Conan Exiles Celebrates Eight Years with Major Free UE5 Overhaul

Exciting Upgrade: Conan Exiles Enhanced Announced for 2026

Funcom has made an exciting announcement regarding the future of its popular game, Conan Exiles. Scheduled for release on May 5, 2026, coinciding with the game’s eighth anniversary, the title will transition from Unreal Engine 4 to the more advanced Unreal Engine 5 in a free upgrade titled Conan Exiles Enhanced.

Collaboration with Inflexion Games

This enhanced version has been developed in partnership with Inflexion Games, the creative minds behind the survival game Nightingale. The upgrade will feature several cutting-edge rendering technologies, enhancing both the visual quality and gameplay experience. Here are the four key improvements:

Lumen Global Illumination: A state-of-the-art real-time lighting system that enhances dynamic environments.
Nanite Geometry: Technology that allows for highly detailed virtualized micropolygon graphics.
Virtual Shadow Maps: Provides high-resolution shadows that contribute to a more immersive experience.
Improved Terrain: Refined surface and ground geometry for a more realistic landscape.

Performance and System Requirements

Conan Exiles Enhanced aims for a smooth gameplay experience, targeting over 60 FPS across various settings—Low, Medium, High, and Ultra—suitable for most gaming PCs. Notably, the game will support the Steam Deck and boast a significantly reduced client size, shrinking from 120GB to only 40GB.

Multiplayer and Game Features

In terms of multiplayer capabilities, players will be able to host both the original and enhanced maps simultaneously. However, it’s essential to note that users must still own the Isle of Siptah DLC to access that content. In addition, the user interface has been overhauled, featuring improved navigation and cleaner menus. Crafting will also become more efficient, drawing materials directly from nearby storage and followers, eliminating the need for players to carry every item on hand.

Character Customization and Mod Compatibility

Players can look forward to expanded character customization options, including an enhanced “endowment”slider for greater personalization. Many popular mods designed for Conan Exiles will also be compatible upon launch, giving players a broader range of gameplay experiences. Additionally, the Mod Development Kit has been renewed, allowing for greater creativity and adaptation.

Transition from Legacy Version

While the enhanced release will debut exclusively on PC, with plans currently only for the Steam platform, players on the Epic Games Store and Windows Store will continue using the Conan Exiles Legacy version based on UE4. This iteration will have significant drawbacks, such as no official servers, lack of major updates, and the disabling of the Bazaar, which will affect the use of Crom Coins. Funcom advises players to utilize any remaining Crom Coins before the transition date.

Server Transfer Details

Steam users have the option to remain on the Legacy version, but they must act quickly. Official server users must migrate their data before May 4th at 15:00 UTC when all official servers will be shut down and transitioned to UE5. Any character left on an official server will automatically update to UE5 and cannot revert.

As for save migrations, players from the Exiled Lands can securely transfer their characters, bases, and inventory, while those from the Isle of Siptah will need to prepare for a more complex transition. Isle of Siptah bases cannot be preserved due to the geographical changes, so players are encouraged to dismantle their bases and store materials in their followers’ inventories beforehand.

Conan Exiles Enhanced: A Celebration of Community

With these enhancements, Funcom celebrates its community of 15 million players and a legacy powered by 45 major updates.

The vast game world features an impressive 69 square kilometers of terrain, showcasing 13 biomes, 23 dungeons, and various building assets, including 1, 731 armor pieces and 1, 350 weapons. This upgrade not only revitalizes Conan Exiles but also allows Funcom to engage its player base more effectively, particularly as it seeks to navigate challenges with the new Dune Awakening, which has recently shifted to a PvE-first model to cater to its audience.

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