Age of Empires 4 invites you all to wage war in this weekend's open stress test

(Image credit: Microsoft)

After hours of gathering resources and building fortifications, Microsoft is rallying as many troops as it can for Age of Empires 4's next stress test, inviting everyone to jump in and wage merry war until the game's online infrastructure comes crashing down (or ideally, doesn't).

Following last month's closed beta, the next technical test for AoE4 kicks off this Friday. You'll be able to download the test straight from the game's Steam page or the Xbox Insider app, regardless of whether you're an Xbox Insider or not. The only catch is that you'll have to meet or exceed the game's fairly manageable minimum specs, with the game automatically detecting and assigning graphics settings based on your rig.

This week's test will offer much of the same content as the last, with a tutorial mission, AI skirmishes and full-on multiplayer matches—though given this is a stress test, the developer strongly urges players to play online matches against real opponents. That said, this build's had a few bug fixes and balance tweaks since last time, and will let you pull the camera out far further than before.

The Age of Empires 4 stress test starts at 10am PT / 6pm BST this Friday, September 17, with full details available over on the game's announcement post. Age of Empires 4 is set to finally launch on Steam, the Windows Store and Xbox Game Pass on October 28.

20 years ago, Nat played Jet Set Radio Future for the first time, and she's not stopped thinking about games since. Joining PC Gamer in 2020, she comes from three years of freelance reporting at Rock Paper Shotgun, Waypoint, VG247 and more. Embedded in the European indie scene and a part-time game developer herself, Nat is always looking for a new curiosity to scream about—whether it's the next best indie darling, or simply someone modding a Scotmid into Black Mesa. She also unofficially appears in Apex Legends under the pseudonym Horizon.