Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is getting two new civilizations, 15 new maps and a new Influence resource in the largest addition to the game since the Definitive Edition launched last year.
The African Royals DLC will be released on 2 August 2021. It adds the Ethiopian and Hausa civilizations to the real-time strategy game, each with their own unique buildings and units. The Ethiopian faction can build Mountain Monasteries and produce Shotel Warriors, while the Hausa Kingdom can develop Universities and the bard-like figure of the Griot.
Ageing up
Age of Empires III: DE – The African Royals screenshot
Developers Tantalus Media and Forgotten Empires have folded in the new factions to Age of Empires’ traditional linear age-system, but with a few differences. The Ethiopians and Hausa are still stitched into the classic Eurocentric model that moves from “Discovery Age” up to “Imperial Age”, but players progress in the game by forging new alliances with potential allies.
These alliances provide access to technologies, buildings and unique units. These potential allies include game factions such as the Somalis, Habesha and Portugese.
Age of Empires Influence resource
Age of Empires III: DE – The African Royals screenshot
Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios
The new expansion mixes in the valuable Influence resource to the game’s economy. Influence can be acquired from typical sources such as trading posts, Ageing up, and shipments. It can also be gathered by owning large herds of cattle, assigning villagers to “gather” it at Mountain Monasteries, and at the Hausa-unique University building.
Influence changes the dynamics of the game by creating a new currency to buy units with. Influence is spent at the Palace building on unlockable units and mercenaries.
Historical battles
Age of Empires III: DE – The African Royals screenshot
Image Credit: Xbox Game Studios
The African Royals also adds three historical battles to the game. These are the Battle of the Three Kings, the Fall of the Hausa, and the Era of the Princes. This is somewhat short of a full campaign, but in addition to the 15 added maps that will be playable online and in skirmish modes, there’s a lot of content here to sate AOE3 fans.
When will the Age of Empires African DLC release?
Age of Empires III – The African Royals will release on 2 August, 2021. Age of Empires III was originally released in 2005. It was re-released as the Definitive Edition in October 2020, and has since been built upon with the United States Civilization DLC.
The DLC isn’t free and it isn’t included in Xbox Game Pass. It’s priced at £7.99 ($10) on Steam and the Windows Store.
With the Dawn of the Dukes expansion on the horizon for Age of Empires II, Age of Empires IV releasing in October, and History Hit’s Age of Empires tournament in the autumn, it looks like we’re set for a few more seasons of Age of Empires.
