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Difference between revisions of "Age of Empires"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(→‎Availability: Added in OS details.)
 
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 +
{{disambig|the original game|the 2018 re-release|[[Age of Empires: Definitive Edition]]}}
 
{{Infobox game
 
{{Infobox game
 
|cover        = Age of Empires Box.jpg
 
|cover        = Age of Empires Box.jpg
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Ensemble Studios}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/developer|Ensemble Studios}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/porter|MacSoft|Mac OS}}
 
|publishers  =  
 
|publishers  =  
−
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft Studios}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Microsoft}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|Ubisoft|Re-releases}}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/publisher|MacSoft|Mac OS}}
 
|engines      =  
 
|engines      =  
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Genie}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/engine|Genie}}
 
|release dates=  
 
|release dates=  
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 15, 1997}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 15, 1997}}
−
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|1999}}
+
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|July 1, 1999}}
 +
|reception    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|age-of-empires|83}}
 +
|taxonomy    =
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing            | Real-time }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view, Isometric }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Multiple select, Point and select }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | RTS }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Africa, Europe, Classical }}
 +
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Age of Empires }}
 
|steam appid  =  
 
|steam appid  =  
−
|gogcom page  =  
+
|gogcom id    =  
 +
|official site= https://web.archive.org/web/20011110043103/http://www.microsoft.com/games/age/
 +
|hltb        = 266
 +
|lutris      = age-of-empires
 +
|strategywiki = Age of Empires
 +
|mobygames    = 384
 
|wikipedia    = Age of Empires (video game)
 
|wikipedia    = Age of Empires (video game)
 
|winehq      = 762
 
|winehq      = 762
 +
|license      = commercial
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{Introduction
 +
|introduction      =
 +
 +
|release history  = The game received '''''The Rise of Rome''''' expansion pack in October 1998 with new civilizations and campaigns. Both titles received [[#Patches|a single patch]] applied from the same installer.
 +
 +
|current state    = On modern systems, the unofficial patch [[#UPatch|UPatch]] is needed to resolve color palette issues caused by a broken  [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw]] renderer, as well as resolving save corruption problems, adding widescreen support and balance changes which would later be the basis for the ''[[Age of Empires: Definitive Edition|Definitive Edition]]''. The [https://www.voobly.com/ Voobly] community multiplayer service is the ''de facto'' option after the official servers were shut down.
 
}}
 
}}
−
{{Series|Age of Empires}}
 
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
−
{{mm}} [http://www.ageofempires.com/ Official Age of Empires series site]
+
{{mm}} [https://discordapp.com/invite/ageofempires Official Discord server] for the series
 
{{mm}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090220032645/http://microsoft.com/games/empires/default.htm Microsoft's Official game page (archived)]
 
{{mm}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20090220032645/http://microsoft.com/games/empires/default.htm Microsoft's Official game page (archived)]
−
{{mm}} [http://ageofempires.wikia.com/wiki/Age_of_Empires_Series_Wiki Age of Empires Wiki] - A wiki for everything Age of Empires related
+
{{mm}} [https://aoe.heavengames.com Age of Empires Heaven] is an active fan website and forum that offers support and extra game content.
−
{{mm}} [http://planetageofempires.gamespy.com/aoe/ Planet Age of Empires] - A hub for all Age of Empires games
 
−
{{mm}} [http://aoe.heavengames.com Age of Empires Heaven] is an active fan website and forum that offers support and extra game content.
 
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc |  |  | Windows, Mac OS }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | Disc |  |  | Windows, Mac OS }}
−
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B00001LDC8 | Disc | |  | Windows, Mac OS }}
+
{{Availability/row| Retail | | DRM-free | Collector's Edition re-releases. |  | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} Free demos are available for the [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/274-age-of-empires-demo/ base game] and [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/275-age-of-empires-the-rise-of-rome-demo/ The Rise of Rome]
 +
 +
===Version differences===
 +
{{ii}} '''Age of Empires: Gold Edition''' contains the base game and The Rise of Rome expansion, first released in 1999.
 +
{{ii}} '''Age of Empires: Collector's Edition''' contains [[Age of Empires]] and Age of Empires II with their respective expansion packs. The later DVD-ROM releases include the latest patches and are DRM-free, but are missing Red Book CD audio.
  
