Difference between revisions of "Age of Empires"
m |
|||
(10 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown) | |||
Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 15, 1997}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 15, 1997}} | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|July 1, 1999}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Mac OS|July 1, 1999}} | ||
+ | |reception = | ||
+ | {{Infobox game/row/reception|Metacritic|age-of-empires|83}} | ||
|taxonomy = | |taxonomy = | ||
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }} | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack }} | ||
− | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | }} | + | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }} |
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }} | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer }} | ||
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing | Real-time }} | {{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/pacing | Real-time }} | ||
Line 33: | Line 35: | ||
|lutris = age-of-empires | |lutris = age-of-empires | ||
|strategywiki = Age of Empires | |strategywiki = Age of Empires | ||
− | |mobygames = | + | |mobygames = 384 |
|wikipedia = Age of Empires (video game) | |wikipedia = Age of Empires (video game) | ||
|winehq = 762 | |winehq = 762 | ||
Line 42: | Line 44: | ||
|introduction = | |introduction = | ||
− | |release history = | + | |release history = The game received '''''The Rise of Rome''''' expansion pack in October 1998 with new civilizations and campaigns. Both titles received [[#Patches|a single patch]] applied from the same installer. |
− | |current state = | + | |current state = On modern systems, the unofficial patch [[#UPatch|UPatch]] is needed to resolve color palette issues caused by a broken [[Glossary:DirectX/DirectDraw troubleshooting|DirectDraw]] renderer, as well as resolving save corruption problems, adding widescreen support and balance changes which would later be the basis for the ''[[Age of Empires: Definitive Edition|Definitive Edition]]''. The [https://www.voobly.com/ Voobly] community multiplayer service is the ''de facto'' option after the official servers were shut down. |
}} | }} | ||
Line 83: | Line 85: | ||
{{ii}} This patch updates both Age of Empires (to 1.0c) and The Rise of Rome (to 1.0a): [https://web.archive.org/web/20150619114323/https://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/EN-US/AOEPATCH.exe English, German, and French] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20160809023805/http://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/PT-BR/AOEPATCH.exe Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese]. | {{ii}} This patch updates both Age of Empires (to 1.0c) and The Rise of Rome (to 1.0a): [https://web.archive.org/web/20150619114323/https://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/EN-US/AOEPATCH.exe English, German, and French] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20160809023805/http://download.microsoft.com/download/aoe/Patch/1.0c/W9X/PT-BR/AOEPATCH.exe Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese]. | ||
{{ii}} Alternately, the latest official patch is available at [https://soggi.org/misc/game-patches.htm soggi.org]. | {{ii}} Alternately, the latest official patch is available at [https://soggi.org/misc/game-patches.htm soggi.org]. | ||
− | {{--}} The Rise of Rome 1.0a suffers from a serious bug in saved games. If a projectile (arrow from archers, ships, towers, siege weapons) is flying through the air while saving a game, the saved game becomes corrupted; loading it will crash the game. | + | {{--}} The Rise of Rome 1.0a suffers from a serious bug in saved games. If a projectile (arrow from archers, ships, towers, siege weapons) is flying through the air while saving a game, the saved game becomes corrupted; loading it will crash the game. This can be fixed however with the use of RockNRor or UPatch HD. |
− | ===[https://upatch-hd.weebly.com/ UPatch]=== | + | ===[https://aoe.heavengames.com/dl-php/showfile.php?fileid=2464 RockNRor]=== |
+ | {{ii}} Allows for numerous fixes and quality-of-life tweaks for the Rise of Rome executable, and some of the base game as well. | ||
+ | {{++}} Has fixes for the save game corruption bug for both the base game (1.0c) and Rise of Rome (1.0a) | ||
+ | {{--}} "Unfixed" saves will not be compatible with the "Fixed" executables.<ref>https://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=st&fn=4&tn=6576&st=227#post228</ref> | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | ===[https://upatch-hd.weebly.com/ UPatch HD]=== | ||
{{ii}} Requires The Rise of Rome expansion | {{ii}} Requires The Rise of Rome expansion | ||
