Age of Empires III: Complete Collection - FAQ

[=|Lexx|=]

Hey there.

As there is so much Thread-Inflation happening due to frequently asked questions I'd like to offer some useful hints for everyone having trouble with the STEAM-VERSION of the game.

First:
If You have trouble with the game, be sure to know that many many others can play the game without problems - so it's not basically broken.
This Game works perfectly on Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 - x32 or x64 with or without Steam enabled. So don't blame Steam in the first place if something goes wrong.
PLEASE SEARCH THE FORUMS FOR YOUR PROBLEM FIRST
(Most of the problems are already solved here somewhere)

Some basic information about the game:
Age of Empires III: Complete Collection is
- equivalent to the Retail-Version.
- Contains all Add-Ons ( The Warchiefs and The Asian Dynasties).
- does not contain any extra features (like achievements or steam-ingame-chat) from steam.
- full compatible with other AoE3 games online.
- Online Multiplayer works over the ESO (server-based game-search) AND over LAN
- Hamachi and other VPNs work fine But sometimes You have to customize Your IP-Adress
- Ensemble Studios is closed and there are hardly anyone who will help You with the support
- There won't be official Patches (I guess at least) since there's no one working on it (except for modders see below)
- The "Improvement Mod" adds much content to the game and makes really great but You will not be able to play with other players who don't have the mod installed.

THE ASIAN DYNASTIES IS THE MOST COMPLETE GAME VERSION AND CONTAINS EVERYTHING OF THE OTHER GAME VERSIONS
-
Most helpful hints:
What should I do if ...

Q: My Game Crashes / freezes / stops on a certain mission / does not start
A: VERIFY THE GAME-CACHE
Right click on the game in Your Steam game-list and select properties (options). Then select Local Files and then click on *Verify the integrity of the game cache*
This should let steam re-check the game for download/installation-errors.

Q: I can't see anything / I messed up the resolution
A: ALT-ENTER
If the screen goes black and You can't change the resolution try: alt+enter. This will set the game into Window-Mode and You will be able to reconfigure the game from within again.
If it does not help try this:
Go to
C:\Users\[your user name here]\Documents\My Games\Age of Empires 3\Users3
open NewProfile3.xml file with a text editor and search for the line:
<Setting Name="optiongrfxres">1680 x 1050</Setting>
Set the resolution You need and save.
This should work for the Asian Dynasties. If You intend on playing an other game-version (Vanilla or Warchiefs) then you need to do the same process but in Users2 or Users folder instead.

Q: I want to start a specific version of the game / I don't want Steam to start
A: INSTALLATION-PATH
The installation path is within your Steam-Games installation-Folder. (Newer Versions of steam allow to install games on different drives and folders but most of the time it's inside the basic folder)
Steam-Folder: C:\Program Files\Steam\SteamApps\common\Age Of Empires 3\bin
(this path may differ if You are using a x64 bit system then it's C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Age Of Empires 3\bin )
This is where You will find the game exe and all important folders.
If You want to create a shortcut for Your Game and don't want to use the steam-shortcut, create it from age3.exe, age3x.exe or age3y.exe.

Q: Where's the CD-Key?
A: CD-KEY
Select the game in your Steam-Library and look on the right side of the Steam window. There is a Link called: CD-Key.

Q: Can I share my CD-Key?
A: You can - but you may not! The CD-Key should work with the Complete-Collecion but It is bound to your ESO Account once You want to play Online. Sharing may lead to a ESO ban and get You in trouble with the law.

Q: The game asks every time for the CD-Key / runs like on the first-start / asks to accept the EULA
A: ADMIN-RIGHTS
Probably Your game-installation went wrong and the registry-Entries are not made. Reinstall the game (with admin-rights enabled for steam).

As Steam installs software on your computer - it should have administrative rights to do so. Usually those are asked the first-time You try to start a newly "installed" game (this is the time - the game really installs and enters the important registry-entries). If by any reason you don't get those promts - then You need to reconfigure Your system-security (details on this should be available on the web I won't explain it here).

Q: I need help with my ESO account
A: go to http://www.agecommunity.com/

This is an incomplete list. It might also contain errors.

I hope this helps a bit.

[=|Lexx|=]

More help here:

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2461548

[Jack Reacher]

I can change formation?

[=|Lexx|=]

Yes. Enable advanced information in your Options menu. (Just check through all options). There will be an option for advanced info, game-time, order-queue, mini-interface and other useful stuff.

[litl nugger]

Every time i try to star the complete collection or any other version it just says "This app can't run on your pc" then it says to check with the software publisher. I have tried to change compatibility but it doesn't seem to work.

[=|Lexx|=]

Why you don't provide more information about cour computer? Maybe it really can't run on it?

[kanny]

My steam in game chat wont work when i play age of empires three? Can someone answer how to solve this issue? Thank you

[=|Lexx|=]

Some older games don't support (or have not received an implementation of) the steam ingame chat. AoE3 is one of them.
-> This means: you will have to switch back to windows (alt+tab) or use AoE3 ingame chat to communicate.

[I see you]

hi i see 23 numers from the cd-key but the game want 25 numbers!What is this?i cant start the game?please help

mrtz4-wert1-fgth3-drts3-DCP.. i see not more

i can start war chief and asia dynastie,but not age 3 ?

sorry for my bad english!

[=|Lexx|=]

Where do you see them? If you bought it on steam you shouldn't need the key anyway.
Asian Dynasties is the most complete version. Everyone plays this version.
If your key is from elsewhere - I can't help you.

[I see you]

i buy this game on steam-Trades but key is not korrekt,the game want 25 nummers but i see in steam option 23 nummers for cd-key

[=|Lexx|=]

If you have a steam-key you need to activate it on steam (click add a game on the down left part and enter the code ) if you have the key for the non-steam version of aoe3 then you need to enter it when you get asked during installation.
If you see 23 numbers in the game options in steam - then just "strech" the windows of the shown cd-key ... maybe there are some hidden numbers.
> You better ask the steam-support of your country for help. I'm just a user - not an official mod or official

[I see you]

you are very nice guy this is the problem,i strech and now i see the ck-key,wau thx for ever!!!

[Sucazo]

Iam haveing problem atm with hotkeys for the asian dynasties part
when i changed the camera movement ones to wasd only S works for down others wont work
also tryed it in warchiefs and complete collection version those both were ok but asian dynasties expansion wont do it for some reason any clue ?

[ChaosUnchained]

Can i play with my friend with my disk but he has a steam version.

[=|Lexx|=]

Yes, you can play with your friend, but you need the same version. So, download a patch and install. Your friend has the newest patch already.