Age of Empires coming to Android and iOS

Microsoft's Age of Empires series looks set to appear on iOS and Android devices this year as a result of a licensing agreement between Japanese developer KLab and Microsoft.

Japanese newspaper Nikkei (gated link), reported that Microsoft has struck a deal with KLab to develop Android and iOS versions of its first-party games.

A Microsoft representative has confirmed with GameSpot that a mobile version of the Age of Empires series is being developed for mobile devices as a result of the partnership, with no other games currently announced.

The mobile version of Age of Empires will follow a free-to-play model, and will be released by the end of the 2013 financial year.

The Microsoft representative told GameSpot:
"Today, KLab Inc announced a licensing agreement with Microsoft Corp to develop a mobile version of Microsoft Studio’s 'Age of Empires' franchise…some reports included incorrect information about additional Xbox Live-based games on iOS and Android, but there are no further announcements beyond 'Age of Empires' at this time."