I hope too. I was literally bewitched by this new coming to the game scenario. It was wonderful to know that the past, a very glorious past, has not been forgotten in the annals of honour.
Hitherto, rumours circulating throughout the web are conflicting and not so much explanatory. I heard people state that the new chapter is to explore the colonial wars of the 18th century, which would be kind of lame, in my opinion. On the other side, as I am too convinced, I read that the fourth title shall immerse itself into modernity: thus, from the 19th century to the Cold War. It is pretty much logical and reasonable. Can you imagine seeing both WW1 and WW2 be transposed into Age of Empires? I'm craving further details on the matter.
By the way, to placate my thirst of RTS games of this kind, I admit having already pre-ordered the remastered (HD) version of the first chapter of Age of Empires, which they sell for less than 20€. I have never played this game; it has always been a sort of mystery for me. The second chapter was one of my first games ever. Picturing in my mind a previous chapter, dealing with antiquity from the dawn of mankind, has often been something quite uncanny to think about
Ergo: I must absolutely try it, for to antiquity my heart belongs.