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they are some of the best strategy games around. age of empires 3 no longer works in windows 10 due to a lack of directplay.
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andreasaspenberg2: they are some of the best strategy games around. age of empires 3 no longer works in windows 10 due to a lack of directplay.
Strange. Just yesterday, I installed Age of Empires 3 Complete Collection (from CDs) and it works absolutely flawlessly on Windows 10...

And of course GOG should get Age of Empires here. The thing is, Microsoft would have to agree and seeing how they are selling the games on their own store, it is most unlikely.
Post edited February 16, 2019 by idbeholdME
What do you mean lack of directplay? Did they remove it or something?
When i had a pc with windows 10 a game i wanted to play like stranded 2 asked me if i want to install directplay and i did and since then the game worked.
Though the need to install directx 9.0c was needed before.
Post edited February 16, 2019 by Fonzer
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andreasaspenberg2: they are some of the best strategy games around. age of empires 3 no longer works in windows 10 due to a lack of directplay.
W10 still has DirectPlay. It's simply not installed by default:-

Control Panel -> Programs & Features -> Turn Windows Features On or Off -> Legacy Components -> Directplay. Tick that and it should install it.

As for Age of Empires series, they're owned by Microsoft who've already 'remastered' both in "HD", stuffed them full of DRM then made one of those Microsoft Store exclusive. So the chance of them being released here DRM-Free is zero. There is a "Collectors Edition" DVD of AoE 1-2 though that's DRM-Free, so buying it on disc is the only option.
low rated
directplay will not install in windows 10. it asks people to reboot after trying to install it and when they do so, it is still not installed. only age of empires 1 is sold on microsft store, that means that gog could sell the rest.
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andreasaspenberg2: directplay will not install in windows 10. it asks people to reboot after trying to install it and when they do so, it is still not installed. only age of empires 1 is sold on microsft store, that means that gog could sell the rest.
DirectPlay has nothing to do with AoE3. The reason why you're not able to run the retail version is because of the SafeDisc DRM that was removed in the latest patches for the base game and both of its expansions.

All future AoE releases will be on the Microsoft Store only, because AoE2/AoE3 Definitive Editions are in the works alongside AoE4.
Post edited February 16, 2019 by Plokite_Wolf
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andreasaspenberg2: directplay will not install in windows 10. it asks people to reboot after trying to install it and when they do so, it is still not installed. only age of empires 1 is sold on microsft store, that means that gog could sell the rest.
I'm not sure what the problem is there, but unless they changed something with the very newest W10 update, I've installed DirectPlay on W10 before and tested it with both Age of Empires 1-2 along with two other DirectPlay games (Commandos Behind Enemy Lines and Diablo 2). And Microsoft won't sell anything here. That's why there's no Age of Mythology, Freelancer, Halo, Rise of Nations, etc, either.

Edit: Plokite_Wolf is correct, being a 2005 game it uses DirectX9 not DirectPlay. And it sounds like it doesn't work due to Microsoft blocking SafeDisc DRM on W10. According to the PCGamingWiki page, it looks like the disc check is removed in latest Windows patch (1.14). If that doesn't work, try sourcing a safe "NoCD" crack.

Edit 2: And for some of those games you do need MSXML dependency to be installed:-
https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/810209/microsoft-games-msxml-error-message
Post edited February 16, 2019 by AB2012
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the steam version of age of empires 3 requires directplay. the steam version of age of empires 2 does not however. if age of empires 4 will only be available on microsoft store, it will not work. at that point, microsift will have removed gaming completely from windows 10. there is no reason however for games currently unavailable to not be placed on gog. they can always remove them later if microsoft demands it.
I doubt it's a question of GOG not wanting Age of Empires on their store. I mean, it's a classic among classics that would stand side by side with HoMM3 among permanent top sellers.
Post edited February 16, 2019 by user deleted
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andreasaspenberg2: the steam version of age of empires 3 requires directplay. the steam version of age of empires 2 does not however. if age of empires 4 will only be available on microsoft store, it will not work. at that point, microsift will have removed gaming completely from windows 10.
I simply don't know why that is for Steam as Age of Empires 3 "System Requirements" list DirectX 9.0c or above as minimum, which is in line with it's age (2005) that's 6-8 years newer than the earlier 1997-1999 two games. Age of Empires 2 (original disc version) does require DirectPlay, but Age of Empires 2 HD / Remaster on Steam version may not. Age of Empires 4 will work on Windows 10 as that will be the OS it will be designed for, but it won't be DRM-Free or probably available anywhere except the Microsoft Store.
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andreasaspenberg2: there is no reason however for games currently unavailable to not be placed on gog. they can always remove them later if microsoft demands it.
That's not how it works or GOG will end up getting sued for piracy. In order for any game to be here, the publisher have to agree to it in advance. GOG is a proper legal store, not an "Abandonware" site. That's why many other "out of rights" games like No One Lives Forever aren't here.
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andreasaspenberg2: the steam version of age of empires 3 requires directplay. the steam version of age of empires 2 does not however. if age of empires 4 will only be available on microsoft store, it will not work. at that point, microsift will have removed gaming completely from windows 10. there is no reason however for games currently unavailable to not be placed on gog. they can always remove them later if microsoft demands it.
Oh... ahahahaha. You misunderstand how GOG works. They don't sell games that they haven't been licensed to sell by the rights holders. They aren't a piracy site. They sell legit games, just like Steam, Epic and the others do.
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i understand how gog works, you just misunderstood me. microsoft can technically give gog the rights to the games and sell them themselves. they are for example selling halo wars 1 on their store despite it being available on steam.
So many good old games still missing here
I would love to have those games here, DRM-free. (AoE was my childhood/teenage years). And I am sure the GOG staff would love it too, if only they could...
Post edited February 16, 2019 by ConsulCaesar
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andreasaspenberg2: i understand how gog works, you just misunderstood me. microsoft can technically give gog the rights to the games and sell them themselves. they are for example selling halo wars 1 on their store despite it being available on steam.
Then you should demand Microsoft to give to GoG the rights to sell those games here.