Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG [Archive] - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Durelin

01-28-2007, 12:20 PM

I was in a guild for that...about...well, three years ago? And it still hasn't come out, so I must say I've rather lost interest. There's also that money issue. :p

If I have the money, though, I'm a sucker for MMORPGs, particularly when I have people to play with. So I'll keep a BD guild in mind. ;)

Apparently it is pretty good, from what I've heard from CaptainofDespair who has talked to beta testers. It runs a lot like all the other major MMORPGs, so it may not be anything new under the sun...except that it's a Lord of the Rings MMORPG. Not necessarily bad at all.

There is still an issue with PvP, though, apparently. No one seems to know for sure what they're doing with it. They say that there is no straight-forward PvP, but they've hinted that there's going to be some sort of other kind of PvP...how different it can be, I don't know. There also hasn't been any news about that in a while, I believe, so...who knows.

I don't know much else, except that the fact that it switched developers since I first started looking at it had me worried. It seemed to separate itself from the movies nicely, even it's original name of "Middle-Earth Online" further separating it from the strictly people-only-know-about-"Lord of the Rings"-because-of-the-movies thing. I haven't really looked into it in a while, though, so I can't say too much.

Edit: Okay, sorry, apparently Turbine just bought out Vivendi so they would be both publisher and developer.

Farael

01-30-2007, 12:20 AM

Well folks, I got an e-mail the other day saying that I was invited as a stress-tester... and this weekend I actually got to try the game out!!

Now, I'm bound by an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) so I can't tell you MUCH... but the game is REALLY good.

My computer isn't the best out there but still at times the game ran very smoothly (at low graphs levels) so I'm guessing that if I ever get to play when it's not a stress-test (stress-test meaning that A LOT of people are on at the same time to try to test the limits of the servers and whatnot) it should run just fine.

If you want to start a guild (Called Kinships in game, I believe) we could discuss it here... or you can drop me a PM.

The game is really good, but BEWARE... just like the movies, it's NOT the books exactly... so there are some things that your inner mind will say "but this can't happen!!" yet overall it was pretty faithful to Tolkien's work and lots of fun to play.

FeRaL sHaDoW

01-30-2007, 01:17 AM

so farael, how much can you tell us ???

Elmo

01-30-2007, 02:46 AM

he couls tell us all he wants its not like they're spying on Lord of the Rings messageboards looking to see if anyone blabs

Farael

01-30-2007, 09:31 AM

he couls tell us all he wants its not like they're spying on Lord of the Rings messageboards looking to see if anyone blabs
Actually, they are very strict with that... it only takes one barrow-downer who is also in the beta and agrees with the NDA to get me in trouble.

I can't show you any screenshots (I didn't take any anyway) and I don't think I can give you any specifics about the mechanics of the game. As mentioned before, there is no PvP but there is something like it... so if you like that aspect of the game, it's not totally missing. Some have even said that what they have going on is even better. I didn't try it myself.

The game seems to be very well developed. You get to choose your player from any of the four races of "free peoples" (Men, Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves). There are both male and female characters... unless you want a drwaf, they are all male :p

The creators of LoTR Online have made the game in such way that you can play by yourself for most of it... but there are some things that you'd be much better off doing as part of a fellowship (a temporary group, sort of like a short-term guild).

The quests are interesting... there is a heavy storyline behind most of them, it's not just "er... go kill 100 orcs because we don't like orcs". Having said that, there are more quests for each level than what you NEED. Which is great, if you want you can go and do every single one before moving on... or you can move on and then come back if you feel like it (although they will be much easier, obviously).

There is a crafting system in place that encourages players to work with each other as well, so while lone wolves can definitely play, there are clear benefits in working with others.

The graphics are very interesting, to me they have the right "feel"... the music was a little bit lacking at times, but I wasn't playing the finished game so I'm thinking they'll improve a bit on that before the release.

Answering Thenamir's question, I think it's very worth playing. I'm not a big fan of MMORPG's, I had some bad experiences (especially with pvp, getting constantly killed by players immensely more poweful than me... that and the sudden realization i was playing in a community that had several neo-nazis as prominent members, which was quite a shocker!) but this one feels different.

