Crush your enemies and hear the lactation of....

[Vic Davis]

....their women. Or is it lamentation? Anyway Conan is back.


Apparently there is a Conan MMO game coming out from Funcom. Details are sketchy. I wonder if everybody plays the old barbarian or if it's a fully fleshed out world of hyborea? Anybody know more? Here is the worthplaying page:

http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=24847

[tronnc]

"Real Combat" engine; a revolutionary new multi-point melee system which allows the players to swing their weapons where they direct it, in real-time! This easy to learn and fun melee system lets the players truly feel they are on the battlefield, and goes head-on against the formulaic nature of online RPG combat.

This sounds pretty cool. The utter crap of combat in all MMORPGs is the main reason I don't play any of them.

[playingwithknives]

To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.

The film has Conan levelling up on a treadmill, not a good sign for a mmog :P

[Vic Davis]

Although I'm ashamed to admit it, I've read almost every single Conan book....the good (R.E. Howard), the bad (some of the DeCamp etc.) and the ugly (some of the TOR). It would be really cool to romp across all the places mentioned in the books. Sounds like this might have a single player game and then some type of battle ground instancing but I'm not really sure.

[KristianV]

Worthplaying only linked the official site (http://www.ageofconan.com/) in standard text, so I'll step in with some newfangled hyperlinking in case people want to know things in a bit more detail.

[Jamie Madigan]

The film has Conan levelling up on a treadmill, not a good sign for a mmog :P
Ha! I was just thinking the same thing. He becomes a badass swordsman by literally walking in circles for several years, which seems like a perfect match with MMORPGs.

On the other hand, naming a game after a specific character you don't get to play seems kind of odd.

[playingwithknives]

A mix of a deep, story-driven single-player experience and a massive and brutal multiplayer end-game


Emerge as a hero from a story-driven single-player experience and embark into even greater adventures in the multiplayer part of the game

If the end game is a proper subscription based mmog then this is a fairly radical concept, it's also somewhat risky too. If its like sacred/dungeon siege and you play MP with your SP char, then perhaps not.

[mystery]

"Real Combat" engine; a revolutionary new multi-point melee system which allows the players to swing their weapons where they direct it, in real-time! This easy to learn and fun melee system lets the players truly feel they are on the battlefield, and goes head-on against the formulaic nature of online RPG combat.

This sounds pretty cool. The utter crap of combat in all MMORPGs is the main reason I don't play any of them.

The utter crap of combat in all MMOs is out of necessity. Can you imagine multiple foes on the screen at one time? How about a pitched battle between you and 200 of your friends? Yea, swing a sword with some accuracy in that.

Not to mention that the best of game engine code, with the lowest settings, and the best hardware on the client still lags all to hell when you're trying to push that many polys. Real Time combat in an MMO situation is not only infeasible, it's inadvisable.

Ask any serious PvP player out there whether or not their "skill" is improved by a high-end gaming rig and a kick-butt pipe to the internet.

[Duality]

I don't remember PlanetSide didn't having any serious trouble with real-time combat.

[Backov]

A swift horse, the open steppe, a falcon at your breast, and the wind in your hair.

[Vic Davis]

What about something like Planetside? That's got a combination of experience based systems for determining access to weapons and abilities and is also twitch based for determining things like targeting.

[quatoria]

In case you were wondering, it sounds like "squirt, squirt, squirt."

[Duality]

Mike ... are you lactating?

[quatoria]

No, I'm crushing the breasts of the enemies of my women. Er, wait, the women of my enemies. Yeah, that's the ticket. Squirt squirt.

[Bill Dungsroman]

I get to be Conan, or I'm not playing.

[Jason Cross]

I get to be Conan, or I'm not playing.

Not me...I want to be Mako!

[Tom Chick]

I get to be Conan, or I'm not playing.

Jeeze, next thing you know, people are going to want to be a jedi in a Star Wars MMO...

The Conan MMO takes place in the later years of Conan's life, after he's, like, the king. You can, however, be one of his subjects.

-Tom

[Bill Dungsroman]

I get to be Conan, or I'm not playing.

Jeeze, next thing you know, people are going to want to be a jedi in a Star Wars MMO...

The Conan MMO takes place in the later years of Conan's life, after he's, like, the king. You can, however, be one of his subjects.

-Tom
I think I just peed myself in anticipation. Seriously, does anyone really give a shit about the Conan Universe?

[Tom Chick]

Seriously, does anyone really give a shit about the Conan Universe?

