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"What's best in life? Crushing your enemies? Seeing them driven before you? Hearing the Lamanetation of the Women? Or is Getting stuff for free the end all option. Going free-to-play is slowly becoming a regular thing; it seems like every day another MMO is stripping away its subscriptions for freemium services. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures has finally become a free-to-play title with a ton of added features coming to the game."
GameZone's Michael Lafferty writes about sieging adventures in Funcom's Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures for the PC. With the new expansion that has released, does the sieging receive a bonus?
"Age of Conan's game director, Craig Morrison, has released a new letter to the community for May. Besides praising the launch of the Rise of the Godslayer expansion, he also looks ahead to the near future plans for Age of Conan."
"Sharon Hemmings says: "AoC is a rush, the people are from all walks of life; so I find myself in a constant state of learning, it’s definitely one of the most fun hobbies I have had thus far.""
It's been kind of weird to see a lack of releases on the Wii and DS the last couple of weeks. Really not much there. Of course, it has also been odd to see the number of new releases on the PS3 and 360 during a time of year that typically doesn't get much in the way of games period. Spring is the new Christmas!
"Funcom and Xfire are coming together to bring you a live demonstration of Age of Conan's first expansion. On Thursday, April 29 at 12:00 PM PDT the live demo will stream to the Xfire site and it will be available for everyone to watch."
"Age of Conan's first expansion is hitting the retail and digital stores on May 11, 2010. The expansion, Rise of the Godslayer, and the original game will come packaged together (see right). In this bundle you'll get a starter kit to help you on your journey if you're a new player and a new in-game non-combat pet puma!"
"Funcom announced today that the first expansion to Age of Conan will release on May 11, 2010. Rise of the Godslayer will be available via retail and digital distribution. The retail version will come bundled with the expansion and the core game in all North American territories."
This week's The Bender comes full force with everybody present and surprisingly attentive to all your gaming news, insight, theory, entertainment, and anything else we can pretend to do. Check out quote for show notes. Listen live/stream through iTunes here or download the mp3 directly here
"Funcom is the latest company to announce that it has adopted the market-leading lighting technology Enlighten from Geomerics. Enlighten will be used in the The Secret World as well as the highly anticipated expansion of Age of Conan. The new look of Age of Conan, with Enlighten technology incorporated, was first demonstrated publicly at GDC Europe and Gamescom in Cologne."
"While speaking to IncGamers, [game director] Craig Morrison explained that the console version of the popular MMO is still in the works, but has taken a little longer than first anticipated:
“There's a small team working on getting the technology working on the Xbox platform. I think it’s safe to say that the technical challenges in this area have turned out to be greater than we originally envisioned, so there isn’t any update there at the moment, but it is still being worked on. “"
"Video game publishers and retailers are risking hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines by illegally selling online role playing games such as World of Warcraft without age classifications.
The games industry believes there is a legal loophole exempting online games that don't have a single player component from classification requirements but this view is contradicted by the federal and state attorneys-general.
World of Warcraft, with more than 11.5 million subscribers, is the most p..."
"If we think about LittleBigPlanet, Age of Conan or Mirrors Edge, we notice they have two things in common: very successful and well received demo versions (or beta stages) and very poor, lower than anticipated game sales. And since these are not the only titles in which a demo (or the lack of it) appears to be connected with their commercial success, I believe we should analyze the influence demos have in the game world and debate: are game demos game killers?"
"Age of Conan has not had an easy go of things. It was hyped up as being the potential WoW killer and it got off to a fast start, but it didn't take long for the Hyborian Kingdoms to become a ghost town as players flocked back to Azeroth.
Funcom, the game's developer, has announced that they will be reducing the number of servers from 49 to 18. Of those 31 servers getting the ax, 25 of them are US servers.
While things don't look good for Age of Conan, the few of you who still play it do..."
"Were just a few days short from finding out the winners of Unigamesitys Best Games of 2008 awards, but theres still a small (and rather unpleasant) step that has to be made now, just to make it easier for everybody to understand that huge budgets and obscene amounts of advertising are not the only things needed for a game to be considered a success. Because, as you will see, we will not talk about unknown, indie or low budget productions - were talking about products that we, as gamers, c..."
"You've read about some of our favorite games of the year. Now it's time for the disappointments.
The games below, chosen by the usual panel of Wired.com contributors, is in no way supposed to be a list of the worst games of 2008. Those are all for the Wii, cost $10, are about dogs and/or babies, and we wouldn't be caught dead playing them. No, these are the games that let us down the most this year. Most of them are actually good games. But they failed to live up to the hype, or didn't del..."
"A huge free content expansion has been launched within Funcom's Age of Conan. The game has been criticized as neglecting its high-level players and this expansion should give them a lot more content to chew on, at least for a while. The new area of Ymir's Pass is home to all manner of new foes to pulverize as well as new quests and loot..."
