Interviews
This article and other parts of wikiaoc.com provide a quick introduction to the topic. If you are looking for an in-depth guides from level 1 to 70, we can recommend Killer Guides' Age of Conan Guides. You can also take a look at our review of some of their aoc guides first.
From WikiAOC
[edit] Age of Conan Class Interview #1: The Dark Templar
Interview with Jørgen Tharaldsen, Product Director for Funcom on the Dark Templar
[edit] Video Interview
[edit] 30/06/2006 - The Old Gamers Interview
- Questions
- [Technical] It was recently revealed that Age of Conan is going to be one of the showcase games for the launch of Microsoft’s new operating system, Vista. This should bring more attention and exposure to the game. What does it mean for you behind the scenes though? What (if anything) have you had to do differently now to maybe help accommodate this and get the game to the Vista level now?
- [Technical] Consoles. It has been said that Age of Conan may very well end up in a next generation console and not be only a PC title. Is this still the case and if so, is there any word on what console you may go with?
- [Formation Combat] Formations. What exactly are these “formations” I am hearing about? They seem to be NPC characters that we may have control over. Is this the case? If so, can you please expand on how one would acquire them, how many we can have and how they would be used?
- [PvP] PVP seems to be a large part of Age of Conan. Is PVP being added as a main aspect of the game or, can one play the game and enjoy the content without having to take part in PVP action?
- [PvP] There are different types of PVP from what I understand. Can you give us some information on these different aspects of the PVP system?
- [PvP] The “Drunken Brawling” PVP sounds like fun and may be something that players who normally shy away from PVP may like as well as it is so different. Can you elaborate on this style of PVP play a bit?
- [Crafting] Crafting. It has been said that crafting will be quick and simple. Does this mean that there is not much involved with the crafting system? Or, is it just simple to understand but still has some depth to it?
- [Items] Crafted items vs. loot items. Will items that are player crafted more sought after than loot items? Or, is there a balance between the two?
- [Story] Conan canon. To what extent will we see notable characters from the movies, comic books and other literature? Will they be random NPC’s, quest givers or to what other extent may we see them?
- [Game Features] Are you able to elaborate on any of the “mini game” aspect of Age of Conan? Such as city building, a political system, resource gathering and so on.
- [Single Player Part & Subscription] As there is a single player aspect to this game at the start of the game and that it takes place on the server, is there a subscription fee associated with this part of the game? Or, does the subscription not kick in until after you make the transition to the MMO portion of the game?
- [Classes] As I understand it, character development in regards to selection of archetypes, class selection, profession and so on takes place over the course of many levels. Can you expand on this a bit more?
- [Combat] Combat. As I understand it, there will be six different points of contact on an enemies body that you can pin point your attacks on. What exactly does this allow for in combat and how does it translate visually during combat?
- [Technical] How are the servers going to be set up for AOC? Will people outside of the US be able to play on US servers or will people be limited to servers set up for their “local” area? Also, how will updates/patches be handled? Will they be pushed after a downtime period or possibly during log on with out downtime involved?
- [Beta] Finally, with E3 2006 now over; how was the feedback for Age of Conan during the show? What (if anything) did Funcom take away from the show after being able to present Age of Conan to the public there? Also, when can we now expect beta to open?
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[edit] 16/06/2006 - Shacknews Interview
- Questions
- [Story] What is the storyline behind Age of Conan?
- [Single Player Part] So Conan begins as a single player campaign? Interesting. Tell us more about this: at what level do you branch off into the multiplayer portion of the game; can you play the single player campaign for as long as you wish; etc.
- [Classes & Races] Tell us all about the character creation system: what races and classes are available (and a bit about them); how distinguishable will my, for example, human barbarian be from all the others; etc.
- [AI] Tell us about the "need" system used for the AI in Age of Conan. How does it work, and how will it affect the gameplay? Also, do certain needs take precedence over others?
- [Combat] How does simple combat work? For example, let's say that immediately after waking up on the beach, I find a large piece of lumber. Is it just a matter of point, click, WHACK!, or can I perform combos (or something else unique)?
- [Combat & Items] Will different weapons have different combat functions? In other words, can I perform certain functions with swords that I cannot with, say, an axe?
- [Mounted Combat] Fighting on horseback is a pretty cool concept, but I have to admit that in games such as World of WarCraft, it didn't really change combat all that much. How does mounted combat in Age of Conan work?
