Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is launching a new way to play! For the first time, new players can now join the ranks of this historical and stunning RTS experience with a rotating roster of the game’s 16 civilizations which can be played in both single player and multiplayer games FREE of purchase on Steam.
Now is the time to try Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition! Play for the first time or current AoE III: DE players can invite their friends for epic battles in striking 4K Ultra HD graphics.
Starting today, AoE III: DE will be offering new players the opportunity to play a free trial that gives access to the following:
- 3 civs on a rotating schedule for skirmish & multiplayer matches
- 8 hostable maps
- Act 1 of the Blood, Ice, and Steel campaign
- Art of War challenges
- And more!
Plus, all players will be able to join in on monthly global events to unlock new Hero Cosmetics!
How to Access
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is now available to download for free on Steam! New players can jump into a trial version simply by downloading the game on Steam, and open to access straight from the menu!
Already own Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition? Then fear not, as this will not impact current players. All you have to do is invite your friends!
Or, are you ready to access Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition base game with all the civilizations and extras? Get the base game instead!
What is Included?
Pool of 3 Playable Civilizations on a Rotating Schedule
Players can pick from 3 civilizations on a rotating schedule. Every week, the first civilization adding to the starting pool rotates out and a new one in. First up in the roster of playable civilizations are the French, Haudenosaunee, and Russians.
First civilization rotation is on August 18th.
The First Act of the Blood, Ice, and Steel Campaign
Take advantage of the first campaign and jump into an epic journey!
Follow Morgan Black; Knight of St. John on his quest to the New World. Do battle with the hardy Ottoman Empire, ferocious pirates and a dangerous secret society. Befriend unlikely allies and earn their aid to complete your quest of defeating the Circle of Ossus; and their plans to obtain eternal life.
Play the Algiers Historical Battle
Historical battles are story-driven historical narratives in which you’ll be given specific set objectives to complete. Each Historical battle has fully voiced in-game dialogue, beautifully crafted maps, cities and cinematics and the best part is, you can play them with a friend!
Where to Find Co-Op:
Co-Op is easily accessible from two different places within the UI.
From the Historical Battles screen.
- From the Main Menu, click on Historical Battles.
- Select your mission.
- Click on the Host Co-Op button.
- You can choose to make it public or password protected, and like any multiplayer game, invite your friends.
From the Multiplayer screen.
- From the Main Menu, click on Multiplayer.
- Choose Host a Casual Game.
- From the Host Game dialog pop-up, under Game Mode, you can choose Co-Op Battle from drop down list.
- After selecting Co-Op Battle, simply choose which battle you want to play from the Co-Op Scenario drop down list.
Algiers Historical Battle
In the 16th century privateering in the Mediterranean flourished as a result of the staunch rivalry between the Ottoman Empires and the European Christian states. Famous Barbary corsairs like Hayreddin Barbarossa and his brothers gained infamy because of their great success while privateering. In 1516 the brothers managed to take the city of Algiers, deposing its former ruler, and creating their own Barbary pirate state. However, the Spanish were not going to let a pirate state exist so close to their homeland and sent a large army to deal with the Barbary threat and acquire the city of Algiers.
Access to the Art of War, Compendium, and Tech Trees of All Civilizations
Art of War
Hone your skills and strategy with the Art of War – a set of 10 in-game tutorials designed to quickly teach the core skills you’ll need to win!
Compendium
Explore the history of each civilization, their military, buildings and more in the in-game Compendium.
Tech Trees
Learn the strategies and tactics available to each civilization in the Technology Tree. Detailing their unique roster of units, technologies, and bonuses to unlock their true potential.
A Collection of 8 Hostable Multiplayer Maps
Host a match and choose from 8 Maps!
Central Asia: Teams are separated by two shallow rivers that flow into the Aral Sea in this arid region.
Settlements: Tengri, Sufi.
Outlaws: Wokou Horseman, Wokou Monk.
Deccan: A central, forested plateau overlooking a series of strategically placed trade sites.
Settlements: Udasi, Sufi, Bhakti
Outlaws: Marathan Dacoit, Marathan Thuggee
Great Plains: Home of many Natives and plenty of Food.
Settlements: Comanche, Cheyenne, Apache
Outlaws: Comanchero, Renegado
Guianas: Control the central resources and settlements in this large valley, or extend to the perimeter of the map to establish a foothold on a trade route.
Settlements: Caribs, Tupi
Outlaws: Pistolero, Pirate
Northwest Territory: A green and rainy region divided by rivers with shallow crossings.
Settlements: Nootka, Klamath, Cree
Outlaws: Comanchero, Renegado
Malaysia: A peninsular region with separate, defendable oceans on each side.
Settlements: Jesuit, Sufi
Outlaws: Marathan Dacoit, Wokou Pirate
Mongolia: Explore generous grassland populated with unprecedented herds of grazing animals and a distant northern Trade Route.
Settlements: Tengri, Shaolin
Outlaws: Wokou Horseman, Wokou Monk
Saguenay: A coastal region with plenty of resources. It may be summer or winter.
Settlements: Cree, Huron
Outlaws: Pistolero, Comanchero
New Global Events! Unlock New Hero Cosmetics
Starting August 2, all players will be able to participate in a Hero Cosmetic challenge event each month! The aim of each of the events is the same – to have a target number of participants join and play to reach the goal of unlocking that month’s Hero Cosmetic to use in game.
In order to participate in the challenge, simply play a single player or multiplayer game to earn XP and gain entry to a leaderboard for the challenge. When there are enough entries on the leaderboard a Hero Cosmetics is awarded to anyone who participates in the challenge.
To find the event progress, navigate to the UI panel on the Main Menu. Statistics are displayed for the following:
- Target number of participants
- Current number of participants
- Icon and description of the Hero Cosmetic reward
| Featured Civilization: August | Reward | Cosmetic |
| Russians | Mila the Bear Look into those big wide eyes, could that bear ever harm anyone? She just wants to play! Hurl around those enemy soldiers through the air! |  |
FAQ
This will be available on Steam only. Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is available for free via Game Pass!
This will not impact current Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition owners. However this will be the chance to invite friends and new players to try it out!
Ranked is available only in the base game, which can be purchased here.
Yes, trial game players can play with base game owners, and both game owner types can host multiplayer games.
If trial players hosts a multiplayer game, they can choose from the limited set of maps available to host on. If a base game owner hosts, any owned maps can be chosen for the map, and trial game players can join the game even if they don’t own the map.
Need more help? Visit our support page here!
Want Access to All the Civilizations and Extras?
