Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Developer Update

We don’t regularly post the monthly updates for Funcom’s Age of Conan MMORPG, but January’s update is of particular interest because it sounds as if they’re significantly expanding the game for solo players. 

The new solo instances

This was an area that people have been pretty unanimous about that some solo options in addition to things like the villa, and then something more interesting at level 80 would be great additions to the game, and we wanted to deliver on that. So let’s take a look in a little more detail

The Refuge of the Apostate

Let’s start with the level 80 solo instance, called the Refuge of the Apostate, and is found from Kara Korum. The story ties into events linked to the Scarlet Circle and the Last legion and centers around a potential extremist member of the Circle, Tian-Bai. There are a series of quests available that link in to the content for this dungeon. With two faction neutral quests that anyone can do, and special quests for both the Scarlet Circle and the Last legion, everyone will have good reason to seek out the adventures within the Refuge. We caught up with designer Peter Lavoie Massicotte and scripter Jean Pellerin for some insights into what you expect in this dungeon.

(We wanted to provide a challenge for solo players, that wasn’t just a case of beating down on some mobs and the occasional boss,) Peter explains, (we really wanted to make it interesting, and try and use some different mechanics so that the experience doesn’t really fall foul of having to cope for every class. Tian-Bai is an illusionist and has built something of a labyrinth in the refuge. That meant we could make some more environmental challenges that will test you regardless of your class. There are three unique encounters, although one is more an area than a person or a mob, as well as those environment challenges, and it should take around thirty to forty minutes to complete.)

(Maybe not that fast on the first run!) Jean warns though, (The first few times it might take longer until you learn some of the tactics and tricks needed to get the better of Tian-Bai’s traps and minions.)

(That’s probably true!) Peter confirms, (This is intended to be a challenge, and it also changes subtlety every time you play through, so while it won’t require constant re-learning, it will require that you stay alert and don’t think you can coast through.)

Thanks Massively.