−
===Demos===
+
==Monetization==
−
* [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/274-age-of-empires-demo/ Age of Empires]
+
{{Monetization
−
* [http://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/275-age-of-empires-the-rise-of-rome-demo/ Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome]
+
|ad-supported          =  
 +
|dlc                    =  
 +
|expansion pack        = The expansion pack includes new civilizations, units, technologies and campaigns.
 +
|freeware              =
 +
|free-to-play          =
 +
|one-time game purchase = The game requires an upfront purchase to access.
 +
|sponsored              =
 +
|subscription          =
 +
}}
  
 
{{DLC|
 
{{DLC|
−
{{DLC/row| Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome |  | Windows }}
+
{{DLC/row| The Rise of Rome |  | Windows }}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Essential improvements==
 
==Essential improvements==
 
===Patches===
 
===Patches===
−
{{ii}} This patch updates both Age of Empires (to 1.0c) and The Rise of Rome (to 1.0a): [http://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/EN-US/AOEPATCH.exe English, German, and French] or [http://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/PT-BR/AOEPATCH.exe Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese].
+
{{ii}} This patch updates both Age of Empires (to 1.0c) and The Rise of Rome (to 1.0a): [https://web.archive.org/web/20150619114323/https://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/EN-US/AOEPATCH.exe English, German, and French] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20160809023805/http://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/PT-BR/AOEPATCH.exe Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese].
−
{{ii}} Age of Empires: The Rise of Rome 1.0a suffers from a serious bug in saved games. If a projectile (arrow from archers, ships, towers, siege weapons) is "flying" through the air while saving a game, the saved game becomes corrupted; loading it will crash the game.
+
{{ii}} Alternately, the latest official patch is available at [https://soggi.org/misc/game-patches.htm soggi.org].
 +
{{--}} The Rise of Rome 1.0a suffers from a serious bug in saved games. If a projectile (arrow from archers, ships, towers, siege weapons) is flying through the air while saving a game, the saved game becomes corrupted; loading it will crash the game. This can be fixed however with the use of RockNRor or UPatch HD.
  
−
===[http://aoe.heavengames.com/dl-php/showfile.php?fileid=2477 UPatch]===
+
===[https://aoe.heavengames.com/dl-php/showfile.php?fileid=2464 RockNRor]===
−
{{ii}} The patch is available as a beta. The final version will include more changes which can be found [http://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=st&fn=17&tn=6327&st=2#post3 here]
+
{{ii}} Allows for numerous fixes and quality-of-life tweaks for the Rise of Rome executable, and some of the base game as well.
 +
{{++}} Has fixes for the save game corruption bug for both the base game (1.0c) and Rise of Rome (1.0a)
 +
{{--}} "Unfixed" saves will not be compatible with the "Fixed" executables.<ref>https://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=st&fn=4&tn=6576&st=227#post228</ref>
 +
 
 +
 
 +
===[https://upatch-hd.weebly.com/ UPatch HD]===
 +
{{ii}} Requires The Rise of Rome expansion
 +
{{++}} Unofficial patch that contains bug fixes and improvements for modern operating systems. Does not require any previous patches.
 
{{++}} Fixes the color problem caused in newer systems
 
{{++}} Fixes the color problem caused in newer systems
−
{{--}} Requires The Rise of Rome expansion
+
{{++}} Fixes the save game corruption bug of version 1.0a
−
An unofficial patch made by the AoE Heaven which fixes a lot of bugs, enhances the gameplay, adds a HD resolution and balance change for each civilization.
+
{{--}} UPatch installer requires Age of Empires' installation to be noted in Windows' registry; if the game's installation fails to run or you're using a portable install of the game, a [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2902-age-of-empires-the-rise-of-rome-registry-fix/ registry patch] is required.
  
