Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Interview
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Q: Uniquely, Age of Conan incorporates a story-driven single-player component before opening up into the game's MMO world. Why did you decide to design the game this way and can explain how both sections of the game will be integrated?
A: We wanted the story driven solo experience to give people a unique introduction to the game and the world. You will actually be playing online at all times. It is not truly a single player game, per se. We may also feature a "coop" mode where people can play this start-up experience together with others if they want to.
It is story-driven and we did this to let players understand and master their gameworld and character before they are thrust into the full, hectic MMO environment.
You will spend your first 5-10 hours or so and 20 levels in this solo experience, only seeing a few other players. Here you will find that your character and its background is intimately tied to that of the King. You will learn the basics of the game, gain access to loads of exciting abilities and equipment and finally be ready to join the larger world.
The storyline is taking place in the Barachian Isles, off the coast of Zingara. You started your life as a slave onboard a galley and got marooned on a beach close to the city of Tortage - a freebooter and pirate village Conan himself visited.
When you are level 20, you can choose to leave the city of Tortage behind on a ship and travel back to your own country: Stygia, Cimmeria or Aquilonia.
The point of the integration is: Not only do you play with your character, that started out in the solo gameplay, all they way to level 80 (or max level) - you also continue on the same storyline. You learn why you are who you are, and why you started your gaming life with your memories wiped clean. Getting back at the person who did it to you is done later, as late as level 80 - that's where it all culminates.
