Age of Empires Online

Fifteen years ago today, on August 16, 2011, a slice of the Age of Empires universe landed on the Games for Windows Marketplace. This wasn't your granddad's Age of Empires, though. It was a free-to-play take, aiming to bring the grand strategy feel to a wider audience. Imagine building up your civilization, sending those iconic villagers to gather resources, and then, well, maybe engaging in some light skirmishes, all without the hefty upfront cost.

WHY IT STILL MATTERS

The game offered a persistent online world where you could progress your chosen civilization, unlocking new technologies and structures. You could cooperate with friends to tackle quests or defend your empire against AI-controlled threats. It was a different rhythm than the standalone skirmishes or campaigns players were used to, a bit more like a living, breathing world you dipped in and out of. For a time, it was a curious experiment, a way to dip your toes into the Age of Empires waters without committing to a full purchase.