I guess you missed some of the other posters in this thread. But, yeah, apparently some people do care. Funcom seems to think there's going to be a re-emergence of the license. If the movie ever gets going, it could be quite a boon for them.

At any rate, I think they have enough of a unique angle with this MMO that I'm curious about it in a way that I'm not curious about other MMOs. Plus, they have a proven track record. I really liked Anarchy Online, although I haven't played since they've started running Motley Crue ads.

-Tom

[Jamie Madigan]

Seriously, does anyone really give a shit about the Conan Universe?
I'm not THAT familiar with it, but it does strike me as at least a bit different in terms of fantasy settings. At least it's not another generic, D&D-based, fantasy realm (c.f., the MMORPGS set in the Forgotten Realms, Midkemia, etc.)

[Bill Dungsroman]

Seriously, does anyone really give a shit about the Conan Universe?

I guess you missed some of the other posters in this thread. But, yeah, apparently some people do care. Funcom seems to think there's going to be a re-emergence of the license. If the movie ever gets going, it could be quite a boon for them.

At any rate, I think they have enough of a unique angle with this MMO that I'm curious about it in a way that I'm not curious about other MMOs. Plus, they have a proven track record. I really liked Anarchy Online, although I haven't played since they've started running Motley Crue ads.

-Tom

I saw them both Tom, thanks for asking. I should rephrase that as, "Does anyone really think enough people give a shit about the Conan Universe, that they'd play an MMO set in it and, of course, not play as Conan? Enough to keep the game worth running?"

[Bill Dungsroman]

Seriously, does anyone really give a shit about the Conan Universe?
I'm not THAT familiar with it, but it does strike me as at least a bit different in terms of fantasy settings. At least it's not another generic, D&D-based, fantasy realm (c.f., the MMORPGS set in the Forgotten Realms, Midkemia, etc.)

It's not?

[Jasper Phillips]

Hell yes, Hyperborea (as written by R.E. Howard) is worlds better than any of the fantasy worlds in current MMOs, and the setting is cool regardless of whether you play Conan. I'd be surprised if these guys do it justice, but one can always hope.

And no, it's not just another Generic D&D based fantasy realm. There's a fair amount of Lovecraftian horror to it, magic is rare (e.g. no magical healing), and obviously it was around way before D&D. It's definitely more interesting than Forgotten Realms or Midkemia.

I'm curious, have you read any of Howard's Conan books?

[Chowhound]

*waits patiently for the HRose prophesies*

[Tom Chick]

"Does anyone really think enough people give a shit about the Conan Universe, that they'd play an MMO set in it and, of course, not play as Conan? Enough to keep the game worth running?"

Apparently, yes. A little Norwegian company called Funcom.

I know, I know, it's fun to poo-poo new announcements, especially in a risk genre like MMOs that so many people don't like. I sat down with the Funcom rep when they did their US press tour and based on what he could show, I think they've got a solid design, track record, and IP.

But, yes, of course, by all means don't let me get in the way of the 'OMG how 7am3! another faggy fantasy MMO!!!' kneejerking. :) To be fair, the 'not play as Conan' thing could be a hitch, but I think people who play MMOs know the score when it comes to that sort of thing.

-Tom

[RobotPants]

If they have Conan O'Brien play as Conan, I'm all over this.

[Lunch of Kong]

Squirt squirt.

Rape the fields and pillage the women, eh, Mike?

[Igor Muravyev]

Hmm. Real time combat? Maybe it'll be twitch-based? *hopes*

Of course it could end up another MMORPG clone, in which case, I'm skipping it :).

[Bill Dungsroman]

Hell yes, Hyperborea (as written by R.E. Howard) is worlds better than any of the fantasy worlds in current MMOs, and the setting is cool regardless of whether you play Conan. I'd be surprised if these guys do it justice, but one can always hope.

And no, it's not just another Generic D&D based fantasy realm. There's a fair amount of Lovecraftian horror to it, magic is rare (e.g. no magical healing), and obviously it was around way before D&D. It's definitely more interesting than Forgotten Realms or Midkemia.

I'm curious, have you read any of Howard's Conan books?
HOOF, a loooong time ago, plus a random assortment of comics and a few of the Shoose Your Own Adventure books that were set there. Yes, hardly enough to go by, I'll freely admit. I actually wasn't trying to slight Conan, Hyperborea (although, I hope the game ends up being good, else it's headlines like HyperBOREa is more like LOL), or Howard's writings. I'm just saying, a really well-crafted game with some unique elements are needed at this stage in the game to make any MMO worth signing up for. Sure, the setting has a better feel than many/most MMOs today, but it still sits squarely in swords, monsters, and sorcery category. I just doubt "But it's Conan!" is enough.


