Microsoft has announced the revival of a previously cancelled expansion for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition. The Baltic Powers will launch on 10 September 2026 with two new civilisations and additional content. The move comes amid recent staff reductions at Xbox.
Microsoft revealed the news on the Age of Empires blog, stating that community feedback prompted the return of the project. The expansion had been announced in February 2023 with a late 2024 window, delayed, and then cancelled in January 2025.
The Baltic Powers adds the Danes and the Poles as playable civilisations. It also includes 25 new maps, more than 50 hero customisations, and two new game modes called Regicide and Independence.
Microsoft said the update responds directly to player enthusiasm. It described the Poles as featuring lower building costs and strong cavalry, while the Danes focus on economic leverage and defensive units.
The announcement follows recent layoffs affecting 3,200 Xbox employees by next July. Microsoft has shared other positive updates in recent weeks, including backward compatibility features for PC.
