Age of Empires IV season nine releases next week featuring new content and DLC confirmed

Relic Entertainment is gearing up to release the next significant content update for Age of Empires IV, the acclaimed strategy title developed for Microsoft. Season Nine is scheduled to debut on October 22, featuring a host of new additions, including a Halloween-themed gameplay mode, fresh maps, a novel multiplayer pause functionality, and more. Additionally, the studio has announced that new downloadable content (DLC) is currently in the works.

With the arrival of this new season, players can dive into the Full Moon mode, where werewolves will attack both soldiers and villagers unless swift defenses are established. Two new maps are also making their debut: Atacama, a challenging desert map with little cover, and Lakeside, a mountainous terrain showcasing a large lake on one side.

Perhaps the most significant enhancement is the introduction of the multiplayer pause feature. During multiplayer matches, players will now have the ability to pause the game for a limited time in case real-life obligations arise. However, these pauses are finite and expire quickly, so players should use them judiciously.

This season will also introduce Relic’s seasonal Halloween Biome, a variety of new challenges that reward players with cosmetic items, and numerous balance adjustments. For more comprehensive details, view the full changelog for Age of Empires IV Season Nine here.

Looking ahead, a minor patch for Age of Empires IV is expected to be released by November, as per the developer’s announcement. Beyond that, 2025 is anticipated to bring “a plethora of new content,”which includes Season 10 and additional events. Excitingly, new DLC is also in development, with Relic indicating that “the team is creating DLC for 2025,”and further updates will be shared in the new year. The game’s inaugural expansion, The Sultans Ascend, was incredibly successful, breaking sales records within the franchise.

Source