The first six months of 2026 have been filled with memorable moments across the Age franchise. We’ve explored new legends and civilizations, welcomed players to new platforms, cheered alongside fans at Red Bull Wololo: Londinium, and watched our communities continue to create, compete, stream, mod, and share their passion for all the Age games in ways that inspire us every day.
Before we look ahead to what’s next, join us as we take a look at some of the highlights from 2026 so far – and share a glimpse of what still lies ahead for Age of Empires.
- The Last Chieftains took Age II: DE to South America, bringing 3 new civs and 3 new campaigns telling stories of historical struggles of brave men and women who stood up to violence from both internal and external forces.
- The Age of Mythology: Retold Expansion Pass delivered a continuous rollout of content, adding the Demeter Gods Pack, Ultimate Fan Pack, Blood & Bones Pack, and the long-awaited arrival of the Aztecs in Obsidian Mirror.
- Age fans headed to London, UK for a truly record-breaking event, Red Bull Wololo: Londinium! From meeting fans in person to watching games from the edges of our seats, our memories will last forever!
- Yue Fei’s Legacy expanded Age of Empires IV even further, with the game heading to China to bring to life the conflict between Yue Fei’s leadership of the Song Dynasty against the Jin Dynasty invaders. Players got their first new campaign since Sultans Ascend and a host of new challenges.
- More than six years after launch and Age II: DE is still expanding. Not just through new content, like The Last Chieftains, but also arriving on new platforms. With our amazing partner Feral Interactive, we brought the beloved game to macOS in May via Steam.
- The world got its first look at the upcoming Raiders of the North expansion for Age of Empires IV during the 2026 XBOX Showcase, where we headed North to the land of Vikings, but we were also thrilled to share that the other new civ coming is the Scots!
- We closed out the first half of the year with bringing Age of Empires Mobile: PC Edition to Steam and Microsoft Store (as well as to XBOX Game Pass). Governors can now enjoy growing their kingdom and massive alliance battles on mouse and keyboard and in glorious 4K.
Across the 75 million players we’ve had playing Age in one game or another, we want to thank you for your passion and willingness to let us know what you feel both complimentary and critical about our games. Your insight through social channels or in person at one of our many events helps shape the future of the games; every campaign completed; every multiplayer match fought; every screenshot or meme shared; every piece of feedback provided helps us continue to grow and evolve Age for years to come.
Here’s a preview of what you can expect for the rest of 2026. Thank you, as always, for your support, feedback, and the time you spend with our games.
A New Look at Age of Empires IV’s Upcoming Expansion – Raiders of the North
Back in December 2025, we told you to expect two expansions for Age of Empires IV in 2026 – Yue Fei’s Legacy is out now, and we shared that the second would contain two new civilizations. While you were all excited to hear that one would be the Vikings, we’ve maintained a mystery around the second. We were thrilled that our reveal got to take the stage at the XBOX Showcase. Raiders of the North is coming this Fall and will also add the Scots to the game.
The two new civs aren’t all that you can expect though. We’ll also be expanding fan favorite mode The Crucible with four new missions, new boons, a new challenge mode, and two-player co-op! You’ll also get two new stunning biomes in which to battle.
In Raiders of the North, the Vikings emerge not just as raiders of the past, but as a dynamic civilization which bridges the gap between the sagas of old and the rise of medieval Scandinavia.
- They are defined by fast and powerful melee infantry, competence at sea, early religion, and the communal Longhouse at the heart of their economy.
- Complete Sagas that grant lasting bonuses and establish early Sacred Groves on Relic sites to bring Hamingja to your side when fighting nearby.
- The Viking Bondi is a more powerful Spearman replacement that is trained from both the Longhouse and Barracks, carrying a shield for additional defense and gaining a shield wall ability when grouped together.
- The higher-ranking Hirdman replaces the Man-at-Arms as a hard hitting, resilient, and fast front-line infantry that comes with a higher cost.
- Rounding out the Viking melee infantry roster and roaring to life on the box art is the Berserker, dangerously fast, light on their feet, and with the ability to enter a frenzied state of berserkergang it would be wise to keep a close eye on your wood line.
The Scots will prove admirable adversaries not just to the Vikings, but across the Age IV civ roster. The Scots are a resilient people who spent centuries forging alliances and defending their rugged lands.
- The enemies of the Scots have learned to be weary of ambush nearby stealth forests, as the Scots infantry can see right through it and may jump out with an unrivalled ferocity.
- The Scots Mustering Hall provides a quick way to field units at a discount, including the mighty Gallowglass and nimble Border Reivers.
- With a claymore in both hands and draped in mail, the Gallowglass are the Highland warriors she tells you not to worry about.