 
===Skip intro videos===
 
===Skip intro videos===
−
Use the <code>NoStartup</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]].<ref>Available from the game's readme file; alternatively viewable at http://aoe.heavengames.com/academy/hotkeysandcommands/cmdline.shtml</ref>
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>NoStartup</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]].|ref=<ref>Available from the game's readme file; alternatively viewable at http://aoe.heavengames.com/academy/hotkeysandcommands/cmdline.shtml</ref>|fix=}}
  
 
==Game data==
 
==Game data==
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
===Configuration file(s) location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{p|hkcu}}\Software\Microsoft\Games\Age of Empires\1.00\}}
−
{{Game data/row|Mac OS|}}
+
{{Game data/config|Mac OS|}}
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
===Save game data location===
 
===Save game data location===
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
−
{{Game data/row|Windows|{{p|game}}\savegame}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Windows|{{p|game}}\savegame|{{p|game}}\game0.nfo}}
−
{{Game data/row|Mac OS|}}
+
{{Game data/saves|Mac OS|}}
−
}}
 
−
{{ii}} Campaign progress is stored in <code>{{p|game}}\game0.nfo</code>
 
−
{{ii}} Custom scenarios are stored in <code>{{p|game}}\scenario</code>
 
−
{{ii}} Custom campaigns are stored in <code>{{p|game}}\campaign</code>
 
−
{{ii}} You will need to backup all of the above files and folders to have all of your player data and progress.
 
−
 
 
−
===[[Glossary:Save game cloud syncing|Save game cloud syncing]]===
 
−
{{Save game cloud syncing
 
−
|origin                =
 
−
|origin notes          =
 
−
|steam cloud          =
 
−
|steam cloud notes    =
 
−
|uplay                =
 
−
|uplay notes          =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{ii}} Campaign progress is stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\game0.nfo}}
 +
{{ii}} Custom scenarios are stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\scenario|folder}}
 +
{{ii}} Custom campaigns are stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\campaign|folder}}
  
−
==Video settings==
+
==Video==
 
{{Image|Age Of Empires Options.png|In-game options menu.}}
 
{{Image|Age Of Empires Options.png|In-game options menu.}}
−
{{Video settings
+
{{Video
−
|wsgf link                  = http://www.wsgf.org/dr/age-empires
+
|wsgf link                  = https://www.wsgf.org/dr/age-empires
−
|widescreen wsgf award      = unsupported
+
|widescreen wsgf award      = limited
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|multimonitor wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = unsupported
 
|ultrawidescreen wsgf award = unsupported
Line 105: Line 145:
 
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing              = n/a
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 
|antialiasing notes        =  
 +
|upscaling                  = unknown
 +
|upscaling tech            =
 +
|upscaling notes            =
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync                      = false
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|vsync notes                =  
 
|60 fps                    = true
 
|60 fps                    = true
−
|60 fps notes              =  
+
|60 fps notes              = Animations play at 20 FPS
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps notes              =  
 +
|hdr                        = unknown
 +
|hdr notes                  =
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind                = unknown
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
|color blind notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Input settings==
+
==Input==
−
{{Input settings
+
{{Input
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap                = true
 
|key remap notes          = The only option available is to use one or both mouse buttons.
 
|key remap notes          = The only option available is to use one or both mouse buttons.
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|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 +
|touchscreen              = unknown
 +
|touchscreen notes        =
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support        = false
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
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|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
−
|touchscreen               = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = unknown
−
|touchscreen notes        =  
+
|xinput controllers notes  =
−
|button prompts           = unknown
+
|xbox prompts              = unknown
−
|button prompts notes     =  
+
|xbox prompts notes        =
 +
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 +
|impulse triggers notes    =
 +
|dualshock 4               = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 notes        =
 +
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 +
|dualshock prompts notes  =
 +
|light bar support        = unknown
 +
|light bar support notes  =
 +
|dualshock 4 modes        = unknown
 +
|dualshock 4 modes notes  =
 +
|tracked motion controllers= unknown
 +
|tracked motion controllers notes =
 +
|tracked motion prompts    = unknown
 +
|tracked motion prompts notes =
 +
|other controllers         = unknown
 +
|other controllers notes  =  
 +
|other button prompts     = unknown
 +
|other button prompts notes=  
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug        = unknown
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|controller hotplug notes  =  
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback          = unknown
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
 
|haptic feedback notes    =  
−
|light bar support        = unknown
+
|simultaneous input        = unknown
−
|light bar support notes   =  
+
|simultaneous input notes  =
 +
|steam input api          = unknown
 +
|steam input api notes    =
 +
|steam hook input          = unknown
 +
|steam hook input notes    =
 +
|steam input presets      = unknown
 +
|steam input presets notes =
 +
|steam controller prompts  = unknown
 +
|steam controller prompts notes =
 +
|steam cursor detection    = unknown
 +
|steam cursor detection notes =  
 
