Good day to our fellow players and the staff with the Conan Exiles team.
TLDR version: Conan Exiles Allies is a group of like-minded players who have come together to identify issues with the game and present a united front to the Conan Exiles team in a positive way.
What is Conan Exiles Allies (CEA)?
CEA is a group of dedicated players united by our desire to see Conan Exiles (CE) thrive and reach its full potential. We aim to communicate our hopes and expectations for the game while respecting the creativity and autonomy of the Conan Exile developers.
CEA is a player-led initiative born from the communityâs frustration and concerns regarding the gameâs current state. We are a group of passionate players who are committed to improving CE by raising awareness of ongoing issues, providing actionable feedback, and pushing for meaningful changes across all aspects of the gameâfrom communication woes and server stability to toxic behavior and imbalances in gameplay.
We formed CEA because we want to make a difference. We want to advocate for our fellow playersâwhether itâs addressing the Moddersâ concerns, bugs ruining the experience, communication woes, or the over-nerfing of items that negatively impact both PVE and PVP players. We believe that if we come together as a unified voice, we can communicate player expectations of CE.
What CEA is About:
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Community Collaboration: We believe in the power of collective voices. The more of us who come together to share concerns and ideas, the more cohesive a message. CEA is all about working together to create solutions for the issues that matter most to us as players.
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Transparency & Communication: Weâre committed to open communication. As a group, we want to make sure the communityâs feedback reaches the Conan Exiles team in a clear and organized way. By working as a unified group, we can create a transparent channel for constructive criticism and suggestions, ensuring that developers know exactly where improvements are needed.
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Actionable Feedback: CEA isnât just about complaintsâitâs about offering solutions. If youâve spotted a bug, balance issue, or frustrating mechanic, we want to hear from you or see you as part of the solution. We need players who can provide thoughtful, constructive feedback that will help improve the game for everyone.
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A Focus on Long-Term Change: the goal is to create sustainable, positive change for CE. This means advocating for better communication, clearer patch notes, supporting various niche play styles, care for our modding community, more robust updates, and addressing critical issues like server stability.
Why was CEA created?
Conan Exiles is a niche gameâa true gem. It stands out for its superior base-building mechanics compared to many other survival games. The game is deeply rooted in Robert E. Howardâs Conan the Barbarian universe, offering players an immersive experience in the world of Hyboria. With its rich storyline and expansive sandbox features, it has captivated fans of the IP, as well as lovers of sword and sorcery, casual players, hobbyists, and competitive gamers alike.
Released in 2017 to much acclaim, CE quickly became a standout in the survival sandbox genre. Supporting modding and content creation has allowed players to customize and shape their experience, making it a true sandbox where we can play the game the way we want.
However, despite its promise and potential, the game has faced significant challengesâparticularly in maintaining a stable client. With each update, players often encounter bugs on top of bugs. Since the introduction of the âAgesâ updates (Sorcery, War, and Heroes), it has become increasingly clear that there are gaps in the gameâs development process. From a consumer perspective, these updates often lack sufficient Quality Assurance (QA) testing, leading to an environment where players are left without the ability to properly assess and provide meaningful feedback.
This has created upset across the player base, as some feel that the vision of CE is becoming harder to align with. We, as players, recognize the incredible work that has been done and the many positive experiences that have been crafted within the game. This is precisely why we believe it is crucial to unite and have our voices heard.
What are the main points CEA would like to shine a light on?
Client Stability
Request: Prioritize addressing bugs as the main focus of future updates. This should include both longstanding issues and newly reported bugs.
Details
CE is available on multiple platforms, including PC (via Steam, Game Pass, and Epic Games) and consoles (Xbox and PlayStation 4 & 5). While this broad accessibility is a strength, it also introduces several challenges for the development team.
In the past, CE was primarily developed for PC, with console versions being released later after optimization. This resulted in a fragmented player community, as console players often had to wait months for updates, leaving them behind the PC version in terms of the most recent content and fixes.
The Conan Exiles team decided to change this development cycle, aiming for simultaneous releases across all platforms. This shift has allowed all players to receive updates at the same time, but it has also brought the complexities of certification for consoles, which has become one of the key challenges in the development process.
Moreover, as a sandbox game with multiple game modesâSingleplayer, CO-OP, multiplayer (PVE, PVP, and PVE-C), and both official and private serversâCE requires additional optimization. The variety of game modes and configurations can complicate bug fixing and performance.