Eurogamer gets an indepth look at what is going on with Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, with the new director of the project, Craig Morrison, and where the game is going now. The article features some excellent information about where resources are being focused on at the moment, some new information on changes about the game, his own promotion and the player combat aspect of the game.
After having a conversation with his friend Allen about trying to convince him to play the recently released MMO called Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, Adam LaMosca - who writes for The Escapist - lists all the reasons why some people are just not attracted to MMO-type games, such as his friend.
Age of Conan Producer/Game Director Gaute Godager has handed in his resignation and left with the following statement.
quoteI have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom.
Does this mean that Gaute was unhappy with things specifically related to Age of Conan or something internal with Funcom?
With Gaute's resignation Funcom has now app...
Today at the GC Leipzig expo, Funcom released images of the upcoming DirectX 10 update for Age of Conan compared with the same image, only in DirectX 9 mode. The differences are pretty pleasing. Many argue that more work should be done on bug fixes at the moment, however.
In a Friday earnings report, we found out that the MMO Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures has over 415k gamers consumed in the game. Since the success of the game has been so high, Funcom's Q2 revenues rose up to $13 million, up from "previous guidance".
When Funcom announces their Q3 earnings, their revenues are expected to rise $2-$3 million higher. The developer/publisher of the game has also said that Age of Conan was the "largest MMO launch since World of Warcraft."
"Everyone knows you should always do some background research before you agree to cybersex with anyone. A Funcom employee, a Game Master for Age of Conan, had to learn this the hard way. This poor bastard lost his job after he led a player to a secluded area in the game, where they proceeded to get fappy over the internet. The kicker here is that he was set up by the player from the beginning!
Turns out the player pretended to be a 9 year old boy who was pretending to be a horny chick. So..."
Craig Sherman, who blogs for EDGE Online, has noticed how the video game industry has taken great strides in incorporating the trends on the Internet. He notes that no matter what it is, a social network or a browser-based game, they are both always trying to create more user interaction. Sherman goes on to explain how video games are taking a page out of the web's book and creating better gaming experiences.
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Yet another satirical review by Yahtzee depicting the MMO, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. This week he "dons the loincloth and fuzzy, horned hat to review Age of Conan."
Wegame shows a video of an obnoxious player having far too much fun with his mount in Age of Conan. (no not in that way sickos) All it needs is someone screaming THIS IS SPARTA! and it would be complete.
We knew Age of Conan was doing well in Europe, but a press release confirms it's number one in most other parts of the world as well on the PC charts, including the US. Impressively, it's also doing good on the all format charts.
As of yet, the game has racked up 700,000 accounts, honouring it with the title of #2 most subscribed MMO. The fact they can pull that many people away from World of Warcraft for any length of time in such a short period is impressive; you're 1/10th of the way th...
GameTrailers has finally reviewed Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures and for the most part, they like the game, giving it a 8.5. However, GameTrailers does point out that Funcom does need to work some things out. Check out the full review below.
A rumor has recently popped up on the 'net that the female characters in Age of Conan are about 25% slower and weaker than the male characters. Needless to say, this sparked uproar and claims of sexism.
Today FunCom announced that there shouldn't be a difference between female and male characters and, if there is, then they didn't do it intentional. Though some people aren't convinced.
"For this review I played every class, across several servers and play styles from Player versus Player and Player versus Environment and Role Playing Player versus Player, spending much time, at of the time of the publication of this review just over 220 hours in game. Seeing how the game has changed and updated since it first launched on May 20th (17th actually with the Pre-launch and earlier with the closed and open beta) to where it is now a month later, a more stable, balanced and smooth ..."
Direct downloads from providers such as Steam can now provide direct content to the gamer without him or her ever having to leave their respective houses. There are many PC only games that have brought PC gaming back to the forefront, instead of the projected lingering behind consoles and dying out. Online PC gaming is also responsible for helping this growing trend.
"Funcon has revealed what players can expect to see added to Age of Conan over the next couple of months, promising new content, gameplay and social mechanics that should fatten out the MMO.
Top of the list is a PvP update, scheduled for later on this month.
It will include ten PvP character levels, specific gear and unique weapons, and a fugitive system that will penalise players who hunt low level characters. If you do, other players will find it easier to track you down and kill you i..."
Grand Theft Auto has managed to still maintain it's spot in number one for the fifth week in a row even though its sales have dropped by 22%. Race Driver: Grid has debuted earning second spot while Mario & Sonic at the Olympics and Wii play have both jumped up a spot each. Haze fell from 3rd to 6th while Sega Superstars jumped up from 15th to 7th. Pro Evolution Soccer has managed to pick up 2 spots while FIFA08 only picked up one.
The popular game, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, for the PC has risen above even the best PC games. In US sales charts, it placed first, beating the "mighty" World of Warcraft and the Sims series, both of which are extremely popular PC games. The Collector's Edition claims the third place spot, proving how popular Conan has become. As well as dominating the United States sales charts, it has taken a top spot in the European sales charts.
