In Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars, our goal was to create compelling gameplay that is authentic to Chinese mythology. To do this, we sought Chinese designers, artists, and experts in Chinese mythology. Together with the teams at Virtuos Shanghai, Forgotten Empires, and Tantalus, we strived to create a well-researched bestiary of unique and incredible units.

With the upcoming Immortal Pillars DLC, most Chinese Myth units are inspired by the Four Perils, a collection of warped and malevolent beings, and the Four Auspicious Beasts, noble guardians associated with the elements. Today, we’re introducing the “evil” four of the Myth units available in Immortal Pillars.

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Immortal Pillars is available for pre-order now on Steam! Coming March 4th!

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2991170/Age_of_Mythology_Retold__Immortal_Pillars/

*Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition Owners
Already own the Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition? Immortal Pillars is yours at no additional cost – jump in and play on day one!

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Qiongqi is the first of the Four Perils, available in the Classical Age to followers of Houtu.
In designing the Myth units of Immortal Pillars, we wanted them to be authentic to mythology, foster unique gameplay, and be cool. We’re lucky when the mythology makes that easy for us. Some combinations go really well together and tigers and wings are one of the all-time greats. With Qiongqi, we instantly had everything we wanted.

The Qiongqi is a 260kg mass of muscle, teeth, and claws, and in it’s upgraded form it even has a horn and saber teeth half-a-meter-long! In Chinese mythology, the Qiongqi understands human language and has a warped sense of justice. It enjoys arbitrating human disputes by devouring the righteous party and rewarding the wicked. In Chinese, Qiongqi translates to ‘distressingly strange’ or ‘thoroughly odd’—and we agree! The mythology sounds incredible, but what could we do with this unit in-game?

In Immortal Pillars, the Qiongqi is a formidable unit with a fast attack tempered by slow movement speed on the ground. What the Qiongqi lacks in mobility on four legs, it makes up for it in the air – capable of flight to overcome obstacles.

The Qiongqi is perfect for early game raids against enemy bases, easily able to retreat by flying away from unfavorable situations. With this style of gameplay, Qiongqi are likely to find themselves behind enemy lines and outnumbered. Houtu grants the Sinister Defiance upgrade, increasing their armor for each nearby enemy unit, further increasing their survivability.

When the Qiongqi is around, nowhere is safe. As you battle the Chinese, watch out for Qiongqi flying in behind your base!

Taotie is the second of the Four Perils, available in the Heroic Age to followers of Nüba.
We always want to push ourselves in Age of Mythology: Retold, and do things we’ve never done before. In learning about Taotie, we realized we’ve never had a unit that actually eats units before. Yup – eats them whole. In Chinese mythology, Taotie isn’t the most nuanced of the Four Perils: it really just eats things – and will keep devouring until it is killed.

In Immortal Pillars, we wanted Taotie to do a bit more than eat – also showing off its past meals. Like the Greek Hydra that gains heads as it fights, the Taotie grows larger as it devours, eventually reaching absurd sizes. This size increase comes with an even greater attack statistic.

As fantastic as an army of giant Taotie are, that’s not all it brings to the table! The Taotie’s special ability is fuelled by the humans it consumes. When activated, the Taotie releases a fiery blast, scorching any enemies unlucky to be caught in its path. Each release, reducing it’s size and attack statistic.

Taowu is the third of the Four Perils, available in the Heroic Age to followers of Goumang.
In Chinese mythology, Taowu is described as having a human-like face, being covered in dog fur, and having a long tail. It is famous for its stubbornness and pride bordering on reckless obstinance. Compared to a peril who eats the righteous and another who eats everything, Taowu really doesn’t sound that bad.

In Immortal Pillars, Taowu is a sturdy, slow-moving unit strong against buildings. It is the Chinese answer to the Egyptian Scarab or the Atlantean Behemoth, but with a twist. The Taowu’s Charge special ability increases its speed for a short time, knocking enemy units out of its path. This makes Taowu perfect for clearing the way into an enemy base.