This is all I can think of right now... if you have any question ask away!

Durelin

01-30-2007, 02:38 PM

I've heard more good things about it from other beta testers, too...this is getting me excited. Perhaps I should start looking for some more income soon... :p

I do have a question, Farael (or anyone) if you can answer it: Do you know much about the guild system in-game? I remember bits and pieces from way back, when I was actually in a guild, but I imagine quite a bit has probably changed since then.

My computer isn't the best out there but still at times the game ran very smoothly (at low graphs levels) so I'm guessing that if I ever get to play when it's not a stress-test (stress-test meaning that A LOT of people are on at the same time to try to test the limits of the servers and whatnot) it should run just fine.

That is definitely good to hear!

Kuruharan

01-30-2007, 04:53 PM

I'm going to give it a try.

In fact, I'm planning on using my name from here so it'll be easy to find me.

(Guess what race I'm going to play...go on, guess. I'll give you four chances.)

Luthien Elfmaiden

01-30-2007, 08:05 PM

I have my Pre-Order in and I have my application for beta testing. If anyone is looking for a guild visit http://elvenhome.wordpress.com/ some Downer members who have joined are Alkanoonion and Luthien :)

save your $$ and get the founder deal.
:D

Durelin

01-30-2007, 08:33 PM

Farael

01-30-2007, 08:37 PM

I do have a question, Farael (or anyone) if you can answer it: Do you know much about the guild system in-game? I remember bits and pieces from way back, when I was actually in a guild, but I imagine quite a bit has probably changed since then.
I haven't had a chance to try the Kinship (guild) system, I only tried out the fellowship one. Fellowships are easy to form, easy to run and other than some minor glitches it worked just fine. I'm sure those glitches be fixed for the final release though.

For the record, a fellowship is like a short-term Kinship (guild)... there are probably some more bonuses for a kinship, but you definitely get benefits if you form a fellowship... the game is developed in such way that, while all characters COULD play by themselves almost all the time (save some few "fellowship quests" that you can still try alone but you probably won't be able to survive that) being part of a fellowship definitely makes the game easier.

There's also a way of configuring your chat window for a fellowship-only chat, and you get to see the other players in your mini-map. If you are on a mission of "kill X amount of such creature" or "find X amount of Y thing" all the players pool up their results, so it's A LOT faster that way.

Anyway, is there any interest in forming an (unofficial 'till we all get to play :p) Kinship for the 'downers?

I'm guessing (or at least, hoping) that you like to play focusing on roleplaying rather than mad leveling... and if you are, I'm sure we could all work something out. If you aren't, you all can work something out but I'm prolly not joining in... I'm not that interested in playing just to be the "toughest kid in the block".

Farael

01-30-2007, 08:47 PM

I find the founder deal - the one payment of $199 for "lifetime membership" in particular - mighty enticing, but then I think... I haven't even seen it or played it (though I applied to beta testing recently...heh, what are my chances?), I don't know if it will work on my computer, and I don't know how much time I'll have to play when I go off to lovely college next year...etc., etc.
I have to say that your chances might not be great... but you loose nothing by trying! I think I read somewhere that there's a higher likelyhood for kinships to be invited to the Beta than for individuals alone, but since then I've heard nothing of the like.

And of course it's only after you pay that you're guaranteed the beta test. Do you think I could pay for a month, and then pay for the lifetime membership? Hmm...
Don't quote me on this, but I THINK SO. If you pre-order you are guaranteed a spot in the open beta (which starts by the end of March/beginning of April I think). You don't have to pay until the day the game is released (I believe late April) therefore you'd get to try it for about month, and then you could still opt for the 199 "lifetime membership". Keep in mind that founders get a lower monthly fee regardless.