Boob jobs have been given all around on Age of Conan much to the dismay of gamers all over. Though you'd hope that something like that WOULDN'T be noticed (let's face it, would you actually measure the size of the breasts of your female characters), Funcom have done a quick bit of plastic surgery via the latest update, reducing the size of the busts of the female characters in the game...
However fear not... this is actually accidental, and Funcom have promised to give them yet another Boo...
"From the official release: "...In Germany, Age of Conan is #1 on all-format and PC, while the console-orientated UK market has Conan as #2 on the all-format charts, only beaten by the GTA 4 juggernaut. The game is the biggest launch for a PC title this year in the UK with a firm # 1 placement on the PC charts, and the game had the biggest ever MMO launch - outside of the World of Warcraft franchise. In Sweden and Norway, Age of Conan storms in as #1 on both PC and all-formats, while contribut..."
The game Age of Conan has beaten the fast selling Grand Theft Auto IV in Germany and Sweden, sending Grand Theft Auto IV to number two in those countries. In England, Grand Theft Auto IV is still first, with Age of Conan sitting at second.
However, in Spain both Age of Conan and Grand Theft Auto IV failed to be first, Wii Play is up there instead!
"May 26, 2008 - Funcom is proud to announce that Age of Conan is one of the fastest selling PC games of all time. More than 400.000 gamers have entered Hyboria over the last few days, with almost half coming from the North American market. This amazing figure for a PC game shows that the positive pre-order trend has transferred into actual sales, and people from all over the world are now flocking to the most savage, sexy and brutal MMO ever created.
Over the weekend an astounding amount of..."
MMORPG.com has teamed up with the creators of the upcoming MMORPG Age of Conan to give you the opportunity to grab yourself a key for the closed beta of the game. 300 keys will be given away randomly on May 4, 2008 @ 9PM EST! With the release of AoC drawing close, this is the perfect chance for you to try the game for free and make up your mind whether you want to play it after the beta and pay for it or not. Click here to participate. You might need to register. The giveaway ends on the 5th
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A new trailer for Age of Conan, the upcoming PC MMORPG came out today. The game is due to hit shelves on May 20th, and is currently undergoing beta testing. The in-game footage trailer features opera-type music and shots of the AoC scenery.
There are new screenshots for the game Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures out, and they're featuring the spellcasters
The man with the axe hitting the guy into the air is showing off a new feature called the knockback effect.(This one if you can't figure out which one it is.)
""Shannon 'Pharamond' Drake, Age of Conan community manager has posted a new statement regarding the censorship of the game. It seems their earlier statements that the game would be censored in the US were false! We should get full breasts with nipples and more."
(Official statement at source)"
"Official Release:
Funcom announces a new release date for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. The highly anticipated MMO receives 8 more weeks of development, allowing Funcom to deliver a more polished MMO experience when the game launches on the 20th of May 2008. Despite great feedback on vital aspects like immersion, fun factor and the exciting combat system, the management of Funcom has decided to polish the game even more. Eight weeks of development work is therefore added to stress game ..."
"Official Release:
Funcom and Eidos are proud to reveal that a new website for Age of Conan has launched. Conveniently located at www.ageofconan.com, the site gives both new and existing fans an exciting look at the fascinating Age of Conan universe. Filled with several new videos, a selection of some of the best screenshots from the game, popular links and much more, the new site is an entertaining and informative experience for both new and existing fans....
(full release at source)"
"Summary of games on the list:
Age of Conan (PC/360)
Frontlines: Fuel of War (PC/360)
Sins of A Solar Empire (PC)
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2 (PC/360/PS3)
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty (PC/360/PS3)
Fallout 3 (PC/360/PS3)
Ghostbusters (PC/360/PS3)
Tiberium (PC/360/PS3)
Operation Flashpoint 2 (PC/Wii/PS3/360)
Space Force: Captains (PC)"
"With this year's gaming harvest already played and beaten and filed away into memory like so many saves, it is time now to look on.
Past the bulbous shores of 2007, far off in the distant recesses of release schedules, lies the gone-golden bounty of untapped potential. And while many may slip their surly bonds and give flight to the year 2009, more still will cement their crusted plastic into delighted hands. Here we mark the prophecy of the PC legacy, a concrete, yet tumultuous hour of re..."
"After beta testing the ambitious Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures since last summer, Eidos and Funcom have decided to push the release date for the Microsoft Xbox 360 and PC MMORPG back from October 30 until March 25, 2008.
Both firms are adamant that they do not want to unleash the game unto the public unless it is in tiptop condition and feedback from the beta period so far seems to have confirmed that, well, it isn't.
"...In the current MMO marketplace we know that only the best is..."
![Box shot of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures [Europe]](http://i.neoseeker.com/boxshots/R2FtZXMvUEMvUm9sZS1QbGF5aW5nL01hc3NpdmVseV9NdWx0aXBsYXllcg==/age_of_conan_hyborian_adventures_frontcover_small_hgKt9LRNlciQOiG.jpg)