The Age of Empires license will return to smartphones.
It has not yet been confirmed that Age of Empires Mobile, which will be released for iOS and Android, is the global version of Return to Empire. For reference, Microsoft and World’s Edge have already partnered with TiMi Studios Tencent to develop the Chinese version of Age of Empires. It offers an authentic license experience and is a 4X strategy game (eXplore, eXpand, eXploit, eXterminate). Both versions may be similar given TiMi Studios experience in porting console IPs to smartphones.
Age of Empires Mobile teaser
Michael Mann, head of US studio World’s Edge, said:
You may have seen a glimpse of a whole new way to play Age of Empires as the series hits mobile devices. This unique and visually impressive game will allow you to build your empire wherever you are. If you liked this announcement, know that very soon we will tell you more…
We don’t currently have information about the launch of Age of Empires Mobile, but Microsoft should let fans know by early 2023.
Mobile port failure for Age of Empires license
Prior to the return to Empire in China, which Asian players didn’t like much, Age of Empires arrived on smartphones through Age of Empires: Castle Siege and Age of Empires: World Domination. Both of these games felt more like Clash of Clans-style real-time strategy games than the complex and expansive historical real-time strategy games of the main series. There will never be success, despite the free-to-play economic model.