Hundun is the fourth of the Four Perils, available in the Mythic Age to followers of Huangdi.
Mythology is filled with strange creatures: a serpent-haired woman whose gaze turns people to stone. A lion with a goat’s head, and a snake’s head for a tail. As far as strange creatures go, Chinese mythology delivers with the Hundun.

The Hundun is a faceless, six-legged, four-winged creature of pure chaos. It is associated with the primordial void before creation. In some stories, Hundun is a villainous son of the Yellow Emperor, banished along with the other perils. This inspired its unlikely association in-game with the revered Huangdi.

The incredibly unique appearance and fascinating mythology aside, how could such an unusual creature translate into fun gameplay? As a late game unit, we wanted the Hundun to feel almost like you’re cheating for a moment. We want players that face Hundun to say, “Wait, what? How did you do that?”

Hundun boasts two special abilities that chaotically shape battlefields in your favor. The first ability, Chaotic Fear, causes enemy units to flee in random directions. If that isn’t enough, its second ability, Banish, sends all units within a conical area into a void. They blink out of existence for a few moments, and return battered, by unseen forces.


There you have it: the Four Perils and the Chinese mythology that inspired some of the many new Chinese myth units. Try out Qiongqi, Taotie, Taowu, and Hundun for yourself in Age of Mythology: Retold – Immortal Pillars – coming March 4th!

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Immortal Pillars is now available for pre-order on Steam – releasing March 4th!

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2991170/Age_of_Mythology_Retold__Immortal_Pillars/

Immortal Pillars will bring 12 new gods, each offering unique powers that redefine strategies and gameplay. Summon myth units from Chinese folklore, deploy divine powers to reshape battles, and witness the power of gods. Each god brings unparalleled depth to gameplay, offering new strategies and divine interventions, like:

• Fuxi, master of civilization, with his bountiful Peach Blossom Spring.
  
• Nüwa, creator goddess, whose Clay Peasants rise from the earth to grow your civilization.
  
• Gonggong, god of floods, who unleashes the devastating Great Flood.
  
• Zhurong, god of fire, who rains destruction with his Blazing Prairie.

[www.ageofempires.com]

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https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2991170/Age_of_Mythology_Retold__Immortal_Pillars/
*Owners of the Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition will receive this product as part of the edition's package.

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/1934680/Age_of_Mythology_Retold/

2024 was a year for Age of Empires and Age of Mythology players and —a year shaped by your passion, creativity, and epic moments. Thanks to your dedication, it’s been an incredible year not just for the community, but for the franchise as a whole. Together, we’ve had an incredible year. We kicked things off with the New Year, New Age showcase, crowned champions at Red Bull Wololo: El Reinado, connected with many of you at Gamescom, and celebrated the launches of Age of Mythology: Retold and Age of Empires Mobile. Along the way, we expanded the franchise in new ways and welcomed over 10 million new players—reaching an incredible milestone of 60 million Age of Empires players worldwide.

Our players continue to influence the many ways in which the franchise moves forward. Today we’re thrilled to start 2025 by unveiling what’s ahead. Settle in, because we’ve got a lot to share!

Embark on a legendary journey in Immortal Pillars, the first expansion for Age of Mythology: Retold! Command divine powers, lead mythical creatures, and build majestic cities as you experience a rich tapestry of Chinese culture and mythology. From its captivating deities to its intricate landscapes, Immortal Pillars expands your strategic possibilities and immerses you in a vibrant, mythological world.
Immortal Pillars is now available for pre-order and launches March 4th!

• 12 New Gods: Including Fuxi, Shennong, Nüwa, Gonggong, Zhurong, and more, each offering unique god powers and mythological units.
  
• 9-Level Campaign: Immerse yourself in a narrative journey through Chinese mythology.
  
• Mythical Units: Command creatures such as the Yazi, Zhuque, and Taowu, each with game-changing abilities.
  
• 7 New Maps: Explore diverse biomes inspired by China’s iconic landscapes.

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Immortal Pillars is available for pre-order now on Steam! Coming March 4th!

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2991170/Age_of_Mythology_Retold__Immortal_Pillars/

Already own the Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition? Immortal Pillars is yours at no additional cost – jump in and play on day one!

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With Immortal Pillars, harness the power of ancient Chinese mythology, discover a world where gods, monsters, and legends collide in an epic new chapter of mythical strategy.

