Let's hope Funcom smoothes out these technical issues with downloadable updates and new servers added to handle the traffic, because those interested in an epic, open-ended online fantasy adventure will find Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures worth the price of admission.

However, as yet, I'm still dreading online play. Perhaps by level 20 I'll be sufficiently addicted to the game (and, perhaps, feel confident enough) to want to hook up with other players. If that turns out to be the case, then Funcom's sly plan to entice people like me into the world of MMORPGs might just work.

Making an online game these days is tough, as there are few interesting settings left to force into the bizarre mould that is the MMO.

New MMOs have struggled to succeed in World of Warcraft's shadow in recent years, with titles counting themselves lucky to gather a quarter of a million subscribers. Although it's not guaranteed that all current Age of Conan players will convert their 30 days' free play into a subscription, the signs are that this trend has at last been broken.

By Crom, it seems that the developers from Funcom have missed a couple of important patch changes in the July 23 patch notes!

Those of us without an Age of Conan account are left out of watching how the game progresses and builds after launch, as all MMOs do.

The bad news for Age of Conan PvP enthusiasts is that the patch has been put back yet again, and is now due to come out on September 10th. However, if you head over to the Testlive Server - and owing to a new feature, you can now copy over your regular characters instead of starting new ones - you can visit the ad-hoc PvP vendors in Tortage, and see how you like the long-awaited AoC PvP gear. (No, it's not live yet. This is Testlive.)

MTV Multiplayer's Tracey John, speaking with head of Mythic Entertainment Mark Jacobs, has been exploring a line of questioning about the MMO industry in general. They noted the high failure rate for the genre, and the equally high expectations that are now placed on new games by fans and industry commentators. Jacobs offered up, as part of this discussion, some analysis on why Hellgate: London didn't make it, and why Funcom's Age of Conan has been having so many problems over their long first summer of launch.

Almost time for the weekend, a great time for new adventures! Today's One Shots from Age of Conan shows the daring Bear Shaman, Dabursus, after his arrival in the Stygian port of Khemi at dusk. Now that's someone who looks like they're out to find some adventure -- or at least an interesting-looking bar, most likely.

The Hyborian Backpackers have returned to guide you through another of Age of Conan's expansive zones. Last week we ventured across Conall's Valley, and for this next tour, we have moved to another of the game's earlier areas, the Wild Lands of Zelata.