Funcom and Eidos announce massive evolution plans for Age of Conan!

Lottobarn

"Massive PvP update in June – New areas and dungeons – Powerpoints and Guild Alliance warfare to come

Durham, USA – June 13, 2008 – After the incredible initial success for Age of Conan, a whole world of MMO players are eagerly anticipating the future plans for one of the most popular online games ever released. While Age of Conan has already evolved massively since launch, numerous expansive additions are yet to come. Funcom and Eidos are therefore proud to lift the veil on Age of Conan’s promising future, and today the two companies reveal selected features which are now in production.



"While we have enjoyed the initial success for Age of Conan, we know that a solid launch is but the start when it comes to the MMO genre,” said Gaute Godager, Game Director on Age of Conan. ”As we look ahead we are preparing a huge amount of new content, and what we are presenting today will evolve Age of Conan even further. It’s naturally an incredibly ambitious update plan for a live MMO game, but we are certain our players would want nothing less.”



Without further ado, here are some of the cool things to expect in the months to come:



PvP evolved – To the Death



The great combat system in Age of Conan has taken MMO fighting to a new level of fun, and Player versus Player combat plays a major part in this. As a result, a massive new PvP update is planned for late June. Aptly called To the death, this update brings more consequence and rewards to PvP, and an important part of it is the Fugitive system. The more lower level players you kill, the easier it is for others to hunt you down. In addition, ten PvP levels with additional ranks will be introduced, as well as specific gear and weapons for PvP.



Guild Alliance Warfare



Preproduction has started on a MASSIVE free update which will come later this year. Currently titled "Kingship!”, large clusters of guilds will be able to form alliances, and rule and conquer on a massive scale. Everyone in a guild alliance will play a part in this system, and together they can even erect unique looking alliance Battlekeeps. The alliances can also fight over, and build, culture-specific "wonders of the world”, with a direct link to higher powers! As part of the system Funcom will also facilitate larger amounts of players in massive battles.



Powerpoints



This fall, a unique reward and character evolution system called Powerpoints will be introduced. This rewards active in-game behavior, and allows for gathering points through numerous methods, including owning a Battlekeep, playing the end-game at level 80, winning PvP matches, or simply being an active guild member or subscribing to the game. There will be many ways to obtain Powerpoints, and numerous rewards, ranging from exclusive Powerfeats to weapons, armor and potions. Powerpoints may even allow you to level faster!



New areas and dungeons



You won’t need to wait for an expansion pack to explore exciting new areas. In the next period, Funcom will include several new areas, as well as evolving already existing areas. This includes a brand new dungeon in Aquilonia, reshaping three dungeons in Stygia, and an entire mountain range in Cimmeria!



Improved player-made villages and Battlekeep systems



While the guild alliance system brings a whole new level to the game, Funcom will continue to expand the existing player-made areas and the systems running them. A focus on evolving the massive elements of the game even further continues, ranging from placing NPC’s in the cities to more choices and benefits.



Social updates



An MMO is nothing without a good social scene. While Conan is all about crushing your enemies, social enhancements are also getting some love. A fun example is the combo-based dancing system which is now coming to the game, and it’s entirely motion captured by professional dance artists.



More adventures



Age of Conan has received tremendous praise for immersion and the great voice-over quests. This is but the start of the adventure, and numerous new quests are coming into the game, spread across the entire world and across the level ranges. Soon 60 additional quests will also get full voice acting, further improving immersion.



Embracing community feedback Since launch several enhancements and fixes have been implemented to Age of Conan, and Funcom has continuously staffed up the service departments to improve customer satisfaction. This has already resulted in a better game experience, but the work will continue. At the heart of all of this stands the Age of Conan community. A lot of the upcoming improvements to the game will be based directly on community feedback, and the wishes and concerns players have when it comes to the future of the game will always be taken into account.