Goodness...apparently it requires 1 GB of RAM for the beta (backs down to 512 for the regular release, at least)... Farael - You said the game worked fine for you, though on low graphics (which is no problem with me) - how much RAM does your machine have?
512 :D

I should mention two things:
*First of all, the game did not run perfectly though. Usually, after I'd log in I'd have about two hours of gameplay where it would run from extremely smoothly (as good as it would if I was just playing it alone on my computer and not on the Internet and connected to servers and whatnot) to just a tad slow, but nothing that would hinder gameplay... just movements a little jerky and perhaps the occasional two second freeze. After a while though, the game would REALLY start to slow down... until it became unbearable. I believe I wasn't the only one having this problem, it's been reported and I'm sure it'll be fixed.... even then, it could be easily solved by logging off and back on. I should also mention that my computer is slightly messed up, so the fact that it ran smoothly at times is quite encouraging.

*While I'm greatly impressed by the game, I'm actually waiting to see if I get in the closed beta so that I can try out the game after fixing up my computer to see exactly how much of the troubles was the fact that it was a stress-test and how much was my computer not being up to it. I'm pretty sure it was just the fact that I barely have enough disk space to run the game, and that there are some errors that I never managed to fix.

Farael

01-31-2007, 11:09 AM

I recently ran into this

"Chat with the developers" log (http://lotro.warcry.com/news/view/68258-Developer-Chat-Log)

It has some interesting information, although it's such a pain to read! :p

I hope it helps :)

Gilthalion

02-10-2007, 11:49 AM

Game Play Footage on YOUTUBE (http://youtube.com/watch?v=98rXMLtmgmw)

Farael

02-10-2007, 10:14 PM

Thanks to Gilthalion now I don't have to triple-post.

I got invited into the closed beta, so I finally got to try-out the game without it being as crammed as last time. There was a major patch a few days ago, and it must have worked properly because the game is running MUCH MORE smoothly.

I must have played for about four hours today and I found no major problems.

Also, I must say, The Shire is beautiful! it is very well mapped and it just has a "shire-esque" feeling to me.

If you guys have any questions, feel free to ask.. I'll do my best to answer without breaching the NDA.

Durelin

02-11-2007, 10:59 AM

Excellent!

*will keep checking her emails*

They'd better invite me into the closed beta or there's no way they're getting $199 from me. :p

Thanks Farael for all your info!

Farael

02-12-2007, 01:44 AM

Well, since I'm a friendly guy, I decided to contact Turbine to see if my Kinship could join me in-game.

'Cos you guys are my Kinship, RIGHT?! *wink, wink, tap-nose or however you say "play along" in your culture*

Haven't heard from them yet, but who knows? I'm trying out a dwarf now and loving him... and they keep adding content. The game looked ready a couple weeks ago, but now it's getting better.

Who knows what we'll find once the final version is released?

Kuruharan

02-12-2007, 06:56 AM

If it means getting early access, you're darn right I'm in. ;)

What's our name?

(Hasty? What do you mean I'm being hasty? This is important. I'm sure Treebeard would approve.)

Durelin

02-12-2007, 03:01 PM

w00t! Thank you, Farael!! Though I believe it likely you'll have to prove that you have enough people for it to really be a kinship. :p

We do need a name! The Barrow-Downs Troupee...Band...Fellowship?

Oh, and the NDA was lifted today, apparently. :D

Kuruharan

02-12-2007, 04:57 PM

The Barrow-Downs Troupee...I like it. It sounds fun and vaguely nonsensical. :D

Farael

02-12-2007, 06:22 PM

Oh, and the NDA was lifted today, apparently. :D
I don't think so, but nice try :p

And guys, don't get your hopes up too high. It's a long shot, but I figured it'd be fun walking around the Shire with you all. When I first played the game I tried an elven hunter, which was a big mistake... I should have started with...

A hobbit burglar! Like Mad Baggins, who used to go away with a flash and a bang and come back carrying loads of tressure ;)

The Shire is probably one of the better finished areas of the game, and did I mention that you can go visit the Party Tree, Bag End... talk (well, not really talk, but interact with) Gaffer Gamgee, get yelled at by Lobelia S-B... ahhh I really wish they get back to me and let you guys in. It's a really fun game.

Edit: IT seems the NDA WAS lifted today... If you guys have any questions, ask away!

