Going through the forums we have compiled a list of some of the most popular topics currently being debated. Game director on Age of Conan, Gaute Godager, responds. Remember that we read through the forums and collect your feedback regularly. So please head to the forums and voice your opinions, too.

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We are working hard on enhancing the game to make your experience even better. Here is some of what we have done recently!

Dancing has come to Hyboria!



We appreciate how important the social scene is in a MMO, and now you can shake that booty of yours after a hard day of slaying and crushing skulls! We have now introduced dance moves to the game, and each culture (Aquilonian, Cimmerian and Stygian) now has access to their own unique dances Simply trigger the dance ability in your list of abilities, and get ready for a fun little dancing mini-game!

Dancing in Hyboria is more than just watching your character do an animation. You actually have to press different directional arrows, much like when fighting, in order to trigger different dance moves!

Other updates and enhancements

• Update Notes - June 12th, 2008
• Update Notes - June 9th, 2008
• Update Notes - June 2nd, 2008
• Update Notes - May 27th, 2008
• Update Notes - May 23rd, 2008
• Update Notes - May 22nd, 2008

Here are some of the features and content that you can expect to see implemented into the game within the next few weeks.

Evolved player vs. player system – great things to come!



Hyboria is a lawless place, and we even encourage players going at each other, at least on the numerous PvP servers. That’s what’s good in life, right? Still, unfair and unmotivated aggression should have consequences, and that’s why we’re now introducing the so-called fugitive system. Better think about your actions!

Within the end of June we are pumping out many enhancements to the PvP system, including PvP levels and gear, in addition to the fugitive system. If you are into this type of gameplay, exciting days are coming!

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More quests – including dozens more with full voice-over!



Soon we will be bringing in tons of new quests to Hyboria, spread out all across the three realms of Aquilonia, Cimmeria and Stygia. We will be putting in over a dozen new quests for Eiglophian Mountains, and we are also introducing several dozen new quests for levels thirty and up.

Due to popular demand we will also be adding voices to about sixty of the most central quests, improving the atmosphere in the game and extending that feeling of immersion even further.

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Enhanced graphical interface for chat, friends and guild!



We have looked at your feedback regarding the interfaces for friends and guild, and have gotten tons of great ideas for enhancements. As such we are now redesigning these elements to make them better-looking and easier to use, all based on the feedback you have provided us!

These enhancements include being able to divide friends into categories, simulating an interface resembling what you find in popular instant messaging services. We are also enhancing the chat interface.

(Click here to check out some concept art)

Notable enhancements being made to important Stygian dungeons



We have identified a few dungeons in Stygia, mainly the Khopshef Province that will be receiving some special loving. These dungeons include Pyramid of the Ancients and Treasury of the Ancients, and we will be breathing some new life into them so you can spread death in them.

Most noticeably we will be redoing some of the gameplay mechanics in the dungeon, and thereby adding more encounters and a better scripted experience. And, of course, we are doing enhancements to the loot distribution there as well.

A massive new dungeon for the Thunder River area!



Funcom are focusing heavily on adding even more content to the game, not only in terms of quests as described above, but also in terms of areas and land mass. In the not-too-distant future we will be introducing a new high-level dungeon to the Aquilonian Thunder River area!

While we don’t want to reveal the entire dungeon quite yet, we do want to show you some early images and talk a little bit about what you can expect when the dungeon opens for players.

(Click here to check out some concept art)

Vast enhancements being made to equipment and loot!



We are always working on having as good as possible loot, but recently we have added even more resources to this vital part of the game, and there is a good chance you have already seen the fruits of this labor. The item team is now working relentlessly on making items and equipment considerably more exciting in the game. This involves re-distribution item visuals and improving the loot drops.

There are tens of thousands of items in the game already, and our job now is to make sure everything looks visually diverse and that useful loot can be found without having to raid the most challenging dungeons.

Looking too closely into the crystal ball might be dangerous, but we will take our chances. Here are some things you can expect later this year.

Powerpoints has arrived in Hyboria, but the benefits awaits!



In an effort to reward players who put time and effort into Age of Conan, we have devised the Powerpoints system. These are points you will gather by doing special actions in the game, such as being a member of an active guild, owning a battlekeep, or advancing beyond level eighty.

You will also collect Powerpoints simply by staying subscribed to the game. You can already now start collecting Powerpoints in the game, but the services and benefits will be added to the game at a later date.

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Guild alliances, legendary battlekeeps and wonders of the world!



Oh, man. This is a big one. Later this year we will be introducing a massive new addition to the game, tentatively titled Kingship. This will allow guilds to form alliances and fight for special battlekeeps where they can construct wonders of the world – or steal them from other alliances!

We will also be fleshing out the Powerpoints system in this update, allowing the player to generate points by being a member of a conquering guild. We will also be adding a lot of Powerpoints benefits in this update.

(Click here for the full story)

A huge, new Cimmerian outdoor area – introducing Ymir's Pass!



Right now a part of the live team is working on realizing an entire new outdoor region called Ymir’s Pass. This region, located in Cimmeria, will be comparable in size to Eiglophian Mountains and will include a slew of new monsters, quests and some very interesting geography!

While we have already progressed far on making this playfield, we would like to wait a bit prior to showing it in its entire splendor, but we do have some fancy screenshots and concepts to show you, just so you can get a feel of what to expect when the mountains once more will call your name.

(Click here to check out some concept art)

Enhancements to player cities, battlekeeps and the crafting system



Many guilds have now begun conquering the many resource and gathering areas of Hyboria – Laceish Plains, Poitain and Purple Lotus Swamp. Here they are constructing entire guild cities, getting ready for the ultimate opportunity to construct a battlekeep in the Border Kingdom!

We have been getting a lot of feedback on these areas, so in the months ahead we will be doing numerous changes both to the cities as well as to the crafting system, making it more robust and more exciting. We will also be opening up more opportunities to define and customize your cities!

This time around MMORPG.com sits down with game director Gaute Godager to pick his brain about anything from his childhood to what he does at Funcom. Gaute is the man behind it all, the creative head honcho, and also one of the founders of Funcom back in 1993!

(Read the developer profile here)

Age of Conan launched just a few weeks ago, and reviews are starting to pour in these days. Here is a list of some of the reviews we have located on the widest of world webs.

• Gamezone – 9,4/10
• Gamespot – 8.5/10
• Gamespy – 4/5
• AtomicGamer – 92/100
• USA Today – 8/10
• Brandtford Expositor – 90/100
• HookedGamers – 8/10
• G4 TV – 4/5
• Sci-fi-com – A/A
• GamerGirl - 10/10
• Warcry – 94%
• Boomtown – 9/10
• Indianapolis Star – 4/5
• Gamer 2.0 – 9/10

Now is your chance to win a lifetime Age of Conan account packed full with exclusive virtual items! All you have to do is send us an e-mail to enter the sweepstakes, and if you win then you can choose to either have your existing account upgraded or to receive a brand new account.

All you have to do is send an e-mail to contest@ageofconan.com by July 22nd to enter. Supply the following information: your name, your address, your telephone number and your Age of Conan account name

No purchase necessary. Prizes are one (1) upgrade to your existing Age of Conan account. Odds of winning dependant on number of entries. Competition open to residents of the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S.(except Rhode Island and Puerto Rico). Draw will be made by manner of random draw in Oslo Norway on the 23rd of July, 2008. Any applicable taxes or customs fees are responsibility of winner. Entry to this competition is void where prohibited by local laws

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