Age of Empires 2 (AOE2) Update 1.031 Patch Notes (v177723)

Stability & Performance

• Fixed crashes related to player profiles, AI skirmishes, Villager production, Lou Chuan attacks, siege unit groups, and post-game actions.
• Resolved console crash when using Left Bumper in the Villager Build Menu.
• Reduced performance spikes caused by terrain modifications.
• Improved performance for building and aura range indicators.
• Enhanced Custom Game file transfer stability and prevented transfer-related player removals.
• Reduced memory usage during map generation.

Achievements

• Fixed the “Can I be Frank with you?” achievement unlocking incorrectly.

Graphics

• Corrected ship sail visuals for multiple civilizations.
• Reduced graphics asset size by approximately 2GB with EGP installed.

Audio

• Improved audio quality for Bluetooth devices.

User Interface

• Added a new “More Content” section displaying owned and unowned DLC.
• Fixed civilization selection and lobby-related interface issues.
• Resolved search bar problems for mouse and keyboard users on consoles.
• Restored access to previously unlocked Women’s History Month icons.
• Improved civilization emblem and shield icon display quality.
• Added regional civilization icons to Trade Cart entries in the Tech Tree.

Hotkeys

• Removed Windows beep sound caused by ALT hotkey combinations in Windowed mode.
• “Select all Town Centers” now includes foundations.

Platform Updates

PC

• Improved memory management.

Xbox

• Improved memory usage on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles.
• Fixed crashes related to unauthorized profiles launching matches.
• Corrected lobby ready-state display issues.
• Fixed Map Pool Menu inconsistencies.
• Resolved crash after multiple consecutive matches.

PlayStation

• Fixed lobby ready-state display issues.

Gameplay Fixes

• Fixed Relics dropping through wall corners when Monks die.
• Corrected House damage interactions with Knights.
• Fixed Villagers attacking their own farms and pastures.
• Resolved Archer upgrade issues with the “Going Above and Beyond” cheat.
• Fixed Jurchens technology bonus not affecting Murder Holes.
• Corrected Oystering Fishing Ships not attacking while garrisoned.
• Fixed projectiles destroying resource nodes under specific conditions.

Campaign

• Fixed objective tracking issues in Art of War missions.
• Corrected civilization ownership and bonus issues in selected campaign missions.
• Fixed co-op campaign loading screen map preview errors.

Balance Changes

General

• Slinger cost changed to 50 Food and 25 Wood.
• Slinger conversion resistance increased.
• Champi Warrior line training times and upgrade costs reduced.
• Xolotl Warriors now benefit from additional technologies.

Naval

• Dock arrow scaling now increases by Age.
• Dock bonus damage versus ships adjusted by Age.
• Tower bonus damage against ships reduced.

Civilizations

• Armenians: Elite Composite Bowman HP increased and Siege Ram added.
• Burgundians: Stronger economic technology discount; relic food generation reduced.
• Inca: Military food discount significantly increased.
• Mapuche: Forager bonus improved.
• Muisca: Settlement discount increased; Temple Guard and Guecha Warrior strengthened.
• Tupi: Blackwood Archer training time increased.
• Wei: Tiger Cavalry HP reduced and training time increased.

Lobbies & Matchmaking

• Fixed lobby slot color issues after players leave.
• Removed non-functional Ranked lobby remove button.
• Fixed custom map spectator download errors.
• Resolved XS file transfer issues in custom lobbies.

AI

• Fixed multiple AI scouting, targeting, conversion, and attack behavior issues.
• Corrected building placement problems on invalid terrain.

Pathfinding

• Improved Villager resource gathering routes.
• Enhanced Trebuchet movement and attack command consistency.
• Improved control group responsiveness.
• Refined Lumberjack behavior and woodline selection.
• Improved gate navigation and Mule Cart spacing near resources.

Modding

Scenario Editor

• Updated naming for attackable and targetable state effects.
• Added new icon color option for Display Instructions.
• Fixed Composite Bowman visibility in the editor with Italian language selected.

XS Scripting

• Added numerous new localization, object, player, timer, sound, chat, math, and utility functions.
• Fixed XS main function execution in replays.

Localization

• Fixed Mapuche civilization text issues in multiple languages.
• Improved The Last Chieftains localization.
• Resolved campaign objective and voice-over localization problems.

Previously, a big update was released with new Maps, Spectator chat is now activated, and lots of bug fixes. Unfortunately, many players are still experiencing several issues while playing the game.