How do you play Age of Empires on two computers in the same room?

To play Age of Empires on two computers in the same room, both computers need to be connected to the same local network, either through Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection. Start the game on both computers and select the multiplayer option. One player should host a game, and the other can join by browsing the local network games. Ensure the same version of the game is installed on both systems to avoid compatibility issues.