The Age of Empires franchise has been a staple in the real-time strategy (RTS) genre since its first release in 1997. The game has spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs and has had a massive impact on the gaming industry. It is considered one of the most influential games of all time and has given birth to a whole new gaming genre. In this article, we will explore how the Age of Empires gave birth to the RTS genre and its impact on the gaming industry.
A Brief History of the Age of Empires
Age of Empires was developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Studios. It was released for Microsoft Windows in 1997 and quickly gained popularity among gamers. The game was set in ancient history and allowed players to build and manage their own civilization. The game’s success led to the development of two sequels, Age of Empires II and Age of Empires III, as well as several spin-offs. The real-time strategy genre was born out of the success of the Age of Empires.
The game introduced the concept of gathering resources, building structures, and commanding armies in real time. This was a unique and exhilarating concept that had never been seen before in the gaming industry. Age of Empires also introduced the concept of multiple civilizations, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. This gave players a reason to play the game multiple times, as they could try out different civilizations and playstyles. The game also allowed for multiplayer matches, which further increased its popularity.
Impact on the Gaming Industry
The success of Age of Empires led to the development of other RTS games, such as Starcraft, Warcraft, and Command and Conquer. These games further expanded the RTS genre, introducing new concepts and gameplay mechanics. The impact of the Age of Empires on the gaming industry cannot be overstated. The game introduced a whole new genre of gaming that has since become a staple in the industry. RTS games continue to be popular to this day, with games like Starcraft II and Company of Heroes 2 still being played by gamers around the world. Age of Empires also had an impact on game development. The game introduced new concepts and gameplay mechanics that have been used in countless games since its release. The game’s success also paved the way for the development of other successful games, such as Halo, which was also developed by Ensemble Studios.
Age of Empires was also one of the first games to introduce innovative multiplayer features, allowing players to compete against each other online in real-time matches. The game’s matchmaking system was ahead of its time, allowing players to connect with others who were at a similar skill level. The ability to play against other human players added a new level of challenge and unpredictability to the game, as players would have to adapt to their opponent’s strategies and playstyles. The success of Age of Empires’ multiplayer features paved the way for other multiplayer-focused games, such as the first-person shooter Quake III Arena and the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Online gaming became more mainstream, and the concept of esports began to take shape.
In conclusion, Age of Empires is a game that has had a massive impact on the gaming industry. It gave birth to a whole new genre of gaming and introduced new concepts and gameplay mechanics that are still being used today. The game’s success paved the way for the development of other successful games and influenced game development for years to come. Age of Empires will always be remembered as a game that changed the gaming industry forever.
