOE3 will compete with that, the period is the same, but thats more an RPG, IIUC, no?

It's a collection of mini-games, with some strategy, some RPG, and some reaction testing.

[Solver]

It's set from the discovery of America till the US Civil war. Thus, railroads in later ages. Gunpowder units do NOT completely dominate the battlefield, as melee cavalry still exists late in the game and is important. Formations also have more importance, something similar to how it is in RoN. While AoE3 is still largely based on reflexes, it's somewhat easier to win through superior strategy and tactics. But yes, you still do need speed. The campaign for this game is sort of a traditional AoE campaign. Historical events, many battles, should be fun.

AoE3 uses the Havok engine for a ton of stuff... units dying, buildings collapsing, that's all physics controlled. Cannonballs roll on the field, too. Water is fully DirectX9, pixel shaders are there... naval battles look as good as bikini girls on beach on a summer day.

Oh, it focuses on multiplayer, of course, with a new version of ESO for matchmaking. Thankfully, the focus there is just like with Age of Mythology, on being able to get a game quick. Which is unlike AoE2, where the MSN Zone might not have been bad, but you might easily spend 20 minutes to get a game.

Any specific questions, just ask .

[Sava]

I was never a fan of the AoE series, but I think this one looks good.

[paramir]

how do you know all that