After beta testing the ambitious Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures since last summer, Eidos and Funcom have decided to push the release date for the Microsoft Xbox 360 and PC MMORPG back from October 30 until March 25, 2008.

Both firms are adamant that they do not want to unleash the game unto the public unless it is in tiptop condition and feedback from the beta period so far seems to have confirmed that, well, it isn't. "...In the current MMO marketplace we know that only the best is good enough to truly succeed," explained Trond Arne Aas, CEO of Funcom. "With the new release date we have therefore given ourselves more time to meet and deliver on the massive expectations for the game."

Producer and director of Age of Conan shared his boss' sentiments, adding that the extra time between now and next March will be used to polish up on any aspects of the MMORPG still lacking, especially when it comes to entry barriers. Rather dramatically he stated: "...We can now deliver something even more unique and powerful, something which is worthy of the incredible Conan legacy."

Age of Conan: Hyborian Legends is rumoured to have been in development since as far back as 2003, so GamerSquad agrees that it would be an awful shame if the legendary hero arrived pale, weary, unprepared and desperate for some extra time to beef himself up.