Age of Conan - Hyborian Adventures

It is a dark world, a world of deadly combat, dire foes and high adventure. For the fans of Robert E. Howard, the worlds of Cimmeria and Conan it is a dream come true, and the folks at FunCom are going to ensure that the Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventure shines in a unique light as a massively multiplayer title.

But the game does not truly begin as a multiplayer game; in fact, it starts as a single-player experience and it is only after level 20 that players will be able to leave the island and venture into the MMO elements, learning about their heritage.

FunCom showed off a pre-alpha version of the title at E3 in Los Angeles Wednesday, and even in such an early stage of development (the game is slated for release in the first half of 2006), the game was stunning to look at with incredible combat elements.

How incredible? Each avatar has a collision path and players can swing swords through six areas – upper, middle, lower, right and left side – to create broad-slashing cuts and unique combinations. Swing the sword downward at a 45-degree angle from left to right and then return with a horizontal cut. Players can gather NPCs and work them into formations, which means – according to the FunCom representative – that players will have to think technically and strategically with formations.”

With the collision paths, formations will be highly advantageous in dungeon crawls.

There are three types of PvP (player-versus-player) in the game – matching, massive battles in border areas and brawling (for entertainment and skilling up) in taverns.

The game breaks down player progression into several milestones – at level 5 players determine their archetype, at level 20 they can pick their class, at level 40 they pick their social and guild class and at level 80 the specialty is chosen.

The game will allow for crafting, both for personal needs and within the guild system.

The game also has a brand new A.I. system, which is 100% scriptable. NPCs (non-playing characters) will eat, drink and go to work. They also have social needs, as well.

A fly-by up the mountainside showed that those towering giants were more than merely a painted backdrop to the action below. The texturing in the ground was remarkable, and the game also sports dynamic shadows and lighting.

The game was truly a visual treat and the time spent oogling the amazing world was all too short. It was estimated that the game is about half complete, but even at this early stage in development, the Age of Conan is a game to watch for as more is revealed in the coming months.

For All E3 2005 Previews