Age of Empires Online is a real-time strategy MMO developed by Microsoft Studios. It was released in August of 2011, and is free-to-play with an optional cash shop. The game plays under Microsoft’s Games for Windows Live system. The game follows the classic Age of Empires PC game series, where players can build and conquer ancient civilizations. In this online chapter, players are able to choose from Greek and Egyptian civilizations.

Each player starts out with a capital city in Age of Empires Online. Their capital city serves as their base for the entire game. Players start out building up their city and establishing its finances, then can start broadening their horizons and conquering other cities through PvP. Players can also run co-op games with other players. The cash shop plays a rather large part in Age of Empires Online, and players can purchase direct city upgrades through it.

Players can customize their city through the tech tree system, which can upgrade a city’s military, economy and general utility areas, providing additional tools and buildings. In this sense, Age of Empires Online almost plays like an RPG at times. Players can also complete quests in Age of Empires Online.