Despite these challenges, there has been a noticeable decline in the quality of releases. While players may not always be aware of the underlying development challenges, they can feel the impact of these issues, which has led to frustration and division within the community.
Although issues like player infighting and negative feedback are inevitable in any large community, itâs clear that, over the past few years, ongoing instability has become a significant source of stress. Player patience is wearing thin, and while there is no excuse for inconsiderate behavior by some, even the most loyal fans are reaching their breaking point.
The instability has resulted in a wide range of bugs, from minor issues to more severe ones, often tied to specific hardware, game modes, or settings. While some of these bugs may be understandable or can be ignored, the most impactful onesâespecially those that cause significant loss of time, progress, and even moneyâare far more damaging.
To many players, it may seem that measures are being taken behind the scenes to resolve these issues, but the general perception is that the Conan Exiles team has not been prioritizing bug fixes as seriously as many would expect. This has led to a noticeable drop in player loyalty and trust, which in turn has contributed to a decline in active player numbers.
In early summer 2024, the Conan Exiles team acknowledged that the cadence of updatesâpreviously every three monthsâwas not meeting quality expectations. They announced a shift to a six-month update cycle to focus more on quality. However, this change has not been well received by some vocal players, as many feel that the quality of updates released with the longer development cycle has not improved significantly. Instead, the same issues that plagued the three-month cycle have persisted, leading to further frustration.
Releasing new content is important, especially for a live service game like CE. Player requests for fresh content are valid, but it should not come at the cost of the quality of that content. The focus should be on ensuring stability and addressing the core issues first, before pushing out new features or content without the benefit of a stable base.
Reporting Bugs
Request: Streamline the bug reporting process by providing clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Fix the current bug reporting template, or implement an editable template that auto-generates once a new topic is created. Consider creating a dedicated space for bug reports with a triage system that presents live progress updates.
Details
When players encounter bugs or issues in CE, especially those that significantly impact gameplay, it can be frustrating not knowing how to report them. Clear communication on how to report these problems is crucial, and the tools to do so must be easy to use and accessible.
However, most players do not report bugs. Why is this? There are a variety of reasons, including the time commitment, the perceived effort, lack of knowledge of the process, or a lack of confidence that their report will lead to meaningful action. For every person who comes forth, there are 10 likely to say nothing and just deal with it or turn away entirely.
Currently, players can access bug reporting instructions via the launcher, which includes a link to the HELP CENTER. This redirects them to a webpage hosted on the third-party Zendesk platform. Unfortunately, the instructions on this page can be difficult to follow. The correct location for submitting bug reports is not immediately obvious, and while there is a link titled âHow to Report a Bugâ under the Promoted Articles section, it mostly focuses on bug reports for official servers, not for general reporting. Additionally, there is little direction in reporting store purchases.
This lack of clarity can cause frustration, and for some players, it feels as though theyâve hit a wall. Those who dig deeper might eventually find the links for Bug Discussions for each platform (PC, PlayStation, Xbox), but these forum sections can also be confusing for first-time visitors.
To report a bug, players must first create a forum account. After that, they can click on the â+ New Topicâ button, which opens a forum post template. While this template includes instructions and a link to the NEW Bug Report Template, the process is far from straightforward.
The NEW Bug Report Template is designed to help players structure their reports by asking them to copy and paste specific information. However, when the player completes the template and clicks the âCreate New Reportâ button, it often generates a blank post instead of the completed report. The only message that appears is: âThe information you filled out should now be listed below. Please copy this info and paste it into a new report. Thank you!â
The instructions are unclear, and many reports end up being submitted with the template button broken, causing the information to be lost. This can be discouraging for players who have already spent time navigating the maze of links, creating a forum account, and assuming they have used the template properly.
For some, the realization that they need to re-enter the information may come after some trial and error, but for others, the process can feel like another obstacle. After investing all that time and effort, only to have their post closed by a forum moderator with a request to submit the report in the proper format, many players feel frustrated and disheartened.
Communication
Request: Communicate more! Consistently across all channels, ensuring the same information is shared simultaneously, and ahead of time. Be prepared to deploy communication when it is critical. Ensure all communication is clear, concise, and transparent.
Details
Effective communication is a vital aspect of client relations. It creates a sense of engagement, makes players feel valued, and helps build a loyal, informed community.