By reading the community websites, official forums and the monthly Clan of Conan newsletter you can expect additional information about upcoming features and released updates, as well as an arena to give your feedback. A new Clan of Conan newsletter is also going live today, with more detail on the upcoming features. http://funcom.cachefly.net/WebFiles/Newsletter/Issue17/



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About Funcom - Funcom is an independent developer and publisher of online games for PC, consoles and mobile platforms. Funcom has provided outstanding entertainment since 1993 and continues to expand its track-record of more than twenty released games. Recent titles include 'The Longest Journey', 'Anarchy Online' and 'Dreamfall: The Longest Journey'. For corporate information please visit www.funcom.com. For information about Funcom games visit www.anarchy-online.com, www.dreamfall.com, www.darkdaysarecoming.com or www.ageofconan.com. Funcom is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker FUNCOM.



About Conan Properties International LLC - Conan Properties International LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Paradox Entertainment Inc., controls rights to Conan, many associated characters and the Hyborian world, as created by Robert E. Howard and various rights expanded upon by many acclaimed authors and artists.  Many consider Conan the world's best-known fantasy character.  For more information about Conan Properties International LLC, visit www.conan.com.  For information about Paradox Entertainment Inc., visit www.paradox-entertainment.com.



About Eidos Interactive Ltd - Eidos Interactive Ltd is part of SCi Entertainment Group Plc (SEG) creators of some of the world's leading videogame properties. Eidos consists of offices across Europe and the US and several development studios including Crystal Dynamics, IO Interactive, Beautiful Game Studios and Eidos Montreal. The Group has a valuable combined portfolio of intellectual property including: Tomb Raider, Hitman, Deus Ex, Championship Manager and Just Cause.



The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners."

Selencia

They're desperate to keep their subscribers after this first month. I don't see how they can be prepared to release new content when they aren't even remotely close to fixing the current game.

Trashcantoy

Originally posted by Selencia


They're desperate to keep their subscribers after this first month. I don't see how they can be prepared to release new content when they aren't even remotely close to fixing the current game.

LMAO, what the hell are u talking about?

god u even bitch when theres this MASSIVE update, go play a game u like instead of whining here

Saggra

Burn me once , shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me

I agree its a pack of lies to get people to sub after there first free months is up. Funcom will never see a cent from me as long as am a gamer. Ive never seen a company outright lie and hide the truth as much as funcom did leading up to the release of AOC.

Zodiacian

To me AOC was a total dissapointment it wasn't even worth the money i payed to get it, i didn't even play 2 full days and was bored and tired of it i don't like the characters and their builds i find the story boring, for me personaly this game is a total waste of time and money.

Kyleran

To the naysayers, fine, you're unhappy with the game as it is, and don't believe they'll deliver these updates as promised, quit and don't consider the game until later this year to see if they come through.

I'm glad to see there's a plan, and to know what's on the horizon.

Each patch delivers more functionality and fixes, and I'm not unhappy paying my sub fees so I think I'll stick around for a bit.

 

Arawon

Reaction........skeptical and encouraged.  Where's some encouragement for BANE ?

brostyn

Still no word on fixing stats?

Askatan

Originally posted by 3on1


 
Originally posted by Selencia


They're desperate to keep their subscribers after this first month. I don't see how they can be prepared to release new content when they aren't even remotely close to fixing the current game.

LMAO, what the hell are u talking about?

 

god u even bitch when theres this MASSIVE update, go play a game u like instead of whining here

what they are now promising for fall, they were basically promising for the gold version.

this game right now has no meaningful PvP, the world is not a tenth the size they've promised for release (4x the size of the "competition") and so on...

I think Funcom is full of shit and this just proves we are paying for a beta now.

I did not extend my subscription

Ascension08

"Powerpoints"? Wow, everyone's hopping on the Xbox Achievements/Tome of Knowledge/Deeds train now. At least that's what I gathered from the description, of course they put their little twist on it.

ZeGerman1942

"PvP evolved – To the Death



The great combat system in Age of Conan has taken MMO fighting to a new level of fun, and Player versus Player combat plays a major part in this. As a result, a massive new PvP update is planned for late June. Aptly called To the death, this update brings more consequence and rewards to PvP, and an important part of it is the Fugitive system. The more lower level players you kill, the easier it is for others to hunt you down. In addition, ten PvP levels with additional ranks will be introduced, as well as specific gear and weapons for PvP."

 

 

PvP evolved? How is it evolved to launch a half arsed attempt at PvP, realize that it's not working and then clone the ranking and PvP gear system from World of Warcraft as well as copy and slightly alter the PK penalty system from Lineage II. I really would not go as far as call that evolved.

