Microsoft’s Age of Empires will now allow gamers to play as Bengalis, Dravidians and Gurjaras

Microsoft has announced a new expansion pack called Indian dynasties for its hit strategy game Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition. Priced at ₹265 on the Microsoft Store, the pack includes three civilizations called Bengalis, Dravidians, and Gurjaras. It also offers three campaigns based on important figures from these civilizations. It includes Mughal ruler Babur, Chola king Rajendra, and Pala king Devapala who ruled over Bengal. The expansion pack is expected to release on April 28.  

Age of Empires is one of the most popular historical strategy games. According to the original game’s co-creator Brian Sullivan, the series has sold over 25 million units earning $1 billion for Microsoft. The Age of Empires 2: Definite Edition was released in 2019 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic Age of Empires 2 game. It offers 35 civilizations with more than 200 hours of gameplay.  

In 2007, Microsoft released a similar expansion pack for Age of Empires 3. It included the Chinese, Indian, and Japanese dynasties. Though Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition is still played by many, it is not the latest game in the series. In October 2021, Microsoft released the Age of Empires 4 game.   

The official page of the Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition has been updated to show the new trailer, maps of the region where these dynasties ruled, buildings reflecting their unique architecture along with military units. Microsoft said the chariot seen in Bengali civilization can switch between melee and ranged attacks.  

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Similarly, Dravidian units have unique warrior units such as Urumi swordsmen, who wielded a flexible sword. Gurjara civilization has an infantry unit called Chakram Thrower that attacks using metal discs.  

History and region of the Indian subcontinent have been adapted in games on various occasions. Apart from the Asian Dynasties, in 2017, Sony and Naughty Dogs also released an India-based expansion game in the Uncharted action game Series. Named Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the game centers around treasure hunter Chloe Frazer, who comes to India to find a legendary tusk of Ganesh, a Hindu deity.   

Similarly, in Ubisoft’s Far Cry 4, the fictitious Himalayan state of Kyrat was based on locations, people, and language spoken in the northern region of Nepal.