The best thing however is a CD with five videos on it showing the interior of Ensemble Studios in Dallas, the Intro to the game, some of the main new features, a siege and formations in action! The quality of the videos isn't too good because they were shot from a presentation on a computer screen, but the details you can see are awesome! Large catapults (trébuchets) destroying walls, very nicely designed buildings (my favourite is the windmill) and castle keeps which throw arrows - the more warriors you put into the keep the deadlier the fire from its towers.
Buildings and units are to scale. When units stand behind or pass behind a building their outlines can be seen on the front. Formations look very impressive. When armies travel in formation the cavalry always lead with the archers and foot soldiers following. When they form up in battle line, the cavalry stands in front with the archers behind them. Its awesome to see a whole formation make a 180 degrees turn on the spot. Players can define formations for their troops or use standard formations.
All in all it still has a strong AoE feel to it, but I guess the whole game must be more complex now. Not only military wise but also regarding economy. You can trade within your own civilisation. If somebody kills your woodies you can buy wood if you have some gold left, etc.
There is also an interview with Mark Terrano, Ian Fischer and Bruce Shelley from Ensemble Studios. Shelley is working on AoE III (working title Age of Discovery) which will cover the period of 1500 AD to just before WW I. AoE III will be released in 2001. AoE IV (WW I to present day) will follow. Shelley envisages that after AoE IV he will probably start with AoE I again, because by then games will have developed a lot and a remake of Age of Empires would be worthwhile!
I am sure some of you have seen this information before, but I thought I should share it because it really made me look forward to AoK (release date given in the article: third quarter of 99).
Teefax