"I walk in a land of desperation. A wasteland of the exiled and the outcast. Where the broken strive to build and the weak are crushed while the strong survive."

These are the words of Conan the Barbarian as he strides across a desert wasteland, skulls and bones crushing beneath is sandaled feet.

Conan Exiles is first and foremost a multiplayer game that can be enjoyed on both private and public servers, but it will also feature a single-player mode.

Journey through a vast, seamless world filled with the ruins of ancient civilizations and uncover its dark history and buried secrets as you seek to conquer and dominate the exiled lands yourself. Start with nothing but your bare hands and forge the legacy of your clan, from simple tools and weapons to gigantic fortresses and entire cities.

Starting today, Conan Exiles players will be able to capture foals, train them into valiant steeds and ride them into battle, as Funcom introduces one of the most sought-after features since launch.

The free update grants everyone the opportunity to acquire horses, cutting travel time significantly, as well as adding a powerful new aspect to combat. Players will now be able to joust, swing their swords and even fire arrows from horseback, potentially mowing down unsuspecting victims with lightning speed.

A new follower leveling system is also in place, meaning Exiles can gain experience points for their thralls, pets and horses. Followers will also be able to gain random perks, some of which are rare and powerful.

"Since the beginning, mounts and mounted combat have been a part of the dream that shaped Conan Exiles. It is gratifying and exciting to finally deliver on that dream and give players the mounts and combat experience that they have been waiting for,” says Creative Director Joel Bylos.

The free update is released at the same time as the new DLC Riders of Hyboria, which introduces a bunch of new decorative options, weapons and building pieces. Riders of Hyboria is available for $9.99 / €9.99 on all platforms and as part of the Year 2 Season Pass. It contains:

• 2 exclusive mount skins, one befitting the knight in shiny armor, the other perfect for a dark and gruesome warlord.
• 6 exclusive mount saddles, each suited for different playstyles, such as scout and cavalry.
• 25 new mounts-related building pieces, specifically designed so you can create your own stables.
• 3 new armor sets, including the fabled Poitain Cavalier armor.
• 11 new weapons, including lance, greatsword, katana and warhammer, all originating from the proud nation of Poitain.
• 14 new decorative items, specifically designed to spruce up your stables.

All the new content in Riders of Hyboria Pack is exclusive to this DLC and adds a host of new visual options but does not give any in-game advantage in power. All the new items have comparable stats to existing items.

You are an exile, one of thousands cast out to fend for themselves in a barbaric wasteland swept in sandstorms and besieged by enemies on every side. Grow crops or hunt animals for food. Harvest resources to build weapons and tools. Build a shelter to survive. Ride across a vast world and explore alone, or band together with other players to build entire settlements and fortified strongholds, and wage war against your enemies as you unleash your fury in savage, fast-paced combat that will see limbs flying and heads rolling.

Enslave the bandits of the exiled lands to do your bidding by breaking them on the grueling Wheel of Pain. Sacrifice the beating hearts of your enemies on the blood-soiled altars of your god to seize true power and glory. Summon the colossal avatar of your god and see them lay waste to your enemies and their homes.

You can even align yourself with the Hyborian gods, building altars to their glory and sacrificing the bloody hearts of enemy players upon them to shift the balance of power in your favor. Players will also have to face the purge: a special event where NPC armies from the neighboring kingdoms sweep in to destroy the progress that the exiles have made. Will you stand together with your fellow players against the purge, or will you use it to your advantage?

Just remember: in this brutal land of vengeful gods, bloodthirsty cannibals, and vicious monsters, survival is more than tracking down food and water. Explore mysterious ruins in search of treasure and knowledge, but beware the risk of your mind being corrupted by the dark forces of the world. Traverse vast sand dunes and seek shelter from scouring sandstorms sweeping across the burning sands. March into war against your enemies and unleash your savage fury in brutal combat. Go in unprepared and it will be your head rolling and limbs flying.

Conan Exiles is not an empty sandbox. It is a world rich in history where you must discover the knowledge and secrets of ancient civilizations as you struggle to build your own.

Conan Exiles is currently available on PC, Xbox One, and PS4.