 

As for the rest of the updates - that sounds like an awefull lot of content and changes to me. None of which have been tested in beta. I would not be surprised if a lot of bugs and issues are introduced alongside the updates.

Gnazon

There is nothing wrong with Age of Conan! We have lots of big features planned!

Wow, this should have been posted on April's Fools, it is just too rich! =D First they did not deliver on the features promised on the bloody box and now they promise some new mystical features to be added? Especially in the state the game is in at the moment? I am not falling for that, no sir. As said above this just a (desperate) carrot for dangling in front of the part of the AoC population that has not canceled their subscriptions yet.

Oh btw, I have this cheese mine on the moon you may be interested in buying...

musicmann

The list of things to come seems impressive, but the only thing that i don't see on that list that would get me and alot of people i know to buy the game and play, would be that they are removing all the instancing in the game.

 

Ghost12

Looks like this is the update we've been waiting for.

Let the devs do their work and see what they come up with in the next month.

Ascension08

Originally posted by musicmann


The list of things to come seems impressive, but the only thing that i don't see on that list that would get me and alot of people i know to buy the game and play, would be that they are removing all the instancing in the game.
 

I think as of now the mindset for that is "tough toenails, sucker." They either can't or don't justify removing the instancing. I'm sure they'll try to reduce it as time passes, maybe in a year or two take almost all of it out, but seems like they're trying to occupy their customer base with these other things so they can't get mad about instancing.

Besides, alot of people don't mind the instancing or do mind but can tolerate it.

Kyleran

Originally posted by Ascension08


 

 
Besides, alot of people don't mind the instancing or do mind but can tolerate it.

I fall in this category.  I'd prefer it not be there, but I can live with it. 

Gnazon

I just don't get it, they all this time (and money) to deliver the game, and it still shipped without dx10, sieges, broken stats, severely lacking itemization and crafting (I only mentioning broken system, not bugs). And now out of the blue Funcom comes out with a long list of new features to be added 'soon'. How can that not strike you as odd (to say the least)?

Nadia

Originally posted by Ghost12


Looks like this is the update we've been waiting for.
Let the devs do their work and see what they come up with in the next month.

this announcement pertains to the next SIX months --- summer and fall

 

hopefully something will happen in July, but it could be as late as august before any PVE content is added

 

its good to have realistic expectations of what to expect when

forums.ageofconan.com/showthread.php

the exciting summer and fall Roadmap

Unknown

So they are trying make putting in what they promised for release sound like you are getting a big "innovative" update.

 

Really starting to hate the BS that comes out of MMORPG companies.  They seem to think that because there are so many haters and fanboys that the rest of us are just stupid.

 

AoC has a number of flaws currently, but it s overall an OK game with a decent release.  But the hype is making me sick.

AOCtester

More PR...

Seriously guys.... Do you still belive one word they say ?

Lets put it into perspective

"Pay us money for the next 6 months and we will add few things that we told you were in the game when you bought it"

In other words....

More of Funcom PR crap.

Don't fall into this trap.  Chancell your accounts of this "sucsessful" game and let them suffer for their lack of basic respect for the players.

AlienShirt

Originally posted by Selencia


They're desperate to keep their subscribers after this first month. I don't see how they can be prepared to release new content when they aren't even remotely close to fixing the current game.

Well said. That and what they listed should have been in BEFORE the game launched.

Trashcantoy

 

Originally posted by Askatan


 
Originally posted by 3on1


 
Originally posted by Selencia


They're desperate to keep their subscribers after this first month. I don't see how they can be prepared to release new content when they aren't even remotely close to fixing the current game.

LMAO, what the hell are u talking about?

 

god u even bitch when theres this MASSIVE update, go play a game u like instead of whining here

what they are now promising for fall, they were basically promising for the gold version.

 

this game right now has no meaningful PvP, the world is not a tenth the size they've promised for release (4x the size of the "competition") and so on...

I think Funcom is full of shit and this just proves we are paying for a beta now.