In the past, CE players often felt that the Conan Exiles team communicated more frequently, providing important updates, sharing the companyâs vision, and keeping players informed about key changes. Unfortunately, this level of communication has waned over time, and many vocal players have remarked that communication now feels disjointed, lacking in clarity, and reactive rather than proactive. There is a sense that staff only respond when pushed, and this has led to frustrations about transparency and engagement.
This approach needs to change.
While the Conan Exiles team do communicate on occasion, their messages often seem inconsistent and constrained. The goal is not to encourage personal conversations or create a sense of favoritism, but to ensure that all players feel informed through clear, global communication. Transparency is key in maintaining trust with the community.
Examples of reasonable communication expectations:
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If a critical bug is identified after a release, it should be acknowledged immediately. The issue should be triaged, and players should receive an announcement detailing the bugâs impact along with a timeline for a fix.
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If there are questions regarding a contest, event, or product offering, attention should be given promptly. Clear clarification and instructions should be provided to ensure players know how to participate and what to expect.
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When a new blog post is published, it should be shared consistently across all communication platforms, including social media and forums. This ensures that all players, regardless of their preferred platform, have access to the same information.
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Special offers, like Twitch drops or limited-time promotions, should be communicated widely. This includes posting about them on social media, the forums, and in-game notifications so that players can take advantage of these events.
By adopting a consistent and proactive communication strategy, the Conan Exiles team can rebuild trust, reduce frustration, and keep the community engaged and informed.
The Beta Testers
Request: Implement a structured Beta Testing program with clearly defined phases that emphasize collaboration and communication. Ensure that the most critical bugs are retested before going live.
Details
Previously known as Testlive, the Beta version of Conan Exiles is a Steam-only client that allows players to test upcoming releases. It offers the community an early look at whatâs coming, giving content creators a chance to make videos and analyses, while providing players an opportunity to test the content and report bugs to the Conan Exiles team.
Currently, the Beta period lasts between 2 and 6 weeks, depending on the release cadence. However, as a testing environment, the instructions and expectations for players are not clearly defined.
The current system for reviewing Beta reports is cumbersome and relies on forum posts, which are not user-friendlyâespecially when it comes to identifying and elaborating on specific issues.
Many players lack proper guidance on how to report bugs effectively and have no direct means of communication with other testers beyond the forums, social media channels, or individual spaces. This creates a fragmented feedback process and makes it difficult for testers to collaborate.
Moreover, when a new release goes live, the feedback gathered during the Beta phase is often not reflected in the final update. Conan Exiles team aggregate the data and apply fixes, but these updates are rarely tested again in the Beta environment before going live. This results in important issues raised during Beta not being properly addressed, and the community feels as though their feedback is being ignored. As much as prior devoted testers choosing to no longer spend their valuable free time in what feels like a thankless, useless effort.
As it stands, the Beta program is often seen as little more than a promotional tool for upcoming content, rather than a vital part of ensuring the stability and quality of the game. Without a more structured and collaborative testing process, the Beta phase fails to fulfill its potential as a means of gathering critical feedback and improving the gameâs performance before releases go live.
The Modding Community
Request: Provide modders with the necessary tools and reasonable lead time for adjustments. Consider revitalizing the âMod of the Weekâ feature to showcase and highlight the incredible work of the modding community.
Details
The CE modding community is one of the most creative and passionate groups of players, and their contributions deserve recognition and support.
Currently, modders are given very little lead timeâroughly two daysâbetween the release of an update and the availability of the Devkit. This short notice has caused significant frustration among mod authors, who often scramble to update their mods before the new patch goes live. The resulting stress not only impacts the modders but also disappoints the players who rely on their mods.
Modders, of course, have the freedom to remove their mods or stop updating them at any time. However, many mod authors pour countless hours into creating mods that enhance the game and expand the player experience, for no financial compensation. These mods are a labor of love. When updates are rushed and modders arenât given enough time to adapt, the process becomes frustrating for everyone involved.
For private server administrators who depend on mods to provide a customized experience for their player base, these delays can cause lengthy disruptions. Players may find themselves unable to connect to servers due to outdated mods, or single-player users may be forced to remove mods temporarily until updates are made. This, in turn, impacts the overall gameplay experience for many players.
Modders do this work for free, using their skills, time, and passion to enhance the game for others. Their efforts must be respected and supported. Giving mod authors more lead time for updates would not only reduce frustration but also help maintain the thriving, diverse range of mods that CE players rely on.
