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Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Update 13.4412

Image of a capybara wearing a flower crown with the words Age of Empires III Definitive Edition Update

Welcome adventurers to another exciting update for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition!

Spring is in the air, and with it is the Spring Celebration Event with some fun new challenges and cool rewards. Gather up your springtime bouquets and don’t miss a chance to jump into the fray! There are some thrilling changes in store too, including new mods, explorer customizations, and new cards!

Here are a few notable features to look out for in today’s update:

  • Spring Celebration Event!
  • New profile portraits
  • New explorer customizations
  • New Mod Pack
  • 11 new cards for the Spanish!
  • Improvements for new Ping/Flare system (BETA)
  • Improvements for Photo Mode (BETA)
  • Various bug fixes for community reported issues

Thank you for sharing in yet another major milestone for Age of Empires with us! We hope you enjoy all the changes and look forward to sharing in all the adventures yet to come!

—The Age of Empires Team


Download on the Microsoft Store

Remember that you’ll need to update your game in the Microsoft Store:

  • Open the Microsoft Store.
  • Click the [ ∙ ∙ ∙ ] symbol next to your profile picture.
  • Select Downloads and updates.
  • Press the Get updates button to automatically detect, download, and install the latest changes to your game!
  • Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 13.4412

If you are unable to launch the game after downloading the update, make sure you add (or re-add) the Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition client or folder as an exception to your firewall and antivirus program.

That’s it; you’re ready to play!

Download on Steam
Remember that you’ll need to update your game in Steam:

  • Open Steam.
  • Click on Library to see your games list.
  • Click Downloads at the bottom of the Library window.
  • [If the new build does not download automatically,] click the Download Now button to manually download the new update.
  • Open the game. The title screen should show you on Build 13.4412

That’s it; you’re ready to play!


Please note that custom mods may not be compatible with the latest game update. If you are experiencing issues launching or playing the game after downloading the new build, try disabling your installed mods before trying again.

Still having trouble? Visit our support site!


Build Spotlight

Spring Celebration Event

💥April 19th – May 4th💥

Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is celebrating Spring with the release of an all new event! For a limited time, you can unlock new portraits and explorer customizations by completing the community challenges!

Explorer Customizations!

New Rewards!


Starting TODAY through May 4th, complete daily in-game tasks within the time limit to unlock exclusive rewards!

Day ~ 🎯 Sign in to Xbox Live.
🏆 Profile Icon Unlock – Flower vendor stand.

Each of the following challenges must be unlocked in order and on separate days.

Day 1 🔒 Research Cherry Blossom Festival as the Japanese.
🏆 Profile Icon Unlock – A song bird perched on a branch of blooming flowers.
Day 2 🔒 Win a Skirmish or Multiplayer game as the Ethiopians, Hausa, Incas or Aztecs.
🏆 Profile Icon Unlock – A kaleidoscope of butterflies flying together.
Day 3 🔒 Build 40 Farms, Fields, Mill or Rice Paddies in any amount of Skirmish or Multiplayer matches.
🧱 Unlock Spain Explorer Customization – Heroic Villager.
Day 4 🔒 Gather 10,000 flowers in any amount of Skirmish or Multiplayer matches.(resource crates)
🏆 Profile Icon Unlock – Capybara wearing a flower crown.
Day 5 🔒 Send 30 Shipments from your Home City in any amount of Skirmish or Multiplayer matches.
🧱 Unlock Spain Explorer Customization – Flamenco Dancer.

Keep it Forever!

Remember: if you sign in to Xbox Live at any point during the event, you get to keep all the mods and profile icons you unlock! Sign in, earn your rewards, and enjoy!

—The Age of Empires Team


Event F.A.Q.

Q: Do I have to complete the challenges on consecutive days?

While challenges don’t have to be completed on consecutive days, only one challenge can be completed per day.

Only the Xbox Live challenges can be completed *any* day before the end of the event!

Q: When is the last day I can complete the daily challenges?

The Spring Celebration Event concludes May 4th.

Q: Do I get to keep all of the event unlocks?

All you need to do is log into your Xbox Live account before the end of the event to keep all of the profile icons and mods you unlock; it’s as easy as that!

Q: What do I do if I accidentally unsubscribe from a special mod?

No problem! All you need to do is click your Profile Icon on the main menu, select Event Mods (under Collection), and then check the unlocked event mod you want to enable!

Q: How do I change my profile icon?

You can update your profile icon in your profile:

  1. On the main menu, click the Profile Icon next to your name.
  2. You should now be in the Profile Icons tab under Collections.
  3. Select your favorite icon, then click the Select Icon button to lock in your choice.
  4. You’re done!

Q: How do I download and enable mods?