Durelin

02-12-2007, 06:28 PM

Actually I was being completely serious (http://lotro.turbine.com/forums/announcement.php?f=9&a=3), Farael, dear. :p

So what kinds of characters shall be allowed in this lovely new kinship? ;)

*is working on getting a job to insure she has enough money for the game, founders thing, a new laptop, and for her trip to Europe...somehow*

You've almost got me sold. I just need to play it now and get hooked.

Open Beta does start a few weeks before the actualy release (or at least a couple), so we should all at least get the chance to try it out then. And then if I'm successfully hooked, I will be forking over $200 and begging my parents to help me out with my computer situation...unfortunately they know I don't need a gig of RAM and a good graphics card to write papers and do research for college....

Edit: Hehe, cross-posted with your edit, Farael :D

And now for questions... If ya know and feel like answering; if not, no worries.

So does there seem to be enough "quest lines" so to speak? And have you experienced any of those "encounter" type deals? I've never played a game with those before (I've only ever played free MMORPGs, actually, and not very much), and though I've had them explained to me, it would be interesting to see what their like in LOTRO in particular...that is, if you have any idea.

Oh, and though I know you haven't had too much of a chance to do anything, how is the character progression/leveling looking? Is how you develop your character pretty versatile, in character creation and as you level?

Hehe, sorry for all the questions, but I trust your judgment, if you can and want to answer them.

Thanks muchly for all your info!

Kuruharan

02-12-2007, 06:35 PM

unfortunately they know I don't need a gig of RAM and a good graphics card to write papers and do research for college

Tell them that learning how to relate to others is an important part of the college experience.

@ Farael

Have you tried the PVP system yet?

No, its not what you are thinking. I want to be able to go in there and kill the beasties...

Durelin

02-12-2007, 06:42 PM

Tell them that learning how to relate to others is an important part of the college experience.

Along with pwning orcs!

I mean... Well, that's how I've gotten them to support my foruming, and that wasn't too hard...but then, that's free. :D

*jots that down on her speech cards...

Farael

02-12-2007, 06:59 PM

So does there seem to be enough "quest lines" so to speak? And have you experienced any of those "encounter" type deals? I've never played a game with those before (I've only ever played free MMORPGs, actually, and not very much), and though I've had them explained to me, it would be interesting to see what their like in LOTRO in particular...that is, if you have any idea.
There are plenty of quest lines... I'm going to guess that The Shire is the most finished area of the game, and so I'll tell you thinking about it. Playing in Ered Luin with my dwarf and elf there are fewer quests (although still plenty), but in The Shire with my hobbit there are LOTS.

There are also different kinds of quests. Of course you have the proven "go kill X of such beast" but at least they usually give you a good reason (i.e: Kill wolves for pelts, kill orcs because they are making the roads dangerous, or kill Dourhand Dwarves because they stole our gold and we need to make them pay for it).

Then we have the "go find..." Sometimes what you need to find is inside an enemy camp, sometimes it's somewhere out in the wild (where there are plenty of beasts to keep you busy) and sometimes you can only get this something if you kill a baddie and you get that as "loot"

For those of you not used to MMOG's (trust me, I'm still very much a beginner) loot is what you get searching the body of a dead enemy... sometimes you get coins, others some weapons (often crummy, sometimes fancy), others armour or other useful tools.

Finally, specially in the shire, you have a series of quests where you have to help the quick post and so you have to run letters back and forth, while avoiding nosey hobbits, and another series of quests where you have to shuttle pies back and forth avoiding hungry hobbits. Some of those are worth it (and if you do 13 of them you get a bonus "trait" for your character) but these get a little old after a while. Still, they are a great excuse for exploring, even if you don't manage to get wherever you are supposed to go in time.

Oh, and though I know you haven't had too much of a chance to do anything, how is the character progression/leveling looking? Is how you develop your character pretty versatile, in character creation and as you level?

One of the critics I've read in the game forums is that character progression is too linear. Most elven hunters of the same level will have almost the same characteristics (or for that matter, any other two characters of the same type).

