The Next Age of Empires Game Is Likely Powered by Unreal Engine 5

The legendary Age of Empires franchise is stepping boldly into a new era, and all signs point to Unreal Engine 5 as its technological foundation. According to a fresh job listing from World’s Edge, the Microsoft studio in charge of shepherding the series into the modern age, development is officially underway for a new entry in the franchise – most likely Age of Empires V.

This news marks a fascinating turning point for one of gaming’s most enduring real-time strategy sagas.

Over the past few years, Microsoft has carefully revitalized every previous installment through Definitive Editions and remasters. From Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – which still receives regular DLC – to Age of Mythology: Retold, the franchise has proven that its mix of historical warfare and tactical brilliance can thrive even decades later. Yet, this new project suggests the team isn’t content to merely polish its legacy – they’re ready to build something entirely fresh.

The real surprise from the job listing isn’t just confirmation of a new entry; it’s the clear mention that the studio is seeking a Principal Unreal Engineer to help define the franchise’s future tech stack. That single line effectively confirms that Unreal Engine 5 will serve as the backbone of the next chapter. The listing describes a passionate team “continuing the great legacy of Age of Empires,” expanding to include developers with deep experience in Unreal Engine and the leadership to manage external teams. This isn’t a casual upgrade – it’s a full embrace of next-gen development tools that could fundamentally change how Age of Empires looks, feels, and even plays.

Adding fuel to the speculation, the LinkedIn profile of the studio’s Principal Build Lead Engineer reveals ongoing work on multiple unannounced AAA titles using Unreal Engine 5. The phrasing – plural – suggests World’s Edge may be preparing more than one project, though Age of Empires V remains the most likely candidate. Since joining in late 2023, this developer appears to have been central to building the studio’s new production pipeline.

Meanwhile, Age of Empires IV continues to enjoy success. Developed in partnership with Relic Entertainment, it garnered multiple awards after launching in 2021 and has sustained momentum with expansions such as the upcoming Dynasties of the East, which releases November 4 alongside the PlayStation 5 version. This expansion adds new civilizations – including the Macedonian and Sengoku dynasties – and even introduces a roguelite single-player mode. With Relic having become independent from SEGA in early 2024, it remains to be seen whether Microsoft will bring them back for the next chapter or if World’s Edge will now take full creative control.

Either way, Unreal Engine 5’s involvement hints at a significant evolution for the franchise. The engine’s advanced rendering capabilities, global illumination system, and Nanite-based geometry could deliver a visual leap unlike anything fans have seen in the series. Imagine armies clashing across historically inspired landscapes, rendered in cinematic fidelity – or massive cities illuminated with real-time lighting as day turns to night. The next Age of Empires may not just refine the series’ identity; it could redefine what large-scale strategy games can be.