Two of the Age of Empires games are getting Scandinavian-themed add-ons before the year is out. World’s Edge is shipping Raiders of the North for Age of Empires 4 and The Viking Sagas for Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition, and each one leans into a different corner of the Norse world. On top of that, Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition is getting its own northern European expansion and a reworked Steam bundle.
Quick answer: Raiders of the North (AoE 4) and The Viking Sagas (AoE 2: DE) both launch in Fall 2026. No exact release date has been confirmed yet, but you can wishlist either one on Steam now to be notified when it goes live.
The Viking Sagas for Age of Empires 2: Definitive Edition
The Viking Sagas adds three new civilizations to Age of Empires 2: the Danes, the Saxons, and the Varangians. Each one comes with its own unique units and a distinct way to play, splitting the broad Viking era into more specialized factions.
| Civilization | Unique unit | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|
| Danes | Jomsviking, an infantryman that hurls flaming torches at buildings and ships | Early pressure using swift Longships to strike without warning |
| Saxons | Hearth Troop, a heavy infantryman that opens with a ranged javelin before melee | Fortified towns built to lock down territory and hold ground |
| Varangians | Jarl, an axe-hurling cavalryman that tears through enemy infantry | Waterway control with mercenary-style flexibility |
Alongside those three unique units, the expansion brings three shared units: Varangian Guards, shock infantry that generate gold while fighting and excel at raiding; Mounted Crossbowmen, hard-hitting but slow-firing ranged cavalry; and Longships, fast and versatile warships.
The three Harald Hardrada campaigns
The story mode follows the life of Harald Hardrada across three connected campaigns that run from Scandinavia to the Kyivan Rus, into the Byzantine Empire, and finally to England. In ‘The Exiled Prince,’ Harald has been cast out of Norway and must build wealth and prestige abroad, all while the increasingly despotic Empress Zoe watches his moves.
‘The Hard Ruler’ sees Harald spend that wealth to fight for the thrones of Denmark and Norway, with the constant risk of becoming the same kind of tyrant he set out to depose. Then ‘The Last Viking’ turns toward England and the throne held by Harold Godwinson, the 1066 campaign where Hardrada’s story historically ended.
You can wishlist The Viking Sagas on Steam now. Pre-orders are set to open later in the summer.
Raiders of the North for Age of Empires 4
Raiders of the North is the sixth expansion for Age of Empires 4 and adds two civilizations, the Vikings and the Scots. The two are built as opposites. Vikings play fast and aggressive, relying on mobile infantry and early naval dominance, and their raiding economy is centered on the Longhouse. As they age up, they shift from early pagan raiders into a more consolidated medieval kingdom with armored knights and passive bonuses tied to Sagas.
The Scots are the resilient, defensive counterpart. Highland cattle and fishponds give them a unique food economy, and disciplined troops can even spot forest ambushes before they happen. Their Mustering Hall lets you field units quickly and cheaply, and as the game develops you can lean it toward either Highland or Lowland strengths.
The package also adds two biomes, Scottish Heathland and Tundra Summer, plus four new Crucible Mode missions with upgraded progression. Those missions can be played solo or in two-player co-op, and feature objectives like repelling seaborne coastal invasions and navigating clan rivalries.
Raiders of the North is also set for Fall 2026. If you want a notification when it arrives, you can add it to your Steam wishlist.
Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition gets The Baltic Powers
Age of Empires 3 isn’t being left out of the northern European push. Its next expansion, The Baltic Powers, introduces the Danes and the Poles, along with two challenge scenarios, two new game modes, more than 25 maps, and over 50 additional hero customization options.
An open beta for The Baltic Powers is running until Thursday, August 6, and it’s available to anyone who owns the base game. You can join through the official open beta support page.
There’s also a change to how the game is sold. Starting Thursday, August 13, Age of Empires 3: Definitive Edition will bundle the base game with the United States and Mexico civilizations, plus the Lizzie, Kunoichi, and Volume One hero cosmetic packs. If you already own the game but never bought those pieces, they’ll be handed to you for free as a thank-you for playing.
Release windows and key dates
| Item | Game | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| The Viking Sagas | AoE 2: Definitive Edition | Fall 2026 (exact date not confirmed) |
| Raiders of the North | AoE 4 | Fall 2026 (exact date not confirmed) |
| The Baltic Powers open beta | AoE 3: Definitive Edition | Running until Thursday, August 6 |
| Reworked base-game bundle | AoE 3: Definitive Edition | Starts Thursday, August 13 |
Both Norse expansions are confirmed for the same Fall 2026 window, so whichever Age of Empires you play, there’s a Viking-flavored update coming your way. Wishlisting on Steam is the simplest way to get a heads-up the moment either one goes on sale.
