It’s not every day you see a cancelled game come back from the dead, especially since right now we’re more likely to see new cancellations than anything else. But Age of Empires fans can rejoice as The Baltic Powers DLC for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is back on the menu, and you won’t even have to wait that long.
Announced via a news post on the official site, The Baltic Powers will launch on September 10, 2026, and add two new civilizations (the Danes and the Poles), new game modes, new challenge scenarios, more than 25 maps, and over 50 hero customizations. An open beta is currently available on Steam for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition players, running until August 13.
Here’s a quick overview of the two new civilizations,
The Danes
“Lead the Kingdom of Denmark-Norway and command a civilization built around economic intelligence, naval control, and layered defence.
The Danes are for players who like to read the battlefield and turn information into advantage. Use the Customs House to leverage shipments from other players from the start, strengthen your economy as you advance through the ages, and defend your territory with Snaphane and Gunboat levies.
When enemy pressure arrives, shelter your villagers in Round Churches and hold the line.”
The Poles
“Lead the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and build an agrarian powerhouse capable of turning economic momentum into a devastating cavalry force.
The Poles combine lower building costs, civic bonuses, and a booming Folwark economy with battlefield-shaking cavalry options. Enrich the Sejm parliament as your population grows, choose your path through history with early Cossack uprisings or the resurrection of the Teutonic Knights, and command your mounted Hetman alongside the fearsome Winged Hussars.”
While any new expansion for the legendary strategy game would be notable, The Baltic Powers is especially interesting because it was already announced once before and outright cancelled.
Originally announced in February 2024 at the New Year New Age event, The Baltic Powers was planned for release that same year but was delayed until October 2024. Then it was, unfortunately, cancelled in January 2025. As development seemingly shifted to focusing on Age of Empires 4 and Age of Mythology: Retold, it was easy to imagine that support for AoE 3 was over. That’s exactly what makes this return a bit surprising. The news post ends with a quick note, “To our Age III fans: thank you for continuing to show up and sharing your passion for this game.”
Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is available on PC and Xbox Series X|S.
