Fresh leaks and LinkedIn discoveries are igniting speculation around World’s Edge, the internal Xbox studio managing the Age of Empires franchise. According to diligent digging on gaming forums and Reddit, developers at World’s Edge—best known for Age of Empires Definitive Editions and Age of Empires IV—are now working on unannounced AAA real-time strategy titles using Unreal Engine 5. The excitement centers on public profiles like that of Dennis Crowley, Principal Build Engineer at World’s Edge, whose LinkedIn confirms he’s ‘developing AAA pipeline support for unannounced titles using Unreal Engine 5.’
Evidence From LinkedIn and Job Listings
The LinkedIn information matches previous job listings for senior and principal Unreal Engine engineers at World’s Edge, all referencing new RTS projects. Although the studio has yet to announce these games, the same sort of digital paper trail preceded Age of Empires IV’s official reveal. Community posts assembling these hints now strongly point to active internal development on at least two separate games leveraging Unreal Engine 5’s cutting-edge tech—something that could massively upgrade visuals and cross-platform options for future RTS releases.
Insiders and leakers believe one of the titles is almost certainly Age of Empires 5, and there’s a good chance another is a sequel or reboot of Age of Mythology, the beloved historical-fantasy spin-off. Intriguingly, speculation holds that development kicked off around 2022/2023, setting a multi-year timeline aligning perfectly for announcements in 2026—the 25th anniversary of Xbox—or even a 2027 release targeting Age of Empires’ landmark 30th anniversary.
Why Unreal Engine 5 Is a Big Deal
Historically, Age of Empires ran on bespoke internal engines. By adopting Unreal Engine 5, World’s Edge gains access to a vast talent pool, modern rendering and animation tools, and powerful cross-platform capabilities. This move could streamline ambitious RTS game development at AAA scale. Expect more dynamic terrain, improved mod support, and potentially, simultaneous PC and Xbox launches further reducing the historic ‘console gap’ for real-time strategy.
Are Announcements Imminent?
While the studio is still supporting Age of Empires IV with significant expansions through late 2025, speculation suggests official news could drop as soon as next year, possibly at an Xbox showcase or to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Xbox itself. Since AoE4 was announced in 2017 and shipped in 2021 after a four-year cycle, a 2026-2027 window for revealing and releasing the next mainline entry is plausible. Some rumors go further, predicting both AoE5 and an Age of Mythology sequel or remake are in progress, enabled by Epic’s engine and backed by Microsoft’s push for high-profile Xbox strategy exclusives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Age of Empires 5 in development?
Recent LinkedIn profiles and job listings point to at least one new AAA RTS—inferred by fans and reporters to be Age of Empires 5—now in development by World’s Edge using Unreal Engine 5. This would be the franchise’s first mainline entry since Age of Empires IV in 2021.
Are new Age of Mythology projects underway?
Industry chatter and job descriptions also hint at a parallel Age of Mythology project, either as a sequel or a modern remake. Given World’s Edge’s stewardship of the AoE IP, this wouldn’t be surprising, especially with Mythology’s persistent fan demand for a new title.
When will these games be announced?
While nothing is official, fans expect teases or full announcements could arrive in 2026 for the 25th anniversary of Xbox—positioning a release in 2027 to match AoE’s 30th birthday. The development timeline matches AoE4’s discovery-to-release cadence.
Why is Unreal Engine 5 significant for RTS?
Unreal Engine 5 provides state-of-the-art visuals, advanced modding support, faster iteration, and much better cross-platform possibilities, making it attractive for ambitious, multiplatform RTS development at a AAA scale.
What else is World’s Edge doing?
The studio continues to oversee ongoing content and expansion packs for Age of Empires IV, and collaborates with various partners for existing AoE Definitive Editions.
The Takeaway
The digital evidence may lack official confirmation but leaves little doubt: World’s Edge is deep into development on new AAA real-time strategy games leveraging Unreal Engine 5. The smart money is on Age of Empires 5 and renewed Age of Mythology ambitions, with possible reveals at major Xbox events in 2026 and launches as soon as 2027. RTS fans have every reason to be excited as the golden age of historical strategy franchises continues with fresh tech and new vision.