Age of Empires Online has a much more stylized look, some would call it 'cartoony', compared to previous entries in the series. According to Mike Stout, Group Product Manager of Xbox Product Marketing at Microsoft, the way Age of Empires Online looks was dictated partially by practical gameplay concerns.
“The new aesthetics allow the game to perform better over the long haul – this includes faster load times and adds a new charm to the game,” said Stout. “And, while there is a technical rationale behind the decision, we also believe this art style provides a fresh face to an established franchise, a key criterion in 're-launching' the franchise.”
To read more, check out the full interview on [a]list daily.
