Age of Conan Game Director Resigns
Craig Morrison replacing Funcom co-founder Gaute Godager.
by Jimmy Thang

September 17, 2008 - Age of Conan Producer and Game Director Gaute Godager has resigned from Funcom; Craig Morrison, the company's former community manager, is taking over. This is a significant replacement for the company as Godager has worked on Age of Conan since its initial conception. Godager was one of Funcom's original founders and leaves the company after 16 years.

His departure stems from his dissatisfaction with Age of Conan. His official statement reads: "I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom. It is time to get new, fresh eyes on Age of Conan, and I wholeheartedly support the appointment of Craig. I have had a fantastic time these last 16 years, and I am very proud of the many things Funcom has achieved. Funcom and Conan will always be a big part of me, but as I now look to new ventures outside the gaming industry I am certain Age of Conan's future is in the best of hands."

While Godager is leaving the company, Funcom asserted in an official statement that Morrison "is the perfect candidate to take Age of Conan to the next level." Morrison previously served as the producer and game director on Funcom's other MMO, Anarchy Online, for several years. Prior to that, he was an Associate Editor at IGN's very own Vault Network.

Morrison said of the transition: "Taking on the position as producer and game director on Age of Conan is a great challenge but also one I welcome. I have a clear conviction I can lead the further development in a good way, evolving Age of Conan into something even better. My main priority now is therefore to listen to, and act on, player concerns, while ensuring we add additional great content to the game." He added, "At heart I will always be a gamer, and the coming changes and additions to Conan will always be done with the gamers in mind. Together I am certain we will shape an amazing future for Age of Conan."

was going to post this but I doubted anyone cared about these forums anymore

It's a bad sign, yes, but I doubt it's "dying". People always go all apocolyptic / the sky is falling about an MMORPG after the first month or two of "ohhh this is new and shiny" wear off, but most MMORPGs still have a 5+ year lifespan.

That sucks though, he did a lot for the MMO genre (basically invented instancing...love it or hate it) - I wonder if he is going to stay in the MMO/Gaming field or do something totally different.

Indi developed/small time company MMOs aside, AO easily had the worst launch in history. There honestly isn't even a close 2nd, and yet it still bounced back rather well.

If there is one thing Funcom has a talent for, it's turning around a nose diving MMO without pissing off the initial user base like WWII online or SWG.

you don't know **** reggs and you're a ****ing ****** too