Consoles
Request: Communicate whether there will be an upcoming optimization update for the PlayStation client. Be transparent about how the development team plans to address the limitations of consoles in future updates.
Details
Players on both PlayStation and Xbox face significant difficulties with client stability. While there were improvements made with the Xbox optimization update in the summer of 2021, PlayStation players continue to face ongoing issues.
While PlayStation 5 players may experience some relief due to the consoleâs improved hardware, the game is still available on PlayStation 4, where it struggles to maintain stability. Both PS4 and PS5 players experience severe issues, including frequent crashes, invisible assets, desynch, poor connectivity, and a range of other performance-related problems.
Despite these challenges, there has been little communication from the Conan Exiles team about potential updates or plans to address these issues. The community needs to know whether an optimization update for the PlayStation client is in the works and, if so, when it will be released. Additionally, it would help to have a clearer understanding of how the Conan Exiles team plans to account for the limitations of older consoles in the gameâs future development.
GPortal Servers
Request: Communicate the rationale behind using GPortal for official multiplayer servers, especially considering its apparent inability to handle the client effectively. If GPortal servers are underperforming, is there consideration of using a different host or upgrading to a better server package? What is the future of official multiplayer?
Details
GPortal was announced as the official server partner for CE in Europe shortly after the gameâs release on February 23, 2017. It has remained the preferred host for both official and private servers, replacing Pingperfect. Due to console limitations, GPortal is also the exclusive hosting option for private servers on PlayStation and Xbox.
As the game has evolved and expanded, it has become increasingly apparent that GPortalâs servers are struggling to support the growing player base. Despite the ambitious game optimization updates, performance issues on the official and console servers have persisted, particularly on GPortalâs infrastructure.
Many players report recurring issues on GPortal-hosted servers, including desynch, high ping, severe frame rate drops (FPS issues), and bugs that are usually minor but are exacerbated by server limitations. These issues have a significant impact on the overall experience, particularly for official multiplayer servers where stability is crucial.
Additionally, the Terms of Conduct, Guidelines, and Procedures for players on Official servers have been a source of confusion and inconsistency. These rules are intended to govern player behavior and ensure a fair and enjoyable experience for everyone, but they are often unclear and difficult to understand. As a result, there has been inconsistent enforcement of these guidelines, which creates a chaotic and frustrating environment, especially on high-traffic official servers.
The lack of clear rules and effective moderation only compounds the frustrations players face when dealing with server instability and other performance issues.
With these ongoing issues, the Conan Exiles team needs to communicate whether GPortal will remain the official server host or if alternative hosting solutions are being considered. If GPortal is deemed inadequate, an upgrade to a more capable server package may be necessary to ensure a better experience for the community. The future of official multiplayer servers is a concern, and clear communication on this front would help restore confidence in the stability of the game.
The Role Play Community
Request: Re-engage with the RP community to better understand how the Conan Exiles team can support them in curating their servers on both PC and consoles. Consider showcasing a âRP server of the weekâ.
Details
As a sandbox game, CE offers diverse playstyles, and the Role Play (RP) community has become a large and vibrant part of its player base. This group, often composed of long-standing Funcom players, creates spaces for storytelling, character development, and immersive role-playing experiences. RP servers are a place where imagination runs wild, offering an alternative playstyle that enriches the overall game.
While the RP community has always been strong on PC, its influence extends across all platforms, including consoles. Before the gameâs release, the early Conan Exiles team engaged with the RP community, sharing sneak peeks of upcoming content such as armor designs, hairstyles, and soliciting feedback on what the community wanted. This early involvement was a promising start for RP players. Unfortunately, once the game launched, that communication and connection seemed to vanish and has largely remained absent since then.
The release of Downloadable Content (DLC) not only provided the broader player community with new thematic visuals but also offered RP players the opportunity to expand their storytelling options, especially with mods. This was particularly beneficial for console players who otherwise had no access to mods.
The introduction of the Black Lotus Bazaar (BLB) expanded this creative potential even further, providing an in-game marketplace for RP content. However, both the DLC and BLB have fallen short of meeting the specific needs and expectations of RP players, leaving them with fewer tools and options than they had hoped for.
The Single Player and CO-OP Community
Request: Improve consistency, stability, and player freedom in single-player and CO-OP modes.
Details
Single-player and CO-OP offer unique gameplay experiences, but they are plagued by a variety of issues that undermine their potential. While modding and admin options on PC provide some flexibility, both options to play CE suffer from significant bugs, lack of continuity, and restrictions that frustrate players.