For information about how to subscribe to and prioritize your mods, visit this article.


Spanish: 11 NEW Cards

TEAM 1 Falconet (III, 200c)
image of a cannon
“Ships 1 Falconet to each member of the team.”

  • Costs 200c to send.
TEAM 1 Heavy Cannon (IV, 500c)
image of a heavy cannon
“Ships 1 Heavy Cannon to each member of the team.”

  • Costs 500c to send.
Marvelous Year (III)
image of two farmers facing a grain of wheat and an hourglass above their heads
“Settlers train and work significantly faster for 365 seconds. A marvelous year, Viva España!”

  • Training Time Improvement: -27.5%.
  • Gathering Speed Improvement: +20%.
House of Trastamára (II)
image of the spanish seal
“Arrives fast! Your next Age-up is cheaper and faster the more shipments you have received in your CURRENT AGE.”

  • Arrives in 5 seconds.
  • For each card that arrived after the last completed Age-up.
  • Next Age-up time improved by -8.5%.
  • Next Age-up cost reduced by 100 resources.
  • Effects apply once to the NEXT Age-up only.
  • Progress is reset with each completed Age-up.
Peninsular Guerrillas (IV)
image of a pirate wearing a bandana, eye patch, holding a rifle
“Improves Ranged Infantry attack and enables them to see the location of enemies they’ve recently damaged.”

  • Damage improvement: 25%
  • Revealer: Has 24 LOS and lasts 3 seconds
Viceroyalty of New Spain (III)
image of a pitchfork and shovel crossed with peppers stacked together in a heap
“Ships 2 Hacienda Wagons that can transform into Haciendas where Settlers may gather resources or produce Cows, more Settlers, or powerful Soldados.”
Reconquista (II)
image of a conquistador riding a horse, carrying a rifle
“Ships 1 Conquistador for each 5 Archaic infantry units you have lost (up to a maximum of 10).”

  • Archaic Infantry are all Hand Infantry & Foot Archers.
Liberation March (III)
two soldiers one riding a horse carrying rifles
“All infantry and cavalry train and move faster.”

  • Improves training speeds by +35%
  • Improves movement speeds by +5%
  • This card replaces the ‘Fencing School’ and ‘Riding School’ cards
Nuestras Señoras (IV)
“Ships a Mighty Battleship!”

  • May be sent twice
  • Increases Battleship build limit by 1 the first time it is sent
INF 1 Battleship (IV, 1000c)
a giant battleship sailing on stormy waters
“Ships a Mighty Battleship!”

  • May be sent infinite times
  • Costs 1000c to send
INF 7 Lancers (IV)
image of a conquistador carrying a lance, wearing armor, riding a horse
“Ships 7 Lancers”

  • May be sent infinite times
  • Replaces the current “7 Lancers” and “6 Lancers” shipments

Game

Stability & Performance

  • Added Asset pre-loading improvements, allowing the game to use extra memory and loading times to increase stability.
  • Added checks to help prevent crashes caused by UI mods.
  • Fixed a rare desync.

UI

  • Radial Flare menu can be disabled by unbinding the hotkey option “General Game Hotkeys -> Select Flare Type”
  • Fixed issue where ping/flare placed outside of camera view would not display a visual effect in the world.
  • Added a filter option to only show Co-Op Battles in the multiplayer lobby.
  • Fixed issue where names of random maps, map sets, and Co-op scenarios would incorrectly show in in the host’s language (instead of the client’s language) in client lobbies. (Custom scenarios will still use the file name).
  • Campaign loading screen – fixed occasional string displayed in multiple fonts.
  • QoL – Game Rules are now displayed within Multiplayer Lobbies
    • The lobby’s Game Rules can now be viewed in a tooltip by hovering the cursor over the “i” icon, next to the Lobby Name & Game Mode.
    • For example: Treaty Time & Blockade status are now stated in this tooltip if the Game Rules are set to Treaty.
  • QoL – Improved display of Game Rules in Multiplayer & Skirmish Loading Screen and within the Game Summary, within matches.
  • QoL – Relocating the expanded mini map button so that it won’t clash with other UI.
  • QoL – Improved expanded mini map UI behaviour so it won’t clash with other UI.
  • Fixed height issue in the Player Summary menu where Players were getting cut off.
  • British HC Card “Siege Archery” no longer incorrectly displays it affects Rangers.

Settings

  • Hotkey bindings added for flare type menu.
    • Hotkey for ‘Select Flare Type’ is bound by default to Ctrl-Mouse2Down (Ctrl+RMB).
    • This resolves previous conflict with the Alt-RightClick Attack Move (Alt+RMB).