- [Formation Combat] Tell us about Formation Combat.
- [Combat] Massive Combat sounds like RTS-meets-MMORPG. Tell us all about this unique take on fighting.
- [Siege Combat] Massive Combat sounds really involved--perhaps too involved? My concern is that, with city and army construction taking so much time, players might lose interest and either drop the notion of MC altogether, or perhaps just attack another city haphazardly, thereby eliminating a need for strategy. How has MC been "balanced," for lack of a better term, in order to keep players interested in its progress?
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[edit] 12/06/2006 - Firingsquad Interview
- Questions
- [Development] First, how has the experience working and maintaining Anarchy Online helped in developing your second MMORPG?
- [Story] Why did you want to create a game based on a licensed property, rather than your own creation?
- [Story] Why was the Conan mythos picked as the basis for the game?
- [Classes & Races] What can you tell us about the playable races and professions you can pick from in Age of Conan?
- [Quests] How will the backstory and quests be handled in the game?
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[edit] 04/05/2006 - ToTheGame Interview
- Questions
- [Game Features] A quick introduction for our readers if you would be so kind.
- [Story] I have to be honest, the first moment I heard “Conan” announced; I really thought you guys were going to recreate some sort of Saturday morning cartoon. Looking at the screenshots I can tell I was a bit mistaken. Care to tell me and our readers how far off the track I was and what Hyborian Adventures is really about?
- [Development] Funcom is responsible for breaching the MMORPG world with Anarchy Online, the first massive online game focusing on the future instead of the traditional medieval genre. Now, with Hyborian Adventures, you’re taking a step back into a lost civilization. What made the team consider such an idea?
- [Game Features] Let’s get one thing on the record; is Hyborian Adventures edged towards more of a single player or multiplayer experience? If you could, expand both branches and give us a slight peak in what we can expect from both facets.
- [Combat] An RPG with a “real combat” engine? How exactly do you plan to pull that one off? Does that mean we won’t need to point and click anymore? Even for online battles?
- [Game Features] So what kind of elements brand this game as a RPG?
- [Game Environment] Can you give us a description on what gamers can expect to see in the land of Hyboria?
- [Formation Combat] You can also create player-made battle formations? For starters, what exactly are they and why would we need to worry about what a formation is in the first place?
- [Siege Combat] I’ve read that gamers can play with neat little things like catapults. This is more than just your average rock and slingshot. What type of arsenal will we have at our disposal?
- [Personal] You’re proudest moment thus far in creating Hyborian Adventures?
- [Game Features] And finally, you’re chance to really grab our attention. What does Hyborian Adventures hold in store that gamers will truly want to experience over and over again?
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[edit] 20/01/2006 - OGaming Interview
- Questions
- [Story] Why, of all licensed properties to choose from, did you folks decide to go with Conan the Barbarian?
- [Story] Fair enough. But what makes the character's adventures uniquely suited to the MMO format?
- [Story] OK, so Conan's king, but what role, if any, will he himself play in the adventure? Just an NPC or will he actually stride the battlefield to defend his crown?
- [Combat] Please describe the combat system in as much depth as possible. What types of weapons can you get? How can you use them? Can you dismember people – certainly this kind of violence is a key part of the Conan lore...
- [Game Environment & Races] Sweet! What regions of Hyboria will you encounter? What races?
- [Single Player Part] Mind sharing a little bit about how the single-player component works? The multiplayer? And how the two interact with one another?
- [Story] How much of the story/setting comes from the comic books and movies? How much from Robert Howard's novels?
- [Game Environment] What kind of enemies will you encounter? And how many will be familiar to fans of Conan's earlier exploits?
- [Combat & Formation Combat] Epic battles: How do they work? What sorts of formations can you create? How many people can participate? The kind of NPCs you can command include…?
- [Siege Combat] Let's talk more about sieges. What sorts of cool stuff can we expect from them? Some of the machines of death you'll offer are? And how does one guild lay siege to another's holdings?
- [Game Features] What sort of factions, if any, can be formed in the game?
- [Combat]Part of Conan's appeal is that he's a one-man army. How do you make players feel the same way?
- [Game Features] Anyhow, you've spoken to this a bit before, but how will Age of Conan truly feel different from all the other fantasy MMOs out there?
- [Game Features] Is play designed for long-term sessions or quick, 30-minute style encounters?
- [Quests] In the comic books and novels, Conan's adventures usually begin when he stumbles over some old cave, castle or hidden underground city. How do players pick up quests here?
