Funcom announced yesterday that Age of Conan will re-launch this summer under the new name Age of Conan: Unrated, which will be free to play with exclusive content for premium subscribers. It will also feature a cash shop filled with powerful gear and mounts.

Russ and Mick discuss this drastic gamble from Funcom and whether it will revive interest for the sexy, savage MMO.

Russ’ Rant

For all those saying this will be the death of Age of Conan: Are you kidding me?

This is the smartest move Funcom has made in a really long time. As a previous player who returns from time to time, it rocks to see the developers fighting so hard to keep this game alive. It’s still one of the most beautiful MMOs out there, and it’s a shame how so few people are playing it.

The timing to go free-to-play couldn’t be better; summer is when the new Conan the Barbarian movie comes out and there will be increased interest for the related game. Even more so if the film becomes a blockbuster smash.

Funcom is already putting all the chess pieces in place. The company has announced content that will tie in to the film called the Savage Coast of Turan adventure pack, which is set 20 years after the events in the movie. This new adventure pack is slated for August, the same month as the worldwide theater release of Conan the Barbarian.

My only concern is with all these marketing plans hinging so much on the success of Conan the Barbarian, a flop could backfire on them hard. If I were them, I wouldn’t put all my eggs in one basket.

Looking at how the game is now (at least compared to their bug-ridden launch version) they can just market it as the best-looking free-to-play game out there. It’s the truth. With the chance to relive your Rachel Nichols fantasies as the sweet, sweet cherry on top.

Mick’s Shtick

Russ may be bullish, but I’m not yet convinced yet that this free-to-play plan, at least in its current form, will bring big bucks and success.

First, the free-to-play perks seem so limited. I know they’re careful to put a big distinction between being a free player to a premium subscriber, but would it really hurt for them to open up the classes (only 4 available to free players) and add more character slots (two only “by default”)?

There’s also talk that because Age of Conan is following the Lord of the Rings Online model, then it will also be very successful. Not quite. I remember that the Middle-Earth game focused less on making free players feel like a second-class citizen; they just barred more high-end content and a few choice classes.

Basic content and features were mostly accessible to LOTRO free players so Funcom should take a cue from that. Because come on, NO dungeons, NO sieges, 50% personal bank space and ONLY 2 raids? Good luck expecting free players to stick around long enough to buy from the cash shop.

Besides, Funcom will only get one chance to woo the influx of new players attracted by Conan the Barbarian. They need to get this right, because if not, it will be a huge wasted opportunity for them.

I say pump up the free-to-play privileges, and if they’re worried about premium subscribers complaining, then just throw the veterans some free stuff from the cash shop (even non-cash shop items to reinforce the feeling of exclusivity) to keep them happy.

Now’s not the time to be stingy because the goal is to get as many people playing as possible. Profits will follow with the cash shop. So Funcom, either sweeten the deal or go home.

Things have been a bit quiet in Cimmeria in this final month of 2010, but Age of Conan is quick to assure us that, like the calm before the storm, 2011 will bring us exciting updates and in-game content related to the new Conan movie.

The much-ballyhooed Dreamworld Technology Integration  goes online in this time period, and promises to improve the graphics rendering and back-end tools needed to create the stunning visuals of Age of Conan.

PvE content-wise, Pai-Kang is setting up to be the center of intrigue and boss slaying, with two new max-level, six-player instances planned around the city. The Jade Citadel will also open up new raid encounters to test the mettle of Tier Four raiders. Meanwhile, solo players can keep themselves occupied with a new instance in Kara Korum and two new level-scaling dungeons.

All these combat content should be easy enough to complete with enough dedication and AoC Gold during the first half of 2011, but it’s the second half where things get a little bit more interesting as Age of Conan prepares for the promotional blitz for the new “Conan the Barbarian” movie.

“Conan the Barbarian” stars Jason Momoa, of Baywatch Hawaii fame, as the titular hero with a supporting cast made up of Rachel Nichols, Ron Perlman, Rose McGowan, Alana Collins and Stephen Lang. The action-packed film is slated for a summer release on August 19 and should trigger a wave of Age of Conan in-game content for the latter of 2011.

Funcom is still mum on how they plan to tie in the film’s plot (an original and not a port from previous Schwarzenegger outings) into the game world. But we predict new dungeons, items, zones, and maybe even a movie-themed expansion will come rolling out of the game, especially if the movie proves to be a smash hit in the box office. Marcus Nispel, we’re counting on you.

Prepare for the blockbuster 2011 coming to Age of Conan: Buy cheap and safe AoC Gold at EpicToon.com here!

It’s all about expansion news over the weekend, with some exciting previews in Azeroth and a not-so-smooth launch in Hyboria.

Professions seem to be shaping up well in the next World of Warcraft expansion as seen in a preview of the Profession changes in Cataclysm.

Professions provide skills, gear and money-making opportunities so it’s nice to see them getting some love from Blizzard. In fact, I can even say that professions determine a big chunk of a character’s identity and usefulness in Azeroth. Try making a blood elf without even skinning or mining as his source for income–well, don’t, because you’ll tear your hair out.

Jewelcrafting seems to be gunning for the title of most fashionable–and girly–profession given its new vanity items, rhinestone sunglasses, monocles and sprinklable stardust. Blacksmithing, leatherworking and tailoring will get access to respectable PvP gear in preparation for the new rated battlegrounds, and since most of these will require tons of materials, the leveling skill can jump a few notches with each successful forging.

First aid also seems to have upped its healing capabilities. The new revealed Dense Embersilk Bandage tops up a player for 34,800 hp over 8 seconds, which is far above the current highest Heavy Netherweave bandage that just heals for 3,400 hp over 8 seconds, the new. That’s a 10-times jump in healing and could be an indication of just how vast the hp boost for all classes.