{{++}} Unofficial patch that contains bug fixes and improvements for modern operating systems. Does not require any previous patches. | {{++}} Unofficial patch that contains bug fixes and improvements for modern operating systems. Does not require any previous patches. | ||
{{++}} Fixes the color problem caused in newer systems | {{++}} Fixes the color problem caused in newer systems | ||
{{++}} Fixes the save game corruption bug of version 1.0a | {{++}} Fixes the save game corruption bug of version 1.0a | ||
+ | {{--}} UPatch installer requires Age of Empires' installation to be noted in Windows' registry; if the game's installation fails to run or you're using a portable install of the game, a [https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/2902-age-of-empires-the-rise-of-rome-registry-fix/ registry patch] is required. | ||
===Skip intro videos=== | ===Skip intro videos=== | ||
− | {{Fixbox|description | + | {{Fixbox|description=Use the <code>NoStartup</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line argument]].|ref=<ref>Available from the game's readme file; alternatively viewable at http://aoe.heavengames.com/academy/hotkeysandcommands/cmdline.shtml</ref>|fix=}} |
==Game data== | ==Game data== | ||
Line 107: | Line 116: | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{ii}} Campaign progress is stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\game0.nfo}} | {{ii}} Campaign progress is stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\game0.nfo}} | ||
− | {{ii}} Custom scenarios are stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\scenario}} | + | {{ii}} Custom scenarios are stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\scenario|folder}} |
− | {{ii}} Custom campaigns are stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\campaign}} | + | {{ii}} Custom campaigns are stored in {{file|{{p|game}}\campaign|folder}} |
− | |||
==Video== | ==Video== | ||
Line 323: | Line 331: | ||
{{Network/Connections | {{Network/Connections | ||
|matchmaking = false | |matchmaking = false | ||
− | |matchmaking notes = MSN Gaming Zone support has been discontinued.<ref> | + | |matchmaking notes = MSN Gaming Zone support has been discontinued.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/aoferetiring|title=Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games|date=May 2023}}</ref> |
|p2p = true | |p2p = true | ||
|p2p notes = | |p2p notes = | ||
Line 361: | Line 369: | ||
#Run this program as an Administrator | #Run this program as an Administrator | ||
}} | }} | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===Wrong in-game music - Gold Edition=== | ||
+ | {{ii}} On the Gold Edition of the game, all of Age Of Empires soundtrack is replaced by Rise Of Rome soundtrack. | ||
+ | {{ii}} This is due to the disc check DRM and the Gold Edition disc having redbook CD-Audio data for Rise Of Rome but none for Age Of Empires. | ||
+ | {{ii}} Both games use CD-Audio for the soundtrack by default | ||
+ | {{Fixbox|description=Force the game to use music from the game files instead of CD-Audio|ref=<ref>Reference</ref>|fix= | ||
+ | Launch Age Of Empires with the <code>/midimusic</code> [[Glossary:Command line arguments|command line arguments]]. | ||
+ | }} | ||
+ | |||
==Other information== | ==Other information== | ||
Line 387: | Line 404: | ||
|windows arm app = false | |windows arm app = false | ||
|windows exe notes = | |windows exe notes = | ||
+ | |mac os x powerpc app = unknown | ||
|macos intel 32-bit app = | |macos intel 32-bit app = | ||
|macos intel 64-bit app = | |macos intel 64-bit app = | ||
Line 395: | Line 413: | ||
|linux arm app = unknown | |linux arm app = unknown | ||
|linux executable notes = | |linux executable notes = | ||
+ | |mac os powerpc app = true | ||
+ | |mac os 68k app = true | ||
+ | |mac os executable notes= | ||
}} | }} | ||
Line 410: | Line 431: | ||
|cutscenes notes = | |cutscenes notes = | ||
|multiplayer = MSN Gaming Zone | |multiplayer = MSN Gaming Zone | ||
− | |multiplayer notes= Discontinued.<ref> | + | |multiplayer notes= Discontinued.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://zone.msn.com/en/general/article/aoferetiring.htm|title=Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games|date=May 2023}}</ref> |
}} | }} | ||
Line 416: | Line 437: | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
|- | |- | ||
− | ! Command<ref> | + | ! Command<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://aoe.heavengames.com/academy/hotkeysandcommands/cmdline.shtml|title=Age of Empires Command Line Parameters - Age of Empires Heaven|date=May 2023}}</ref> !! Description |
|- | |- | ||
| NoStartup || Skips the intro | | NoStartup || Skips the intro |
Revision as of 02:18, 23 April 2024
This page is for the original game. For the 2018 re-release, see Age of Empires: Definitive Edition.
