AOE Expansion Trial Version has Million Downloads

AOE Expansion Trial Version has Million Downloads is now in gamers’ hands, or at least close enough to start hammering download servers. Microsoft said today that Age of Empires Expansion: The Rise of Rome has surpassed more than one million downloads from its official Microsoft site alone. In addition, it is the second-most popular strategy game download on CNET Download.com, with more than 350,000 downloads to date. Although the original Age of Empires was put out in November 1997, and the expansion put out in November of last year, the title is still a hot item, as illustrated by demand for the Age of Empires Gold Edition, a bundle package combining Age of Empires and Age of Empires Expansion: The Rise of Rome that was put out last month. Age of Empires Gold Edition brings the unlimited game play of Age of Empires and Age of Empires Expansion: The Rise of Rome together in one compelling package at an estimated street price of about $39.99.

Bottom line: if this is your kind of game, start watching the download pages and store shelves. April has been stupidly busy, and this one just joined the pile.