In what can be described as a bit of a surprise, Funcom has just announced that Gaute Godager, one of its founders and the producer/design director for its recent fantasy MMO release Age of Conan, has decided to resign from the developer after 16 years. In a statement that's rather bold and open for an official press release, Godager is quoted as saying, "I have done my very best making this fabulous game, but I have concluded there are elements which I am dissatisfied with. I have decided to act on this, and as a result I have chosen to leave Funcom." While he doesn't state specifically what he will be doing next, Godager says it will be something "outside the gaming industry."

Godager's replacement has already been named. Craig Morrison, previously the producer and design director for Funcom's first MMO game Anarchy Online, will now handle those duties for Age of Conan. Morrison's own statement says his first priority to players of the game is to "...listen to, and act on, player concerns, while ensuring we add additional great content to the game."