This is not a drill: the real-time strategy game that defined the childhood of many now adult PC gamers is coming back.

　　During E3 2017, Microsoft announced Age of Empires Definitive Edition, an enhanced version of the classic title remastered in 4K resolution. That's far from the only improvement you'll see in Age of Empires Definitive Edition, though.

　　A CLASSIC RETURNS

　　20 years after its original launch, Microsoft is proud to announce the Definitive Edition of the original “Age of Empires,” with closed beta starting soon and signs ups available now on the official website. Players will experience “Age of Empires” at its best ever: the original base game along with the “Rise of Rome” expansion, all with enhanced gameplay and narration, 16 civilizations to explore and 10 campaigns to conquer.

　　FEATURES

　　Fully remastered with beautifully enhanced graphics that support up to 4K, entirely re-orchestrated soundtrack, brand-new narrative, major gameplay improvements, Xbox Live support for multiplayer and achievements, this definitive edition brings back the original “Age of Empires” and its “Rise of Rome” expansion with 16 civilizations ranging from the Stone Age all the way to Romans.

　　These are the new minimum system requirements for this Definitive Edition of the game:

　　OS: Windows 10 version 14393.0 or higher required

　　Architecture: X64 required

　　Processor: 1.8 Ghz+ Dual Core or greater i3, i5, or i7, or AMD equivalent

　　Graphics: Intel HD 4000 or Greater (16 or more Execution Units), AMD or nVidia GPU scoring 500 or more on Passmark G3D Mark

　　Memory: 4GB

　　Storage: 8-10GB

　　The game is currently in Closed Beta and you can sign up for it at this address. Once it launches, it will be priced at $19.99.

　　There's more, though, since Age of Empires Definitive Edition could very well be a prelude to a brand new installment in the franchise. Head of Xbox division Phil Spencer told PC Gamer that the IP deserves a great future.

　　I want to give Shannon Loftis a ton of credit. Shannon's been in Microsoft Studios for a long time, and is somebody I've worked with and have a ton of respect for.

　　There's some franchises... it's interesting, as we're investing more in our first party, and we've looking at new IP in some of our existing franchises and things that do really well, Age is just one of those things that year after year on Steam, we see it continue to sell, even though the infrastructure that's underneath the game is creaking a little bit. The community's been there supporting it.

　　She said, you know, this is something we should bring onto our modern platform. Make it visually more up to speed. You're obviously not going to take that game and completely make it a 4K game and everything, but make it look something closer to modern. Support some of the Live features that we have. And then let's think about where this franchise can actually go.

　　We own it, so maybe it seems like we're talking about ourselves a little bit, but I think it's one of the important franchises in gaming, and I think it deserves a great future.