So... in an effort to break up the string of train posts that'll probably lead to the thread closure if left unchecked...
We know that MS has had something brewing in the strategy area for a while now, the revival of a "beloved strategy franchise." This most obviously points to Age of Empires; Age of Mythology, while certainly beloved, isn't really a franchise. Ditto Rise of Nations and Rise of Legends, though I wouldn't be at all shocked to learn that one of those is somewhere down the road as well.
So, it's been a while, but assuming the rumors are true, Age of Empires is making its' triumphant return at E3. What are we expecting? A return to classic form and times? A continuation along the line of that legendarily trolling timeline in the AoE III CE? Or something completely different?
I'm thinking we're going to go waaaaay back to the original timeframe, the Classical era. Greeks, Romans, etc. Kings marks the series most popular point, true, but now's as good a time as any to get back to basics. As far as gameplay goes, I think they might actually lean into the series' vaguely builder-focused roots; there's not much point in trying to make an esport out of Age of Empires. Mythology seems a much better pick for that, having a smaller number of more diverse factions.