Age of Empires is one of the most well-known RTS franchises of all time, and fans have been waiting for news on Age of Empires 4 since it was announced by Microsoft in 2017. It's been more than 15 years since the last brand-new Age of Empires game, so hopes for AoE 4 are high.

Despite the lack of a new game, Microsoft has released Definitive Editions for Age of Empires 2 and 3, which were also featured in the Fan Preview. The updated and enhanced versions will receive new content this year, on top of the release of Age of Empires 4.

Related: Age of Mythology Is Actually the Best Age of Empires Game

There was a lot to keep track of during the Age of Empires Fan Preview, so a full list of everything announced can be found below.

New Civs For AoE 4 - Delhi Sultanate and Chinese

Age of Empires 4 Fan Preview

The first details shared for Age of Empires 4 were two new civilizations, the Delhi Sultanate and the Chinese, joining the already-announced English and Mongols. The Delhi Sultanate, historically, comprised of territories that include modern-day India, Pakistan, Bangladesh. In a post-presentation interview, AoE 4 developer Relic Entertainment confirmed each civ will have the same basic units but will be varied in terms of overall mechanics, as well as some unique units.

For example, the Mongols are the only civ that can pick up their entire settlement and move it somewhere else on the map. Franchise Creative Director Adam Isgreen said something the team has "tried to do with every civilization is not only play with some of the mechanics that have existed as staples, but we've also tried to make it that each civ has things that are unique to it [and] that really requires you to play with a different mindset."

Four Campaigns Announced For AoE 4

Age of Empires 4 Campaigns

Age of Empires 4 will have four campaigns at launch, although the Fan Preview only showed off one - the Norman campaign. Just like past entries, A0E 4's campaigns will focus on real historical events and people, but with a bit of a twist. This time around, campaigns will focus on larger periods of time rather than singular characters, as in Age of Empires 2. The development team worked with documentarians to create historical films that bridge the gaps between main missions, and it looks like Age of Empires 4, in general, is taking a much more educational approach to how it tells its history in the campaigns.

Related: Age Of Empires 4 Developer Promises Players It's Making Great Progress

Eight AoE 4 Civs At Launch & Ambush Mechanics

Age of Empires 4 Delhi Sultunate Civ

Age of Empires 4 will have eight different civilizations at launch (the English, Mongols, Chinese, and Delhi Sultanate being the currently confirmed civs). Relic clarified the eight civs won't just belong to Europe and Asia but to other parts of the world, as well. There are also plans to keep expanding the number of civilizations after launch.

In addition to the civs, a unique gameplay mechanic for Age of Empires 4 was shown off in the new ambushes. One of the trailers showed a group of units hiding in a forest before springing upon a troop of unaware enemies. Age of Empires has always been a tactically focused series, but hidden units and ambushes could add an entirely new dimension to matches.

Age of Empires 4 Naval Screenshot

The final piece of AoE 4 info shared during the Fan Preview was that naval units and battles will once again return. Unfortunately, there weren't any details shared about how naval units will change in AoE 4. Still, it's something bound to please a lot of fans.

New Expansion For AoE 2: Definitive Edition - Dawn of the Dukes

Age of Empires 2 Screen

AoE 2 is also getting some love from Microsoft, with a brand-new, European-focused expansion called Dawn of the Dukes launching this summer. The second expansion will bring new campaigns to the game, though no further details were shared.

Related: How Age of Empires Changed the RTS Genre Forever

AoE 2 Getting Co-Op Historical Battles

Age of Empires 2 Battle gameplay

Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is also getting co-op for the first time ever. The co-op mode presents players with hand-picked campaign missions and historical battles, letting them team up to take on objectives. No release date was given, beyond a late 2021 window.

United States Civ Coming To AoE 3: Definitive Edition

Age of Empires 4 Definitive Edition

Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is getting a new civilization on April 13: the United States. It's the first major update for the game and features a wealth of changes for the unique civ, including a new explorer, nine new units, a new age-up mechanic, and more. The new civ can be earned for free by completing a limited-time, 50-state challenge, or it can be purchased directly on Steam.

New African Civs Expansion In Development For AoE 3

Barely any details were shared, but the Fan Event announced brand-new African civilizations will be coming to Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition via an expansion. Further details will be shared at a later date.

Next: How Age of Empires 4 Can Modernize the Series' Formula

Age of Empires 4 releases in 2021 for PC.