Now, Conan fans yearning for adventure on their computer have something to look forward to. North Carolina-based publisher Funcom announced today it is developing Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, a new role-playing game featuring the brawny barbarian. However, unlike the company's most famous game, Anarchy Online, the game will not be a traditional massively multiplayer role-playing game.

Instead, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures will be a PC "online action-RPG" which will be a mix of "story-driven single-player experience and a massive and brutal multiplayer end-game." According to Funcom Game Director Gaute Godager, it will begin as a single-player RPG adventure, and, when that portion's story is complete, will allow players to bring their characters into an MMORPG universe. Said Godager, "Have you not felt the urge when a great single-player RPG ends to have your character live on and interact with other fellow travelers? To enter an even greater world? This is that opportunity, to have a detailed RPG all about you, your choices and your character, and if you win--to share that victory at an even greater stage."

Age of Conan is set after the titular barbarian, following many years of bloody struggle and plunder, has become king of the city of Aquilonia. "But," according to Funcom, "Conan's rule is on the brink of chaos, spiraling towards the doom of ancient evils." The game will incorporate the various elements of Howard's "dark, lush, violent and sinful universe," including "cruel gods, mythical creatures, lost civilizations and a struggling human race."