MMORPG.com: It is a constant debate in this genre to balance instanced content vs. online content. A lot of MMO games say they shy away from too much instanced combat so players do not feel like they're paying a monthly fee for a single player game. Obviously, Age of Conan is going the other way and shooting for the single player experience, especially early. Besides social interactions, what types of things can players expect the online aspects, and their monthly fee, to provide them throughout their journeys in Aquilonia?

Gaute Godager: It is important to tell players that the first 20 levels, the single player experience, will not feature a subscription fee. If you buy the game, you can play this portion for as long as you want, without subscription. It is only in the next 60 levels, the more "normal" MMO portion (though this game is no true MMO, but rather an Online Action RPG) there will be a subscription.

I would not like to participate in the debate about instantiated vs. non-instantiated combat. To me it is all about what you are doing that matters. Sometimes you are on a progression quest, or "Destiny Quest" as we call them, and this features a strong story connection to the game where it will be natural to instantiate. Making the social regions single player would naturally be very silly. The key here is to focus on gameplay, not politics.