Age of Empires IV is a real-time strategy video game developed by Relic Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. It is the fourth installment of the Age of Empires series. The game was released on October 28, 2021 for Windows, and on August 22, 2023 for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.

Shortly before graduating from the Game Design Program at Vancouver Film School, I was unexpectedly selected and offered the amazing opportunity by Relic Entertainment, to work and continue my growth as a part of their Brian Ward Memorial Design Internship. Originally, I was told I would be working directly with the Design Director on an unannounced military-themed squad based combat game they had been recently developing, and my prior experience in the military would come in handy. Having secured a job in the industry before my actual graduation, I was ecstatic to hit the ground running, doing the work and absorbing every ounce of knowledge I could from veterans of the industry. However, I would later discover that some things had changed.

My first day at Relic, unexpected news had hit the production floor - Relic Entertainment secured the opportunity to develop the next sequel to the Age of Empires franchise… and my project team would be leading the charge. Developing the next edition to such an iconic franchise, from the ground up, the energy of the studio could be felt miles away. Working for my director was an incredible experience, not only seeing the inner workings of development within a core crew and learning from experienced developers, the director gave me the opportunity to spread my creative wings to formulate new designs and prototype them out as functional mechanics to the game. I fully engulfed myself into the craft, researching historical references, travelled to Poland to learn Horseback Archery, the works. It was amazing to see my contributions praised and accepted into the main game.

As my internship came to an end before Age of Empires 4 entered production, my director and I went for our daily visit to a neighboring coffee shop, where he then offered me a full-time position as an Associate Designer. Working for Relic Entertainment was an amazing debut into the industry, and will never forget the knowledge I gained.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, prototype, and implement gameplay features and mechanics

• Collaborate with various engineering teams

• Drive reviews and milestone check-in’s together with other team members, and our Microsoft friends

Shipped Features

• Systems Design

  • Garrison system, with targetable units

  • Attack/Visibility Elevation system

• Gameplay Design

  • Mongol Force

  • Army Unique traits and abilities

  • Siege Towers, Trebuchets, and garrison capable Walls and Fortifications