maybe the illusion of a franchise alive ahead of AoM retold release? It's not like something similar didn't happen with AoE4. The whole issue is that it feels AoE2 has passed its peak as an esport in the recent past and even is something big happens in 2024 I doubt it can match it. We are in post imp but at least as long as MS gold flows we don't have to engage into trash wars.It might still be just MS money, which is basically no progress, even if the amount MS spends fluctuates.