- [Crafting] Will there be any role for crafters/merchants in the title, or is it all about the bloodthirsty warriors and spell-slinging mages?
- [PvP] Player vs. player: What's the inside scoop?
- [Personal] Last, but not least – Conan's quite the fashionable type. Just how good would you yourself look in a loincloth?
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[edit] 10/12/2005 - Interview with Terje Lundberg by MMOG Welten
- Questions
- [Development] Please tell us more about the job of the lead artist. What’s your typical working day?
- [Game Environment] Age of Conan got a much darker and more adult atmosphere. Where do your impressions come from?
- [Game Environment] The First buildings and landscape we have seen so far are really fantastic. What kind of other locations will we see in Age of Conan (e.g. jungle, desert...)?
- [Character Customization] Age of Conan looks much more realistic than a lot of other MMOGs so far. What about the character details is there anything you can tell us about character customizing?
- [Development] What do you think is the most difficult part for the artists working on Age of Conan?
- [Development] Step by Step, how do you start a new piece of artwork?
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[edit] 10/11/2005 - MOGGERS.de Interview
- Questions
- [Personal] Could you introduce yourself and tell our readers something about your job at Funcom/Age of Conan?
- [Single Player Part] Many people are already asking how the single player mode in Conan will work. Could you tell us more about this feature?
- [Game Features] In your press release you talk about a mix of a deep, story-driven single-player experience and a massive and brutal multiplayer end-game. What does this mean for players? What can they expect and what is different to other MMOs?
- [Age Rating] Conan is announced as a mature game. This is (as far as we know) the first time developers don't try to get a 12+ years rating. So you expect an older audiance? What is the advantage of this?
- [Content & Beta Test] Conan is announced for 2006. But there is not much content on the official website now. When can players expect more content and information? And the ever question number 1: When can they apply for a beta test?
- [Game Features] Enthralling combat seems to be a major feature in Conan. What else can players expect in terms of roleplaying? What about features like housing, crafting and exploring? How important are such features in Conan?
- [German Players] Do you have something you would like to tell the German speaking fans?
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[edit] 14/10/2005 - MMORPG Interview with Gaute Godager
- Questions
- [Thief Class] People love rogues, but to date the thieves among us have not really had a chance to shine in an MMO. Conan boasts a thief class. Can you tell us a bit about it and what are sneaky friends have to look forward to?
- [Crafting] Your FAQ mentions that at level 40 players branch out into a parrallel development. One is a crafting class. Does this mean all players will need to wait until level 40 if they wish to be a tradesperson?
- [Formation Combat] With “Formation Combat” you boast that players will have control over an NPC group. How will players go about recruiting this group, what impact will this have on multi-player groups, and what will the user interface be like for commanding them?
- [Game Features] It is a constant debate in this genre to balance instanced content vs. online content. A lot of MMO games say they shy away from too much instanced combat so players do not feel like they’re paying a monthly fee for a single player game. Obviously, Age of Conan is going the other way and shooting for the single player experience, especially early. Besides social interactions, what types of things can players expect the online aspects, and their monthly fee, to provide them throughout their journeys in Aquilonia?
- [Player hosing & PvP] It is mentioned that the Picts, an enemy, will build cities and besiege player built cities. This begs the obvious question: can players be a Pict? If not, why and what PvP options will be available?
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[edit] 23/09/2005 - Gamezone interview with Game Director
- Questions
- [Combat] The game is going to have an innovative combat system, which when demonstrated at E3, showed that players will be able to control swing angles on blades. How will all of this be controlled? Will players have similar control over other combat disciplines (if they are allowed to use ranged and magic, that is)? Will there be a system in place for characters to block or dodge attacks? How much of a factor will terrain or weather play in the combat elements?
- [PvP & AI] Will the game have PvP? How will NPC units configure into a player's entourage and how did you configure the AI to create units that fight with a single-minded purpose?
- [Classes] What classes will be available to players and how will they be able to define them and make their avatars unique? What are the class milestones and what is the level cap currently for the game?
- [Single Player Part] At the E3 demonstration, it was stated that players would be playing the first 20 levels in almost a single-player format? First, why did you decide on this and is it an elongated tutorial? Second, what will players have to accomplish in these first 20 levels before moving into the MMO element of the game? Will the MMO element be close to what MMO gamers currently know (as in an open world with quests and goals)?
