Nearly three years ago, Age of Empires Online opened its doors to the public. Taking its name from one of the most beloved real time strategy games of all time, AoE:O hinged on the free-to-play system, combining both RTS and MMO elements to form a fairly unique experience. Players could team up with other Empires in order to tackle quests and achieve rewards benefiting both civilizations. None of that matters now, as of July 1st, Age of Empires Online has closed its doors for good.

Since its release last year, Age of Empires Online has continued to grow thanks to a steady drip of both free and premium content. Whenever a new premium (paid) empire debuts, Gas Powered Games also rebalances and tweaks the game for all. Such will be the case when the Babylonian Empire and Fertile Crescent Booster Pack (both paid content) debut this week. The Anniversary Update will usher them in, adding new features like the Empire Vault for all players to enjoy.

Back in April we mentioned Age of Empires Online would be switching to a new currency system called Empire Points. Before, premium content could only be purchased for specific real-world prices and that was it. Empire Points, however, can be either purchased with money or earned in-game by completing in-game tasks and by participating in the new Alliance Wars. This month's Summer Update has gone live, making active the Empire Points system as well as a host of new features and changes.

Free-to-play strategy/MMO hybrid Age of Empires Online will be introducing a slight change to its payment method when the game's summer update launches. Currently, players can elect to purchase additional content (such as new civilizations, booster packs, and vanity items) for real-world money. Non-paying customers are, to the best of my knowledge, unable to access this content (though it is by no means necessary to successfully play the game). When the summer update goes live in 5-7 weeks, all the store content will be purchased with Empire Points, not standard credit card transactions.

Gas Powered Games and Microsoft are working hard to keep their freemium strategy title Age of Empires Online from being lost to the ages. First off, the long-promised Spring Update is now live and brings metric tons of changes and improvements. Second, the new Premium Celtic Civilization has launched at a sale price of only 400 MSP or $4.99. And if that wasn't enough, all of the main Age of Empires Online premium content has appeared on Steam at extra-low prices as well.

Age of Empires Online is a freemium multiplayer RTS game. While the game is free to download and play, access to additional empires and content requires the purchase of various expansions. Now the prices of said premium content have been cut in half, making it much easier to experience everything AOE Online has to offer (and get most of the game's Achievements). Additionally, the duration of Season Passes has been extended a full year to August 15, 2013 to make up for the new pricing structure.

Age of Empires Online has added its first major race, the Persians.  With this premium content you get immediate access to level 20 in the game.  The Persians have all custom units, a new tech tree, and all unique architecture and unique gear.  This makes them play completely different than the Greeks or Egyptians that were part of the free base game.

The classic Age of Empires franchise gets an MMO-ish spin and a fresh coat of paint in Age of Empire Online. We take the free to play game for a spin and decide whether or not you should be spending your hard earned money or stick with the free.

Microsoft has announced today that Age of Empires Online, the free to play MMO RTS with cooperative missions, will be available on August 16th for download and in retail stores.  You may ask yourself how exactly a free to play game can hit retail stores - I asked myself the very same question.   

Be honest with yourself, dear reader.  Deep down, haven't you always wanted a pet elephant to ride around on?  Maybe even stomp a puddle in your enemies with it, just for kicks?  You can make all your loxodont dreams come true RIGHT NOW, by signing up for the Age of Empires Online beta.  Just head to this website and register, and let the downloading begin.  Age of Empires Online will be free to play, and includes a healthy dose of co-op quests for you to complete with your friends.  Even if they choose not to ride into battle on war elephants.

The MMO playing model has moved away from a lot of the pay-to-play aspect - that is to say, they’ve been largely moving away from the monthly subscription fee. Instead it looks like games like the upcoming Age of Empires Online will only cost money if you really want that premium experience. Players of a casual persuasion and the hardcore crowd will be able to play together to complete the games co-op quests in an MMO/RTS environment, all without restriction.

Microsoft have announced a new game in the Age of Empires series called Age of Empires Online.  Developed by Robot Entertainment, who are made up of former Age of Empires creators from Ensemble Studios, the game looks to break the mold of the previous Age of Empires games by adding in a bit of an MMO element.  Originally teased as "Spartan" the Age of Empires Online puts players in the role of their own Greek civilization through various story lines and gameplay.