Apparently, yes. A little Norwegian company called Funcom.

I know, I know, it's fun to poo-poo new announcements, especially in a risk genre like MMOs that so many people don't like. I sat down with the Funcom rep when they did their US press tour and based on what he could show, I think they've got a solid design, track record, and IP.

But, yes, of course, by all means don't let me get in the way of the 'OMG how 7am3! another faggy fantasy MMO!!!' kneejerking. :) To be fair, the 'not play as Conan' thing could be a hitch, but I think people who play MMOs know the score when it comes to that sort of thing.
I don't typically "poo-poo" new announcements, Chick, and I'm offended by your harsh language. I'm not meaning for it to be me when I make these comments, I'm making them as a proxy for the MMO playing population as a whole. Or something, that sounded a little too pompous. Your comments regarding your conversation with the Funcom dude (who I happen to like too, for The Longest Journey) are positive, to be sure. I'm guess I'm thinking like, "Conan? Is he popular in other countries like David Hasslehoff and death metal bands? Is he still popular enough here to help sell an MMO? A single-player game, where you are Conan, I'd buy (in both meanings of the word), but will it be enough to yank folks off (no pun intended, alright, maybe) WOW, EQ, and the like?"

[Jasper Phillips]

I'm curious, have you read any of Howard's Conan books?
HOOF, a loooong time ago, plus a random assortment of comics and a few of the Shoose Your Own Adventure books that were set there. Yes, hardly enough to go by, I'll freely admit. I actually wasn't trying to slight Conan, Hyperborea (although, I hope the game ends up being good, else it's headlines like HyperBOREa is more like LOL), or Howard's writings. I'm just saying, a really well-crafted game with some unique elements are needed at this stage in the game to make any MMO worth signing up for. Sure, the setting has a better feel than many/most MMOs today, but it still sits squarely in swords, monsters, and sorcery category. I just doubt "But it's Conan!" is enough.
I'd argue the setting is much better Swords and Sorcery than any MMO to date, but I agree the differences aren't so great and it may have a hard time competing against already established MMOs, even if they are rather vanilla. Setting alone won't make the game, and I'm curious to see how they change the gameplay to better suit the source. I hope they have something more than "selecting target body parts" to distinguish it from Everquest (make all magic users NPCs!). The bit about multiplayer battles with players controlling NPCs does sound interesting, although the details are sparse.

[Vic Davis]

I saw them both Tom, thanks for asking. I should rephrase that as, "Does anyone really think enough people give a shit about the Conan Universe, that they'd play an MMO set in it and, of course, not play as Conan? Enough to keep the game worth running?"

Actually Bill, I worship Conan so much that I would probably buy two copies so you should really say "I saw all three." Then again if you have to buy another copy to run your buff bot then you should really say "I saw all four."

Seriously though, the world of Conan is really quite rich. The Dark Horse Comics by mostly Busiek and Nord show just how fantastic the setting is when it's done right. If Funcom turns it into a generic D&D fantasy land then that will be a shame. Sounds like that won't happen though. I get the sense that they love the Conan Mythos. I'd rather see a Gothic or Morrowind type game because after breaking my Evercrack addiction I swore never to go back to the soulless online world full of fantasy life wrecking idiots. Maybe if it's like Guildwars or Battlenet I'd give it a shot. From what I've read you don't have to rub elbows with all the other peasants and feel inferior to the all the lewt lords in those models.

The only thing I'd like to see more than a RPG would be a turn based strategy game in the Conan setting.

[That Strange Girl]

The Conan MMO takes place in the later years of Conan's life, after he's, like, the king.

So is he now retired into the even more terrifying Cohen the Barbarian, a la Pratchett? Do you get to bring him soup? :lol:

[Anders Hallin]

Whut!?

[Jamie Madigan]

You won't get it if you haven't read Terry Pratchet's stuff. :)

[playingwithknives]

The secret of a successful barbarian life is good dentistry and soft toilet paper.

[Nellie]

It's caught my interest. At least for a while.

If it's got twitch combat rather than click and let the character sheet settle it then I'm even more intested.

Aside from another foray back into Jumpgate its about the only MMO thats got my interest at the moment.

[Chris Nahr]

"Black Lotus! Stygian... the best!"

Yeah, the world of Hyperborea has tons of great options for characters and quest. Much more so than Middle-Earth IMO since there are many more competing factions at any given time, and no simple good vs evil conflict.

