Age of Empires Online revealed

Microsoft unveiled two new Games For Windows Live enabled titles at Gamescom 2010, Age Of Empires Online and Flight. The company also confirmed that the previously announced Fable III for PC will include Live functionality.

The latest addition to the Age Of Empires franchise, Age Of Empires Online, will be free-to-play, featuring co-operative quests and a persistent capital city that continues to develop even in players’ absence. The game is being developed by Robot Entertainment, one of four studios formed from the ashes of Age Of Empires creator, Ensemble.

Microsoft Flight, meanwhile, is a reboot of the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise and will “bring a new perspective to the long-standing genre, welcoming everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight.” Microsoft closed its internal Aces Studio, the team responsible for Flight Simulator, in 2009.

Finally, Microsoft confirmed that Fable III for PC will also include Live functionality.

“Today, we’re bringing powerful, inventive gaming experiences to the Windows-based PC,” says Phil Spencer, corporate vice president of Microsoft Game Studios. “Over the years, our PC heritage captured the hearts and minds of millions of players. Reinventing these iconic franchises with social, shared experiences at their core marks the beginning of our return to PC gaming in bold new ways.”

All three titles will allow players to sign in using a single identity, earn Achievements and add to their Gamerscore across Games for Windows Live and Xbox Live. Players can view friends online, as well as send and receive voice messages, text messages and game invites to PC or Xbox users.

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