OnlineWelten Artikel zum Onlinespiel Age of Conan

Onlinewelten: Do you have an ETA for the announced overhaul of sprinting and stamina system, the "Multi Feat Specification" system, the Dreamworld Single server technology (cross server mini games and LFG) and the new versions of ACG dungeons? Oh, and don't forget the overhaul of the tradeskill system.

Craig Morrison, Game Director: The system changes we will talk a little more about in either January or the February development update. The single server tech is in progress, but when that is ready, as with all things directly linked to the Dreamworld engine, also depends on The Secret World development a bit, as it is a shared platform.

The tradeskill update I am very excited about personally, and we will hopefully start talking a lot more about that shortly. We didn't want to just band aid the current system as we felt that it just wasn't interesting enough, which has been the problem all along. Conan was a game designed to revolve around combat, and combat alone, but with age comes maturity, and we really wanted to commit to giving it a more complete and thorough overhaul. Then we will hopefully come out the other end with something deep and engaging, and closer to some of the older classic implementations of trade-skills rather than the 'just click for item' style of more recent games. So games like Star Wars Galaxies, are inspiring us a little there, with maybe a dash of Diablo, and some modern touches.

Onlinewelten: Update 4.0 will feature a new Adventure Pack. Could you give us a first and tiny hint?

Craig Morrison, Game Director: I'm afraid not specifically, apart from mentioning that we really like exploring the legacy of the ancient gods, the dark and twisted ones, the ones that have a habit of coming back to haunt the Hyborian present.

Age of Conan: Unchained




Onlinewelten: Let's switch to another topic. Age of Conan: Unrated was quite a success story. You have announced 300.000 new players within the first month since the launch of the free2play version and that Age of Conan can boast about two million players and counting. Do feel like sharing new numbers (increase of new players, premium accounts)? Did you notice a decrease due to the release of Star Wars: The Old Republic?

Craig Morrison, Game Director: You're talking to the wrong man I am afraid. As a publicly traded company on the Norwegian stock market the numbers are only ever mentioned as part of official releases and financial reporting I'm afraid. I think the launch of a game with such a wide appeal as Star Wars will have had some effect on most games, but the same goes for any big release. A game like Skyrim, which was popular, and shares a lot of elements with an MMO also draws people in, for a while at least. So it's a natural part of running a live MMO, people will occasionally check out pastures new as well, so that is something that is pretty usual.

Onlinewelten: Last but not least: Is there anything else you want to tell us and our readers?

Craig Morrison, Game Director: Thanks to those who are along for the adventure in Hyboria, and many thanks to all the new players who joined the ranks in 2011. We added a lot great content we launched in 2011, and we really want to keep it going into 2012. With all the stuff we mentioned above, we are really excited about the depth we can add to the game this year. There has never been a better time to dive and try things out for yourself. Don't take my word for it, the free to play nature of Unchained allows anyone to dive right in and see for themselves how things are going in Hyboria