So doing a random search for MMORTS I came across Age of Empires Online which is currently in beta. Apparently it's going to be free to play although I don't know for sure whether or not the base game will cost anything. It does have that art style that is popular with free games now days (think Battlefield Heroes). Anyways I managed to scheme my way into the beta and it's patching right now.

If you want to get into the beta go to http://www.curse.com/keys/age-of-empires-online/default.aspx. You'll need to sign up for a free account. I just set up a junk email address and used that. Beta keys seem to appear randomly throughout the day so keep checking back. What I did was install a Firefox addon that reloads the page every minute so I got mine after about an hour.

Also keep in mind that this is a Microsoft game. Yeah, that's right, you'll have to dike around with GFWL to download the game files. I ran into all sorts of problems getting it to accept my user account and beta key but eventually it went through. I actually had to set up a new live account and it gave me this stupid default user ID that I haven't got around to changing yet. Ah, the things we go through for free stuff.

I don't really know too much about it other than what I've surmised from previous installments in the series and screenshots. If anyone else has played it feel free to chime in on your experience.

Age of Empires Online.....sounds pretty interesting, might check it out.

I would, but exams are looming and I have quite enough crappy extraneous software on my computer for now to install GFWL. I will be following the development of this game though. AoE3 was pretty bad. It shall be interesting to see if MS can replicate the perfection of AoK.

I can't seem to get it to work. I'm putting the key into the redeem code section and it says I already have the content.

Looks good! Minus the online part...

I like long drawn out games that dont rely on other people for my RTS's. Unless im playing custom maps, then online is the way to go like in w3. Could be good though, doesnt look bad even with the art style they chose.

You might have to exit out of GFWL and log back in. Same thing happened to me.

I'm gonna give this a try though it isn't my usual type of game but being unemployed during summer means lots of free time. Whats the word so far Lemunde? Good stuff?

So far it reminds me a lot of Spellforce, only without a hero character. You have sort of a home base where you purchase tech upgrades and get quests. Quests get you money to purchase items to equip on your troops and experience. When you go up a level you choose which tech upgrades you want. I'm still getting used to the whole system they have going. Haven't seen any actual multiplayer parts yet.

Hmm, I'm interested to see what happens if you get eliminated by another player.

I'm still waiting for my beta key but I am doing the same Refresh addon trick so hopefully it shouldn't take long.

I just clicked this link:
http://www.curse.com/keys/age-of-empires-online/default.aspx
Clicked redeem key, and that was that. Downloading now.

Hehe, yeah I saw that and got my key immediately. Seems decent so far I guess. Have done a bunch of basic quests but so far its been pure RTS for me as there hasn't been much option for my Capital City to upgrade.

Well I've decided it's much too linear for my tastes. Maybe I just haven't played far enough to get more freedom but aside from a couple of side quests it's just been one mission right after another. It's more or less a typical RTS with some light RPG elements and occasionally you get to play coop. In fact the RTS elements are inferior to it's predecessors. I wouldn't mind knowing if it gets better later on but I don't really care to play any further right now.

It was a pain to get my key to work when I first did it, but the game is pretty interesting. Graphics wise it looks alot like a slightly more cartoony version of Age of Mythology

I wasn't sure about the graphic design at first, but it has grown on me after a while. I be level 8 now