Step into the Middle Kingdom with 12 new gods, each offering unique powers that redefine strategies and gameplay. Summon myth units from Chinese folklore, deploy divine powers to reshape battles, and witness the power of gods. Each god brings unparalleled depth to gameplay, offering new strategies and divine interventions, like:

• Fuxi, master of civilization, with his bountiful Peach Blossom Spring.
  
• Nüwa, creator goddess, whose Clay Peasants rise from the earth to grow your civilization.
  
• Gonggong, god of floods, who unleashes the devastating Great Flood.
  
• Zhurong, god of fire, who rains destruction with his Blazing Prairie.

[www.ageofempires.com]Command legendary units such as the fire-spewing Qilin, the flying Qinglong dragon, and the fierce Taotie who devours foes and expels them as fiery blasts. These creatures, pulled straight from Chinese folklore, turn every encounter into a dynamic and unpredictable battle.

Dive into a nine-level campaign where heroism, adventure, and storytelling take center stage. Experience Chinese mythology in a narrative-driven journey filled with gods, legendary creatures, and unforgettable villains. The campaign takes you deep into the heart of Chinese myths, where every battle and choice shapes your legend.

Design vast cities inspired by ancient Chinese architecture. Recruit distinctive units, unleash powerful bonuses, and dominate your foes with a mix of strategic depth and cultural authenticity. The richly designed structures add an aesthetic and tactical edge to your empire.

Battle across seven stunning new maps that capture the beauty of China’s landscapes. Explore the Bamboo Grove, journey along the Silk Road, and conquer the legendary Great Wall. Each biome, from towering mountains to lush river valleys, challenges players to adapt to unique environments.

More than just an expansion, Immortal Pillars is a gateway to a culture brought to life with authenticity and passion. Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the Age of Mythology saga, this expansion captivates with its unique blend of strategy, mythology, and storytelling.

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Immortal Pillars is available for pre-order now on Steam! Coming March 4th!

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2991170/Age_of_Mythology_Retold__Immortal_Pillars/

Already own the Age of Mythology: Retold Premium Edition? Immortal Pillars is yours at no additional cost – jump in and play on day one!

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It’s with great excitement that we unveil the details of Immortal Pillars, which is deeply rooted in venerable and profound mythology. We are honored to have this opportunity to describe a Chinese civilization as a Chinese developer, and to have the opportunity to introduce our Chinese mythology, culture, stories and ancient civilization to the world. This is a very proud thing, because the Chinese mythology has so much content that we can explore and deliver to the world as a unique culture. Our team immersed themselves in the illustrious epochs of Chinese history, endeavoring to bring to life its formidable military units and their distinctive artistic expressions. We have woven the fervor and curiosity for history which ignited our imaginations in our youth, into Immortal Pillars.

For many of us, we loved stories of myths and monsters when growing up and spent a lot of time playing Age of Empires. To bring those things together is magical and we’re so lucky to work on something so close to our hearts. We hope to offer you all an enthralling journey through the annals of this ancient pantheon.

-The Virtuos Team

We at Forgotten Empires have over a decade of experience working on the Age of Empires franchise, and as always, we kept a keen eye on our signature hallmarks while working on Immortal Pillars; innovation, authenticity, and — most importantly — fun. Adding such a rich culture as China to the game deserves an equally rich portrayal, to which we were glad to apply our experience and narrative, visual, and gameplay expertise as longtime passionate game developers. Immortal Pillars is an homage to Chinese history and mythology; to the Age of Empires franchise as a whole; and, most importantly, to our global player base. We hope Immortal Pillars brings you all the same joy it brought us, and, as ever, we appreciate your continued passion for this incredible franchise!

-The Forgotten Empires Team

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The wait is over—the Chinese Pantheon is available for pre-order now! Immortal Pillars, the highly anticipated first expansion for Age of Mythology: Retold, invites you to harness the power of ancient Chinese mythology. Discover a world where gods, monsters, and legends collide in an epic new chapter of mythical strategy.

https://steamproxy.com/steamstore/app/2991170/Age_of_Mythology_Retold__Immortal_Pillars/

Welcome heroes to another exciting update! It’s jam-packed with fixes and balance goodness plus a ton of new features, including Photo Mode, an alternative layout editor, and the 2025 New Year Event! So take a peek at the notes and then jump in to the latest for Age of Mythology: Retold!

