Funcom is doing their best to entice players back to Age of Conan, offering two weeks of free play for returning players and two weeks of double experience for everyone. Those who choose to subscribe will be given even better gifts.

Sign up for three months to earn a place in The Secret World beta; sign on for six months for a beta spot plus an in-game AOC experience boosting helment; and signing on for a full year gives you all of the above plus a free copy of the AOC expansion Rise of the Godslayer on release. These rewards are eligible from October onwards.

Are Funcom becoming desperate?

“We know that coming back to a massively multiplayer online game demands effort, so for us it’s all about making it worthwhile for former players to come back,” Erling Ellingsen of Funcom told Eurogamer.

“With all the improvements having been introduced to the game, we’re eager to have as many former players as possible be exposed to all the updates. So for returning players we’re offering two weeks free game time, and the ability to level up twice as fast as normal.”

Norwegian developer Funcom seem to be in some financial difficulties for the moment, and are cutting costs by laying off 20% of their current staff. The company lost $34 million last year.

The cuts have resulted in a “significant delay” to their upcoming MMO: The Secret World, which hasn’t been officially dated, but is expected in 2010.

As a Norwegian, I’m hoping Funcom manages to survive and that The Secret World can make up for the anti-climactic release of Age of Conan

Norwegian developer Funcom announce that Craig Morrison has been appointed the new Producer and Game Director of Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures, after co-founder Gaute Godage left the company.

“I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with,” said the exec. “I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom.”

Godage also added that he had had a fantastic time during his 16 years at Funcom, and is certain that Age of Conan is in the best of hands.

Craig Morrison has previously been Producer and Game Director of Anarchy Online, and has also worked as Funcom’s Community Manager before that.

“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,” said Morrison. “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.”