Last week, MMORPG.com Writer Carolyn Koh attended this year's, modified, E3. Today, she files this report on Funcom's much-anticipated upcoming MMORPG, Age of Conan.

"It's a mature game. Hyboria is a brutal world. It's savage. It's violent. It's sexy. There's no pink hearts and pretty fireballs. Heads will roll!" Announced Jorgen Thereldsen, Product Director of Funcom. This is the theme of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. "We have boobs in our game!" The demo room was in the basement of the Fairmont hotel and rigged up to look like a dungeon. Booth babes were on hand to pass out grotesque shrunken heads on a string.

Everybody and his brother, including the entire room of media people uploading assets, were connected to the same internet connection, bringing bandwidth down to a narrow pipe, but despite the technical difficulties, Funcom was able to provide an excellent demo. Ever the showman, Jorgen bragged as the group prepared for battle, "See? It's good to be a healer. You have a naked lady buffing you." Well, partial nudity anyway. Funcom was not shy to exploit the Conan IP's blatant sexuality.

Read the whole article here.

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I really hope for hands on prewiew

Really would like to hear some imputs on fighting system. It sounds and looks good...but how dificult it is to actually use?

Originally posted by Lobotomist

I really hope for hands on prewiew

Really would like to hear some imputs on fighting system. It sounds and looks good...but how dificult it is to actually use?

For "twitch" skill-oriented games I tend to stick to gaming consoles, so I'm interested in how this game will combine more interactive combat with the traditional elements of an MMORPG. Admittedly, I had zero interest in this game initially (though I think Conan is a great license) but the more I read about it, the more it intrigues me. My main concern is they're gonna have to fall on one side of the fence (whether PC or console), since this game will ultimately be available for both platforms. I think if it's too twitch-based the mechanics could be a pain in the ass for PC gamers and give console players a definite advantage--whereas if it's the other way around, it may be more fulfilling for PC gamers but prove a dull experience for console gamers.

I never played EQOA, so maybe people who have played console-based MMORPGs could shed some light on how this has worked in the past (though I think this'll be the first title where PC and console gamers are playing on the same servers). Regardless, the devs' enthusiasm for this game is contagious and I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Me like ,Me want :D

Me want too ,nice chicks maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

Originally posted by Lobotomist

I really hope for hands on prewiew

Really would like to hear some imputs on fighting system. It sounds and looks good...but how dificult it is to actually use?

Agreed.   Booth babes and show-and-tell events are fine but they need to start letting the press and conference attendees try the game.   Esp. when they're talking about innovative combat systems, Funcom needs to let outside gamers try it and say whether or not it works.

Anything developers say is given 100% more credibility when somone NOT under their payroll says the same thing.  When they get reviewers to talk about the game after playing it for an hour or so, then I'll start  to believe all the stuff Funcom has been saying.  Until then, there have been too many instances of hype over substance in MMORPGs for me to believe anything based solely on company press releases.   No matter how hot the booth babes are.

And there's still nothing more about PvP combat.  Ah well.

Originally posted by Alienovrlord

 
Agreed.   Booth babes and show-and-tell events are fine but they need to start letting the press and conference attendees try the game.   Esp. when they're talking about innovative combat systems, Funcom needs to let outside gamers try it and say whether or not it works.

Anything developers say is given 100% more credibility when somone NOT under their payroll says the same thing.  When they get reviewers to talk about the game after playing it for an hour or so, then I'll start  to believe all the stuff Funcom has been saying.  Until then, there have been too many instances of hype over substance in MMORPGs for me to believe anything based solely on company press releases.   No matter how hot the booth babes are.

And there's still nothing more about PvP combat.  Ah well.

Agreed 100%.  The fact that they've been to 3 E3's and no one has tried the game is a little ridiculous.  What's even worse is that they've been to 3 E3s, and still no Female Avatars, no hands on play, and no PvP.  I think either they're marketing staff is really horrible, or they're not even close to being done with the game and we can expect another delay.

well... i don't know if ill like it or not, but i would definately try it out just becuase their bloodshedding graphics and the combat system....

if they were skill based that would be like perfect... :p

The dev said there is over 900 hours of gameplay to reach max level.  It would take you 45 weeks of button smashing and grinding to reach max level @ 20 hours a week.  And as the look of things I am already burnt out on the grind just watching the lackluster videos.

I did get some "hands-on" time, by the way, but I just don't feel comfortable writing about "hands-on" based on something as short as a 5 or 10 minute play time, especially not for a full-fledged mmog such as Conan.

I'd feel better if I had a couple hours play time, try out a couple different classes etc.  Further, all I got to try was the Necromancer which was... a spell caster.  :P

After the beta embargo, we'll have more info for you. 

