Age of Empires III
Developers | |
---|---|
Ensemble Studios | |
Publishers | |
Microsoft Game Studios | |
OS X | MacSoft |
Engines | |
BANG! | |
Release dates | |
Windows | October 18, 2005 |
macOS (OS X) | September 29, 2006 |
Warnings
- The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.
General information
- Age of Empires III Site; Download for Trial Version available
- Age of Empires Wikia
- AgeCommunity
- HeavenGames.com Large file database with lots of custom content
- RTS-Sanctuary.com File database with many game replays
- Steam Community Discussions
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | No disc check in latest Windows patch (1.14). Only way to purchase game and expansions individually. | |||
Amazon.com | Non-Steam version also available. | |||
Incorrect store name. See here for available options. | ||||
Green Man Gaming | ||||
Humble Store | ||||
Steam | Optimized for Windows 7 compatibility. |
- Retail CD keys for the Complete Edition can be activated on Steam (US version only).[1]
- Windows Vista reports compatibility issue with unpatched retail version, but it seems to function normally.
- Online features require an Ensemble Studios Online (ESO) Account (registered in-game).
Version differences
- Age of Empires III Complete Collection is a complete edition with all official content. Patched retail version has no disc check.
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
The WarChiefs | Added 8 maps, 3 civilizations, 2 plot acts, warcheif units, revolutions and stealth. | |
The Asian Dynasties | Added 3 Asian Civilizations, each one with a campaign, wonder and the new export resource. As well as 6 new native civilizations. |
Essential improvements
Skip intro videos
Use the +noIntroCinematics command line argument[citation needed]
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Patches
- Age of Empires III base game: v1.14 Patch
- The Warchiefs expansion: v1.06 Patch
- The Asian Dynasties expansion: v1.03 Patch
- The patches linked above will download and install much faster than the in-game updater, and more reliably.
- Archived macOS (OS X) patch page: [1]
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
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Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/105450/pfx/[Note 1] |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/105450/pfx/[Note 1] |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Steam Cloud | Homecities can be saved on the official ESO multiplayer platform (effectively in a cloud). |
Video settings
Input settings
Audio settings
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
Brazilian Portuguese | ||||
Czech | ||||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Hungarian | ||||
Italian | ||||
Japanese | ||||
Korean | ||||
Polish | ||||
Russian | ||||
Spanish |
Network
- Online features require an ESO Account (registered in-game).
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 8 | |||
Online play | 8 |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | ||
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | For matchmaking and game lobby only, gameplay remains on peer-to-peer basis. | |
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP | Enter in-game or use OverrideAddress= and hostPort= parameters.[2] |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
TCP | 80, 2300 |
UDP | 2300-2310 |
- This game supports Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) for automatic port configuration.
Issues fixed
Failed to Join
This is the most common error suffered with Age of Empires III multiplayer.
This error can be caused by many problems, and consequently, there are many methods to try to repair it.
After each numbered step, attempt connecting to several games in multiplayer; only proceed to the next if you are still experiencing issues.
1. Allow Ensemble Studios Online more time to load.
Longer Loading Time[citation needed] |
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(This solution needs done every time you log in -- you might further try more steps if you wish to not have to wait every time.)
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2. Try power cycling your network hardware.
Power Cycling[citation needed] |
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3. Ensure Age of Empires III and its expansions (age3.exe, age3x.exe, age3y.exe) are listed on your firewall's exception lists; try playing with the firewall in Gaming Mode, Low, and Off.
4. If you connect to the internet wirelessly, try a wired connection.
5. Toggle UPnP on or off.
Toggling UPnP[citation needed] |
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6. Try Port Forwarding UDP and TCP ports 80, 2300-2310 to your device.
Port Forwarding[citation needed] |
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7. Try Port Forwarding UDP and TCP 80, 2300-2340 to your device. Note the larger range of ports than step #6.
8. Override the Port to 2300.
Port Overriding[2] |
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Use the parameter |
9. Override the game to use the correct IP address.
Address Overriding[2] |
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Use the |
10. Try setting the DMZ on your router on.
Game Crashes on Startup/Doesn't Start
An error that usually occurs on Windows 7.
After each numbered step, attempt running the game; only proceed to the next if you are still experiencing issues.
1. Ensure the game is Running as Administrator.
Run as Administrator[citation needed] |
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2. Try running the game in compatibility mode.
Run in Compatibility Mode[citation needed] |
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"MSXML4.0 is not installed correctly" on startup
For this issue, see instructions here.
Account Support
Problems with ESO Accounts should be first solved with the Account Management Tool on the official site.
If you have further problems that cannot be solved with that tool, create a Support Ticket. Be sure to include your Product ID.
Finding your Product ID[citation needed] |
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Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
Direct3D | 9 | |
OpenGL | 2.x | OS X only. |
Shader Model support | 3 |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Windows | |||
macOS (OS X) |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Cutscenes | Bink Video | |
Multiplayer | Ensemble Studios Online (ESO) |
System requirements
- Windows 98SE, ME, and 2000 have found to work with the game with few issues, but they are not officially supported.
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | XP | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 4 1.4 GHz | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz |
System memory (RAM) | 256 MB | 2 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 4 GB | 12 GB |
Video card (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce FX 5500 ATI Radeon X300 series 64 MB of VRAM DirectX 9.0c compatible | Nvidia GeForce 6800 ATI Radeon X1300 |
macOS (OS X) | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 10.3.9 | 10.4.7 |
Processor (CPU) | IBM PowerPC G4/G5 1.4 GHz Intel 1.4 GHz |
IBM PowerPC G5 2.0 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo |
System memory (RAM) | 512 MB | 1 GB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 2 GB | |
Video card (GPU) | 64 MB of VRAM | 128 MB of VRAM |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
- File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data.
- Use Wine's registry editor to access any Windows registry paths.
- The app ID (105450) may differ in some cases.
- Treat backslashes as forward slashes.
- See the glossary page for details on Windows data paths.