What is Age of Empires?

Age of Empires is a series of historical real-time strategy (RTS) video games where players advance a civilization through different ages, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, by gathering resources and developing technology. The original game was released in 1997 by Ensemble Studios and Microsoft, and the franchise has since expanded to include multiple titles with enhanced versions, such as the Definitive Editions. The series is known for its strategic gameplay that is rooted in history, although some spin-offs like Age of Mythology have explored mythological settings.