1 As reported here and here, the rights to Rise of Legends and Rise of Nations (as well as other BHG and 38 Studios games) are going to be sold at an auction sometime in December 2013. Whoever buys the rights to this game will have the option to do something with it such as a simple digital re-release or something more.
There is some more info at the official auction page here and fans of the game can post any ideas and suggestions for a possible re-release in the Heavengames forum here.
2 News update here: Ign.com - The rights to Rise of Legends and Rise of Nations were bought in the auction. No details yet but here's a quote: "Several properties actually were sold, however, including the Big Huge Games trademark, Rise of Nations, Rise of Legends and associated IP."
3 Update on spreading the world about both games and re-releases:
Rise of Nations
Forum @ Heavengames - register for discussion, downloads and mod projects for RON and many other rts and city builder games
Downloads @ Heavengames and Moddb - check out the mods and downloads
Discussion for a future re-release - post your ideas and suggestions for a re-release
Gog and Steam page links - vote and discuss for a re-release on these sites
If you or someone you know likes rts games, strategy, history, warfare, civilization, etc - check out RON!
Rise of Legends
Forum @ Heavengames - register for discussion, downloads and mod projects for ROL and many other rts and city builder games
Downloads @ Heavengames and Moddb - Motter has made 3 big mods for ROL and they are great so check them out!
Encyclopedia of info and links - dig deeper into the game world and find helpful info
Discussion for a future re-release - post your ideas and suggestions for a re-release
Current fan projects - view and discuss fans still working on the game - we need modders!
Gog and Steam page links - vote and discuss for a re-release on these sites
If you or someone you know likes rts games, strategy, fantasy, steampunk, arabian nights and ancient aliens - check out ROL!
Both games were bought in 2013 and will probably be re-released at some point in the future. The idea is that if more people post, discuss and spread links around on HG, Moddb, Steam, Gog, Facebook, Youtube, etc then the rights buyer may read and see there is interest.
If you're a fan of both games that's great. If you're a fan of Rise of Nations and would like to see a Rise of Nations 2, this may be possible to mod inside Rise of Legends as a Rise of Nations 2 "total conversion" mod. It will require the publisher to enable full modding capability for both games so supporting both and not just one game might help bring about more possibilities.
I hope they make a new one and stick to the original... this game is way better than the Sid mires civ games