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Age of Empires IV’s Raiders of the North Will Arrive October 29

Update 17.0 will add custom Observer HUD mods, while 12 themed taunts will be usable by all players on launch day.

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An Age of Empires IV Viking settlement stretches along the coast, with fortifications, buildings, villagers, and ships in the harbor.

Age of Empires IV’s Raiders of the North expansion will arrive October 29, giving the Vikings-and-Scots release a launch date. The Age of Empires team also used its Update 17.0 preview to detail custom Observer HUDs, a separate mod category for live spectators and replays.

September’s pre-order announcement introduced the Vikings, Scots, and Crucible co-op without specifying a launch date. Raiders of the North will add four Crucible missions, including challenges about seaborne raiders and Scottish clan conflicts. Players can tackle them solo or in two-player co-op.

Observer HUDs get their own mod category

Update 17.0 will let players subscribe to and enable Observer HUDs separately from Game Mode mods. The custom spectator interfaces will work with Ranked, Quick Match, custom matches, and tournament replays. Loading them only for spectators is intended to improve stability and reduce setup work for hosts and players. Mod creators can publish their HUDs through a dedicated category in the Mod Editor.

The preview also confirms 12 new Vikings- and Scots-themed taunts, which everyone can use starting October 29.

Age of Empires IV taunt collection menu showing new taunts.

What would you want a custom Observer HUD to show during a tournament replay? Follow us for more on the spectator tools and the expansion’s October 29 launch on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.

One of the most beloved real-time strategy games returns to glory with Age of Empires IV, putting you at the center of epic historical battles that shaped the world. Featuring both familiar and innovative new ways to expand your empire in vast landscapes with stunning 4K visual fidelity, Age of Empires IV brings an evolved real-time strategy game to a new generation.