Originally posted by Sylvene

I did get some "hands-on" time, by the way, but I just don't feel comfortable writing about "hands-on" based on something as short as a 5 or 10 minute play time, especially not for a full-fledged mmog such as Conan.

I'd feel better if I had a couple hours play time, try out a couple different classes etc.  Further, all I got to try was the Necromancer which was... a spell caster.  :P

After the beta embargo, we'll have more info for you. 

Even initial impressions are something.    It doesn't require judgement to be passed on the entire game.   And the general 'feel' of a game can be determined after only a few minutes of play and a few combats IMO.   Do the controls feel natural?   Is the UI easy to follow?  How intuitive is the new combat system?  (Or the spell system)

I suppose the beta blackout has been limiting info on the game, but that still doesn't mean Funcom shouldn't be allowing more people the chance to try the game by now.  Esp. when PvP is supposed to be such a major part of it, we should be at least seeing some PvP beta-videos I would think. 

[quote]"Emotes can also be scripted together. You can totally have your character staggering around drunk and making rude hand gestures in celebration after a successful battle."[/quote]

As a roleplayer that makes me very, very happy.

Originally posted by Alienovrlord

 

Originally posted by Lobotomist

I really hope for hands on prewiew

Really would like to hear some imputs on fighting system. It sounds and looks good...but how dificult it is to actually use?

Agreed.   Booth babes and show-and-tell events are fine but they need to start letting the press and conference attendees try the game.   Esp. when they're talking about innovative combat systems, Funcom needs to let outside gamers try it and say whether or not it works.

Anything developers say is given 100% more credibility when somone NOT under their payroll says the same thing.  When they get reviewers to talk about the game after playing it for an hour or so, then I'll start  to believe all the stuff Funcom has been saying.  Until then, there have been too many instances of hype over substance in MMORPGs for me to believe anything based solely on company press releases.   No matter how hot the booth babes are.

And there's still nothing more about PvP combat.  Ah well.

Check it out! I'm pretty pumped after reading them. There's also some recent real gameplay videos on Youtube.

Originally posted by Lhex

The dev said there is over 900 hours of gameplay to reach max level.  It would take you 45 weeks of button smashing and grinding to reach max level @ 20 hours a week.  And as the look of things I am already burnt out on the grind just watching the lackluster videos.

Don't go spreading lies and misinformation about AoC just because you're a warhammer fan.

For such a "mature" game, that quote sounds like a sure way to get preteens interested....c'mon... who shows off about boobs to promote a game, thats just getting desperate.  This isn't BMX XXX

Originally posted by Lhex

The dev said there is over 900 hours of gameplay to reach max level.  It would take you 45 weeks of button smashing and grinding to reach max level @ 20 hours a week.  And as the look of things I am already burnt out on the grind just watching the lackluster videos.

No thats not what the devs said. They said the average person has an account for 10 months, and roughly 900 hours. So the plan is to have 900+ hours of content in the game when it ships. They said absolutely nothing about leveling speed and those 900 hours.

I am watching this game to see how the combat system works, and the PvP does have some points i do like.  However if you think that the mature rating will deter or keep kids from playing then you are deluding yourself.  So far from what I have seen it has brought a lot of the worst kinds of players to the game.

I am not saying all AoC fans are immature brats, but it seems the vocal majority on most forums I visit are.

Originally posted by Lucifrank

 

Originally posted by Lobotomist

I really hope for hands on prewiew

Really would like to hear some imputs on fighting system. It sounds and looks good...but how dificult it is to actually use?

For "twitch" skill-oriented games I tend to stick to gaming consoles, so I'm interested in how this game will combine more interactive combat with the traditional elements of an MMORPG. Admittedly, I had zero interest in this game initially (though I think Conan is a great license) but the more I read about it, the more it intrigues me. My main concern is they're gonna have to fall on one side of the fence (whether PC or console), since this game will ultimately be available for both platforms. I think if it's too twitch-based the mechanics could be a pain in the ass for PC gamers and give console players a definite advantage--whereas if it's the other way around, it may be more fulfilling for PC gamers but prove a dull experience for console gamers.

 

I never played EQOA, so maybe people who have played console-based MMORPGs could shed some light on how this has worked in the past (though I think this'll be the first title where PC and console gamers are playing on the same servers). Regardless, the devs' enthusiasm for this game is contagious and I'm excited to see how it turns out.

What the heck are you talking about?? PC not twitch based? You have to be joking, right? The BEST combat in ANY game ever is via keyboard and mouse.

" We were shown the Black Ring Citadel, a high level dungeon for you and your closest 23 high level friends to overcome..."

Oh noes..... another end game raid which most players will not see. Wonder why do they come out with this kind of game play again? Didnt they learn from WoW?