}}
 
}}
  
−
==Audio settings==
+
==Audio==
−
{{Audio settings
+
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume          = true
 
|separate volume notes    =  
 
|separate volume notes    =  
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|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions          = false
 
|closed captions notes    =  
 
|closed captions notes    =  
−
|mute on focus lost      = true
+
|mute on focus lost      = always on
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support              =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 
|eax support notes        =  
 +
|royalty free audio      = always on
 +
|royalty free audio notes =
 +
|red book cd audio        = true
 +
|red book cd audio notes  =
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = French  
 
  |language  = French  
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = German
 
  |language  = German
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    = Fan translation by .:i2k:. [https://magyaritasok.hu/magyaritasok/age-of-empires/age-of-empires-rise-of-rome/292 link #1], [http://users.atw.hu/jatekhonositas/hun_aoe1.html link #2]
 +
  |fan       = true
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Italian
 
  |language  = Italian
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Portuguese
 
  |language  = Portuguese
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
  |fan notes =  
+
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Brazilian Portuguese
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    = [https://web.archive.org/web/20011030014724/http://www.microsoft.com/brasil/games/empires/ Microsoft Brasil.]
 +
  |fan       =  
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
 
  |language  = Spanish
 
  |language  = Spanish
−
  |interface = yes
+
  |interface = true
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |audio    = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
−
|fan notes =
 
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
}}
Line 230: Line 319:
 
|lan play            = true
 
|lan play            = true
 
|lan play players    = 8
 
|lan play players    = 8
−
|lan play modes      =  
+
|lan play modes      = Versus
 
|lan play notes      =  
 
|lan play notes      =  
−
|online play          = true
+
|online play          = hackable
 
|online play players  = 8
 
|online play players  = 8
−
|online play modes    =  
+
|online play modes    = Versus
−
|online play notes    =  
+
|online play notes    = The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down; use [https://www.voobly.com Voobly].
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous        =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
 
|asynchronous notes  =  
Line 242: Line 331:
 
{{Network/Connections
 
{{Network/Connections
 
|matchmaking        = false
 
|matchmaking        = false
−
|matchmaking notes  = MSN Gaming Zone support has been discontinued.<ref>[http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/aoferetiring Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games]</ref>
+
|matchmaking notes  = MSN Gaming Zone support has been discontinued.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/aoferetiring|title=Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 
|p2p                = true
 
|p2p                = true
 
|p2p notes          =  
 
|p2p notes          =  
Line 256: Line 345:
 
|tcp  = 2300-2400, 47624
 
|tcp  = 2300-2400, 47624
 
|udp  = 6073, 2300-2400
 
|udp  = 6073, 2300-2400
−
|upnp =  
+
|upnp = unknown
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
−
===Game uses weird colors===
+
===Color issues===
−
Playing the game on a modern version of Windows may cause it to use weird colors. Repetitive red and purple specks in water and marsh areas are the common issue. This can be fixed by downloading and using [http://aok.heavengames.com/blacksmith/showfile.php?fileid=11108 DirectDrawFix].
+
{{ii}}Playing the game on modern versions of Windows may cause it to use strange colors. Repetitive red and purple specks in water and marsh areas are the common issue.
−
{{Fixbox|1=
+
{{ii}} See [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw troubleshooting]] for further information.
−
{{Fixbox/fix|Weird colors fix}}
+
{{Fixbox|description=Install [[#UPatch|UPatch]] (The Rise of Rome only)|fix=
−
{{ii}}This fix requires administrative powers.
+
}}
−
# Download and extract the DirectDrawFix zip file.
+
 
−
# Run <code>DirectDrawFix.exe</code>.
+
{{Fixbox|description=Legacy fix|ref={{cn|date=July 2016}}|fix=
−
# Use the browse button to locate and select <code>EMPIRES.exe</code>.
+
# Download and extract the [https://aok.heavengames.com/blacksmith/showfile.php?fileid=11108 DirectDrawFix] zip file.
 +
# Run {{file|DirectDrawFix.exe}}.
 +
# Use the browse button to locate and select {{file|EMPIRES.exe}}.
 
