Age of Empires III
Developers | |
---|---|
Ensemble Studios | |
macOS (OS X) | Westlake Interactive |
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 |
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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. | |||
Humble Store | ||||
Steam | Optimized for Windows 7 compatibility. |
- Online features require an Ensemble Studios Online (ESO) Account (registered in-game).
- Retail CD keys for the Complete Edition can be activated on Steam (US version only).[1]
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
- The patches linked below will download and install much faster than the in-game updater, and more reliably.
* Age of Empires III base game: v1.14 Patch
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Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
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Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Users\ |
macOS (OS X) | ~/Documents/Age of Empires III/Users/ |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/105450/pfx/[Note 1] |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Savegame\ |
macOS (OS X) | ~/Documents/Age of Empires III/Savegame/ |
Steam Play (Linux) | <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/105450/pfx/[Note 1] |
Save game cloud syncing
System | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
OneDrive | Requires enabling backup of the Documents folder in OneDrive on all computers. | |
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
Instructions |
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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.
(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.) 1.) Log in to ESO. 2.) Stay on the home page and wait about 10 minutes. Do not whisper to friends, check clan, or go to any other tab. 3.) After 10 minutes the problem may now be fixed. You can now leave the Home Page. 4.) Repeat this every time you log in.
1.) Turn off your modem, router, and PC. 2.) Wait a few minutes. 3.) Turn them back on in the listed order.
1.) Connect to your router in your browser; usually, this is done by typing 192.168.1.1 into your address bar. If that IP does not connect to your router, see your router's manual or try Googling your router brand and model. 2.) Your router will prompt for your username and password. Often, this is "admin" and "admin" or "admin" and "password". See your router's manual or try Googling your router brand and model with "default password" if those don't work. 3.) Find and Toggle On or Off (set it to whatever it wasn't before) UPnP. You may have to search around for this setting, or consult your manual. My router has it in Advanced: Advanced Setup: UPnP.
1.) Identify your router brand and model. 2.) Go to PortForward.com and select your router brand and model, and click search. 3.) Select Age of Empires III and follow the steps given. 4.) You can use a site like CanYouSeeMe to ensure you have correctly opened the ports. CanYouSeeMe will only see a port if there is a server currently running on it -- a barebones server I made can be downloaded here: http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?z1twnicystbaqsz Unzip, run the .exe, and enter the desired test port.
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Game Crashes on Startup/Doesn't Start
Instructions |
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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.) Right click on your desktop icon, and select "Properties". 2.) Go to the compatibility tab and select "Run this program as administrator", and select "OK".
1.) Right click on your desktop icon, and select "Properties". 2.) Go to the compatibility tab and select "Run this program in compatibility mode for:". Try all the OS options in the list. Oddly, some users report "Windows Vista (SP3)" option repairing it. |
"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 | OS X only. |
Shader Model support | 3 |
Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
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Windows | |||
macOS (OS X) |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Audio | DirectSound | [2] |
Cutscenes | Bink Video | |
Multiplayer | Ensemble Studios Online (ESO) |
System requirements
Windows | ||
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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 |
- Windows 98SE, ME, and 2000 have found to work with the game with few issues, but they are not officially supported.
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.