Developers | |
---|---|
Ensemble Studios | |
Mac OS (Classic) | MacSoft |
Publishers | |
Microsoft | |
Re-releases | Ubisoft |
Mac OS | MacSoft |
Engines | |
Genie | |
Release dates | |
Windows | October 15, 1997 |
Mac OS (Classic) | July 1, 1999 |
Reception | |
Metacritic | 83 |
Taxonomy | |
Monetization | One-time game purchase, Expansion pack |
Microtransactions | None |
Modes | Singleplayer, Multiplayer |
Pacing | Real-time |
Perspectives | Bird's-eye view, Isometric |
Controls | Multiple select, Point and select |
Genres | RTS |
Themes | Africa, Europe, Classical |
Series | Age of Empires |
Age of Empires is a singleplayer and multiplayer bird's-eye view and isometric RTS game in the Age of Empires series.
The game received The Rise of Rome expansion pack in October 1998 with new civilizations and campaigns. Both titles received a single patch applied from the same installer.
On modern systems, the unofficial patch UPatch is needed to resolve color palette issues caused by a broken DirectDraw renderer, as well as resolving save corruption problems, adding widescreen support and balance changes which would later be the basis for the Definitive Edition. The Voobly community multiplayer service is the de facto option after the official servers were shut down.
General information
- Official Discord server for the series
- Microsoft's Official game page (archived)
- Age of Empires Heaven is an active fan website and forum that offers support and extra game content.
Availability
Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Retail | ||||
Retail | Collector's Edition re-releases. |
- Free demos are available for the base game and The Rise of Rome
Version differences
- Age of Empires: Gold Edition contains the base game and The Rise of Rome expansion, first released in 1999.
- Age of Empires: Collector's Edition contains Age of Empires and Age of Empires II with their respective expansion packs. The later DVD-ROM releases include the latest patches and are DRM-free, but are missing Red Book CD audio.
Monetization
Type | Notes |
---|---|
Expansion pack | The expansion pack includes new civilizations, units, technologies and campaigns. |
One-time game purchase | The game requires an upfront purchase to access. |
DLC and expansion packs
Name | Notes | |
---|---|---|
The Rise of Rome |
Essential improvements
Patches
- This patch updates both Age of Empires (to 1.0c) and The Rise of Rome (to 1.0a): English, German, and French or Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.
- Alternately, the latest official patch is available at soggi.org.
- The Rise of Rome 1.0a suffers from a serious bug in saved games. If a projectile (arrow from archers, ships, towers, siege weapons) is flying through the air while saving a game, the saved game becomes corrupted; loading it will crash the game. This can be fixed however with the use of RockNRor or UPatch HD.
RockNRor
- Allows for numerous fixes and quality-of-life tweaks for the Rise of Rome executable, and some of the base game as well.
- Has fixes for the save game corruption bug for both the base game (1.0c) and Rise of Rome (1.0a)
- "Unfixed" saves will not be compatible with the "Fixed" executables.[1]
UPatch HD
- Requires The Rise of Rome expansion
- Unofficial patch that contains bug fixes and improvements for modern operating systems. Does not require any previous patches.
- Fixes the color problem caused in newer systems
- Fixes the save game corruption bug of version 1.0a
- UPatch installer requires Age of Empires' installation to be noted in Windows' registry; if the game's installation fails to run or you're using a portable install of the game, a registry patch is required.
Skip intro videos
Use the NoStartup command line argument.[2]
|
---|
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Games\Age of Empires\1.00\ |
Mac OS (Classic) |
Save game data location
System | Location |
---|---|
Windows | <path-to-game>\savegame[Note 1] <path-to-game>\game0.nfo[Note 1] |
Mac OS (Classic) |
- Campaign progress is stored in
<path-to-game>\game0.nfo
- Custom scenarios are stored in
<path-to-game>\scenario
- Custom campaigns are stored in
<path-to-game>\campaign
Video
Graphics feature | State | WSGF | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Widescreen resolution | Use UPatch. | ||
Multi-monitor | |||
Ultra-widescreen | |||
4K Ultra HD | |||
Field of view (FOV) | |||
Windowed | Use UPatch. | ||
Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
Anisotropic filtering (AF) | |||
Anti-aliasing (AA) | |||
Vertical sync (Vsync) | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
60 FPS and 120+ FPS | Animations play at 20 FPS |
Input
Keyboard and mouse | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Remapping | The only option available is to use one or both mouse buttons. | |
Mouse acceleration | ||
Mouse sensitivity | For scroll speed. | |
Mouse input in menus | ||
Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
Controller | ||
Controller support |
Controller types |
---|
Audio
Audio feature | State | Notes |
---|---|---|
Separate volume controls | ||
Surround sound | ||
Subtitles | ||
Closed captions | ||
Mute on focus lost | ||
Royalty free audio | ||
Red Book CD audio | On Windows, CD music might not play correctly; see the troubleshooting guide for solutions. |
Localizations
Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
English | ||||
French | ||||
German | ||||
Hungarian | Fan translation by .:i2k:. link #1, link #2 | |||
Italian | ||||
Portuguese | ||||
Brazilian Portuguese | Microsoft Brasil. | |||
Spanish |
Network
Multiplayer types
Type | Native | Players | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
LAN play | 8 | Versus |
||
Online play | 8 | Versus The official MSN Gaming Zone service has been shut down; use Voobly. |
Connection types
Type | Native | Notes |
---|---|---|
Matchmaking | MSN Gaming Zone support has been discontinued.[3] | |
Peer-to-peer | ||
Dedicated | ||
Self-hosting | ||
Direct IP |
Ports
Protocol | Port(s) and/or port range(s) |
---|---|
TCP | 2300-2400, 47624 |
UDP | 6073, 2300-2400 |
- Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.
