Funcom

Funcom is a Norwegian company specializing in the development and publishing of video games, known primarily for its online games and adventure titles. Since its founding in 1993, it has established itself as a significant player in the gaming industry.

History and Development (1993-2025)

Foundation and Early Years (1993-1999)

Funcom was founded in 1993 in Oslo, Norway. In its beginnings, it focused on developing games for various platforms, including consoles such as Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES). Among their first titles were games like "Daze Before Christmas" (1994) and "Winter Gold" (1996).

Breakthrough Titles and Expansion (1999-2012)

In 1999, Funcom released the adventure game "The Longest Journey," which gained recognition from critics and players for its deep story and complex characters. This success strengthened the company's reputation in the area of storytelling in games.

Subsequently, in 2001, Funcom introduced "Anarchy Online," one of the first sci-fi MMORPGs, which received numerous awards and expansions, such as "Shadowlands" and "Alien Invasion." With this title, Funcom established itself as a significant developer in the field of online games.

In 2006, the company released a sequel to its successful adventure title called "Dreamfall: The Longest Journey," which further developed the story and game mechanics of the original game.

Online Games and New Projects (2008-2019)

In 2008, Funcom introduced the MMORPG "Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures," based on the world of Conan the Barbarian. The game was well-received and later reworked into a free-to-play model under the name "Age of Conan: Unchained."

Another significant project was the MMORPG "The Secret World," released in 2012, which offered players a modern environment full of conspiracies, myths, and legends. The game was relaunched in 2017 as "Secret World Legends" with adjusted game mechanics and distribution model.

In 2017, Funcom released the survival game "Conan Exiles," which allowed players to explore an inhospitable world full of dangers and build their own settlements. The game gained popularity and became one of the company's most successful titles.

Acquisition and Expansion (2019-2025)

In September 2019, Chinese technology giant Tencent acquired a 29% stake in Funcom, becoming its largest shareholder. In January 2020, Tencent announced its intention to purchase the remaining shares and become a 100% owner of the company. This acquisition was completed in 2020, providing Funcom with stable financial backing for further development.

In 2021, Funcom acquired the Swedish development studio The Outsiders and opened a new branch in Bucharest, Romania, focused on quality assurance and development support. That same year, the company acquired Cabinet Group, owner of intellectual property rights such as Conan, Mutant, and Solomon Kane, and merged them into a new entity called Heroic Signatures.

In 2022, Funcom released several titles such as "Conan Chop Chop," a party rogue-lite game for 1-4 players, and "Dune: Spice Wars," a real-time strategy set in the world of Dune. They also brought to market the rhythm FPS game "Metal: Hellsinger," which received positive feedback.

In 2025, the release of the MMORPG "Dune: Awakening" is planned, which promises players a deep experience in the world of Dune.

Most Significant Games Developed and Published by Funcom

• The Longest Journey (1999) – adventure game with a rich story.
• Anarchy Online (2001) – sci-fi MMORPG with several expansions.
• Dreamfall: The Longest Journey (2006) – sequel to the successful adventure game.
• Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures (2008) – MMORPG set in the world of Conan.
• The Secret World (2012) – modern MMORPG full of myths and conspiracies.
• Conan Exiles (2017) – survival game in an inhospitable world.
• Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden (2018) – turn-based strategy combining stealth and exploration.
• Conan Unconquered (2019) – real-time strategy inspired by Conan, focused on defending a fortress against waves of enemies.
• Metal: Hellsinger (2022) – rhythm FPS game with a metal soundtrack and demonic atmosphere.
• Dune: Spice Wars (2022) – real-time strategy in the world of Dune, combining 4X elements.
• Dune: Awakening (2025) – open-world MMORPG in the world of Dune on the planet Arrakis.

Logo and Visual Identity

Funcom uses a simple and modern red and white logo that reflects its Scandinavian roots and focus on quality gaming experiences. The company is known for its strong artistic style, which is evident especially in games like The Longest Journey, Age of Conan, and Dune: Spice Wars.

The Future of Funcom

With Tencent's support and the expansion of its studios, Funcom is focusing on developing large online games and new IPs. Among the company's key goals are:

• Expansion of the Dune brand – MMORPG Dune: Awakening is one of the most anticipated titles of 2025.
• New survival games – Funcom wants to become a leader in the survival genre, with Conan Exiles remaining a key brand.
• Expansion into the mobile segment – Tencent will likely support the development of mobile versions of successful titles.
• More RPGs and strategies – The company is actively looking for new opportunities in the turn-based and real-time strategy segments.

Over the last 30 years, Funcom has established itself as a significant developer with a strong focus on MMORPGs, survival, and strategic games. Thanks to the acquisition by Tencent, it now has stable financial backing and strong support for its future projects. The year 2025 will be key for Funcom, especially due to the release of Dune: Awakening, which can increase the studio's prestige at an international level. 🚀