- When the Gallowglass stand shoulder to shoulder with the Scottish Pike and Lochaber Axes, the Scots infantry form a powerful schiltron to stop enemy cavalry charges in their tracks.
- Highland Cattle are known for their hardiness and ability to eat nearly anything, here they eat your berry bushes which provide a steady and sustainable food source.
- To protect your precious herd, the Scots Tower Houses provide vision and safety from enemy raids, especially with an attached barmkin to bring the “coos” inside.
Wishlist Raiders of the North Now!
*Raiders of the North will be available for purchase in the PlayStation 5 store on launch day.
More Norse of Course…Coming this Fall with Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition’s The Viking Sagas!
Raiders of the North isn’t our only foray into Scandinavian stories this fall, as the next expansion for Age II: DE is The Viking Sagas.
The Viking Sagas brings three new civilizations – the Danes, the Saxons and the Varangians. Use the Danes’ unique Jomsviking unit to raid and hurl flaming torches. Wield the Saxons’ Hearth Troop, a heavy infantryman which opens fights with a ranged javelin before closing in. Or send out the Varangians’ Jarl to hurl axes and tear through enemy infantry.
Following the life of Harald Hardrada in 3 new campaigns: from his cunning exploits across the Mediterranean, his brutal raids across the Danish coast, to his daring invasion of England in 1066. You’ll earn renown through the skalds’ tales and fight your way from Scandinavia to the Kyivan Rus and the Byzantine Empire, before staking everything on England’s shores.
In this new story, you’ll encounter powerful antagonists, including the duplicitous Empress Zoe, the dangerous King Svein Estridsson and the battle-tested King Harold Godwinson.
The Viking Sagas will launch this Fall, with pre-orders coming later this summer. If you’d like to learn more, head to your platform of choice and wishlist now!
Wishlist The Viking Sagas Now!
*The Viking Sagas will be available for purchase in the PlayStation 5 store on launch day.
The Baltic Powers DLC Coming to Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Join the Steam Beta Now!
Last week we shared that The Baltic Powers, a new expansion for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition, is coming on September 10, 2026.
The Baltic Powers continues our story of Northern culture by introducing two new civilizations – the Danes and the Poles. The Danes bring economic intelligence and naval control allowing a strong economy and military presence from the outset. The Poles possess excellent resources, which can build a massive agricultural empire to feed the hungry horses of war.
This expansion brings two new civilizations, two new challenge scenarios, two new game modes (Regicide and Independence), over 25 new maps, 20 new thematic maps, three new historical maps, and more than 50 new hero customizations.
Join the Steam Beta for The Baltic Powers
We’ve put together a handy guide for anyone who wants to join in on the Open Beta and get a sneak peek of The Baltic Powers!
Pre-orders will start in just a few short weeks. But if you can’t wait, you can take part in The Baltic Powers’ Open Beta on Steam… NOW! Until August 6th, we want you to play and to give us your feedback so we can deliver what you want at launch.
Wishlist Now!
The Baltic Powers is available to wishlist on Steam and Microsoft Store.
A Fresh Deal for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
We also revealed last week that we’ll be retiring the Free Trial and offering a new package for the base game.
From August 13th, new purchasers of Age of Empires III: DE will receive not only the base game, but also the United States Civilization, the Mexico Civilization, plus the Lizzie, Kunoichi and Vol1 Hero Cosmetic Packs. By combining these DLCs with the base game, we’re offering a more complete experience to newcomers for a discount.
For players who already own Age of Empires III: DE on Steam, or Microsoft Store, we want to thank you for playing with us these past years by automatically gifting you any of the mentioned DLCs that aren’t already in your collection.
You can find instructions on downloading additional content on our Support Site https://aoe.ms/AgeIII-DLC-Download.
If you’re a Free Trial owner and would like to upgrade to the full game, you can do so now or wait until September 10 and get all the content mentioned above on Steam or Microsoft Store!
Age of Empires Mobile is Now Available on PC!
Just a couple of weeks ago, we brought a global hit to Steam and Microsoft Store in Age of Empires Mobile: PC Edition.
Players can now experience the growth of their kingdoms, massive map battles with alliances and hero recruitment in 4k on keyboard and mouse. Crossplay with mobile allows players to move between devices, maintain progress and play with friends, wherever they play.
If you haven’t jumped in yet, you can head to Steam or Microsoft Store now. If you have an active PC Game Pass or XBOX Game Pass subscription, you’ll unlock an exclusive reward pack featuring:
- 1 Monthly Pass Token
- 1 Custom Resource Chest
- 10 Universal 60-Minute Speed-Ups
- 1,000 Empire Coins
- Exclusive Player Portrait Frame
There’s lots more information to come for all the upcoming content, so make sure you’re following official channels to be the first to hear.
Start Playing Now!