It is recommended that you use the Patcher to install the mod, however if for some reason the Patcher doesn't work you or it raises security concerns, you can download the full mod and install it manually using the steps bellow. You don't need to run the Patcher to play the mod, you only need to run "age3m.exe".
The Improvement Mod can be downloaded fully from here to install over a clean installation of AoE3 Complete Collection (preferably Steam version) manually. The Patcher can be used to keep the mod up-to-date, however the Patcher is NOT required to be ran in order to play the mod. To play the mod you only need to run "age3m.exe".
AoE3 Complete Collection is recommended for the Improvement Mod, which is also the Steam version. You could install the mod over other versions as well but you would need to have the game plus both expansions installed (TWC and TAD) and ALL official updates.
To install the mod just download the zip, open the game's main folder where all the exes are (for the Steam version ALWAYS INSIDE THE BIN FOLDER), and unzip the contents so that the mod's exe files are along side the game's exe files. Common AoE3 install paths are:
Steam
/Steam/steamapps/common/Age of Empires 3/bin/
Non-Steam
/Program Files/Microsoft Games/Age Of Empires III/
(additionally you should put "age3m.exe" in Windows XP SP3 compatibility mode so settings are saved properly)
If you have any problems be sure to ask for help here or on the mod's blog.
thank you
so much better than any new releases of vanilla aoe
i am using a non steam version,the mod runs fine but asks for a serial everytime i open it,is this normal?regardless is there any way arround it?
Custom exes cannot accept cdkeys. Run "age3y.exe" and input the cdkey there, then run the mod.
Hello i have a problem in Win 7. I ve instaled the mod but when i try to open it it said initalization error failed to load IMP.dll. Do u know how to fix it?
The mod downloads "VC_redist.x64.exe". Install it.
Hello, I also got the same problem. I've tried your solution and got it all finished but still got the error. Any ideas man?
"VC_redist.x64.exe" was actually the wrong one...
"VC_redist.x86.exe" is the correct one.
Hi, very good mod, but when you play a multiplayer game, it auto-saves in the middle of the game and when the game ends, it closes on its own, but it only happens in multiplayer mode. Sorry, the bad English was translated with google: D and congratulations for that good mod
21.09.2021 Update:
- shock infantry (coyote runner, rattan shield, etc.) now stay in front of formations instead of staying at the very back
- skirmisher units now stay behind musketeers in formations
- ottomans can now pause and resume settler training at will
- changed how trees work to fix their gatherer limit
- tweaked treasure difficulties across most maps, so that now treasures with better rewards spawn more often
- villagers now give off visual and audio cues when they idle for too long
- some other code changes that may improve performance slightly
17.10.2021 Update:
- the mod is now fully compatible with Windows 11
- UI texture optimizations and further UI redesign
- optimizations for sound files added by the mod
- added new firing sounds for ships, cannons, muskets and modern rifles
- fixes for two memory errors
- recolored multiple bodies of water
- AI updates and fixes for idling villagers
12.01.2022 Update:
- fixed broken player spawns on Florida
- added capturable Trading Posts on Arizona
- added new ESOC map: Guatemala (by dansil92)
- the Aztec Warchief is now ranged (rebalanced accordingly)
- more new HD sounds (arrows, crossbows, buildings, impacts)
- new exe icon and new HD ingame mouse cursors
- added cultural ambient sounds to the Ottoman homecity and Mosque
- added new soundtracks during quiet moments and during battles
- restored a censored campaign voice line for Morgan Black
- Fencibles now have two types of armor ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
- file structure optimizations
- AI fixes and improvements
For this update I recommend a clean reinstall of the game and mod, as there's been significant changes to file structures.
04.06.2022 Update:
- homecities no longer display incomplete models on 16:9 resolutions (basically a widescreen HC fix)
- upscaled and improved various textures from the Sioux, Iroquois and Indian homecities
- fixed the campaign menu UI not selecting scenarios properly
- overhauled and remade more parts of the game's UI
- added new portraits for all AI personalities
- added new standard (some ESOC) maps: Nepal, Manitoba, Zavkhan, Greenland, Newfoundland, Shangri La, El Dorado
- added new special ESOC maps: Vietnam renamed to Plymouth, Herald Island renamed to North Pole (replaces Winter Wonderland)
- tweaked the food balance and visuals of multiple maps
- Japanese can now train Sacred Cows from Shrines
- different unit types can now move together in formation when selecting the same tactic
- added a new model for the Swedish Flagship and added new (steam) ships to British, Americans and Indians
- restored Explorer, Warchief and Monk hitpoints (buffed from previous mod values)
- Architects can now build more buildings (TCs, TPs and Docks)
- Crazy Horse can now build Campfires (that heal units and offer LOS)
- reconverted terrain textures to fix mipmapping and improved some cliff textures
- added Pheasants and Rabbits (plus Chickens) as starting random animals
- added the Peafowl as a new hunt on some of the new south east Asian maps
- added the Seal as a new hunt on some of the new north American/Asian maps
- upscaled textures of Native American village buildings
- female Moose and female Turkeys now exist
- upscaled all animal textures
- AI overhaul, fixes and improvements
The new ships and animals were taken from the Wars of Liberty mod; special thanks to Forsant for his amazing work.
27.01.2023 Update:
- added new Asian, African and European revolutions: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Egypt, Barbary States, South Africa, Romania, Hungary and Poland
- added new random Firepit dances; each age Native players will get a fixed dance and a random dance (except for Age 5)
- you now get Wonder Wagons as Asian civs when starting in later ages to build missed wonders; also buffed various wonders
- significantly buffed the healing speed of all healers and buildings (such as Field Hospitals and Aid Tents)
- fixed units with auras from flickering when behind buildings or trees (legacy bug)
- fixed numerous homecity, proto and techtree code issues, bugs and inconsistencies
- added the Sika Deer, Honshu Wolf and a new treasure to the four Japanese maps
- added HD portraits for Politicians, Revolutionaries, Council Members, Consulate Allies and Wonders
- added HD sounds for Alligators/Crocodiles, Camels, Lions and Pandas
- added HD flags to the UI and ingame (heroes can now also paint the ground with flags)
- improved the textures of various buildings, units and trees
- overhauled and remade more parts of the game's UI
- optimized terrain textures further
- new animations for some pikemen and swordsmen
- added improved water effects
- upscaled textures of Native Asian buildings
- added new maps: Appalachians, Grand Canyon, Rainforest, Viedma, Chattahoochee, Hokkaido, Kyushu, Shikoku, Nile River, Cape Agulhas, New Guinea, Micronesia, Calcutta
- the following maps now have naval trade routes: Alaska, Caribbean, Hispaniola, Dhaka, Honshu (and Regicide Honshu), Cape Agulhas
- AI fixes and improvements
you can now select what AI the mod uses from the Patcher. there are currently 5 available options, very different from each other
remember that you need to press "Start AoE3 Imp Mod" in the Patcher at least once after selecting a different AI for it to be installed
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