Nothing is Free. Even if Microsoft markets it that way.
Anyways...
I am a HUGE Age of Empires fan. I've played all the games since the first one that came out in the mid 90's.
When I first saw the trailer for Age of Empires Online I was so disappointed with the look of it and the tone of the game. BUT since I played all the others ones I had to try it.. and it is "FREE"... right? well not really.
First thing that pops up when you start the game is "HEY GIVE ME YOUR MONEY SO YOU CAN HAVE SOME MEDIOCRE STUFF & THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO BUY MORE MEDIOCRE STUFF JUST TO GET TO THE PRETTY COOL STUFF."
Right then and there... I was turned-off. Really Microsoft? You want to turn this amazing franchise into some "Facebook Game App" and slaughter age of empires so you can make some extra cash with someone that is actually willing to spend money on worthless crap in the game? Nope. Nada. Zero.
Why not just develop Age of Empires 4 and make something that is worth the consumers money...