In CO-OP, the âtetheringâ mechanic forces the second player to stay within a fixed distance of the host. This limits exploration and hinders the idea of adding friends to a playerâs individual CE game, often leading players to pay for a dedicated server to avoid these restrictions. A truly free-roaming co-op experience should not come with such limitations.
Both options to play lack persistence: when players are logged out or fail to render an area, progress is halted.
Additionally, decay system bugs randomly delete player structures, even when the system is disabled, leading to frustration, especially for console players who often encounter data corruption. These issues result in lost progress with no clear cause or recourse.
While renting or hosting a dedicated server can solve some of these issues, it comes at a cost that feels unfair for players who have already purchased the game. There should be more control and customization available within the game itself, without requiring players to spend extra money for a stable, persistent experience.
To improve the experience in Single Player and CO-OP, CE should focus on fixing these bugs, offering better continuity, and removing unnecessary restrictions. Players should not have to rely on costly servers or technical knowledge to enjoy a stable, uninterrupted experience. With these improvements, the game could meet the expectations of its player base and offer a more satisfying experience overall.
Comprehensive Patch Notes
Request: Release comprehensive patch notes that detail every deliberate change. If accidental changes occur, update the patch notes and known issues list promptly.
Details
Patch notes play an essential role in keeping the player community informed about changes to the game, explaining what has been altered, added, or fixed, and why those changes were made. The purpose of patch notes is not only to keep players updated but also to help them adapt to the gameâs evolving mechanics and ensure they understand the scope and impact of each update.
However, over the last three years, many patch notes have been lacking important details, particularly around gameplay changes and value adjustments. These omissions often go unnoticed until observant or vocal players bring them upâonly to be met with silence. This lack of transparency creates confusion, especially for players who rely on specific game mechanics or have in-depth knowledge of the game.
In some cases, these missing details seem to be part of a larger internal roadmap, laying the groundwork for future content releases. These changes have been colloquially referred to as âstealth changes,â whether intentional or not. Regardless of intent, the lack of acknowledgment of these changes in official patch notes only adds to the uncertainty and frustration.
Additionally, players have noticed discrepancies in the game regarding value changes to thralls, weapons, armor, and other elements. Sometimes these adjustments are not addressed at all in the patch notes, leaving players in the dark about what exactly has changed.
In other instances, a minor typo or error in the database may go uncorrected for months, further undermining the trust that players place in the patch notes as a reliable source of information.
If changes are intentional, they must be fully explained in the patch notes. Clear and detailed communication is essential to prevent confusion, distrust, and frustration among the player baseâespecially for those who are highly invested in understanding the mechanics of the game.
The Art of Balance
Request: If a nerf is necessary, please avoid making an item, function, or mechanic completely useless, or allow it to unreasonably impact other game modes. The focus should be on balance, not eradication.
Details
With every new content release and systems update, there are inevitable changes to existing items, functions, and mechanics. These adjustments often stem from attempts to address balance issues, whether in response to overpowered items or newly discovered exploits. Both PvE and PvP players are impacted by these changes, though the consequences can vary depending on the context.
When a player brings forward an issue regarding the balance of a mechanic or item, it is essential that the problem is carefully analyzed. The issue should be investigated thoroughlyâquestions should be asked, and tests should be conducted in a multiplayer environment, where the impact is felt most acutely. Once the problem is clearly understood, the necessary adjustments can be made.
What has often occurred, however, is that the solution to balance issues seems to be the elimination of the item, function, or mechanicâs usefulness entirely. Instead of a balanced tweak, we see what is essentially a ânerf to the ground,â leaving players with a hollow version of what they once enjoyed. A perfect example of this is the Sword of Crom, which, after its nerf, is often described as a âwet noodleââan iconic item reduced to something far less impactful.
The community does not necessarily seek to have powerful items or mechanics removed from the game, but rather adjusted in a way that preserves their uniqueness while maintaining balance across all game modes. The goal should always be in balance, not a radical overhaul that strips away player agency or the thrill of using these items.
Black Lotus Bazaar (BLB) Concerns
Request: Consider a la carte options, expand the catalog for more static availability, provide clear item descriptions (including functionality), allow players to view previous items, avoid pay-for-advantage (P4A) or pay-to-win (P2W) items, and implement a clear refund policy.
