Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Interview

The Game Musketeers has conducted an interview with Funcom’s Erling Ellingsen about their upcoming massively multiplayer RPG, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.

Q: The Conan series is know for its emphasis on massive physical brutality. What role will spellcasters play in a world where force of arms are so prevalent?

A: I can assure you that spellcasters and magic are not neglected in Age of Conan. The world of Conan, Hyboria, might be known for its brutal realism, but its also home for some of the most mystical creatures and some of the greatest mythology in modern literature. While spellcasters will not be your usual MMO fare — meaning that, basically, there will be no wizards in pointy hats — there will very much be the presence of magic and such casters. “Magical realism” is a term we often use when describing Age of Conan, and this rings true in ever part of the game. Spellcasters will be present, and there are several classes that specialize in magic in different forms — from elemental magic to demonic magic. We even have a special gameplay feature called “spellweaving”, which basically is the spellcasting system in Age of Conan. A spellcaster will go into a trance and then combine a series of spells to create one super spell that can be fired off in an instant, creating dazzling and fantastic effects. If the spellcaster overdo it, trying to combine more spells than what his character can manage, he will drop to the ground and become corrupt. There will also be simpler spells, of course. Much of the magic in Age of Conan also revolves around the spawning of demons, and it is possible for several spellcasters to work together when casting spells. Imagine six demonologists conjuring one gigantic demon rising up from the ground below!