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Original Age of Conan game director talks combat influences
If you've been around the MMO block a time or two, you probably know the name Gaute Godager. If not, he's an original Funcom founder, as well as a game director on 2001's Anarchy Online and 2008's Age of Conan. AoC fansite Assassin's Hideout recently scored an interview with the elusive developer, and it's an interesting read thanks to tidbits about the game's setting and its unique combo combat system. As for the former, Godager says that while Funcom considered many IPs -- including George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire -- the Conan property made the most sense because it lent itself to the "stylized HBO-like grown-up game" the team desired. It also helped that Robert E. Howard's Hyboria license had recently been acquired by Funcom partner Paradox. Age of Conan's combo system is indebted to a 1993 fighting game called Samurai Showdown that served as one of Funcom's very first projects. The developers all took a fencing lesson, during which the instructor said that "all sword fighting [is] based around only six attacks. Up left, up right, straight down, down side up left, down side up right, and stab." Godager says that the explanation stuck with him and ultimately had a significant influence on MMO combat. "Look at EverQuest and draw a line to Neverwinter," he explained. "You will see Conan in there directing the speed, intensity, and flow of combat." [Thanks Slith!]
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Gamers with Jobs tackles barbarians in Age of Conan
Crashes, bangs, and a few broken bones are what combat in Age of Conan is all about. Players do not simply press a button and watch the beatings in this world of chaos. Players carefully judge their foe as axes swing, arrows fly, and swords slash. Attempting to dodge and strike as the action unfolds are novel concepts in the auto-attack world of MMOs. The system used in Age of Conan is so unique, in fact, that it took an armor wearing, staff smacking, fencing guru of a gamer to describe just how wonderful it all is. The man is Julian "rabbit" Murdoch and the battlefield is Gamers with Jobs.Julian has an interesting and entertaining article concerning how a man who loves the art of combat finds the world of virtual battle. Julian says that the combat is fluid, realistic, and full of excitement. "There is a real sense that you as the player are influencing combat." Certainly a change from the mold these days. If you are not excited yet, we can give you at least six reasons you should be excited about AoC. If you are pumped, and want to give it a go, AoC has launched. Go pick up your club and start smacking angry bad guys!
