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."

Besides an apparently extensive story, Age of Conan will feature 7.1 surround audio and advanced graphics, as evidenced by the screenshots accompanying the release. The gameplay promises to go "against the formulaic nature of online RPG combat." Using a "Real Combat" engine and a "multipoint melee system," players will be able to target specific parts of their opponents' bodies.