15 “Age of Empires III” Facts, Gameplay Tips, Quotes and More

Age of Empires III is a real-time strategy game developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft Game Studios. It is the third installment in the Age of Empires series, following Age of Empires II.

Released in 2005 for Windows, Age of Empires III introduces several new gameplay elements while retaining the core mechanics of the series. The game is set during the colonization period of the Americas, spanning from the early 16th century to the early 19th century. Players assume the role of European colonial powers and embark on a journey to establish colonies, expand their territories, gather resources, research technologies, and engage in both economic and military conflicts.

Age of Empires III Facts

1. Age of Empires III was developed by Ensemble Studios and released by Microsoft Game Studios in 2005.
2. The game takes place during the colonization period of the Americas, spanning from the early 16th century to the early 19th century.
3. Age of Empires III introduced the concept of a “Home City” that represents the player’s capital in Europe, from where they receive shipments of resources, units, and technologies.
4. The game features eight playable European civilizations, including the British, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Russians, Germans, and Ottomans.
5. Each civilization in the game has unique units, technologies, and bonuses, allowing for different strategies and playstyles.
6. Age of Empires III received two expansion packs: The WarChiefs (2006) and The Asian Dynasties (2007), which added new civilizations, campaigns, and gameplay enhancements.
7. The game introduced a new resource system with food, wood, coin, and experience points, requiring players to manage their economy strategically.
8. Players can form alliances with Native American tribes and gain access to unique units and technologies.
9. Age of Empires III featured improved 3D graphics compared to its predecessors, with detailed units, landscapes, and realistic physics.
10. The single-player campaign mode in Age of Empires III offers a series of historical scenarios and characters based on real events from the colonial era.
11. The game received positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay mechanics, and the addition of new features to the series.
12. Age of Empires III supported online multiplayer, allowing players to compete or cooperate with others in various game modes.
13. The game’s soundtrack was composed by Stephen Rippy, featuring a mix of orchestral and ethnic music to capture the atmosphere of the colonial era.
14. Age of Empires III was one of the best-selling PC games of 2005, showcasing the enduring popularity of the series.
15. The Age of Empires franchise continues to thrive, with Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition released in 2020, featuring enhanced graphics, improved gameplay, and additional content.

Gameplay Tips

• Manage your economy: Establish a strong economy by efficiently gathering resources such as food, wood, and coin. Balance your resource gathering with the construction of economic buildings and the training of villagers.
• Explore and scout: Send out scouts to explore the map and uncover resources, treasures, and potential threats. This knowledge will give you an advantage and help plan your strategies accordingly.
• Utilize Home City shipments: Take advantage of the Home City system to receive shipments of resources, units, and technologies. Plan your shipments strategically to support your current needs and long-term objectives.
• Adapt your strategy: Be flexible and adapt your strategy based on the map layout, your opponent’s civilization, and their tactics. Adjust your unit composition, technologies, and building placement accordingly.
• Focus on military upgrades: Research and upgrade military technologies to enhance the effectiveness of your units. Prioritize upgrades that align with your chosen unit composition and playstyle.
• Expand and control key areas: Secure important map control points, resources, and trading posts to gain an advantage over your opponents. This will provide you with additional resources and map control.
• Use unit formations and tactics: Experiment with different unit formations and tactics to maximize their efficiency in battle. Utilize features such as flanking, hit-and-run attacks, and positioning to gain an edge in combat.
• Balance offense and defense: Strive for a balance between offensive and defensive strategies. While aggression can yield rewards, leaving yourself vulnerable can be detrimental. Plan your attacks while maintaining a solid defense at your base.
• Research and counter your opponent: Gather intelligence on your opponent’s civilization and adapt your strategies accordingly. Identify their strengths and weaknesses, and counter their units and tactics effectively.
• Cooperate and trade: In team games, coordinate with your allies to support each other economically and militarily. Establish trade routes to generate additional resources and strengthen your alliances.
• Keep up with your population limit: Continuously train villagers and military units to reach and maintain your population limit. A well-rounded and sizable army is crucial for success.
• Plan your deck: Customize your Home City decks to include cards that support your chosen strategies and playstyle. Experiment with different combinations and adjust your deck as you progress.

