In 2009, Microsoft closed its single RTS-focused developer, Ensembles Studios. The developer made quite a name for itself developing one of the better historical real time strategy games; Age of Empires. Beyond a DS games, an HD re-release of Age of Empires 2 and an expansion pack, we’ve seen and heard close to nothing about the merest prospect of a new game in the series. According to some job postings, it could be set for a revival.
According to a job posting on Microsoft’s careers site (via AGB), the company has created a new RTS development house by way of Decisive Games – and that company is tasked with building a studio “that will bring the next installment in a beloved strategy game franchise to the next generation of gamers around the world.”
While Microsoft does own a few other RTS properties, namely Halo Wars and Rise of Nations, I can’t help but feel that the only “beloved” RTS in their stable that’s genuinely due for a resurrection is Age of Empires. The only problem? It may be headed to consoles. According to the job listing, they’re looking for “a Senior Software Engineer familiar with DirectX 11 or Xbox 360 and Xbox One rendering APIs.” Frankly, the thought of playing Age of Empires (or any other complex RTS for that matter) using a controller makes me want to vomit in to my own shoes. Interestingly, back in May last year, when Xbox Boss Phil Spencer was asked what genre’s we’d see have a resurgence this generation, his reply was succinct:
@Jahlvardravito RTS on console.
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 18, 2014
I’d certainly rather get a new Age of Empires over Halo Wars 2 or Rise of Nations. Besides, calling either of those “beloved” would be quite a stretch.
Last Updated: January 12, 2015
Brady miaau
January 12, 2015 at 13:33
On console? Will the game ship with a new controller?
Like, I dunno, a keyboard and a mouse?
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2015 at 13:39
pffffffft we have Kinect
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:39
Xbox, delete life.
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2015 at 13:41
I’m sorry, I can’t do that Tosh. You signed the right to your life away when you agreed to the 500 page Xbox EULA. You’re mine now.
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:42
But you’re MS. You’re notorious for your 180’s!!! PLEASE XBOX? PLEASE?!
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2015 at 13:43
Fine. Have it your way. To get started, hold your Zune up to the Kinect…
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:44
What’s a Zune precious? O_o
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2015 at 13:45
*Talks to Kinect
XBOX Bing Zune.
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2015 at 13:46
Error – cannot divide by zero.
Norm (@e3zype3zy)
January 12, 2015 at 13:49
“You’re mine now BITCH!”
Fixed.
Admiral Chief
January 12, 2015 at 13:38
RTS on console? LOOOOL
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:38
That sums it up nicely 😀
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2015 at 13:38
“BIGDADDY”
Norm (@e3zype3zy)
January 12, 2015 at 13:48
Hehe…
Pieter Kruger
January 12, 2015 at 13:38
Lord of the Rings and C&C played just fine on console, although it admittedly took some getting use to. It will almost certainly also come to PC. Xbox will do well with a good RTS game!
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:40
You lost me at “Xbox will do well”.
Trolololol
RinceThis
January 12, 2015 at 13:50
hue hue!
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2015 at 13:39
For how long will MS call them Decisive Games?
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:39
At least until their first 180.
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2015 at 13:46
Indecisive Games?
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:48
Maybe…
Kromas Votes LAG WCMovie Event
January 12, 2015 at 13:41
Yawn. Ill wait for Dark of the Void. Thanks
Mandom (Umar)
January 12, 2015 at 13:42
You know a game is a classic when a predominantly console gamer such as myself spent so many hours of his life playing Age of Empires 2
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2015 at 13:43
I even played the Star Wars version of Age of Empires.
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 13:44
That was surprisingly decent actually. A bit too much AoE, but since AoE was a good game, that wasn’t a bad thing. 🙂
Mandom (Umar)
January 12, 2015 at 13:47
That was actually a good game. Would love to see these games make a return, I want to say they could work with the PS4 touchpad but man that thing isn’t so great
Hammersteyn
January 12, 2015 at 13:48
Not for RTS games no.