While Cataclysm is steadily gaining positive buzz, Age of Conan‘s Rise of the Godslayer expansion has suffered from back-to-back downtime that prevented players from downloading the expansion content and logging on to explore Khitai. While the lynch mob has resorted to calling AoC developer Funcom as FAILCom, I believe the company did its best given this is their first expansion ever.

The servers are at least up and running now, so I hope those who had been eager to begin farming their faction armors and riding a tiger get to it fast and forget the snags that accompanied the expansion release.

(Pic by Joe Wilson from Blizzard Community fan art)

There’s a reason why playgrounds are memorable for us as kids. It’s where teams are picked for dodgeball/basketball, and where one side inevitably loses their lunch money or dignity. It’s that brutal dirt pit where we learn winning = COOL.

Please, noooooo! Arm bruises are the least painful part of losing.

A couple of decades later, us gamers bring the same mentality in the MMOs we play. Raise your hand if you’ve ever nerdraged at getting crappy race abilities or getting pwned in PVP because you have no back-up in a server with a 1:10 ally ratio?

Developers implement fixes to ‘balance’ the game in this regard, because they know that this source of frustration is also what keeps us involved. Really involved. “For the Alliance, RAWR!” *Equips insignia and tabard*

In the case of Age of Conan, which previewed 12 new factions for its Rise of the Godslayer expansion slated for release this year, it seems they are borrowing a page off WoW‘s profitable playbook by implementing factions as a vital gearing mechanic.

As I understand it, helping a faction kick ass will reap you great loot. And with armor rewards looking this good, then sign me up, sir!

The East is the Beast. Awesome Asian-inspired armor sets could require additional AoC Gold along with faction standing.

But these sweet samurai-esque outfits will come at the price of a rival faction hating your guts. But this isn’t anything new in our dog-eat-dog world. But should you forget, repeat this mantra with me: “Your friend’s enemy is your enemy. Your enemy’s enemy is your friend…”

Of the five revealed factions (five others to come and two hidden in-game), I’m personally drawn to the Scarlet Circle. Nothing screams uber-win than having ‘ultimate power’, as described in the preview:

“The Scarlet Circle has, effectively, achieved its goals. They are the ultimate power in Khitai, as well as the controlling the Entity, which is one of the most powerful artifacts ever discovered.

“The Scarlet Circle as a group of sorcerers is a relatively small circle. There are probably no more than ten or twelve members at any time. However, the Scarlet Circle often hire mercenaries to escort them on their various expeditions. By default the mercenaries then become known as Scarlet Circle Guardians. So while the Scarlet Circle itself is rather small, the organization has a name that extends very far.

I’d be interested to know what quests they’d still be needing outside of keeping everyone away from their mega-weapon. Maybe steal another mega artifact from a rival faction? Who knows, but it sounds fun being the lackey of mighty sorcerors.

We’ll keep you posted when the other factions show off what they have to offer to other adventurers willing to stick out their necks for virtual eye candy. Stay tuned–Conan’s playground is about to get messy!

Welcome to the Epic Verdict where we report MMO trends fast, straight, and most importantly, with a bias. Here you’ll find snap judgments on game developments in the World of Warcraft, Aion, and dozens more. Sometimes we even pick on a baby murloc or two.

We begin in the land of forum flame wars where expletives and sarcasm are the weapons of choice.

January, in particular, sees a spike in online trash talking after MMO websites have handed out their “Best of” awards. Players get their knickers in a knot debating if Aion deserved its accolades, for example, or if Age of Conan winning ‘most improved’ is but a hollow victory.

While I personally think those games are great, I bet all my Aion Kinah and AoC Gold that detractors will drag out the argument for weeks. Sabotage/fixing claims will be slung like Molotov cocktails. Egos will butt heads until the forum mod shuts down the thread.

I believe people should just see MMO awards for what they really are: luck of the draw.  Luck that an editor likes a game better than the rest. Luck that a game had more fans that bothered to answer the poll.

For the unconvinced, I just ask that you mind the three m’s. Make your case, mind the manners, and then move on.

Ninja PuG Groups in WoW: EPIC FAIL

Speaking of bad behavior, there has been an increase of ninja PuGs in the World of Warcraft that came together with the new Dungeon Finder feature.

A little bit of background first on the Dungeon Finder, for the WoW virgins.

Before the latest Patch 3.3, casual WoW players regarded 5-man dungeons like a root canal. There was danger of things going horribly wrong, but in the hands of expert professionals–or in this case, capable party members–the temporary pain was worth it in rare loot.

The problem for Blizzard was that many casual players couldn’t be bothered to take the risk. Too much hassle, they said, in finding cooperative strangers and wasting one hour or so of the little time they had to meet up in the dungeon entrance.

But with the release of the Dungeon Finder feature, players could simply click a few buttons in their menu; wait for their ragtag team to be assembled automatically across different realms, and voila! A pick-up group (aka PuG) is born.

“Wham, bam, thank you for the blues and purples ma’am!” most casual players thought.

But enter the ninja PuGs who are made up of three or four guild members/friends who enter the Dungeon Finder, team up with a random dude who helps them kill the final boss, but then kicks the random dude out of the group before the loot is distributed fairly.

Poor casual player just got dumped like wet toilet paper.

I believe there should be a running list of ninja PuGs. A public list of shame. But since it’s New Year and we’re in a constructive mood around here, we could settle for a loot safeguard system to prevent abusive vote-kicks.

If that doesn’t work, we’ll just have to pay WoW Gold to shame these thieves into obscurity. Watch out ninjas!

TOON IN:

- Nothing warms my heart more than seeing developers work hard to make their games better. Champions Online wants your feedback (the only one who I’ve seen ask for it specifically) on their “Attack of the Misfit Toys” winter event, here.