Details
The Black Lotus Bazaar (BLB) was introduced on June 21, 2022, and launched alongside the Age of Sorcery Chapter 1 on September 1, 2022. Since its release, the BLB has become a significant revenue stream for CE development. It allows players to exchange real-world currency for in-game currency, called Crom Coins, which can be used to purchase a variety of items through the Bazaar tab.
While many patrons enjoy supporting the developers and appreciate the content offered in the BLB, there have been numerous criticisms surrounding its structure and offerings. Some of the key issues raised by the community include:
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Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Time-limited offerings and bundles have created pressure to buy items before they are removed, leading to frustration among players who may not have the time or resources to make quick decisions.
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Poor Communication on Item Availability: There has been a lack of transparency regarding missing aspects of sets and bundles. For example, when a set is advertised, players may be unaware that part of the set is unavailable or locked behind additional purchases.
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Regional Pricing Issues: The pricing model does not always consider regional price differences, creating inconsistencies and unfairness for players in certain areas of the world.
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Vague Item Descriptions: Many items in the BLB lack clear descriptions about their functionality. Players often purchase items without fully understanding their use or impact in-game, leading to disappointment or confusion.
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Crom Coin Package Issues: The Crom Coin packages often provide either too few or too many coins vs. the prices of items, creating an unsatisfactory purchasing experience.
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Slow Bug Fixes: Items purchased from the BLB often have bugs or functionality issues that can take an extended period to fix. This has led to frustration among players who expect a smoother experience when using paid items.
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Connection to Funcom Live Services (FLS): Access to paid items is unavailable if players are not properly connected to Funcom Live Services (FLS), leading to inconsistent access for those who prefer offline play or encounter connectivity issues.
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Lack of a Refund Policy: The absence of a clear and easily accessible refund policy creates uncertainty for players. Without a clear way to return items theyâre unhappy with, players are left with little recourse.
Suggestions for Improvement:
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A La Carte Options: Players should have the option to purchase individual items rather than being forced into bundles. This would give more control over what they buy and allow them to support the developers in a more targeted way.
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Expanded Catalog with Static Availability: Rather than rotating items in and out, consider keeping a broader range of items available on a permanent or longer-term basis. This would allow players more time to decide and avoid the FOMO associated with limited-time offers.
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Clearer Descriptions: All items, particularly functional ones, should have detailed descriptions that clarify their purpose and effects within the game. This would allow players to make more informed purchasing decisions.
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Transparency and Refund Policy: There needs to be a transparent refund policy, outlining under what circumstances refunds can be given. Additionally, providing access to past offerings would help players who missed out on previous items and want a chance to acquire them.
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Avoid P4A and P2W: Ensure that no items provide a competitive advantage in PvP or other gameplay modes. The BLB should never offer advantages that could unbalance the game or create a âpay-to-winâ environment.
The Player vs. Environment (PVE) Community
Request: Address content stagnation in PVE, enforce the Terms of Conduct and Guidelines to curb toxic behavior on Officials, fix exploits affecting PVE, and reconsider over-nerfing items that impact PVE gameplay.
Details
In PVE mode, players face challenges such as content stagnation, where the game feels repetitive due to a lack of meaningful updates or new content. PVE players often feel sidelined, with updates that focus on PVP or PVE-C, leaving their mode in need of more regular additions and fresh experiences.
Another issue is toxic behavior, particularly overbuilding on Official PVE servers. Some players construct excessive, lag-inducing structures, limiting space for others and affecting server performance. Inconsistent enforcement of the Terms of Conduct leaves these issues unresolved, creating frustration among players.
Exploits affecting thralls, building mechanics, and other core gameplay elements also plague the PVE community. These exploits undermine the intended difficulty and fair play, negatively impacting the experience for those trying to engage with the game as intended.
Lastly, item nerfing intended for PVP often renders items ineffective in PVE, frustrating players who enjoy those tools for gameplay variety and challenge. Items like the Sword of Crom, for example, have become practically useless in PVE due to over-nerfing, creating a disconnect between the needs of PVE and PVP players.
To improve PVE, regular content updates, clearer enforcement of guidelines, timely exploit fixes, and a reconsideration of item nerfs are essential to ensure the mode is balanced, enjoyable, and well-supported.
The Player Vs. Player (PVP) and Player Vs. Environment - Conflict (PVE-C) Community
Request: Communicate the efforts being made to address balancing, exploits, and hacking in PVP and PVE-C.
