The latest MMORPG from Funcom is built on Robert E. Howard's many short stories revolving around a certain age when Conan has gained the throne and is slowly losing his grasp over the kingdom. Threats loom far and wide across the land, while vengeful gods and goddesses hold a strong grip on people's lives.

Located in the Stygian deserts, it is an area of raw evil and corruption. Creatures that call this place home can be considered as some of the greatest challenges Hyboria can throw at you. With great risk comes great reward however, and the treasure this place holds deep inside its halls of death is said to be the finest in the land.

Should MMO players be worried about the uber fast rise of MMO games? Since online gaming is seen as a cash cow by many developers, it is only natural that some are lured to make their own MMOs. Funcom can be considered a veteran in the MMO industry with Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures and Anarchy Online under its belt, but the company expressed concern about making "half-hearted" MMOs.

Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures has been out for almost month and a half now. On the official forums the community has polarized into two distinct factions: those who won't be continuing their subscriptions to the game and those who will gut it out.

In the business of MMOs, developers have to consider one important thing about the game they're creating: long term playability. They've to make the game engaging enough so players keep coming back for more (read: play the game for years). One factor of playability is character diversity and individual abilities and specialties. How many characters can a player choose from? How different is the gameplay for a particular character?

New Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (PC, Xbox 360) screenshots from Funcom! These screenshots from the MMORPG curently feature The Wild Lands of Zelata, a land named after the witch Zelata whom King Conan had once asked for council.