Mandom (Umar)
January 12, 2015 at 13:59
Not for most things also lol
RinceThis
January 12, 2015 at 13:50
That’s cus using the controller adds hours of frustration 😉
Ceyber, The Metal Rabbit
January 12, 2015 at 13:50
AoE and C&C were synonymous with my childhood development. Not sure on where you stand but I don’t agree with those HD remakes at all!
Mandom (Umar)
January 12, 2015 at 13:52
I’ve never actually played the HD remakes. TBH I could still boot up the old games and enjoy them just as much
Ceyber, The Metal Rabbit
January 12, 2015 at 13:59
Agreed, tried AoE HD and it was just a waste of time for me. Wish these remakes would stop, it’s just not the same.
Reinstalled Titan Quest the other day and although the nostalgia didn’t last for long it was still worth it, an HD remake can’t evoke that same wonder, cheesy as it sounds.
Mandom (Umar)
January 12, 2015 at 14:02
LOL! Need to try that game again to see if it holds up in this age, I really played that game a lot. Actually meant to play that as I didn’t quite enjoy the D3.
But yeah, not a HUGE fan of HD remakes. I don’t mind them, if they’re done right. Like Resi Evil or Abe’s Odyssey
ToshZA
January 12, 2015 at 14:03
Titan Quest oddly does hold up. I still have it installed, and I play it now and again. 🙂
Mandom (Umar)
January 12, 2015 at 14:08
Nice, I don’t man, those older loot focused RPGs are still really addictive yet somehow I just can’t get into D3
RustedFaith
January 13, 2015 at 11:08
I always found it dull compared to Starcraft 1 ….
Ceyber, The Metal Rabbit
January 14, 2015 at 16:01
Must admit, got in to Starcraft a bit late, hence leaving it out. But I agree with you 🙂
Joe Black
January 12, 2015 at 21:53
You forgot – When somebody comes along and think they can wring a few bucks out of the franchise by infecting it with consolitis.
HairyEwok
January 12, 2015 at 13:56
Oh yes please let there be a new age of empires, and to make it even better let a nation evolve with time so that when you get to 1990’s you can get tanks and nukes and and magical rainbow farting unicorns.
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 12, 2015 at 13:58
As long as it’s not as teribad as 3 was. That being said. RTS on console is a bad idea. You’d have to slow down build times, recruit times etc etc all because on a controller it takes longer to do what one can easily do with a KB/Mouse
Blood Emperor Trevor
January 12, 2015 at 14:04
If the build time feels too slow you could always pay $1 to hurry it up 😉
Raptor Rants A Lot
January 12, 2015 at 14:10
huehuehuehuehue
Admiral Chief
January 12, 2015 at 14:14
Ouch
Viking Of Science
January 12, 2015 at 14:03
It’s always time for a new AoE. but a proper one. not an update of that Online abomination…..
Wyzak
January 12, 2015 at 14:19
Sounds great, but I am concerned about “a next generation of gamers”… Always-online, microtransactions?
Ghost In The Rift
January 12, 2015 at 14:29
I just need a new C&C game,not that excuse of a RTS C&C 4 that EA slapped in my face,
A new traditional 1 with that bald head that is KANE!!!..He was the best #BrotherhoodOfNod
Viking Of Science
January 12, 2015 at 14:30
KANE LIVES IN DEATH!
Ghost In The Rift
January 12, 2015 at 14:38
I just really,like really need to know what happened to him:-P
Viking Of Science
January 12, 2015 at 14:41
I ignore CNC4 entirely, and choose to believe that he did in fact ascend using the Tacitus and the Tower….
Kensei Seraph
January 13, 2015 at 07:50
I learnt more from 3 AoE games than I did in 12 years of school.
z1n
January 13, 2015 at 09:50
I really hope they come out with something decent. AoE 2 and the conquerers expansion was easily the best. AoE 3 was crap IMO. Also, new Age of Mythology maybe?
RustedFaith
January 13, 2015 at 11:06
Whahahaha RTS on console by MS.
“Gets the popcorn” this is going to be a train wreck …
vicky john
January 13, 2015 at 12:44
New Age of Empires? hmmm .. headed to consoles.. Why MS trying this? Confused. Seems New year release.