# Press the apply button.
 
# Press the apply button.
−
# Repeat for <code>EMPIRESX.exe</code>.
+
# Repeat for {{file|EMPIRESX.exe}}.
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Could not initialize graphics system error<ref name="CNIgraphs">[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_other-gaming/age-of-empires-ii-could-not-initialize-graphics/06569ca3-7e06-4fd9-a378-714c7f756176 Age of Empires II - "could not initialize graphics system. make sure that your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw"]</ref>|fix=
 +
#Run the game in Compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 2
 +
#Disable Visual Themes
 +
#Disable Desktop Composition
 +
#Run this program as an Administrator
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===Wrong in-game music - Gold Edition===
 +
{{ii}} On the Gold Edition of the game, all of Age Of Empires soundtrack is replaced by Rise Of Rome soundtrack.
 +
{{ii}} This is due to the disc check DRM and the Gold Edition disc having redbook CD-Audio data for Rise Of Rome but none for Age Of Empires.
 +
{{ii}} Both games use CD-Audio for the soundtrack by default
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Force the game to use music from the game files instead of CD-Audio|ref=<ref>Reference</ref>|fix=
 +
Launch Age Of Empires with the <code>/midimusic</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]].
 +
}}
 +
  
 
==Other information==
 
==Other information==
Line 287: Line 394:
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support notes  =  
 
|mantle support notes  =  
 +
|vulkan versions        =
 +
|vulkan notes          =
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes              =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|dos modes notes        =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
−
|64-bit executable     = false
+
|windows 32-bit exe    = true
−
|64-bit executable notes=  
+
|windows 64-bit exe    = false
 +
|windows arm app        = false
 +
|windows exe notes      =
 +
|mac os x powerpc app  = unknown
 +
|macos intel 32-bit app =
 +
|macos intel 64-bit app =
 +
|macos arm app          = unknown
 +
|macos app notes        =
 +
|linux 32-bit executable=  
 +
|linux 64-bit executable=
 +
|linux arm app          = unknown
 +
|linux executable notes =
 +
|mac os powerpc app    = true
 +
|mac os 68k app        = true
 +
|mac os executable notes=  
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 308: Line 431:
 
|cutscenes notes  =  
 
|cutscenes notes  =  
 
|multiplayer      = MSN Gaming Zone
 
|multiplayer      = MSN Gaming Zone
−
|multiplayer notes=  
+
|multiplayer notes= Discontinued.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/aoferetiring.htm|title=Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games|date=May 2023}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
===[[Glossary:Command line arguments|Command line arguments]]===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Command<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://aoe.heavengames.com/academy/hotkeysandcommands/cmdline.shtml|title=Age of Empires Command Line Parameters - Age of Empires Heaven|date=May 2023}}</ref> !! Description
 +
|-
 +
| NoStartup || Skips the intro
 +
|-
 +
| 640 || Forces the 640x480 resolution
 +
|-
 +
| 800 || Forces the 800x600 resolution
 +
|-
 +
| 1024 || Forces the 1024x768 resolution
 +
|-
 +
| Mfill || Fixes horizontal line issue related to contemporary Matrox video adapters
 +
|-
 +
| NormalMouse || Replaces the ingame cursor with the standard Windows one
 +
|-
 +
| NoSound || Disables game audio with the exception of cinematics
 +
|-
 +
| NoTerrainSound || Disables ambient audio
 +
|-
 +
| NoMusic || Disables music
 +
|-
 +
| MidiMusic || Forces the use of MIDI music instead of the Red Book CD music
 +
|-
 +
| Msync || Fixes lockups related to contemporary SoundBlaster AWE configurations
 +
|}
  
