A new update has been released for Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition which introduces a lot of changes. One of the highlights is the addition of three new maps. This new update also means that start of a new Ranked Season.
Going back to the new maps, these are:
- Canal
- A wide canal stretches from base to base through a fertile land and carves a path for both resources and aggression.
- Gorge
- Nothing but an open land separates you from your enemies in the gorge.
- Meanwhile, above the gorge to the side of the mountain are small forests and plenty of resources just waiting for those who have the courage to branch off the central battle.
- Rocky River
- New life emerges from the dying remains of a once great river which stretching low across a valley between opposing factions.
Map Pool
Season Six has already started and that means new rewards. It also means a fresh change when it comes to the map pool. In addition to the three new maps already mentioned, four new maps are also being added to the pool coming from The Sultan Ascends expansion. However, these four maps are exclusive to those who have the expansion. Other players though can preview these same maps for a limited time. Here's the map pool:
- 1v1 Ranked Map Pool
- Arabia
- Canal (NEW!)
- Cliffside (Expansion Preview!)
- Golden Heights
- Golden Pit (Expansion Preview!)
- Gorge (NEW!)
- Hidden Valley (Expansion Preview!)
- Himeyama (Expansion Preview!)
- Rocky River (NEW!)
- Team Ranked Map Pool
- Arabia
- Cliffside (Expansion Preview!)
- Golden Heights
- Golden Pit (Expansion Preview!)
- Gorge (NEW!)
- Hidden Valley (Expansion Preview!)
- Hideout
- Himeyama (Expansion Preview!)
- Volcanic Island
Fireside Festivities Event
A new season also means new events. The Fireside Festivities is now live and offers themed challenges which let players earn in-game rewards. This event runs from November 14 to December 4. The Challenges are:
- Bad Fruits
- Reward: Profile Icon – Bad Apple
- How to Unlock Reward:
- Win a Skirmish or Multiplayer match where Food is gathered only from animals.
- Burning Down
- Reward: Profile Icon – Dragon Latte
- How to Unlock Reward:
- Raid at least 5 enemy buildings as the Mongols in any game mode.
- Colorful Town Center
- Reward: Profile Icon – Fall Town Center
- How to Unlock Reward:
- Win a 2v2 Quick Match in which you aged up to the Imperial Age (IV).
- Early Woodcutter
- Reward: Coat of Arms Sigil – Maple Leaf
- How to Unlock Reward:
- Accrue 2000 Wood before reaching the Feudal Age (II) while playing on the Black Forest map in a Skirmish or Multiplayer match.
- Late Bloomer
- Reward: Coat of Arms Sigil – Chrysanthemum
- How to Unlock Reward:
- Construct a Pagoda in a Multiplayer or Skirmish match as the Chinese.
Learn more about the new update here.
Age of Empires IV was released in October 2021 for the PC. The game launched for the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S platforms in August 2023.