Civilization Balance

General

  • Culverin: Adjusted as follows
    • Now inflicts 2x damage to Buildings
    • Now inflicts 2x to Gatling Camels (down from 4x)
  • Akan Cocoa Beans: Now improves Cherry Orchard gather rates by 10% (down from 30%)

Spanish

UNITS AND BUILDINGS
  • Missionary: Population cost removed (Build Limit of 10 remains)
CARDS
  • Unction (II): Moved to Age 1; no longer ships a Missionary; Aura no longer improves Artillery or Ships; aura damage improvement reduced to 2.5% (from 4.5); aura range increased to 34 (from 24); ‘range ring’ adjusted accordingly (Note: Max improvement is now +28% attack, down from 55.3%)
  • Spanish Gold (III): Reduce crate to 300 coin (from 350)
  • Armada (III): Now also enables different War Ships to train certain Military Units
  • INF 10 Rodeleros (IV): Increased to 14
  • 13 Rodeleros (IV): Increased to 16
  • [NEW] INF 7 Lancers (IV): Replaces the current “7 Lancers” and “6 Lancers” shipments
  • [NEW] TEAM 1 Falconet (III, 200c): Simple shipment of a Falconet to the entire team.
  • [NEW] TEAM 1 Heavy Cannon (IV, 500c): Simple shipment of a Heavy Cannon to the entire team.
  • [NEW] Marvelous Year (III): “Settlers train and work significantly faster for 365 seconds. A marvelous year, Viva España!”
    • Current Training Time Improvement: -27.5%
    • Current Gathering Speed Improvement: +20%
  • [NEW] House of Trastamára (II): “Arrives fast! Your next Age-up is cheaper and faster the more shipments you have received in your CURRENT AGE.”
    • For each card that arrived after the last completed Age-up
    • Next Age-up time improved by -8.5%
    • Next Age-up cost reduced by 100 resources
    • Effects apply once to the NEXT Age-up only
    • Progress is reset with each completed Age-up
  • [NEW] Peninsular Guerrillas (IV): “Improves Ranged Infantry attack and enables them to see the location of enemies they’ve recently damaged.”
    • Damage improvement: 25%
    • Revealer: Has 24 LOS and lasts 3 seconds
  • [NEW] Viceroyalty of New Spain (III): “Ships 2 Hacienda Wagons that can transform into Haciendas where Settlers may gather resources or produce Cows, more Settlers, or powerful Soldados.”
  • [NEW] Reconquista (II): “Ships 1 Conquistador for each 5 Archaic Infantry you have lost (up to a maximum of 10).” All Hand Infantry & Foot Archers are Archaic Infantry
  • [NEW] Liberation March (III): “All infantry and cavalry train and move faster.” This card replaces Fencing School and Riding School
  • [NEW] Nuestras Señoras (IV, 2000c): “Ships 2 Mighty Battleships!”
  • [NEW] INF 1 Battleship (IV, 1000c): “Ships a Mighty Battleship!”

The changes to Unction card intend to considerably reduce its significance in the late-game (paving the way for powerful new cards) and to make it less difficult to use.


Random Maps

Map Updates

  • Horn:
    • Fixed an issue that prevented players from accessing the water in games with more than 2 teams.
  • Lake Victoria:
    • Fixed an issue that could cause a native settlement not to spawn properly.
  • Plymouth:
    • Fixed an issue where teammates would spawn too close together in games with 3 or 4 teams.
  • Siwa Oasis:
    • Adjusted team player placement so that players begin farther from the edge of the map in supremacy games and adjusted how resources are distributed around the map.
  • Unknown:
    • Added new starting wagons, bonus scouts, and overall increased randomness for you to discover.
    • Ensured players always start with 2 mines near their Town Center in treaty games.

Modding

General

  • Home City files, tactics files and the UI tech tree data can now be additively modded. As an example the British Home City file can be additively modded with homecitybritish.mods.xml.

Scenario Editor

  • Free camera mode now allows to zoom out as far as before (this was incorrectly affected by Photo Mode in the previous update).

Ongoing

Investigation

Community-Reported Issues:
  • Your reports continue being crucial to our prioritization and implementation of fixes and features in the game. Keep them coming!

For other known issues, please visit this page to see what’s being tracked!

DISCLAIMER

Please note that this list is subject to change, and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.

For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.


What's on the Horizon?

COMING UP...

  • New Civilization!
  • More performance improvements for low end systems
  • HC customizations for the two Native American civilizations
  • Additional Explorer customizations

Hotfix 13.5088

  • Fixed a rare out of sync issue that could occur when sending the new Peninsular Guerrillas card shipment as the Spanish.

Become an Age Insider!

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  • Access to private forums where you can interact with Age developers
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