As part of their promotion for Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventure’s release, GameStop offered early access codes to each customer who preordered the game, which would allow them to log in three days prior to the official launch. Also included as part of the package were special bonus items, such as an exclusive War Mammoth mount that becomes unlocked at level 40 and a Mammoth Traveler's Bag.

Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures is set in a low fantasy, pseudo-historical ancient world called the Hyborian Age. The world is filled with cruel gods, mythical creatures, lost civilizations and a struggling human race. Conan, the titular Barbarian, takes over the throne of Aquilonia, but King Conan's grip on the Aquilonian throne is weakening due to ancient evils that plan to throw the world into chaos. It is up to you, a new hero, to carve out your name in destiny.

Like many MMORPGs, Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (AoC: HA) uses the standard race system. The class system is a little different as it is broken up into four archetypes (Rogue, Priest, Soldier, and Mage) and then broken down into the actual class. There are three races that include Aquilonian, Cimmerian, and Stygian. The Stygian race is the only race that can be a mage and the only race that does not have a soldier archetype. Each class has their own special set of skills and is fairly easy to figure out as it follows the normal convention of RPGs. Rogues are fast but have low defense, soldiers are the tanks, priests heal and buff, and mages have offensive magic. The combat is the main attraction of AoC: HA as it is based on the Real Combat engine. There are six different ways to of attacking an opponent with a sword and players can choose where they want to swing. You start with three different areas and then later on it upgrades to six different areas. This leads to an increasing number of deadly combinations. Players can also take part in massive siege operations.