 
==System requirements==
 
==System requirements==
Line 315: Line 466:
 
|OSfamily = Windows
 
|OSfamily = Windows
  
−
|minOS    = 95, NT
+
|minOS    = 95, NT 4.0 SP3
−
|minCPU  = Pentium 90 or higher
+
|minCPU  = Intel Pentium 90 or higher
 
|minRAM  = 16 MB
 
|minRAM  = 16 MB
 
|minHD    = 80 MB
 
|minHD    = 80 MB
Line 323: Line 474:
 
|minDX    = 5
 
|minDX    = 5
  
−
|recOS    = 98, 2000, ME
+
|recOS    =  
 
|recRAM  = 32 MB
 
|recRAM  = 32 MB
 +
}}
 +
 +
{{System requirements
 +
|OSfamily = Mac OS
 +
 +
|minOS    = 7.5.3
 +
|minCPU  = 120 MHz 604
 +
|minCPU2  = 150 MHz 603
 +
|minRAM  = 32 MB
 +
|minHD    = 70 MB
 +
 +
|recCPU  = 150 MHz 604
 
}}
 
}}
  
 
{{References}}
 
{{References}}

Latest revision as of 02:18, 23 April 2024

This page is for the original game. For the 2018 re-release, see Age of Empires: Definitive Edition.

Age of Empires
Age of Empires cover
Developers
Ensemble Studios
Mac OS (Classic) MacSoft
Publishers
Microsoft
Re-releases Ubisoft
Mac OS MacSoft
Engines
Genie
Release dates
Windows October 15, 1997
Mac OS (Classic) July 1, 1999
Reception
Metacritic 83
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Expansion pack
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer, Multiplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view, Isometric
Controls Multiple select, Point and select
Genres RTS
Themes Africa, Europe, Classical
Series Age of Empires
Icon overlay.png
Age of Empires on HowLongToBeat
Icon overlay.png
Age of Empires guide on StrategyWiki
Age of Empires on MobyGames
Age of Empires on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
⤏ Go to series page
Age of Empires 1997
Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings 1999
Age of Mythology 2002
Age of Empires III 2005
Age of Empires Online 2011
Age of Empires II: HD Edition 2013
Age of Mythology: Extended Edition 2014
Age of Empires: Castle Siege 2014
Age of Empires: Definitive Edition 2018
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition 2019
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition 2020
Age of Empires IV 2021
Age of Mythology: Retold 2024

Age of Empires is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view and isometric RTS game in the Age of Empires series.

The game received The Rise of Rome expansion pack in October 1998 with new civilizations and campaigns. Both titles received a single patch applied from the same installer.

On modern systems, the unofficial patch UPatch is needed to resolve color palette issues caused by a broken DirectDraw renderer, as well as resolving save corruption problems, adding widescreen support and balance changes which would later be the basis for the Definitive Edition. The Voobly community multiplayer service is the de facto option after the official servers were shut down.

General information

Official Discord server for the series
Microsoft's Official game page (archived)
Age of Empires Heaven is an active fan website and forum that offers support and extra game content.

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
Windows
Mac OS
Retail
DRM-free
 Collector's Edition re-releases.
Windows
Free demos are available for the base game and The Rise of Rome

Version differences

Age of Empires: Gold Edition contains the base game and The Rise of Rome expansion, first released in 1999.
Age of Empires: Collector's Edition contains Age of Empires and Age of Empires II with their respective expansion packs. The later DVD-ROM releases include the latest patches and are DRM-free, but are missing Red Book CD audio.

Monetization

Type Notes
Expansion pack The expansion pack includes new civilizations, units, technologies and campaigns.
One-time game purchase The game requires an upfront purchase to access.

DLC and expansion packs

Name Notes
The Rise of Rome
Windows

Essential improvements

Patches

This patch updates both Age of Empires (to 1.0c) and The Rise of Rome (to 1.0a): English, German, and French or Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
Alternately, the latest official patch is available at soggi.org.
The Rise of Rome 1.0a suffers from a serious bug in saved games. If a projectile (arrow from archers, ships, towers, siege weapons) is flying through the air while saving a game, the saved game becomes corrupted; loading it will crash the game. This can be fixed however with the use of RockNRor or UPatch HD.