Age of Empires III Quotes

• “Prepare to defend yourself!” – European Infantry
• “Our civilization will flourish!” – European Settler
• “I am ready to serve!” – Native Scout
• “We will fight for our freedom!” – Native Warrior
• “Our economy is strong!” – European Villager
• “Attack! Take no prisoners!” – European Cavalry
• “By our valor, we will triumph!” – European Soldier
• “The hunt begins!” – European Explorer
• “We will reclaim our homeland!” – Native Chief
• “Our enemies will fall before us!” – European Artillery
• “With honor and strength!” – European Knight
• “Our knowledge will guide us!” – European Scholar

Game Controls

• WASD or Arrow Keys: Scroll the screen in different directions.
• Left-Click: Select units, buildings, or objects on the screen.
• Right-Click: Issue commands such as moving units, attacking enemies, or building structures.
• Spacebar: Centers the screen on the selected unit or group of units.
• Backspace: Centers the screen on the last notification or event.
• Enter or Return: Opens or closes the chat window.
• Delete: Deletes the selected unit or structure.
• B: Opens the Build menu to construct new buildings.
• M: Opens the Military menu to train military units.
• T: Opens the Technology menu to research upgrades.
• G: Opens the Gather menu to task villagers to gather resources.
• H: Opens the Home City menu to request shipments and manage your deck.

Cheats – Cheat Codes

1. x marks the spot: Reveals the entire map.
2. medium rare please: Gives you 10,000 food.
3. give me liberty or give me coin: Gives you 10,000 coin.
4. nova & orion: Gives you 10,000 experience points.
5. tuck tuck tuck: Spawns a BigDaddy monster truck.
6. speed always wins: Increases the speed of construction, research, and unit training.
7. this is too hard: Skips the current scenario in the campaign.
8. ya gotta make do with what ya got: Spawns a George Crushington unit (a powerful statue-like unit).
9. sooo good: Gives you all the upgrades for your units.
10. a recent study indicated that 100% of herdables are obese: Turns animals on the map into “Learicorn” creatures.
11. where’s that axe?: Gives you a powerful “Laser Bear” unit.
12. wee ooh wee ooh: Spawns a “Flying Dutchman” ship.
13. ding ding ding: Gives you a “Mediocre Bombard” unit.
14. don’t kick the pitbull: Spawns a “Learicorn” unit that shoots dogs.
15. o canada 2005: Spawns a Lazerbear unit.

Game Characters

• Explorer: Each player starts with an Explorer, a unique unit that can explore the map, claim treasures, and construct trading posts.
• Settler/Villager: These are the basic units responsible for gathering resources, constructing buildings, and performing various tasks such as farming and mining.
• Military Units: Age of Empires III features a wide range of military units, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, and naval units. Each civilization has its own unique set of units with different strengths and weaknesses.
• Native American Warriors: Players can interact with Native American tribes and recruit Native American warriors to fight alongside their armies. These warriors have their own unique abilities and playstyles.
• Mercenaries: Players can hire mercenaries from various locations on the map. These units come from different parts of the world and offer specialized combat capabilities.
• Explorers and Heroes: Apart from the starting Explorer, some civilizations have unique Hero units, such as Joan of Arc for the French or El Cid for the Spanish. These units possess special abilities and can turn the tide of battles.

Here are the civilization names in Age of Empires III:

• British
• French
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• Dutch
• Russians
• Germans
• Ottomans

Where to Play

1. Steam: The game is available for purchase and download on the Steam platform. You can visit the Age of Empires III store page on Steam to acquire the game: https://store.steampowered.com/app/105450/Age_of_Empires_III_Complete_Collection/
2. Microsoft Store: If you are using a Windows 10 PC, you can check the Microsoft Store for Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition. Visit the Microsoft Store website or access it directly through the Microsoft Store app on your PC.

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