What changed in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition in 2019

75 updates · 14 main milestones · Jun 28, 2019 to Dec 20, 2019

Dec 20, 20192 events
Crash Issues Resolvedbug fix
Resolved issues that were causing some players to experience crashes.
Steam
Fix for Spectator Mode Player Search Issuesbug fix
Potentially resolved issues related to searching for specific players in Spectator Mode.
Steam
Dec 17, 201921 events
Snow Covered Trees Addednew content
Steam
Piles of Presents Replace Forage Bushesnew content
Steam
2019 Winter Celebration Mod Releasednew content
A festive mod featuring snow-covered trees, presents replacing forage bushes, and more.
Steam
Localized Voice-Overs for Art of War Challenge Missionsaudio
Voice-over audio added for localized versions of Art of War missions.
Steam
Game Stability Improvements & Crash Fixesbug fixMilestone
Various fixes to address reported crashes and improve stability.
Steam
Icicles Replace Normal Sized Arrowsnew content
Steam
Campaign Completion Medalsgameplay
Campaigns now display completion medals based on difficulty.
Steam
AI & Pathfinding Improvementsai
Enhancements made to AI behavior and pathfinding.
Steam
Piles of Presents Underneath Town Centresnew content
Steam
Map Ban System for Ranked Matchmakingnew content
Introduction of a new feature allowing players to ban maps in ranked matches.
Steam
Civilization Balance Changesbalance changeMilestone
Balance adjustments particularly to the Cumans and Steppe Lancers.
Steam
Patches of Snow on Non-Water Terrainnew content
Steam
Presents Replace Trebuchet Projectilesnew content
Steam
Snowflakes Replace Projectiles for Siege Unitsnew content
Steam
Snowballs Replace Cannonballsnew content
Steam
Updated Map Pool for Ranked Matchmakingnew content
New maps added to the ranked matchmaking pool.
Steam
Winter Celebration Modnew content
New mod featuring winter-themed changes to the game environment.
Steam
2019 Winter Celebration Eventseasonal event
Introduction of the Winter Celebration event with new profile icons and mod.
Steam
Candy Canes Replace Spearsnew content
Steam
Achievement Fixesbug fix
Several achievements have been fixed for proper tracking.
Steam
Performance Improvementsperformance
General performance enhancements to improve game experience.
Steam
Dec 11, 201910 events
Other Civilization and Unit Balance Changesbalance change
Steam
Game Stability Improvements & Crash FixesperformanceMilestone
Steam
Campaign Balance and Achievement Fixesbalance change
Steam
NEW! Campaign Completion Medalsnew content
Steam
Art of War Challenge Missions now have Localized Voice-Oversaudio
Steam
Balance Changes for the Cumans and Steppe Lancerbalance change
Steam
NEW! Map Ban System for Ranked Matchmakingnew contentMilestone
Steam
AI & Pathfinding Improvementsai
Steam
Lobbies & Matchmaking Improvementsui ux
Steam
Updated Map Pool for Ranked Matchmakingchanges
Steam
Nov 27, 20191 event
Fix for Resolution-Based Selection Offsetbug fix
Fixed an issue where playing in any resolution lower than the maximum resolution caused band-box selection and health bars to be incorrectly offset.
Steam
Nov 22, 20194 events
Updated terrain grid to be semi-transparentvisuals
Terrain grid now aligns more accurately to various terrains.
Steam
Implemented minor performance improvementsperformance
Enhancements aimed at multiplayer and campaign play.
Steam
Fixed crash when opening Profile screen offlinebug fix
Steam
Fixed framerate hitch caused by selection boxesbug fix
Issue occurred while playing in campaign or multiplayer match.
Steam
Nov 20, 20194 events
Fixed grayed out Enhanced Graphics option despite DLC installationbug fix
Steam
Fixed File Error 12 crash preventing game launchbug fixMilestone
Most notably impacted computers using non-Latin characters.
Steam
Fixed outdated games displayed in Spectator Lobbybug fix
Resolved issue where outdated games could not be joined.
Steam
Fixed missing death sound effects for certain unitsbug fix
Steam
Nov 16, 20196 events
Spectate Games Tab Lockup Issue Resolvedbug fix
Fixed an issue where clicking the Spectate Games tab would result in de-syncing or locking up the game client.
Steam
Matchmaking Lobby Connection Quality Display Improvedbug fix
The matchmaking lobby should now display your connection quality and available game lobbies more quickly and consistently.
Steam
Enhanced Graphics Option Fixbug fix
Fixed an issue where the Enhanced Graphics (UHD) option would appear grayed out despite having installed and enabled the DLC.
Steam
Negative ELO Display Issue Fixedbug fix
Fixed a rare issue where completing a ranked match could erroneously display a negative ELO.
Steam
Multiplayer Server Stabilization Ongoingperformance
Continuing work to update and stabilize the multiplayer servers with several servers spun up to support the population.
Steam
File Error 12 Crash Fix in Progressbug fix
Fixed an issue where certain file paths could result in a File Error 12 crash that would prevent the game from launching.
Steam
Nov 14, 20198 events
Launch of Age of Empires II: Definitive Editiondlc releaseMilestone
Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition is now available on Microsoft Store, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Steam
All-new graphics for Age of Empires II: Definitive EditionvisualsMilestone
The game features remastered graphics inspired by historical battles.
Steam
Pre-order Age of Empires II: Definitive Editiondlc releaseMilestone
Available for pre-order starting today, with release on November 14, 2019.
Steam
New music and sound for Age of Empires II: Definitive EditionaudioMilestone
The remastered version includes new music and sound effects.
Steam
Transport ship full of game improvementsgameplay
Includes various gameplay improvements with the transport ship.
Steam
Four brand-new civilizationsnew contentMilestone
Introducing four new civilizations in the Definitive Edition.
Steam
Cross play with friendsquality of life
Feature allowing cross play with friends.
Steam
Three new campaignsnew contentMilestone
Adding three new campaigns to the game.
Steam
Aug 6, 20193 events
Age of Empires II: DE Campaign Weekend Announcementseasonal event
Exclusive event allowing beta participants to play a remastered version of the Joan of Arc campaign.
Steam
Joan of Arc Campaign Available for Beta Participantsnew content
Beta participants can join Joan of Arc in her battle against the English during the Campaign Weekend.
Steam
Age of Empires Insider Program Introductionother
New program for gamers to get involved in the development of Age of Empires, including beta event participation.
Steam
Jun 28, 201916 events
Integrated Leaderboard and Laddergameplay
Steam
Matchmaking Features Addednetwork
Steam
Crossplay Between Steam and Microsoft Storenetwork
Steam
Ability to Auto-Reset Fish Trapsquality of life
Steam
Additional Mod Supportmodding
Steam
Simultaneous Research and Unit Build Queuesgameplay
Steam
Fully Remastered Soundtrackaudio
Steam
3 Brand-new Campaigns Introducednew contentMilestone
Offering over 200 hours of campaign gameplay.
Steam
Balance Updates Based on Player Feedbackbalance change
Steam
Scalable User Interfaceui ux
Steam
Stunning 4K GraphicsvisualsMilestone
True to the look and feel of Age of Empires II.
Steam
Built-in Mods Availablemodding
Includes Small Trees, Grid Mode, etc.
Steam
Global Queue at the Top of the Screengameplay
Steam
Dynamic Zoom Controls Implementednew content
Steam
4 New Civilizations Addednew contentMilestone
Bringing the total to 35 civilizations.
Steam
Advanced Tutorials Introducedgameplay
Steam