RockNRor

Allows for numerous fixes and quality-of-life tweaks for the Rise of Rome executable, and some of the base game as well.
Has fixes for the save game corruption bug for both the base game (1.0c) and Rise of Rome (1.0a)
"Unfixed" saves will not be compatible with the "Fixed" executables.[1]


UPatch HD

Requires The Rise of Rome expansion
Unofficial patch that contains bug fixes and improvements for modern operating systems. Does not require any previous patches.
Fixes the color problem caused in newer systems
Fixes the save game corruption bug of version 1.0a
UPatch installer requires Age of Empires' installation to be noted in Windows' registry; if the game's installation fails to run or you're using a portable install of the game, a registry patch is required.

Skip intro videos

Use the NoStartup command line argument.[2]

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Games\Age of Empires\1.00\
Mac OS (Classic)

Save game data location

System Location
Windows <path-to-game>\savegame[Note 1]
<path-to-game>\game0.nfo[Note 1]
Mac OS (Classic)
Campaign progress is stored in <path-to-game>\game0.nfo
Custom scenarios are stored in <path-to-game>\scenario
Custom campaigns are stored in <path-to-game>\campaign

Video

In-game options menu.
In-game options menu.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 Use UPatch.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Use UPatch.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
Vertical sync (Vsync)
See the glossary page for potential workarounds.
60 FPS and 120+ FPS
Animations play at 20 FPS

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
The only option available is to use one or both mouse buttons.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
For scroll speed.
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support
Controller types

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Subtitles
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio
Red Book CD audio
On Windows, CD music might not play correctly; see the troubleshooting guide for solutions.

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
German
Hungarian
Fan translation by .:i2k:. link #1, link #2
Italian
Portuguese
Brazilian Portuguese
Microsoft Brasil.
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type Native Players Notes
LAN play
8 Versus
Online play
8 Versus
The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down; use Voobly.

Connection types

Type Native Notes
Matchmaking
MSN Gaming Zone support has been discontinued.[3]
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP 2300-2400, 47624
UDP 6073, 2300-2400
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Color issues

Playing the game on modern versions of Windows may cause it to use strange colors. Repetitive red and purple specks in water and marsh areas are the common issue.
See DirectDraw troubleshooting for further information.
Install UPatch (The Rise of Rome only)
Legacy fix[citation needed]
  1. Download and extract the DirectDrawFix zip file.
  2. Run DirectDrawFix.exe.
  3. Use the browse button to locate and select EMPIRES.exe.
  4. Press the apply button.
  5. Repeat for EMPIRESX.exe.
Could not initialize graphics system error[4]
  1. Run the game in Compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 2
  2. Disable Visual Themes
  3. Disable Desktop Composition
  4. Run this program as an Administrator

Wrong in-game music - Gold Edition

On the Gold Edition of the game, all of Age Of Empires soundtrack is replaced by Rise Of Rome soundtrack.
This is due to the disc check DRM and the Gold Edition disc having redbook CD-Audio data for Rise Of Rome but none for Age Of Empires.
Both games use CD-Audio for the soundtrack by default
Force the game to use music from the game files instead of CD-Audio[5]

Launch Age Of Empires with the /midimusic command line arguments.


Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 5
ExecutablePPC16-bit 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
Mac OS (Classic)

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Multiplayer MSN Gaming Zone Discontinued.[6]

Command line arguments

Command[7] Description
NoStartup Skips the intro
640 Forces the 640x480 resolution
800 Forces the 800x600 resolution
1024 Forces the 1024x768 resolution
Mfill Fixes horizontal line issue related to contemporary Matrox video adapters
NormalMouse Replaces the ingame cursor with the standard Windows one
NoSound Disables game audio with the exception of cinematics
NoTerrainSound Disables ambient audio
NoMusic Disables music
MidiMusic Forces the use of MIDI music instead of the Red Book CD music
Msync Fixes lockups related to contemporary SoundBlaster AWE configurations

System requirements

Windows
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 95, NT 4.0 SP3
Processor (CPU) Intel Pentium 90 or higher
System memory (RAM) 16 MB 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 80 MB
Video card (GPU) Local SVGA bus video display
1 MB of VRAM
DirectX 5 compatible
Mac OS
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 7.5.3
Processor (CPU) 120 MHz 604
150 MHz 603		 150 MHz 604
System memory (RAM) 32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 70 MB


Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References