Funcom has delayed their dark, action-oriented MMO yet again, but the truth is, I'm not all that surprised. At CES, the Conan demo machines were crashing left and right. People were talking about release dates, but purely based on stability, the game looked like it wasn't even ready for a beta. It still felt early.

Inbetween the reboots, I managed to get my hands on the game, and also had the chance to throw some questions at the team. Check out my preview for some impressions and answers.

"When healing is done in this game--you know how the combat is based on cone damage?--healing is the same way. We're going to have heal-over-times or instant team heals, so that when you're in a raid, you're going to have to find the people you want to heal, give them a heal-over-time, and then go back and do what you were doing. So you're not just sitting there pushing heal 7, 7, 7, 7. You're actually involved in the game as well." Read More..

GameSpy, GameSpot, Voodoo Extreme, IGN and 1UP all have new Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures previews, checking out the first few hours in the game.

Funcom today announced that its upcoming MMO Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures has been delayed. Previously expected to be released some time this year, the game is now scheduled for a March 25, 2008 release.

"We naturally regret that we have to push back 'Age of Conan.' However, after careful consideration, and analysis of recent Beta feedback, we believe that the new release date is in the best interest of the gamers, our company and our owners," said Trond Arne Aas, CEO of Funcom. "We are fully committed to delivering games with absolute qualities, and in the current MMO marketplace we know that only the best is good enough to truly succeed. With the new release date we have therefore given ourselves more time to meet and deliver on the massive expectations for the game. We are certain that our choice will ultimately pay off, and that all 'Age of Conan' players will get a special online experience."

There's a Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures preview on Eurogamer, going hands-on with Funcom's action MMORPG.

The official Age of Conan website has been updated with a new class preview. This week its on the Priest of Mitra.

The latest Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures preview can be found at GamersInfo.net. It offers hands-on impressions.

IGN is the latest with Age of Conan impressions, as they were also able to go hands-on with Funcom's upcoming MMORPG. More previews can be found at 1UP and Computer & Video Games.

There's an Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures preview on Ten Ton Hammer, offering hands-on impressions. You can also find a preview at GameSpot.

Independent publisher and developer Funcom (The Longest Journey, Anarchy Online) today announced it had received $30 million in private placement funding. The company will use the cash to support the development of its future lineup, including the upcoming MMO Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures.

"We're expecting the launch of Age of Conan to create significant waves in the MMO gamespace," said Funcom CEO Trond Arne Aas. "With the secured additional funding Funcom is in an even better position to... Read more

Fan site Age of Conan Ding! has posted the latest Age of Conan Q&A, asking game designer Jason Stone about the MMORPG. Meanwhile the official site's weekly update covers dungeons.

Computer & Vidoe Games is hosting PC Gamer's Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures preview, offering very brief hands-on impressions.

WarCry has posted a Q&A with Funcom's Gaute Godager, asking the producer about Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. Questions are about use of magic, allies and antagonists that appear in the game, player housing, risk vs. reward for PvP and bringing the game to Xbox 360.

New at Action Trip this morning is this Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures Q&A with Funcom's Jorgen Tharaldsen. Topics include essential characters besides Conan himself, player collaboration, DX10 support, the mature content and beta feedback.

The official Age of Conan website has been updated with a new class preview, offering info on the game's Dark Templar.

The official Age of Conan website has been updated with a new class preview. This week there's a look at the Bear Shaman.

Funcom's Age of Conan website has been updated, offering screenshots from the Wild Lands of Zelata. There's more on this location in the latest newsletter.

Over at FileShack you can find an Age of Conan video development diary. The diary covers the creation of sound and music for the game.

Funcom sends along ten new screenshots from Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, their upcoming fantasy MMORPG. As we mentioned yesterday, you can now sign up to be a beta tester.

Funcom sends along word that you can now sign up for the Age of Conan beta, allowing for plenty of testing before the game's October 30 release. "Just think of it - You – There - On the battlefield. Unleashing devastating damage and death, laughing in the face of danger as you rally forth. Steel and magic, power and war, gods and demons, a barbaric world on the verge of collapse...this is the Age of Conan, this is your chance to shape one of the most anticipated PC games in development."

A new Age of Conan movie can be found on FileShack, showing the peaks of the Eiglophian Mountains.