- [Guilds & Player Housing] Will the game feature clans, guild houses or personal housing? What sort of mark will players be able to make on the world?
- [Crafting] Does the game feature crafting? If so, will crafting offer better armor and weapons and such than players can find? Will players be able to take on the role of a crafter as opposed to an adventurer?
- [Game Features] Roughly how big is this world and is it seamless, or will players zone from one area to the next? Are there level restrictions on the zones? Does the game feature invisible walls, or will players be able to explore almost every inch of the world?
- [Quests] What makes the questing element of this game unique?
- [Story] Are all elements in this game drawn exclusively from the works of Robert E. Howard, or where there other influences that lead to some of the environments and monsters players will face?
- [Personal] What, to you, are the elements that will make this MMO a truly unique and wondrous experience?
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[edit] 02/09/2005 - MMORPG.com interview with Terri Perkins
- Questions
- [Story] For those unfamiliar with Robert E. Howard’s universe, can you tell us a bit about the world and where Age of Conan fits into it?
- [Technical] Graphically, Age of Conan is among the most beautiful games I’ve seen. Can you tell us a bit about what type of computer will be needed to run it and the theory behind your game’s art direction?
- [Age Rating] A very interesting note is that your site suggests the game will be rated “M” for mature. Most games in this genre go for the “T” (teen) rating. Why the decision to go for the older audience, and what type of things will be in that game that make you suspect your rating will be higher?
- [Game Features] To begin with, for those unfamiliar with Age of Conan, tell us a bit about the game and what differentiates it from the pack.
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[edit] 18/07/2005 - RPG Vault Interview part 3
- Questions
- [Combat] To finish up our discussion of combat, what approach are you taking to character death? Will there be penalties, and will they differ between PvE and PvP?
- [Crafting] To what extent will Age of Conan incorporate activities other than fighting, including but not limited to some form of crafting system?
- [Technical] What level of technology are you using for Age of Conan, and how much is proprietary versus licensed? Do you have any sense of the likely system requirements?
- [Technical] What about your server technology? Is it also created in-house at Funcom, and what are some of the notable features?
- [Development] Are you able to discuss your plans in the area of community development and support, or is it still too early?
- [Development] What is the status of development at this time, and where do you stand with respect for planning your beta?
- [Development] Would you care to introduce the Age of Conan team? Who are the core members, and how many are you in total?
- [Game Features] What will distinguish Age of Conan from the many other online projects now available or in development?
- [Casual Gamers] How viable will Age of Conan be for those wanting to play limited hours, and what are you doing to accommodate them?
- [Personal] To finish up in an open-ended manner, is there anything else you'd like to tell our readers at this time?
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[edit] 11/07/2005 - RPG Vault Interview part 2
- Questions
- [PvP] Taking into account the violent nature of the underlying universe, is it correct to assume PvP will be a major element in Age of Conan?
- [PvP] What kind of thinking process did you go through before you started to design the four-part PvP system you're implementing?
- [Development] After or during this process, did you develop a set of guidelines or core objectives core to follow in the actual design?
- [Combat] Will you have large-scale encounters reflecting the epic battles and wars that occur within the Conan property?
- [PvP] What will PvP be like for smaller groups, and are you doing anything to make sure higher-level characters don't dominate these clashes?
- [PvP] It seems pretty obvious that one on one duels will be the third type, but what's the fourth one you've come up with?
- [PvP] Before we move to the next topic, are there other aspects of PvP that you'd like our readers to be aware of?
- [Items] Since weapons, armor and items in general seem likely to be important, what will they be like in your version of the Conan universe?
- [Magic] For those who prefer the magical arts, what kind of system will Age of Conan have? Are there going to be various schools?
- [Game Features] Does this aspect of the game have any other features or elements that our readers might find unusual or otherwise notable?
- [Game Environment] What about the NPCs in Age of Conan? To what extent do you plan to incorporate characters from the property into the game?
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[edit] 08/07/2005 - MMORPGs.info interview
- Questions
- [Races & Combat] Regarding the original writings of Robert E. Howard, each bloodline (Cimmerian, Aquilonian or Stygian) is supposed to have specific fighting style and weapons. Will it be the case in the game ? Will we be able to learn new combat arts like Conan did as a mercenary ?
- [Single Player Part] How long will be the first 'offline' section in the game for an average player ? Will we be allowed more than one character ? If so, will we have to play the 'offline' section for each character ?
