Hello Funcom and fellow Hyborians,
This post comes from a place of deep passion and genuine admiration for Age of Conan. I am a returning player who has recently rediscovered how much beauty, potential, and raw strength this MMO still carries. But that potential is sleeping—waiting for Funcom to see the treasure they are already sitting on.
Age of Conan is not just another old MMO. It is a game with modern design ideas far ahead of its time, backed by a loyal player base that still cares and still pays. In today’s MMO climate, that is a rarity. And it is absolutely worth capitalizing on.
Below is a structured, actionable breakdown of how Age of Conan could thrive again with realistic, achievable steps—many of which require minimal content investment thanks to Funcom’s existing assets.
1. The Business Opportunity: A Small but Paying Playerbase
Age of Conan already operates on:
-
Optional subscription
-
A functioning cash shop
That means the foundation for sustainable monetization is already in place.
Most studios launching an MMO today would beg for this head start. You already have:
-
A working game
-
A paying audience
-
A recognizable IP
-
A fully developed world
-
Years of assets, animations, classes, and lore
Why not build on that?
Players want to support the game—just give them something to support.
2. Expanding the Cash Shop (Low Development, High Return)
Conan Exiles is an excellent example of how to run a cosmetic-driven shop. Regular updates with:
-
Armor sets
-
Cosmetics
-
Weapons
-
Emotes
-
Pets
-
Building pieces
-
Animations
All of these categories already exist within Funcom’s pipeline.
These types of additions could easily be adapted into Age of Conan without requiring new massive systems. Cosmetics are exactly what MMO communities are used to paying for in 2025.
Players are ready. The monetization potential is already proven in your other games.
3. A Reason for Content Creators to Return
Recently, MadSeason, a respected YouTuber from the WoW community, showcased Age of Conan and encouraged his viewers to try it. This is huge free promotion—exactly the sort of moment a studio should build on.
Video link: “Why You Should Try These Old MMOs”
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWvLNCdANOc&t=100s)
The interest is there.
The players are there.
The curiosity is there.
Imagine if Funcom supported that spark with:
-
A small QoL update
-
A cash shop refresh
-
A social media post
-
A short “State of the Game” message
-
A seasonal event
Content creators would jump on it immediately. The community is hungry—literally looking for a reason to cover Age of Conan again.
4. The Game Experience: AoC Is Basically “Classic+” WoW
As a new/returning player myself, Age of Conan feels like:
-
Vanilla WoW’s world-building
-
Modern, flowing combat
-
Gritty, mature storytelling
-
Classic+ quality improvements
The rise of Classic WoW, OSRS, Warhammer Online (private revival), FF14 reanalysis, ESO, SWTOR, and other older MMOs shows a clear trend:
Players WANT older MMOs with modern improvements.
Age of Conan fits this niche perfectly—if given the slightest push.
5. A Treasure Trove of Already Existing Assets
Funcom has something most studios can only dream of having before launching an MMO:
-
Complete libraries of animations
-
3D models and textures
-
Established lore
-
Polished class designs
-
Playable races
-
A simple and effective race/faction system
And beyond AoC’s own assets, you have:
- A massive arsenal of Conan Exiles content:
Weapons, armors, building parts, emotes, character models, cultural sets, hairstyles, racial aesthetics—and more.
These could be adapted into AoC with far fewer resources than building new raids or entire expansions.
No player expects an AoC → CE engine overhaul. We only want movement. Effort. Signals of life.
6. Race & Class Expansion Potential
Currently Playable in AoC
-
Cimmerian
-
Aquilonian
-
Stygian
-
Khitan
Potential Races from Conan Exiles Lore
-
Kushite
-
Nordheimer
-
Turanian
-
Shemite
-
Zamorian
-
Zingaran
-
Darfari
-
Pict
-
Vendhyan
-
Hyborian Tribal
-
Himelian
You could easily justify several new classes and races just from ConEx assets alone.
This is not a request for a massive expansion—just the acknowledgment that the potential is there.
7. Quality of Life: The Easiest, Most Impactful Improvements
QoL is where AoC could shine fast, without huge investment. Examples:
Questing Overhaul
-
Keep Tortage as the iconic voiced experience
-
Simplify post-Tortage quest flow
-
Highlight major lore quests
-
Improve quest tracking UI
Modern Accessibility
-
Better UI scaling
-
Improved interface builder support
-
Updated API for addon creators
-
Controller support (huge for modern players)
Performance & Engine Updates
-
Basic upscaling
-
Stability patches
-
Lighting improvements
-
Texture touch-ups
Many AO files are already in solid condition compared to other MMOs from 2008.
Payment Model Improvements
-
More cosmetic bundles
-
Seasonal passes
-
Store rotations
Players WANT to spend money.
Give them the option.
8. The Hardcore Mode Advantage
Fun fact:
Age of Conan already has Hardcore / Unconquered mode.
World of Warcraft added their Hardcore mode 20 years later.
You had it first.
This is a massive marketing angle in today’s MMO landscape, where hardcore challenges are trending.
But creators hit a wall at level 20 because voiced storytelling stops and quest flow becomes harder to present.
Example: this recent YouTuber struggling to continue Unconquered content after Tortage:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeFdzfFLX14
Give creators a reason to continue past level 20, and they will.
9. Transparency & Presence Matter
Funcom is active on social media for your newer titles.
Why not for Age of Conan?
A single monthly message.
A single roadmap note.
A single “we’re exploring options.”
A single QoL patch.
That alone would electrify the community.
This is not criticism—this is a plea for redemption.
You have a game people still love and want to play.
Don’t let it fade.
10. Conclusion: Funcom, You Already Have Gold
Age of Conan has one of the most dedicated niche communities in the MMO world.
We WANT to play.
We WANT to support the game.
We WANT to spend money.
We WANT to promote it.
You don’t need to reinvent it.
You don’t need to build a full expansion.
You don’t need to rebuild the engine.
Just start somewhere, with:
-
QoL updates
-
Cash shop additions
-
Communication
-
Asset reuse
-
Light modernization
-
Recognition of its potential
MMO communities adore “revival stories.”
FFXIV, OSRS, GW2, Classic WoW—
Age of Conan could easily be next.
You already have the mantle.
You only need to pick it up again.
Thank you for reading,
PowerCandy
We don’t want exiles or TSW or anything else. Just focus on AoC and start working on a new expansion. That and advertising to pc owners and gamers who have never played AoC or an mmorpg before. Players that will appreciate how great it is, rather than getting burnt out, jaded, bitter mmo veterans to come here and then rage quit the moment they don’t get something they want.