Details
CE began with a strong PVP community, with private PVP servers being among the most popular. PVP gameplay offered a unique, replayable experience where brutal competition played out against the backdrop of a richly detailed world. Whether as a warlord, thief, or lone wanderer, players could use a variety of toolsâboth physical and strategicâto claim dominance.
In PVE-C (Player vs. Environment - Conflict) servers, the appeal lies in a balance between fighting other players and eliminating the requirement to protect oneâs base from destruction. This unique blend of PVP and PVE elements allowed for more varied and dynamic gameplay.
However, as the game evolved, combat and balance changes began to erode some of the core dynamics that originally made PVP and PVE-C so engaging. Many changes to the combat system have resulted in gameplay that increasingly favors newer players, making the thrill of hard-fought battles less satisfying for seasoned veterans. Similarly, large nerfs to certain items and mechanics have created frustration, particularly within the PVP and PVE-C communities, as players feel their strategies and efforts have been undermined.
Instead of creating varied player builds, there is inevitably a pervasive issue with âMeta of the Chapterâ. Where armor, foods, buffs and weapons, to varying degrees, are buffed and nerfed based on internal decisions.
Another persistent issue is the rampant presence of exploits and hacks in PVP and PVE-C gameplay, especially on official servers. In the past, the Exploit Hunters program helped mitigate these problems, but its influence has disappeared. On consoles, exploits remain a problem, though the situation on PC has grown more severe, with third-party hacks becoming more widespread and normalized. These hacks have become so pervasive that they threaten the integrity of the entire PVP experience, making it difficult for private server administrators and official server players to maintain a fair environment.
On high-PVP private servers, the constant influx of hackers makes it increasingly difficult to moderate and enforce fair play. This has led to an overall feeling of powerlessness among administrators and players, who see cheating as part of the experience, rather than something actively being fought against. The introduction of third-party cheating programs has created a toxic atmosphere, resulting in a significant portion of the PVP/PVE-C community turning away from the game entirely.
Suggested Improvements:
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Combat Balance: Reevaluate combat mechanics to restore depth and challenge, ensuring that new players can enjoy the game without unintentionally diminishing the experience for veteran players.
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Exploits and Hacking Solutions: Increase visibility into the ongoing efforts to combat exploits and hacking. Re-establish or expand the Exploit Hunters program, and communicate clearly to the player community what is being done to combat third-party hacks. More transparency around the steps taken to tackle these issues would help rebuild trust in the gameâs competitive modes.
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Community Engagement: Actively engage with the PVP and PVE-C communities to gather feedback and address their concerns.
Official Server Terms of Conduct, Guidelines and Procedures (TOC)
Request: Provide clear, consistent, and fair enforcement of the TOC on Official servers, ensuring players have a clear understanding of the rules and consequences of playing on Official servers.
Details
The Terms of Conduct, Guidelines, and Procedures (TOC) introduced in 2019 were meant to create a more structured environment on Official servers, but many players find them unclear and open to interpretation. This has led to frustration, particularly when enforcement appears inconsistent or biased.
In 2021, the Conan Exiles team increased enforcement, using Zendesk for ticket management. However, this system often causes delays and results in generic, copy-paste responses like âwe hope the situation has resolved itself,â instead of addressing the issue directly. Players report that the review process feels impersonal, with staff focusing on gathering reports rather than assessing their severity. This has caused unnecessary delays and left players feeling that their concerns are ignored.
A significant issue is the lack of transparency. When players are banned or suspended, they receive vague messages that include the suspension duration, but the violation description is often unclear. Additionally, the date listed for when they can rejoin the server is frequently inaccurate, requiring them to wait an extra day. This lack of clarity makes it difficult for players to understand what they did wrong and how to avoid future violations.
Furthermore, the enforcement system is flawed. Inconsistent action and occasional mistakes by staff have resulted in innocent players or clans being punished, while those committing actual violations go unpunished. Players who report violations often find themselves actioned on instead, creating a sense of injustice.
With a total of 740 official servers, itâs understandable that managing such a large number of reports with limited staff resources can be challenging. However, this lack of clarity, communication, and consistency often leaves players feeling as though they are gambling when choosing to play on official servers. Official servers are typically the first point of entry for players into a gameâs multiplayer experience, and as such, they should offer a reliable and clear environment. Instead, players are forced to navigate unclear rules and an enforcement system that may or may not take action when needed, creating an inconsistent and frustrating experience.
