Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is a remaster of Age of Empires III and its expansions. It features graphical upgrades, UI improvements, quality of life, gameplay changes, new game modes and two new civilizations.[2] Announced at Gamescom 2017, the first closed beta began on February 11, 2020,[3] and it was released on October 15, 2020. It was released as update 1529.
On April 10, 2021, a new playable United States civilization was announced. Released on April 13, it could be earned for free by completing fifty in-game challenges. It can now only be purchased.[4]
On July 20, 2021, a new expansion was announced, The African Royals. With a setting based on Africa, featuring Ethiopians and Hausa, three new Historical Battles, 15 new African maps, and five new African native settlements and new achievements, it was released on August 2, 2021.[5]
On September 14, 2021, the Mexican civilization was announced, also featuring also three new Historical Battles and new achievements, and released on December 1, 2021.[6]
The Steam version of the game was made "free-to-play" on August 2, 2023. The content in this free trial mode is restricted and changed on a regular basis. It consists of both singleplayer skirmish and multiplayer lobby (but not ranked) game modes, three playable civilizations which are rotated periodically, The Art of War challenges, eight maps (four American and four Asian maps), and unlocks the single-player content Act I: Blood campaign and Algiers historical battle. The Scenario Editor and the in-game mods browser are not available in this version. Players on this version of the game can also participate in the monthly cosmetic unlocking community events. Trial mode players joining lobbies hosted by base game owners are not subject to the restriction on available maps.[7]
On January 31, 2024, it was announced that a new expansion with new civilizations is in the works.[8] On February 23, 2024, the flags of two new civilizations were revealed.[9] The flags are the royal banner of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during 1605-1668 and the flag of Denmark in use since 1748. The expansion was scheduled to be released in late 2024. However, due to the team bandwidth and number of projects across the franchise, the release was pushed out to a later date.[10] On January 28, 2025, it was announced that the expansion was canceled, and no further expansions will be added to the game. Only multiplayer servers and tech support for issues with the game will be provided.[11]
Rotating civilization pool - three civilizations, each being present individually for three weeks maximum, with one of them changing every week (original 16 civilizations only)
Single player and unranked multiplayer - can host only on the available maps, but can join lobbies with any map hosted
This will have no direct effect on the players who already own the game. Quoting the blog, this will be the chance to invite friends and new players to try it out!
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Hero Cosmetic Pack – Lizzie: Adds the Lizzie skin for the British Explorer.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Hero Cosmetic Pack – Kunoichi: Adds a female Ninja-like skin for the Japanese Explorer. The unit still uses male voice lines when using abilities.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition – Hero Cosmetic Pack – Vol. 1: Adds more explorer skins.
Definitive Edition releases
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition - United States Civilization 
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition - Mexico Civilization
Inca: A defensive Native American civilization with strong walls and unique fortifications
