Most Anticipated of 2006: Age of Conan, Funcom
Funcom experience in this genre with Anarchy Online. They have one of those titanic-sized licenses that is hard to ignore. Their graphics are arguably the best of any upcoming game. They found a brilliant way around the MMO-level-grind. What is not to love? All of these factors combined to make Age of Conan the most anticipated game we expect to launch in 2006.
Honestly, the biggest worry we have nominating this game is not about quality, but whether or not they'll hit their 2006 target. Everything we've heard has sounded good and Funcom has the budget and track record to deliver. That is not to say that the game is a slam-dunk to hit shelves this year, only that we're trusting what Funcom has said publicly.
The biggest thing that has us smiling when we think of Age of Conan is the concept of the first twenty levels being part of a traditional single-player RPG campaign. Finally someone has found a way around the lame introductions that many MMORPGs face. You take part in a story where you are the hero, build a character, develop an attachment and then enter the real world. It is not unlike growing-up, which is precisely what you're character is doing.
The game also promises tactical, fast-paced, semi-twitch based PvP combat. MMORPGs combat is the number one reason I hear people say they do not play them. Funcom has taken steps to address this with some innovative - if risky - design ideas.
This does not even begin to touch on the graphics and the license that will draw crowds no matter what.
It is for these reasons that we selected Age of Conan as our most anticipated game of 2006.
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The following eligible games did not win the category, but should be watched closely as they inch towards 2006 launches.
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Hero's Journey, Simutronics
It won our Best of Show at E3 2005 as a major upset. While it did not win here today, that is more a credit to what we've learned about Conan then anything Simutronics did. The game still has bar-none the best character creation system we've ever seen. Throw in amazing graphics and very promising - from what we know - game-play concepts and this is definitely a potential dark-horse hit.
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Dungeons & Dragons Online, Turbine Entertainment
Turbine Entertainment has a lot riding on Dungeons and Dragons Online. They have a license trumped only by the product following it - The Lord of the Rings Online - stellar graphics, interesting game-play and a legion of loyal and hyped-up fans. The question is: can they deliver?
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Pirates of the Burning Sea, Flying Lab Software
YAR ME MATEY! Finally someone makes us a pirate game! This title has been on the radar for a while, but it looks like they'll soon be letting us sail the seas; looting and plundering as we go. The game offers top-notch graphics and setting that cannot be rivaled. This is definitely one to watch in 2006.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The following games were not considered as we do not expect them to launch in 2006: Star Trek Online, Warhammer Online and Lord of the Rings Online.
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