Issues fixed
Color issues
- Playing the game on modern versions of Windows may cause it to use strange colors. Repetitive red and purple specks in water and marsh areas are the common issue.
- See DirectDraw troubleshooting for further information.
Install UPatch (The Rise of Rome only) |
---|
Legacy fix[citation needed] |
---|
|
Could not initialize graphics system error[4] |
---|
|
Wrong in-game music - Gold Edition
- On the Gold Edition of the game, all of Age Of Empires soundtrack is replaced by Rise Of Rome soundtrack.
- This is due to the disc check DRM and the Gold Edition disc having redbook CD-Audio data for Rise Of Rome but none for Age Of Empires.
- Both games use CD-Audio for the soundtrack by default
Force the game to use music from the game files instead of CD-Audio[5] |
---|
Launch Age Of Empires with the |
Other information
API
Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
---|---|---|
DirectDraw | 5 |
Executable | PPC | 16-bit | 32-bit | 64-bit | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows | |||||
Mac OS (Classic) |
Middleware
Middleware | Notes | |
---|---|---|
Multiplayer | MSN Gaming Zone | Discontinued.[6] |
Command line arguments
Command[7] | Description |
---|---|
NoStartup | Skips the intro |
640 | Forces the 640x480 resolution |
800 | Forces the 800x600 resolution |
1024 | Forces the 1024x768 resolution |
Mfill | Fixes horizontal line issue related to contemporary Matrox video adapters |
NormalMouse | Replaces the ingame cursor with the standard Windows one |
NoSound | Disables game audio with the exception of cinematics |
NoTerrainSound | Disables ambient audio |
NoMusic | Disables music |
MidiMusic | Forces the use of MIDI music instead of the Red Book CD music |
Msync | Fixes lockups related to contemporary SoundBlaster AWE configurations |
System requirements
Windows | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 95, NT 4.0 SP3 | |
Processor (CPU) | Intel Pentium 90 or higher | |
System memory (RAM) | 16 MB | 32 MB |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 80 MB | |
Video card (GPU) | Local SVGA bus video display 1 MB of VRAM DirectX 5 compatible |
Mac OS | ||
---|---|---|
Minimum | Recommended | |
Operating system (OS) | 7.5.3 | |
Processor (CPU) | 120 MHz 604 150 MHz 603 |
150 MHz 604 |
System memory (RAM) | 32 MB | |
Hard disk drive (HDD) | 70 MB |
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below
%PROGRAMFILES%
,%PROGRAMDATA%
, or%WINDIR%
might be redirected to%LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore
on Windows Vista and later (more details).
References
- ↑ https://aoe.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/aoecgi/display.cgi?action=st&fn=4&tn=6576&st=227#post228
- ↑ Available from the game's readme file; alternatively viewable at http://aoe.heavengames.com/academy/hotkeysandcommands/cmdline.shtml
- ↑ Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Age of Empires II - "could not initialize graphics system. make sure that your video card and driver are compatible with DirectDraw"
- ↑ Reference
- ↑ Age of Empires matchmaking has been retired from MSN Games - MSN Games - Free Online Games - last accessed on May 2023
- ↑ Age of Empires Command Line Parameters - Age of Empires Heaven - last accessed on May 2023