Publisher Microsoft and developer Relic Entertainment have announced Age of Empires IV launches October 28.

When Age of Empires IV launches October 28, it will be available for Windows PC and via Xbox Game Pass for PC.

Here’s a rundown on the game:

One of the best-selling real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the modern world.

Gameplay

To start their empires, players will need to explore the world around them to locate essential resources. Using these resources, they’ll construct buildings, produce units, and build their economies — all the while fighting off a barrage of enemy raids and attacks. Guide your empire through the ages, and when the time is right, strike your enemies with the full force of your empire, claiming victory!

Message from developer Relic Entertainment

1997 gave us two things that shaped who we are today: the start of Relic Entertainment; and a then-newly released game called Age of Empires. It’s no secret that we’re the biggest fans of RTS games and, over the years, we’ve spent countless hours building empires and taking to battle.

We wonder what our team would have said way back then, if someone told us that Relic would eventually partner with Microsoft Studios to make the next game in that legendary series. Something tells us we might have been just determined enough to think, “yeah, of course we will!”

Now that the dream has become a reality with the announcement of Age of Empires IV, we couldn’t be more proud to be a part of the legacy. We can’t wait to tap into our strengths as a studio to fuse historical context with deep strategic gameplay, and to bring this franchise back to the forefront of gaming and into the hands of its beloved community.

We look forward to sharing with you more details in the months to come. For now, just know we are beyond excited to be working on the next entry into the legendary franchise.