On October 15, 1997, Microsoft and Ensemble Studios released Age of Empires, fundamentally reshaping the real-time strategy landscape. Prior to its launch, the genre was largely defined by the grim sci-fi dystopias of Command & Conquer and high-fantasy skirmishes. Age of Empires boldly reimagined human history as the ultimate tech tree, challenging players to shepherd stone-age foragers across millennia into iron-age conquerors. Powered by the innovative Genie Engine, it combined the rich historical sweep of 4X games like Civilization with breathless tactical micromanagement. The game proved that historical simulation could be kinetic, competitive, and wildly addictive. It launched a legendary franchise, laid the groundwork for an enduring competitive RTS scene, and indelibly etched the hypnotic conversion chant of pixelated priests into gaming folklore: "Wololo."