Start as a Stygian peasant and become a High Priest of Set! Play a Pict and try to recapture the Bossonian Marches! Confront an immortal Atlantean in his hidden crypt! Set out on a trade route to Khitai! Fight an infestation of snake-men!

But I do wonder how many people who've heard of "Conan" have actually read any of Howard's books, or just seen the Schwarzenegger movie, timeless classic though it was...

[Jamie Madigan]

But I do wonder how many people who've heard of "Conan" have actually read any of Howard's books, or just seen the Schwarzenegger movie, timeless classic though it was...
Quite a few, I'd guess. Me, for one. Years from now we'll probably be saying the same thing about The Lord of the Rings.

[Brian Koontz]

But I do wonder how many people who've heard of "Conan" have actually read any of Howard's books, or just seen the Schwarzenegger movie, timeless classic though it was...

Pretty much every time its mentioned here Conan the Barbarian is treated very highly. I suppose if there is a crowd to appreciate that movie, this is it, but I'm still surprised at the unanimous adoration.

Didn't the movie have little dialogue, and wasn't the dialogue that existed pretty banal?

Wasn't the plot pretty formulaic? Revenge, training, success. Compare the plot to the one in Lord of the Rings.

The whole thing was pretty simple, even as action movies go.

The acting I don't recall being impressive, although given the limited needs of several of the actors I guess that's not a big issue.

I thought the best aspects of the movie were the cinematography and the music. The environments looked very dusty and dirty... better done in that way than anything else I've seen.

I enjoyed the movie both the first time I saw it and a few years ago when I saw it again, but I can't raise it to a status beyond "good".

What's so great about the film?

[Troy S Goodfellow]

I think most of the respect is not for the film but for the pulp novels, short stories, comics and other miscellania that deal with the hero. There is a lot of Conan outside of the movie (which you quite accurately describe).

Troy

[Vic Davis]

What's so great about the film?

<Begin James Earl Jones Voice> Contemplate this on the tree of woe. </End James Earl Jones Voice>

[Nellie]

What's so great about the film?
Aside from nekkid ladies, lots of sword fights and James Earl Jones?

[quatoria]

Just be glad it wasn't Naked James Earl Jones, getting in swordfights.

[gnmarsh]

Just read the article about it in pc gamer. The interesting part to me are that the first 20 levels are a solo game.

[child of Thor]

What's so great about the film?
Aside from nekkid ladies, lots of sword fights and James Earl Jones?

and the great Gerry Lopez! surfer and actor(as Subatai - "thief and archer" - "dinner for wolves?") 8)

It's in my top 10 great films, shame about the sequels - they really were bad.

Still apart form that first film and some fo the books+comics, conan often gets dragged through the mud. I dont think we have one decent computer game of him yet( i can think of an ancient one by virgin interactive, and a recent console 3D game, also poor).

Still if someone does get it right, then they have a huge source for a massive franchise of great games set in the conan world.

[Backov]

Don't bother defending Conan to Koontz. He's the same guy who calls WoW a "VSOG".

Conan rocked. Since I am one of the few that didn't really enjoy LoTR, Conan still holds "best fantasy movie" title, and well deserved.

[Mike O'Malley]

The deleted ending on the DVD was much better than the original- basically the Max von Sydow's daughter- the captured princess- snuck Conan through Thulsa Doom's guards and set up the final confrontation.

After Thulsa's death, the faithful look to Conan as their new leader (in fact, the princess prostrates herself before him), but he rejects them and burns the temple. Just a bit deeper than the onscreen version.

[Chris Nahr]

Absolutely, the DVD ending is essential to the movie. I can't understand why they ever cut it from the film to begin with.

[tglennow]

For us who love the pulp fantasy/horror stuff, Hyperborea is tops. There are other worlds from the same genre that are just as cool, but that is probably the most fully realized of them.

I think Paradox Entertainment owns the IP to Conan by the way. That could be a reason why they went with Funcom -- which is from their neighboring country Norway.

[azzl]

A single-player game, where you are Conan, I'd buy (in both meanings of the word), but will it be enough to yank folks off (no pun intended, alright, maybe) WOW, EQ, and the like?"

So...you, Bill Dungsroman, would prefer a game that traces the spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the main character from childhood to maturity?

No pun intended.

[Bill Dungsroman]

A single-player game, where you are Conan, I'd buy (in both meanings of the word), but will it be enough to yank folks off (no pun intended, alright, maybe) WOW, EQ, and the like?"

So...you, Bill Dungsroman, would prefer a game that traces the spiritual, moral, psychological, or social development and growth of the main character from childhood to maturity?

No pun intended.
The hell it isn't! And, yes.