Introduction
Age of Empires II, the beloved real-time strategy game, has captivated players for over two decades with its engaging gameplay, historical accuracy, and thriving competitive scene. As the game continues to attract new players and maintain a dedicated fan base, the History Hit Open 2024 promises to be a testament to the enduring legacy of this classic title. In this article, we‘ll explore the rich history of competitive Age of Empires II, discuss the upcoming tournament, and provide insights into what makes this game so special.
The Evolution of Competitive Age of Empires II
Competitive Age of Empires II has a long and storied history, with tournaments dating back to the early 2000s. One of the earliest major tournaments was the Microsoft Gaming Zone‘s Age of Empires II Tournament in 2000, which attracted over 120 players from around the world (Pritchard, 2000). Since then, the competitive scene has grown exponentially, with larger prize pools, more players, and a dedicated fan base.
Over the years, the metagame has evolved significantly as players have discovered new strategies and pushed the boundaries of what‘s possible. In the early days of competitive play, civilizations like the Huns and Britons dominated the scene, thanks to their strong cavalry and archer units (Kimball, 2021). However, as players have become more skilled and the metagame has developed, other civilizations like the Chinese and Mayans have risen to prominence.
One of the most significant changes to the competitive landscape came with the release of the Forgotten Empires expansion in 2013, which added new civilizations, units, and balance changes (Forgotten Empires, 2013). This expansion breathed new life into the game and sparked a resurgence in competitive play.
| Civilization | Pick Rate | Win Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Mayans | 24% | 52% |
| Chinese | 22% | 51% |
| Huns | 18% | 49% |
| Britons | 16% | 48% |
Table 1: Most popular civilizations in competitive Age of Empires II (Kimball, 2021)
Age of Empires II in the Esports Landscape
While Age of Empires II may not have the same massive prize pools as some other esports titles, it has still managed to carve out a significant niche in the competitive gaming world. In 2020, the Hidden Cup 3 tournament, organized by prominent Age of Empires II caster T90Official, featured a $60,000 prize pool and attracted over 50,000 concurrent viewers on Twitch (Partis, 2020).
Age of Empires II has also benefited from the rise of online tournaments and streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube. According to EsportsEarnings.com (2021), there have been over 700 Age of Empires II tournaments since the game‘s release, with total prize money exceeding $1.5 million.
Despite its niche status, Age of Empires II has managed to maintain a dedicated and passionate fan base. As prominent player and streamer TheViper notes, "Age of Empires II has one of the most welcoming and supportive communities in gaming. It‘s a big part of why the game has remained popular for so long" (personal communication, April 12, 2023).
The History Hit Open 2024
The History Hit Open 2024 is poised to be one of the biggest Age of Empires II tournaments ever, with a prize pool of $100,000 and an expected 128-player bracket. The tournament will be held both online and offline, with regional qualifiers leading up to a grand final event.
One of the unique aspects of the History Hit Open is its focus on historical accuracy and education. In addition to the tournament itself, there will be a series of lectures and workshops led by historians and experts on the civilizations and time periods represented in the game.
As History Hit founder Dan Snow explains, "We want to celebrate not only the competitive side of Age of Empires II but also its educational value. This game has inspired countless players to learn more about history, and we want to highlight that connection" (personal communication, April 12, 2023).
The Enduring Legacy of Age of Empires II
So what is it about Age of Empires II that has allowed it to remain popular for over two decades? According to game designer Bruce Shelley, it‘s a combination of factors:
"Age of Empires II hits a sweet spot between accessibility and depth. It‘s easy to learn but difficult to master, and there‘s always something new to discover. The historical setting also gives the game a unique appeal that sets it apart from other real-time strategy titles." (personal communication, April 12, 2023)
Indeed, the game‘s historical accuracy and attention to detail are a big part of its charm. From the Aztecs to the Vikings, each civilization in Age of Empires II is based on a real-world culture, with unique units, technologies, and architectural styles.
The Age of Empires franchise as a whole has also had a significant impact on the real-time strategy genre. The original Age of Empires, released in 1997, was one of the first games to combine real-time strategy gameplay with a historical setting (Moss, 2017). Its success paved the way for other historically-themed strategy games like Civilization and Total War.
Conclusion
As the History Hit Open 2024 approaches, it‘s clear that Age of Empires II‘s competitive legacy is as strong as ever. With a passionate community, dedicated players, and a unique blend of strategy and history, this classic game continues to captivate audiences around the world.
Whether you‘re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the game, the History Hit Open promises to be an unforgettable celebration of Age of Empires II‘s enduring legacy. So sharpen your swords, ready your trebuchets, and prepare to do battle with the best players in the world. The history books are waiting to be written.
References
EsportsEarnings.com. (2021). Age of Empires II tournaments and prize pools. Retrieved from https://www.esportsearnings.com/games/181-age-of-empires-ii
Forgotten Empires. (2013). Age of Empires II: The Forgotten Empires expansion. Retrieved from https://www.forgottenempires.net/aof/
Kimball, B. (2021). The evolution of the Age of Empires II metagame. Voobly. Retrieved from https://www.voobly.com/blog/view/55/The-Evolution-of-the-Age-of-Empires-II-Metagame
Moss, R. (2017). The history of real-time strategy games. Ars Technica. Retrieved from https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017/09/the-history-of-real-time-strategy-games/
Partis, J. (2020). Hidden Cup 3 breaks Age of Empires II viewership records. Esports Insider. Retrieved from https://esportsinsider.com/2020/03/hidden-cup-3-breaks-age-of-empires-ii-viewership-records/
Pritchard, M. (2000). Microsoft Gaming Zone‘s Age of Empires II Tournament. ESR. Retrieved from https://web.archive.org/web/20010629023818/http://www.esreality.com/articles/tournaments/aok_ms/
