I kind of found the entire event insulting. Age of Empires was one of the first proper games I ever played, I genuinely feel like I've grown up with the franchise and, aside from three, count them amongst my favourite games of all time. As the stream progressed on and on I just felt more sickened by Microsoft, who were ultimately responsible for killing the franchise and Ensemble Studios along with it, acting as if they've been supporting this thriving community, despite not releasing a new game in the franchise in twelve years! The sheer audacity of the whole thing was breathtaking. Shannon Loftis was at pains to say that the franchise is alive because of the fans - which is absolutely true - but it is equally true to say that the franchise is alive despite Microsoft, who have the gall to turn up here and act as if there hasn't been a twelve year gap between the release of Age of Empires III and the announcement of Age of Empires IV. Microsoft realised there was a way to get people to pay for Age of Empires again, not just twice, apparently, as they're now offering definitive editions of recently remastered games. That's the only reason any of this is happening and, frankly, that gives me no confidence in what comes next.
The presenters were, if it's even possible, more obnoxious than during yesterday's Xbox focused stream. I have no idea whether these people are genuine Age of Empires fans or not, but their enthusiasm certainly seemed faked if not absurdly exaggerated. Why the hell can't they pronounce wololo correctly? Have they never actually heard it in game? I'm no fan of Graeme Boyd but damn if he isn't made to look capable by his two colleagues that conspired to make this practically unwatchable. If it wasn't for the mini documentary videos that broke up the cringe inducing live event, I'm not sure if I could have made it to the end, even with the tantalising prospect of a new Age of Empires being announced.
We get to the end of the event and indeed it is what we've all been waiting for... but I just can't help but feel Age of Empires IV is going to be the latest in a series of abominations attached to the franchise along with Online and Castle Siege. I'm not a fan of Relic, and I'm even less a fan of Microsoft as a publisher. They managed to make an unreal mess of Halo Wars 2, despite playing it laughably safe. More than anything though, just how early is this production? What happened to Microsoft and not announcing things too early? Despite my reservations about Microsoft as a publisher, I'd feel a lot happier if this was being developed in house. Microsoft need to bolster their first party, and their record with getting third parties to develop their IPs is atrocious. Everything about this idea seems remniscent of Halo Wars 2 being given to Creative Assembly, who either didn't have any interesting ideas of what to do with it or simply weren't allowed to do anything interesting with it.
There was a part of me that felt euphoric as it became clear that Age of Empires IV was going to be announced, but the more I ponder it the more I feel like this is going to damage the franchise rather than revive it. No-one wants to be proven wrong more than me but, at the same time, I can't muster any excitement right now.
