In an era where online-only games risk becoming unplayable when official servers shut down, the Age LAN Server project offers a solution for Age of Empires enthusiasts. This open-source project enables multiplayer LAN functionality for the Definitive Editions of Age of Empires I, II, and III without requiring an internet connection to the game server.
Future-Proofing Classic Strategy Games
The Age LAN Server acts as a web server that intercepts and handles the game's API requests, reimplementing the minimum required API surface to allow the games to function in LAN mode. This approach ensures that even if official servers undergo maintenance or eventually shut down, players can still enjoy multiplayer matches. The community response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the project for preserving gaming history.
Awesome to see AoE, and games in general being future proofed. Sad when functionality is lost because someone turned off a server.
The project supports all three Definitive Editions of Age of Empires and includes features like scenarios, map transferring in-lobby, game restoration, data mods, lobby chatting, and crossplay between Steam and Xbox versions. This comprehensive approach maintains nearly all the functionality players expect from the official online experience.
Supported Games
- Age of Empires: Definitive Edition
- Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition
- Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition
Key Features
- Scenarios
- Map transferring in-lobby
- Restore game functionality
- Data mods support
- Lobby chatting
- Crossplay between Steam & Xbox versions
Minimum System Requirements (Server)
- Windows 10 (non-S edition/mode), Server 2016, 10 IoT, or Server IoT 2019
- Linux: kernel 2.6.32 or later
- macOS: Big Sur (v11) or later
- Admin rights or firewall permission for port 443
Ownership and Preservation in Digital Gaming
Many commenters expressed appreciation for the project as a stand against the increasing problem of digital lock-in. While platforms like Steam offer convenience, there's growing concern about game preservation when services change or shut down. Age LAN Server represents a community-driven effort to ensure players maintain ownership of content they've purchased.
The project's developer, luskaner, has positioned the software as a complement to official services rather than a replacement. The Terms of Use explicitly require users to own legal licenses of the corresponding games and comply with all game terms of service, positioning the tool for personal use in LAN environments only.
Technical Implementation and Accessibility
Setting up Age LAN Server is relatively straightforward. Users can download the appropriate package from the project's GitHub releases page, extract it, and run both the server and launcher components. The first PC to launch the server hosts the session, while others auto-discover and connect to it. The launcher allows players to easily switch between LAN mode and official online play.
For those interested in the technical aspects, the project includes detailed documentation on how the server works, handling the game's API calls locally without sending any data over the internet. Some community members have found the routes file particularly enlightening, showing exactly how the server intercepts and responds to the game's requests.
Community Extensions and Similar Projects
The discussion around Age LAN Server has sparked interest in similar solutions for other games. Some users mentioned PVPGN, which covers Battle.net games like Diablo 2 and Warcraft 3, while others noted that the original Age of Empires games natively supported offline LAN play without requiring server emulation.
There's also growing interest in extending Age LAN Server's functionality to support Age of Mythology, another beloved classic strategy title from the same era. While the project is currently on maintenance-only status due to lack of contributions and funding, its open-source nature means the community could potentially expand its capabilities.
For those seeking alternatives, some commenters recommended 0 A.D., a free and open-source real-time strategy game inspired by Age of Empires. While some users reported performance issues with large numbers of units, others praised it as a worthy option for strategy enthusiasts.
The Age LAN Server project demonstrates how dedicated communities can preserve gaming experiences even as official support evolves or diminishes, ensuring that these digital cultural artifacts remain playable for years to come.
Reference: Age LAN Server