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Age of Empires IV’s 2023 Steam Free Weekend and 40% Discount: What Happened

The advertised free weekend and 40% Steam discount were a February 2023 promotion, not a verified current deal. Here are the dates and key buying details.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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The Age of Empires IV free-play weekend and 40% Steam discount in this headline were part of a promotion announced on February 16, 2023—not an offer verified as active in October 2026. The publisher said players could play through February 20, 2023, but did not specify an expiry time or time zone. For a current deal, check the price shown in your own Steam store.

When was Age of Empires IV free on Steam?

Age of Empires announced the promotion on February 16, 2023. Its announcement invited players to play through February 20, 2023, and described the event as a chance to play with friends over the weekend. The announcement did not give an exact closing hour or time zone, so it cannot establish a precise expiry time. Read the official February 16, 2023 announcement.

Is Age of Empires IV 40% off on Steam now?

The 40% discount was tied to that 2023 promotion; it is not evidence of a current offer. A Steam regional listing surfaced on October 8, 2026, showed a separate 33% discount. That is a localized snapshot, not a worldwide or ongoing price. Steam prices and discounts can vary by region and date, so check the game’s page in your local Steam store for the live price.

What kind of game is Age of Empires IV?

Age of Empires IV is a historical real-time strategy game. Players explore, gather resources, develop an economy and buildings, train units, and fight in campaigns or multiplayer. The official Anniversary Edition page lists the base civilizations and system requirements. See the official Age of Empires IV page.

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#1 Best Overall
Age of Empires IV – Anniversary Edition – Windows [Digital Code]
  • The award-winning and best-selling strategy franchise continues to delight fans worldwide with Age of Empires IV: Anniversary Edition, putting you at the center of even more epic historical battles that shaped the world.
  • Featuring 2 brand new civilizations: the Ottomans and Malians for a total of 10 diverse civilizations with unique playstyles and abilities.
  • Play how you want with user-generated content, tools, and mods for custom games (Beta).
  • 8 new maps; new masteries, challenges, taunts, and cheats; and additional in-game updates and languages included.
  • Cooperate or spectate with up to 7 of your friends in PVP and PVE multiplayer modes, and now with ranked seasons!
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What should you know before downloading it on Steam?

Storage and download size

Age of Empires Support lists 50 GB as both the Steam download size and the space reserved for one language. The support article was updated January 6, 2026, and notes that actual requirements vary with language selection and DLC content. Treat 50 GB as the official estimate, not a measured or guaranteed install size. See the Steam FAQ and download details.

Installing or updating

On Steam, use the client’s Library and Downloads areas to install or update the game, as directed by the official support page.

Rank #2
Age of Empires Collector's Edition - PC
  • 11 New Units: Including the Huns' Tarkan, the Korean War Wagon and Turtle Ship, plus the Aztecs' Plumed Archer 26 New Technologies: One for each civilization, including Chinese Rocketry and British Yeoman
  • New Game Types: Experience new challenges with `Wonder Race', `Defend the Wonder' and `King of the Hill' Real World Maps: Based on geographical locations such as Britain, France, and Italy
  • Command Allied Computer Players: Use chat commands to order allies to attack, tribute resources, and build an economy or military Smart Villagers: Villagers work smarter, build walls more intelligently, and gather resources automatically after constructing a drop-off building.
  • Farms Automatically Replant: Queue farms so they replant after being harvested Battering Rams: Units can garrison inside Battering Rams for protection, or to increase the Ram's speed when attacking foes.

Optional 4K HDR videos

The 4K HDR Video Pack is free and optional; it is not required to play. It contains campaign and Hands on History videos. Read the official 4K HDR Video Pack support article.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
Age of Empires IV – Anniversary Edition – Windows [Digital Code]
Age of Empires IV – Anniversary Edition – Windows [Digital Code]
Play how you want with user-generated content, tools, and mods for custom games (Beta).; Return to history in 4 distinct campaigns with 35 missions that span 500 years of history.
$39.99
Bestseller No. 4
Bestseller No. 5
Age of Empires III
Age of Empires III
Work with Native Americans to your tactical advantage, for the first time ever
$37.55
Best Value
Age of Empires III
  • Start out playing as the British and begin with a solid economy, or lead the French into an easy alliance with Native Americans - 8 total civilizations to choose from
  • Work with Native Americans to your tactical advantage, for the first time ever
  • Develop your own Home City, and customize it make it wealthier and more powerful as you take over Europe
  • Explore the New World and create colonies while seeking out new resources and making alliances with the Native Americans
  • Recover buried treasure from the Caribbean, hunt bison on the Great Plains, compete for trade routes and fortify the coast of New England

Does the Digital Deluxe Edition include expansions?

No. The official support description says the Digital Deluxe Edition includes additional game and non-game extras, such as the official digital soundtrack, a compilation banner, a unit counter chart, and exclusive in-game items. It explicitly excludes DLC expansions, which must be purchased separately. Consider Deluxe for those listed extras, not as a way to get the expansions bundled in. Compare the official edition details.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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