Next month, Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition turns one-year-old. To celebrate the anniversary, the Age of Empires team is adding a new battle royale mode,  supporting quickplay and other new features, balance changes, and more into the ‘November Anniversary Update’, its biggest update so far.

Up to eight players will begin the battle royale match armed with only a handful of units. As you explore the map though, your troops can capture military and resources buildings to restock and replenish your armies. Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition Anniversary Update also gives an overhaul to the main menu to accommodate the ever-growing contents and options. This includes the streamlined party invite and civilization lists UIs. The highlight of the new features though is the quickplay mode that lets you join in on matchmaking queues for unranked play. Balance patch notes will come in the forum later this November when the update officially launches.

To kick the Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition November Anniversary Update off, the team is running a massive battle royale tournament. The “first-ever” Age Royale tournament invites a group of 16 streamers and pro players to brawl on a one-day free-for-all match this Saturday, October 31 at 15:00 UTC/8:00 AM PT for a $10,000 prize pool. Here’s the list of all the contenders:

  • DauT.
  • Debbie.
  • dogao.
  • Hera.
  • Lyx.
  • Mario Ovalle.
  • MembTV.
  • Mr_Yo.
  • Nacho AoE.
  • Nicov.
  • Nili_AoE.
  • Odette.
  • OGN_Empires.
  • T90Official.
  • TaToH.
  • TheViper.