Is Microsoft Developing a New Age of Empires?
A job listing indicates that Microsoft may want another Age of Empires game.
A job offering over on LinkedIn seems to suggest that Microsoft is looking for talent to work on a new Age of Empires title. The company hasn't officially announced the development, but the portion of the job listing stating that it's a "well-loved strategy game franchise" has the rumor wheels turning. We haven't seen an Age of Empires title on the PC since the third installment and its two expansion packs.
"Microsoft Studios is looking for a highly experienced senior games developer to help build and lead the team for a new AAA title within an established and well-loved strategy game franchise," reads the job description. "This role reports directly to the Director of Development / Head of Studio. Your primary responsibilities will be to recruit and lead the client-side engineering team, drive technical strategy for client development, manage the day-to-day engineering rhythm, and evaluate and recommend appropriate middleware and tools to accomplish our goals."
Microsoft is looking for someone with eight years of AAA game development experience, and at least 5 years in a "leadership capacity." Candidates must also have "a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or related field," and "experience in modern development techniques." Candidates must also have strong C++ development skills, exposure to C# and scripting language.
The very first Age of Empires was developed by Ensemble Studios and published by Microsoft in October 1997. The second installment was published in September 1999, and the third in October 2005. Microsoft acquired Ensemble Studios in 2001, for which the studio became a subsidiary until its closing in 2009. During its time, Ensemble also produced several spinoffs such as Age of Mythology.
Note that Age of Empires Online launched in August 2011, a free-to-play MMORTS first developed by Robot Entertainment and later by Gas Powered Games. However, as of January 2013, Microsoft had ceased creating new content for the struggling game, and then said in September 2013 that the game will be shut down in July 2014.
Right now news of a new Age of Empires is all rumor and speculation until Microsoft confirms development. Still, would you welcome a fourth installment?

Everyone that said the third one sucks is either a fool or did not play it competively, unlike the first 2 games this game was much more strategic with a lot more content.
Unlike the first 2 the third game was a lot better in multiplayer but shorter in the campaign with a lack of "true-ish" history involved.
Geez I am excited about this! Lets hope its nothing like AoE Online.
EDIT : And anyone is welcome to dispute my statement, but I would like to know WHY you say AoE 3 was bad. Because no one can ever seem to give me a reason.
csbeer I know right? I still play it often. Its a shame they shut down the online ESO server. Enjoyed competitive play A LOT!
Your wish has already been granted: http://store.steampowered.com/app/239550/
It's not leaps and bounds better for graphics. But it supports more resolutions, custom content, new civilizations, an AI that doesn't suck etc...
Geesh hows that for killing innovation.
Although I still enjoy Age of Empires II, with its expansion, my heart will always be with Age of Mythology. That was my first game I truly played competitively, and I felt they did an excellent job with the gameplay dynamics, and having the different civilizations actually be different.
Age of Empires Online was fun, for a bit. It had a similar type of pace and gameplay to Age of Mythology, but it felt pretty bland. They really botched the delivery, too. I did not mind that they released the game with only two civilizations, for starters, but not having a skirmish mode out of the gate was nigh-unforgivable. Their strategy for creating time-sinks was really poor, and the weapons/equipment feature was really kind of silly. In short, they had the basics down well-enough, but dropped the ball for sustainability and longevity. Why would I play a silly play-to-win AOE game that still lacked civilizations and features, when I can go play AOEII and enjoy everything?
I personally would like to see another AoM, but I still remember the days of LAN'ing my engineering floor in college playing Age of Empires 2. GO GOTHS!
When I was a houseparent at a group home, I played version 2 with my junior high-aged boys. Many of them never imagined that they could have so much fun playing a strategy game as opposed to a FPS.
Best Microsoft decision since updating Windows 8!
Joe