This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!

[www.ageofempires.com]

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Mythology: Retold Forum[forums.ageofempires.com]💬DISCUSS: Age of Mythology: Retold Steam Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord[discord.gg]

Thanks again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Mythology: Retold a success thus far!

—The Age of Mythology Team

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New Year 2025 Event!

2025 is here and with it the New Year 2025 Event! Complete 25 challenges to earn new profile icons from January 23rd to February 26th! One new challenge will be added each day from the event’s start, and challenges will remain available until the end of the event for all who want to complete them. Plus, unlocked challenges can be completed in any order and simultaneously!

January 23rd - February 26th

New Feature: Photo Mode

• A new Photo Mode has been added allowing you to capture the perfect screenshot!
  
• Launch Photo Mode from the Pause menu in single player games.
  
  • Photo Mode can also be opened using Ctrl + F12 on the keyboard.
• Settings/Hotkeys are available to control how you experience Photo Mode.

Note: This feature is currently only available on PC clients and will release to console users in a future patch.

New Feature: Alternative Editor

• A new alternative layout editor has been added in addition to the editor you may already be familiar with.
  
• The old UI will be active by default. To open the new alternative editor go to the UI Settings and locate the “Enable Alternate Editor UI” option. Enabling this option will swap the editor UI you launch into. This setting can only be changed from the Main Menu.
  
• The Alternative Editor UI provides a different UX experience whilst providing the same features you have come to expect.
  
• Feedback is welcome as ongoing improvements continue for the editor.

Note: The editor is only available on PC clients.

This is just a small taste of what is coming in the latest update. For a more complete list, please visit our site and check out our blog. Happy Gaming!

[www.ageofempires.com]

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.
For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Minor Update 18.419

• Fixed issues with Campaign AI not activating as expected in certain missions.

The Steam Real-Time Strategy Fest is here and so are the discounts! Pick up that one Age game you've been meaning to play and join in all the fun!

Don't wait - discounts end January 27th at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET / 18:00 UTC)

The holiday season is here and so are the sales! Finish your holiday shopping and get up to 75% off Age of Empires games during the Steam Winter Sale!

Don't wait - discounts end January 2nd at 10:00 AM PT (1:00 PM ET / 18:00 UTC)

Welcome heroes to small update for Age of Mythology: Retold! This patch ensures that the Holidaze Event ends on December 29th!

💬 DISCUSS: Age of Mythology: Retold Forum[forums.ageofempires.com]
💬DISCUSS: Age of Mythology: Retold Steam Forum
🗣 JOIN: The Age of Empires Official Discord[discord.gg]

Thanks again to our amazing community members, all of whom have helped to make Age of Mythology: Retold a success thus far!

—The Age of Mythology Team

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Holidaze Event Extended!

What does a lazer bear wearing a festive holiday hat have in common with the alluvial clay cornucopia? The limited-time special Holidaze Event to celebrate Thanksgiving and the Winter Holidays! Complete twelve challenges to earn new profile icons from November 25th to December 29th! One new challenge will be added each day from the event’s start, and challenges will remain available until the end of the event for all who want to complete them. Plus, some of the world has become themed for the duration of the event! Keep an eye out for turkeys and pumpkins to collect for your Thanksgiving celebrations!

November 25th – December 29th

:alertalert: DISCLAIMER

This list is subject to change and should not be considered a comprehensive list of all the known issues we’re tracking. The above is to inform you of the team’s current priorities, which will change as other issues arise or take precedence.
For the latest updates and announcements, please visit our social channels.

Leaves are starting to fall and temperatures are starting to cool - it's time to get started on your holiday shopping list too with the Steam Autumn Sale! Starting TODAY, save up to 75% on the Age of Empires franchise!

Don’t wait – discounts end December 4th at 10 AM PT (1:00 PM ET / 18:00 UTC)! Complete your Age collection now!