- [Age Rating] Conan is announced as a mature game, it's very exciting, could you tell us more ? For eg. we've seen a beheading screenshot, will it be an available fight trick in game ? I was thinking too about some Conan novels aspects like alcohol, Conan's girls, etc.. :)
- [Combat] Concerning real time combat and multipoint melee, it looks like a very impressive feature but what will be the most important in melee ? Character skills or player abilities (swiftness, accuracy)? Could you tell us more about this ?
- [Classes] Questions from some members: will the archery skill be available for range combat ? Also, will the thief archetype be able to hide from ennemies and use dual daggers for eg. ?
- [Game Features] An offline beginning, servers with 2500 players (instead of 3000/3500 for "common" current titles), how do you consider Age of Conan ? A full mmorpg ? An hybrid style between mmorpg and classic games ? A new approach for online gaming ?
- [Game Environment] How big will be the world ? Will all Hyperboree areas from the novell be available?
- [Combat] The fight system seems to be the most important aspect in the game, specially formation combat and sieges. How many opponents the game will be able to handle for a single fight? And how huge fights will we be able to see and participate ? :)
- [Crafting] About the craft, how important will it be in the game ? For exemple, will the crafters learn their own skills and progress without fighting ? Will more social aspect like housing be available ?
- [Personal] Lastly, would you like to say anything more and/or deliver a message to the fans waiting for the game ? :)
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[edit] 20/06/2005 - RPG Vault Interview part 1
- Questions
- [Game Features] Since you've clearly positioned Age of Conan as a different kind of persistent state project, what are the main elements that set it apart?
- [Combat] Would you also include combat on the list of distinctive elements? And what would you like our readers to know about it?
- [Game Features] What factors make the Conan property particularly suitable as the basis for an online action RPG?
- [Game Features] To expand on the previous question, what is it about the Hyborian world that makes it especially interesting as the setting for a massively multiplayer game?
- [Game Features] To what degree is it difficult or detrimental that the Conan saga is violent and that it has rather a sexual element?
- [Story] What are you currently willing to reveal about the setting, where it fits in the Conan timeline, and the overall story element?
- [Single Player Part & Story] Is it correct to assume that the story will be more prominent during the single-player portion of the game? How will it play out in the long term?
- [Game Environment] What kinds of areas will comprise the gameworld and how large will it be overall? How much will be instanced vs. persistent space?
- [Character Customization] What kind of character creation or selection stage will there be, and what key decisions have to be made then as well as later on?
- [Game Features] How about character advancement over the longer term? What kind of system have you created?
- [Combat] Since we've come back around to the topic of combat, is there anything more you'd like our readers to know about your goals for this part of the game, or how the system will function?
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[edit] 19/05/2005 - Gamecloud Interview
- Questions
- [Development] First, how did making a Conan themed MMO come about?
- [Story] There have been many interpretations of Robert E. Howard's stories, in movies, TV, comic books, and more. What is the Funcom team using as its main inspirations for the game?
- [Game Features] Will the Conan game be more action oriented than the typical MMO title?
- [Development] How has the experience with Anarchy Online helped with the development of the Conan game?
- [Game Features] What are some of the more unique aspects of the Conan title?
- [Personal] Finally is there anything else you wish to say about the Conan MMO game at this time?
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[edit] 17/05/2005 - Gamespy Interview
- Questions
- [PvP] Can you give us a brief overview of PvP combat in Age of Conan?
- [PvP] Can we get a bit more detail on the actual system?
- [Combat] What kind of visuals will players see when in one-on-one combat?
- [Game Mechanics] Where is the camera during combat? Does it move around, or is it stationary relative to the player? How do you ensure that players will be able to have a good view of the action?
- [Combat] When players fight one another, are they locked into a combat cycle? Can they get out of it, or does one of the fighters have to be defeated?
- [Combat] Is there a different fighting system for fighting computer controlled mobs than for fighting another player?
- [PvP] Is all PvP combat consensual? If not, how do you determine who can fight each other and where?
- [Combat] How is combat controlled? Can you use just a mouse or do you need hotkeys? Can you use a gamepad?
- [Combat] How do player statistics and armor and weapon abilities come into play? Is there a statistical chance of players missing or is hitting and missing completely under a player's control? If the player does hit how is damage determined?
- [Combat] Can players be disarmed?
- [Items] Do weapons and armor decay through use?
