We could call this expansion a “zombie DLC” since we had long since given up on it, but it seems Microsoft hasn’t!

The Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition The Baltic Powers DLC has been announced again. Development of the expansion hasn’t gone smoothly. After a delay and a cancellation, however, it will finally be released in a month and a half. The news was posted on the Age of Empires blog, which stated that The Baltic Powers will be released on September 10. The DLC features two new civilizations, new challenge scenarios, new game modes, more than 25 maps, and over 50 hero customization options. The two new civilizations are the Danes and the Poles.

Additionally, an open beta is currently available on Steam for Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition players. The game is free to play on Steam until August 13, so new players can download it and join the open beta to test the new content for free for a limited time. Instructions on how to access the The Baltic Powers open beta can be found on the Age of Empires blog.

Originally announced in February 2024 at the New Year New Age event, the The Baltic Powers expansion was scheduled for release that same year. However, it was postponed in October 2024 and officially canceled in January 2025. Consequently, the latest announcement and the availability of the open beta came as a surprise to dedicated Age of Empires 3 players who had been closely following the situation.

Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is also available through Xbox Game Pass. This whole story is pretty strange, isn’t it? We never would have thought they’d resurrect a DLC that everyone had given up on, especially since it’s been a year and a half since it was canceled and nearly two and a half years since the announcement. At least the Poles are coming, though, and then, in our anger, we can say, “O ja pierdole!” We won’t translate that.

Source: VGC, Age of Empires, Age of Empires Support, Steam