Age of conan, Open beta: May 1st 2008.

[Mrbloodworth]

Heads will Roll as Age of Conan moves into Open Beta
Posted: - 17.04.2008

Open Beta exclusively available through FilePlanet.com and partner IGN sites.

50.000 aspiring barbarians may enter Hyboria on May 1st 2008.

Funcom, Eidos and IGN are proud to announce that Open Beta for Age of Conan will start on May 1. The Open Beta will be hosted exclusively by IGN’s popular game download site, FilePlanet.com, as well as being offered through partner IGN sites such as Gamespy.com, Tentonhammer.com and Warcry.com. The application pages at FilePlanet.com are now open for registrations, and gamers from across the world can sign up. As 50.000 gamers prepare their Hyborian assault, rivers of blood are about to flow, and it’s exclusively available through FilePlanet and IGN partner sites.

Linky

[Signe]

I think they're only open to register for notification of the beta sign-ups.  At least that's the way they worded it at Fileplanet.

http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/ageofconan/

(Thank you for the den, Trippy.  You are sweet like cotton candy   }

Edit:  Also this: 

A level 13 cap will be applied to persons participating in the Open Beta. The Beta experience will still give hours and hours of entertainment, and complete class and culture variety, while at the same time giving Funcom the needed focus for an Open Beta

Also:  The Metal Gear Online PS3 only beta sign up for FP members starts today sometime.

[Nija]

It'll take you longer to download the game than reach level 13. I don't know why they are capping it there, as the newbie area is good up to level 20.

[Arrrgh]

I try to be full of hope and optimism so I fit in around here, but I just can't help but see that as CONTENT GOES STRAIGHT TO HELL AFTER L14.

[UnSub]

It'll take you longer to download the game than reach level 13. I don't know why they are capping it there, as the newbie area is good up to level 20.

I'm still under , but oh, do I wish to vent.

[tazelbain]

Definitely a wait and see.  If they are stable and beat WAR out the door it's a big coup for them.

[slog]

Definitely a wait and see.  If they are stable and beat WAR out the door it's a big coup for them.

Don't count on it.

[HaemishM]

It'll take you longer to download the game than reach level 13. I don't know why they are capping it there, as the newbie area is good up to level 20.

I agree that's retarded, and I haven't even played the game. Why level 13? Aren't the first 20 levels meant to be playable either solo offline or online with friends?

[Morfiend]

It'll take you longer to download the game than reach level 13. I don't know why they are capping it there, as the newbie area is good up to level 20.

I agree that's retarded, and I haven't even played the game. Why level 13? Aren't the first 20 levels meant to be playable either solo offline or online with friends?

Argggg.....


 

[Mrbloodworth]

On the subject of content.

I wonder if people sometimes feel a new game "lacks content", because they are comparing it to a game thats has been out for X number of years. I think people have forgotten that most MMO's when launched are only the ground work, the foundation if you will that all other things are built on. Perhaps some mmo's have made us forget this, and forget that MMOs are constantly expanding lifeforms. I feel sometimes people i talk to want a game that has every single thing that the current one they are playing has, at launch... even if the game they have been playing has been out for years and had X number of updates.But at the same time bitch about delays. heh.

[Nija]

Argggg.....


 

It's common knowledge that the first 20 levels are solo/confined. NDA stuff aside, there is no reason for a hard limit at 13 instead of 20.

[tmp]

It's common knowledge that the first 20 levels are solo/confined. NDA stuff aside, there is no reason for a hard limit at 13 instead of 20.

That was leaked a while ago to have changed, IIRC. It's all online now, some of the content ('destiny' quests played at night) put you in instanced version of the area that could be considered "single player online".

Not breaking NDA here since haven't signed any. Obviously, due to it i also have no way to verify that rumour.

[Trouble]

On the subject of content.

I wonder if people sometimes feel a new game "lacks content", because they are comparing it to a game thats has been out for X number of years. I think people have forgotten that most MMO's when launched are only the ground work, the foundation if you will that all other things are built on. Perhaps some mmo's have made us forget this, and forget that MMOs are constantly expanding lifeforms. I feel sometimes people i talk to want a game that has every single thing that the current one they are playing has, at launch... even if the game they have been playing has been out for years and had X number of updates.But at the same time bitch about delays. heh.

I think it's still fair to compare games at launch state. If it's true and content in AoC goes to shit 1/3 the way through the leveling process (or less) that doesn't compare favorably to WoW which had solid content to the level cap at launch.