- [Magic] How do you handle magic in combat? Are there traditional spellcasters who act as ranged combatants, and can their spells be avoided?
- [Combat] Tell us a little bit about special moves and combos?
- [Combat] How many moves and combos are there and how do players acquire them? Do they have to learn the moves from trainers or are they quest rewards?
- [Combat] How does this system work with mounted combat?
- [Combat] Can you aim at and kill a player's mount? Does that cost the player money and is the death permanent?
- [Formation Combat] Tell us a little bit about formation and multiplayer combat.
- [Formation Combat] How do players choose who's in charge of a formation?
- [Formation Combat] When and where would players use formations versus a free-for-all?
- [Formation Combat] What happens when a horde of individual players goes up against a group in formations?
- [Formation Combat] How many players are required for formation fighting? How big are the battles?
- [Siege Combat] Tell us a bit about siege combat.
- [Siege Combat] What kinds of siege machines will players get to use?
- [Siege Combat] Can player cities fight one another and will their destruction be permanent?
- [Game Mechanics] How do players communicate with each other in these massive battles, and what happens if a player decides to disobey an order?
- [Combat] What happens when you die in PvP combat vs. fighting against computer controlled mobs?
- [Combat] Is there a particular "feel" for combat you'd like to get across to players?
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[edit] 10/05/2005 - IGN Interview
- Questions
- [Story] Conan is a lot of fictional history to deal with. How did you decide what to include and what wasn't important enough?
- [Story & Single Player Part] Can you tell us about the story that players will experience at the beginning of the game before they enter into the MMO realm?
- [Single Player Part] Why did you decide to include a single player portion of the game?
- [Character Customization] What kinds of customizations will be available to players starting out?
- [Classes] What class choices will players have and what kinds of skills will be available to each?
- [Game Features] The addition of the single player game allows for a much more focused game. How exactly will quests and challenges be different during single player as opposed to multiplayer? Is the single player simply meant to let players have some time to get used to controls and the world in general?
- [Single Player Part] How much of the game world will remain to be explored after the single player game has been completed by a player?
- [Grouping] Will players be strongly encouraged to party up? What kinds of group gameplay features are planned?
- [Formation Combat] Early information pointed to large battles being a major feature of the experience. One of the really cool parts about it are those group formations. What sorts of formations can player teams get into? Can players break formations during combat or are they locked in?
- [Formation Combat] Will players be able to use mounts in formation as well?
- [Combat] What kinds of armies or challenges will players want to gang up on in this fashion?
- [Development] Will there be a live team focusing on creating new content for those that choose to participate in the MMO portion of the game?
- [PvP & Technical] It's been said that there probably won't be a substantial bit of PvP when Age of Conan is originally released. Is that due to lag issues or something else entirely?
- [Game Features] What would you say to players asking why they should play Age of Conan instead of World of Warcraft, EverQuest 2, or Guild Wars?
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[edit] 10/05/2005 - Gamespot Interview
- Questions
- [Story] Tell us about why the team chose to make a game based on Robert E. Howard's Conan and why the particular time period in the novels' series (with Conan sitting on a throne as a king) was chosen for the game.
- [Single Player Part] Could you explain how the single-player portion of the game will work? This part of the game sounds like much more than a tutorial level or two. How in-depth will the introductory single-player game for Age of Conan be? Is the idea to offer a full-fledged single-player game for those who may not want to go online?
- [Races] Tell us about the different playable races that will appear in the game. Will the primary differences between them be cosmetic, or will they have different abilities, different starting locations, or different alliances with different political factions?
- [Classes] What can you tell us about the game's professions, which will apparently begin with base classes of the warrior, wizard, priest, and rogue and will branch from there? How will new players be introduced to the game's professions, and what roles will the classes play once players have completed the single-player game and get ready to go online?
- [Combat] Tell us about the game's real-time combat system. Why was the decision made to let players manually control combat, and what will it add to the game?
- [Combat] Tell us about the game's larger battles. We understand that players will not only be able to group with one another, but they'll also be able to recruit armies of computer-controlled soldiers. How will these engagements work? Will they come to resemble the battles from real-time strategy games? Will hired companies be persistent throughout a character's lifetime?
- [Magic] Tell us about the game's magic system, which we understand will not rely on sparkling particle effects but will instead focus on the darker sorceries featured in Howard's novels. What kind of magic will players wield? Will magic be used for the kind of traditional roles we've seen in online games (healing, protection, controlling crowds of monsters)?
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