Promises/Commitments
Request: If a promise is made, it should be kept. If a promise cannot be kept, itâs crucial to communicate that clearly to the community.
Details
Over the years, there have been several changes that resulted in player dissatisfaction. However, each of these changes was often followed by communication that there was a reason behind it. Whether those reasons were stated directly or not, players trusted that the issues would be resolved in a reasonable time. Trust in a company is built on the belief that their words hold weight.
Take, for example, the decision to nerf pets, accompanied by assurances that they would be revisited in the future. This gave hope to players who relied on companion followers. Many were willing to adjust to the new pet stats, believing that pets would be addressed within a few months. But as nearly years have passed with no significant changes or updates on this frontâand no clear acknowledgment from the Conan Exiles teamâit has severely eroded player trust. When players feel their concerns are ignored and no progress is made, it leads to a loss of faith in the company.
Another example involves the timing of updates. Releases that happen late in the week, such as on Thursdays or Fridays, often lead to problems that go unaddressed until the following week, if at all. The Nemedian stability glitch and various issues with Official servers serve as prime examples of this. When updates are released during this time, it often leads to visibility and action issues, as staff may be unavailable to address the problems over the weekend. Releasing updates earlier in the weekâMonday, Tuesday, or at the latest, Wednesdayâwould ensure a quicker response to critical issues and avoid unnecessary delays.
CE Vision
Request: Create a visible, consistent game roadmap that is clearly communicated and maintained.
Details
One of the most frequently asked questions among CE players is: Whatâs next? And while the sandbox nature of the game allows for a variety of experiences, the truth is, after 7 years, many players still donât know what to expect from the future of the game.
In most Live Service games, a roadmap is a standard tool for keeping players informed about upcoming content, goals, and changes. A well-maintained roadmap provides visibility into the development teamâs vision, showing milestones, projected timelines, and the general direction of the game. While roadmaps can changeâsometimes due to unforeseen challenges or new ideasâthey give players a sense of whatâs to come, and that helps manage expectations.
Occasionally, the CE team has shared partial roadmaps when new content is announced. These glimpses have helped niche communities, such as Roleplayers and Modders plan their next steps and theyâve given the wider player base something to look forward to. However, these roadmaps have often been limited or short-lived. For example, the most recent roadmap, released on May 22, 2023, covered the first Chapter of Age of War. Subsequent updates to the roadmap briefly outlined two additional Chapters before being abandoned, with no new roadmap provided for Age of Heroes.
Without a consistent, clear roadmap, it often feels as though players are left in the dark. This uncertainty breeds frustration, especially when game changes or content releases happen without warning. Having a transparent, regularly updated roadmap not only fosters excitement and loyalty but also helps players understand the long-term direction of the game.
When players know whatâs comingâwhether itâs new content, features, or fixesâthey are more likely to stay engaged, provide constructive feedback, and feel connected to the development process. A roadmap isnât just a list of updates; itâs a promise to the community that their voices and expectations matter.
How to become a part of Conan Exiles Allies?
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Join our Discord. Be aware that there are rules but you can participate as much or as little as you want. Every type of player is welcome!
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Join the Discussion: Get involved in the community by participating in forums, social media, and feedback channels. Share your thoughts on the issues that matter most to you and be part of the conversation.
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Become an Advocate for Change: If youâve been frustrated with game imbalances, toxic behavior, or lack of content updates, speak up! Be an advocate for other players by highlighting key issues that need to be addressed and suggesting practical solutions.
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Help Organize and Lead: We are looking for active members to help organize feedback, compile ideas, and guide the initiativeâs next steps. Whether youâre a modder, streamer, forum veteran, or just a passionate player, your input is invaluable to driving this initiative forward.
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Support the Cause: Share our message, spread awareness, and help grow the CEA community.
Why Join CEA?
Joining CEA means standing together with other players who care about CE as much as you do. Itâs a way to turn frustration into action, to make your voice heard, and to help shape the game you love into something even better. Whether you are a private server RP admin, PVE enthusiast, singleplayer or an RPer, CEA is about creating a better experience for all players, regardless of playstyle, hardware or mode.
We believe the future of CE depends on its community, and CEA is here to ensure that the message is clear about what matters most to us, in hopes that the game evolves in a direction thatâs exciting, fair, and sustainable for everyone. Weâre not just complainingâweâre creating change. And you can be a part of it.