Forgotten Empires
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 2012
- Employees
- 51-200
- Offices
- 2
About Forgotten Empires
Forgotten Empires is a video game development studio specializing in real-time strategy games, full game production, co-development and the modernization of classic titles. Its work spans PC and console platforms, combining gameplay engineering, design, art, audio and quality assurance with ongoing support for released games.
The studio grew out of the community modding project Age of Empires II: Forgotten Empires, released in 2012, and became a commercial business in 2013. That transition established a continuing relationship with Microsoft’s strategy franchises, taking the team from unofficial expansion development into official releases, remasters and new game production.
Strategy games and modern editions
Forgotten Empires led development on the Definitive Editions of Age of Empires, Age of Empires II and Age of Empires III. Its work includes modernizing legacy code, upgrading visuals, adapting interfaces and supporting additional platforms. Alongside these releases, the studio has developed expansions and maintained games through content updates, balance changes and technical support.
Its collaborative projects include Age of Empires IV and Age of Mythology: Retold. Beyond Microsoft’s franchises, the studio has contributed to Paradox Interactive’s Stellaris: Infernals Species Pack and provided UI design and implementation for Ubisoft’s Anno 117: Pax Romana.
Development capabilities
The studio supports complete production cycles, from concept art and prototyping through release and post-launch maintenance. Its capabilities encompass gameplay and AI programming, custom engine tools, technical art, character and environment production, animation, lighting and visual effects. Audio work includes sound engineering and original music composition, while quality assurance combines automated and manual testing.
Forgotten Empires also provides porting and remastering services, including bringing PC strategy games to modern console systems. Its hybrid organization combines physical operating hubs in the United States and Spain with a distributed international workforce. Acquired by Keywords Studios in 2022, it continues to operate as a development studio within the group.
More about Forgotten Empires
Founders and early milestones
Bert Beeckman assembled the original international modding collective. Beeckman and Ryan Shepherd, identified in the historical account as studio head, formally established the commercial company in 2013.
The original mod exceeded one million downloads within months. Microsoft subsequently approached the team about an official commercial release, and the resulting 2013 production involved SkyBox Labs and Microsoft Studios.
Operating model
The research describes the studio as retaining creative autonomy within Keywords Studios while drawing on the group's global resources. Its distributed workforce spans more than 30 countries. Germany is identified as a remote workforce presence rather than a separate physical studio facility.
Notable credits
12 creditsOffices
Where Forgotten Empires is based
- Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Cincinnati office
HeadquartersAbout this office
Global headquarters and US operating base for executive leadership, core engineering and administrative operations. The report places it in the greater Cincinnati area, including West Chester.
- Avenida Sor Teresa Prat nº 15, 29003 Málaga, SpainMálaga, Andalusia, Spain
Málaga office
About this office
European registered office and operational hub, operated through FORGOTTEN SOFTWARE S.L., supporting European development staff, software engineering and game design.
Open roles
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