Unreal Engine 5 and the technical reset of the game
The biggest change is the transition from Unreal Engine 4 to UE5, which brings modernized rendering, better lighting, advanced effects, and more stable performance. The visual leap is significant, from the depiction of sand and storms to lighting effects and environmental details.
Additionally, Funcom made an unexpected move: the size of the game has been reduced from ~120 GB to about 40 GB, which is a direct result of asset optimization and the new engine.
The Enhanced version also brings Steam Deck support and raises the minimum hardware requirements (16 GB RAM and stronger GPU cards).
Unique world: merging maps
One of the key systemic changes is the merging of Exiled Lands and Isle of Siptah into one continuous experience.
no more separate maps per server
servers can simultaneously host both regions
players can freely move between zones (with possession of the DLC)
This practically transforms the structure of the game from "map selection" to a persistent world.
Changes in gameplay and QoL systems
Enhanced introduces a range of concrete improvements:
more characters per account/server
upgraded crafting (materials from storage and thrall inventory)
improved building and resource management
UI and navigation enhancements
The focus is clearly on reducing micromanagement and speeding up the gameplay loop.
Character migration and server reset (FAQ key points)
Funcom's FAQ highlights critical things players need to know:
May 4th: official servers go offline for migration
all official server data will transition to UE5 format
characters will automatically migrate to the Enhanced version
no going back to UE4 after migration
If a player wants to keep a character in the old version, they must manually back it up before migration using the transfer tool.
Legacy version: practically "end-of-life"
The old version of the game remains available as:
Conan Exiles: Legacy (UE4)
But with clear limitations:
no further development
no new features
Bazaar (in-game store) is shutting down on PC
recommendation: spend or transfer Crom Coins
Legacy will function only as a "frozen" version for private servers and singleplayer.
PC-only (for now)
The Enhanced update is currently exclusive to PC (Steam). Funcom does not rule out consoles, but there are no specific dates or plans.
This is not just an ordinary update; this is a hard reset of the game's technological base.
Funcom has made three strategic moves:
migration to UE5 (long-term sustainability)
merging maps (greater retention and engagement)
cutting the legacy system (less technical debt)
The result: Conan Exiles transitions from "old survival sandbox" to a modernized live-service platform.
