From my experience, when your in school and your mind is accustomed to learning, picking up new information on a daily basis, then learning a game like AoM comes naturally, more naturally than for a person who has been out of the learning mode for some time. Strategy is different, some people are good at it, others not as good, just as some people are good at math, while others struggle with it. Anything can be learned by practically anyone, for some it's easier.
I'm lucky to have a job which requires constant education. I take three to five specialized courses a year to keep up and have done so for the past (many) years, so while not in the same learning mode as someone 15, my mind is still open to new information. Age does have a tendency to bring experience with it, but very little of that experience would normally apply to an RTS game, so a 12 to 18 year old, who's mind is basically like a sponge for new information, probably has a significant advantage where RTS games are concerned.
My 7 year old grandson, who's played less then 50 games of AoM, is already playing at about a 1500 stat level and improving rapidly, far more rapidly than I am. Guess the old gray matter is starting to harden up.
So does age matter? I’d say no, but it’s probably easier for the young at mind!
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FAILURE is not an option, it comes bundled with the software.
The graduate with a science degree asks, "Why does it work ?"
The graduate with an engineering degree asks, "How does it work ?"
The graduate with an accounting degree asks, "How much will it cost ?"
The graduate with an arts degree asks, "Do you want fries with that ?"
Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.