I did not extend my subscription

lol @ the haters. the game gets good reviews and those are the only people i trust, since i dont play the game. and plz.. if u really believe those sites get paid by funcom u need to get your brain checked, or just dont read any review of any product at all, gee i wonder why the "reviewing" business is so big if its all "lies"

 

the ratings show the game IS NOT paid beta, everyone whos complaining completely fell for the hype cause they expected so much yet every normal human being knows u cant expect too much of an mmo at launch. u all make me laugh

and im glad that everyone cancels their subs maybe i can chat about something else then how much aoc sucks cause every topthread at the main page consists of that, all the same to me

Ascension08

Originally posted by 3on1


 
Originally posted by Askatan


 
Originally posted by 3on1


 
Originally posted by Selencia


They're desperate to keep their subscribers after this first month. I don't see how they can be prepared to release new content when they aren't even remotely close to fixing the current game.

LMAO, what the hell are u talking about?

 

god u even bitch when theres this MASSIVE update, go play a game u like instead of whining here

what they are now promising for fall, they were basically promising for the gold version.

 

this game right now has no meaningful PvP, the world is not a tenth the size they've promised for release (4x the size of the "competition") and so on...

I think Funcom is full of shit and this just proves we are paying for a beta now.

I did not extend my subscription

lol @ the haters. the game gets good reviews and those are the only people i trust, since i dont play the game. and plz.. if u really believe those sites get paid by funcom u need to get your brain checked, or just dont read any review of any product at all, gee i wonder why the "reviewing" business is so big if its all "lies"

 

the ratings show the game IS NOT paid beta, everyone whos complaining completely fell for the hype cause they expected so much yet every normal human being knows u cant expect too much of an mmo at launch. u all make me laugh

and im glad that everyone cancels their subs maybe i can chat about something else then how much aoc sucks cause every topthread at the main page consists of that, all the same to me

Yeah I see ratings like 7/10, 7.8, 70%. Go figure.

Trashcantoy

and thats bad? ^_^ im not saying its fantastic or anything..

if it was paid beta then it wouldnt deserve these high ratings, at least i thought 7 is more then enough 0_o

gamerankings: 83.3% and ign (imho the beste site) gives it 7.8... thats above "just another average game"

Ascension08

Originally posted by 3on1


and thats bad? ^_^ im not saying its fantastic or anything..
if it was paid beta then it wouldnt deserve these high ratings, at least i thought 7 is more then enough 0_o

gamerankings: 83.3% and ign (imho the beste site) gives it 7.8... thats above "just another average game"

Well what's average, 50%? /shrug I'm not saying it's bad either, but compared to the 9/10s and 9.4s that people were bragging about because Funcom polished the first 20 levels, it shows its true colors. Yeah Funcom can probably improve over time if they're competant so maybe these reviews (if the sites ever review them again) will go back up to 80% and stuff. I consider 60-70% average but again that's just me.

ZeGerman1942

I don't really care about reviews. Reviews are always gonne be subjective and biased to some extent (flying in hundreds of journalists from across the globe to expensive PR events has a reason you know).

 

What i do care about is a "finished game". No i don't mean bugs, i mean feature complete. It is insane how many people will be happy with a half finished product when it comes to MMOs.

I mean any single player game released with core features missing or broken, would be ripped to pieces. But just because MMOs have the ability to patch out after launch people give those games so much slack.

It's not about paying for beta. i don't expect a massive game such an MMO to be bug free and working 100% and i would happily pay some money if the game is fun while i wait for these bugs to be fixed. But to actually not have features is something entire different.

it's like buying half a car or 3/4 of a fridge.

The game was supposed to be a show case for Vista Game. Not only was it delayed by over a year and did not hit that window, but it also does not feature DX10 support - Funcom must have known this days (if not weeks) before launch. No announcement was made.

Where is Drunken Brawling? This was announced as a big thing and NEVER announced as cut (at least not to my knowledge).

So it's missing features and plain broken or blocked features (some raid content and sieging is blocked from what i can gather, to stop players going to far too quickly), that is the big deal.

 

And now Funcom announces big plans for the future to try and keep people optimistic and happy.

IMO they should not just fix bugs, but actually implement things that were cut. I don't want DX10 later this year. I want to be able to use the machine that i partially built for AoC. I expected DX10 so i built a DX10 machine with DX10 parts and Vista.