[Mrbloodworth]

On the subject of content.

I wonder if people sometimes feel a new game "lacks content", because they are comparing it to a game thats has been out for X number of years. I think people have forgotten that most MMO's when launched are only the ground work, the foundation if you will that all other things are built on. Perhaps some mmo's have made us forget this, and forget that MMOs are constantly expanding lifeforms. I feel sometimes people i talk to want a game that has every single thing that the current one they are playing has, at launch... even if the game they have been playing has been out for years and had X number of updates.But at the same time bitch about delays. heh.

I think it's still fair to compare games at launch state. If it's true and content in AoC goes to shit 1/3 the way through the leveling process (or less) that doesn't compare favorably to WoW which had solid content to the level cap at launch.

Don't disagree there. Its ths that i questions: "compare games at launch state"

I'm not sure this happens. Correct me if i am wrong, but Wow added things like battlegrounds later, correct?

[Venkman]

The only valid comparison imho, for people not of the armchair veteran set, is games as they exist against games as they exist. AoC is up against 3+ years of WoW refinement which itself was up against 6+ years of EQ1 refinement. WoW won that handily, in closed beta. I don't know about AoC. Some would pull the "it's not for the DIKU fan" card. But if that's not the case, then they're saying the game is for people attracted to the genre because of it. Even WoW had to cannabalize the genre to hit the records to make it a popular media topic.

Anyhoo, it's worth a looksee. Not sure how much you'll garner through level 13, but it's something.

But ya, a lot of what makes WoW popular for the longtime players came later and then MUCH later. Battlegrounds, most raid zones, Arenas, Honor Points, dailies, etc, all well beyond launch.

[Slayerik]

As much as I want to see this game be cool, 20 days of open beta? lawl

[tazelbain]

Definitely a wait and see.  If they are stable and beat WAR out the door it's a big coup for them.

Don't count on it.

But, my friend, have you considered the possibility of a secret client?

[Mrbloodworth]

Definitely a wait and see.  If they are stable and beat WAR out the door it's a big coup for them.

Don't count on it.

But, my friend, have you considered the possibility of a secret client?

  AKA: miracle patch!

[Simond]

But WAR has one of those as well, apparently! 

[WayAbvPar]

Negative ping code? Is it finally time?

[tazelbain]

Yes, We Can!

[Mrbloodworth]

HOPE!

[Triforcer]

Digging!! (But only vertically)

[Evildrider]

What's even the point?  Will that even give you enough knowledge of the game to be worth it?

 I'm playing AoC cuz I got most of my guildies going to try it out.. although I've made it very evident to them I think the game is doomed. lol

[Tale]

Dejanarchy vu.

[ahoythematey]

If it really is a pvp focused game, maybe comparing it to Shadowbane is better than comparing it to WoW.  It's launch can't possible be as much a clusterfuck as SB, could it?

Guys?

Anyone?

[Signe]

If it really is a pvp focused game, maybe comparing it to Shadowbane is better than comparing it to WoW.  It's launch can't possible be as much a clusterfuck as SB, could it?

Guys?

Anyone?

This will be a Funcom game.  You know better!  The launch could chew off your leg.

[Lantyssa]

So destroying my computer aside, Woolly Mammoth or Rhino?

[Triforcer]

So destroying my computer aside, Woolly Mammoth or Rhino?

I don't think its possible to get a rhino stateside.  At least, I haven't figured it out.

[Lantyssa]

I don't think its possible to get a rhino stateside.  At least, I haven't figured it out.

Pre-order from Best Buy  (since their page doesn't actually mention it).

[Evildrider]

If this is anything like all the other collector's edition rewards that have gone around, these things won't be very useful.  I'd say go with what you think will look coolest and hope for the best.  Neither mount will allow for melee combat, so you are probably getting a horse anyway in game.

[Signe]

YOU GET A DRINKING CAPE!  I mean, really, a drinking cape!!!

[ahoythematey]

If this is anything like all the other collector's edition rewards that have gone around, these things won't be very useful.

Not true, not true at all.  I recently resubbed to WoW and it's awesome how many lies and fabrications I throw at the rubes whenever they ask me how I got my zergling pet.

[UnSub]

Yes, We Can!

[Koyasha]

Given what I've seen so far today, I probably won't be touching this game for months.  I was one of those crazy people that thought Funcom may have learned a lesson from their AO launch and will absolutely have a solid, stable game because they know it's launch suicide not to.  After crashing five times just adjusting video settings before leaving the newbie beach, I have revised my opinion.