The Scenario Editor is a feature in the Age of Empires series that allows players to edit and create their own game maps, establish custom rules, as well as specific win or loss conditions. Players can also use the editor to test each of the elements that may affect gameplay and player-designed scenarios can be grouped together as a part of a campaign. Furthermore, certain units such as heroes and other special units such as the mercenary are only available in the Scenario Editor.
All scenario editors of the Age of Empires series have a maximum of 8 different players (except Age of Mythology, which has 12), whose diplomacy can be adjusted to optimize gameplay. When it comes to adjusting the amount of something, negative numbers and decimals are not allowed before the subsequent HD Expansions.
Age of Empires[]
- Main article: Scenario Editor (Age of Empires)
The Age of Empires Scenario Editor (simply called Scenario Builder on the menu screen) is a basic editing tool in which the player can create or customize any game with a set of win or lose conditions. A classic example is the "build and destroy" map theme for normal RTS games which features the well known system of building a small base and overcoming the player's opponent. Alternatively, gameplay can be edited to eliminate the "build" aspect of the game and emphasize the "search and destroy" adventure theme in which the player controls a small band of military units and has to accomplish a set of goals defined by the Scenario Designer.
Age of Empires II[]
- Main article: Scenario Editor (Age of Empires II)
The starting screen always aligns itself at the center of the map whenever a new scenario is created.
The Age of Empires II Scenario Editor (simply called Map Editor on the menu screen) features everything its predecessor has along with newer features allowing greater customization and versatility in game design and architecture. Among the most notable feature is the ability to create triggers, which enable more sophisticated gameplay.
Age of Mythology[]
- Main article: Scenario Editor (Age of Mythology)
The starting screen.
The Age of Mythology Scenario Editor (simply called Editor on the menu screen) allows the player to create their own scenarios, much in the same way as its predecessor, but brings a lot of innovative features which weren't possible in the previous 2D engine.
Age of Empires III[]
- Main article: Scenario Editor (Age of Empires III)
The Age of Empires III Scenario Editor builds off its predecessor and includes newer features allowing for greater customization and versatility in game design and architecture. Among the most notable feature is the ability to create triggers, which enable more sophisticated gameplay.
Age of Empires IV[]
- Main article: Content Editor
A Content Editor was added to Age of Empires IV with the Season One Update.