While that is true, I think that there are two important things to overcome this. First of all, you have plenty of options during battle and after a while you (or at least I) tend to develop a "style". Certain combinations of skills that you find work best for you. While I'm sure that someone with a lot of free time will develop the "perfect" combination, there's still enough leeway (IMHO) so that no two players will do the same thing, and so they will not really be the same.

And also, you can always add a little role playing into your game and then your characters will be rather unique. Sure, perhaps they will have the same "stats" as any other, but I don't see many dwarves bowing to Dwalin before talking to him. Mine does.

Have you tried the PVP system yet?
I have not, so this is all hear-say, but what I know for sure is that there is no PvP.

Instead, we have "Monster Play". Once you get to level 10 you can find a special NPC in bree which lets you go to a special area and there you can be a monster in the service of the Dark Lord.

On the other hand, when you get to a certain level (I Can't remember exactly, but I think it's around 40 or 45) you can go to that same area with your main character and fight AGAINST the monsters.

This has two main advantages. First of all, it allows you to stand a competitive chance in "PvP" even if you don't have fifty hours to toss into the game every week. Second, it allows the game to stay within the "Tolkien Lore". You can't play an "evil" class as your main character, and elfs killing hobbits who are killing humans who are attacking dwarves would not be too "Tolkien".

From the reviews I've read, I've only heard GREAT things about this PvMP (Player vs. Monster Player) system. It also allows those of us who would rather quest around and enjoy Middle Earth to do exactly that.

Hope that answered your questions... anything else, you know where to find me :p

Kuruharan

02-12-2007, 07:00 PM

Along with pwning orcs!

Tell them it is practice for learning how to defend their future grandchildren. ;)

Durelin

02-12-2007, 07:07 PM

You got away with a lot as a teenager, didn't you, Kuruharan? :p

There are plenty of quest lines... I'm going to guess that The Shire is the most finished area of the game, and so I'll tell you thinking about it. Playing in Ered Luin with my dwarf and elf there are fewer quests (although still plenty), but in The Shire with my hobbit there are LOTS.

So, can you only go to certain places with certain types of characters? Or is it like you start out in certain places with certain types of characters, and have to do things to expand your world or something?

One of the critics I've read in the game forums is that character progression is too linear. Most elven hunters of the same level will have almost the same characteristics (or for that matter, any other two characters of the same type).

So there isn't a great variety of skills? What about appearances, and the variety of items (particularly armour and weapons)? It'll get really boring if everyone's running around with the same gear... Though I understand that this is only the beta.

Sorry I'm picky. Two of my favorite things are messing with my character (appearance and gear and stuff) and looting. :D

Farael

02-13-2007, 01:50 PM

So, can you only go to certain places with certain types of characters? Or is it like you start out in certain places with certain types of characters, and have to do things to expand your world or something?
Well, each race has their starting point, but the world is open. I saw hobbits where the elves start, elves in The Shire, Dwarves in The Barrow Downs ;) (wait, that was me)

So there isn't a great variety of skills? What about appearances, and the variety of items (particularly armour and weapons)? It'll get really boring if everyone's running around with the same gear... Though I understand that this is only the beta.
There are LOTS of skills, and lots of "titles" you can win for your character (For example, my dwarf right now has about eight titles that I can set to show next to my name if I want to.. one at the time, of course) and not only there are lots of armour but you can also use dyes on them to customize them further. What they were complaining about is that everyone can (and for the most part everyone does) get the same skills, there is nothing stopping you from having the exact same set of skills that everyone else.

Still, character looks are very varied (you get to choose from their eye colour to how fat/built they are), there are plenty of different kinds of armour to go around (and even more, several kinds of armour that have the same stats but a different look.

Now, as a side-note, guess where I wondered last night?

I had to go find something at a "hill or a barrow" but not at the barrow downs.. yet the 'downs weren't so far off and I had a quest to do there... even though I wasn't of "high enough level" I tried it out anyway.

IT IS AMAZING!! The feel of that place is truly scary... when I saw my first barrow wight I wasn't sure if I should attack it or run away.

Then I Got over it and killed a couple of them. I also saw for the first time long-ranged baddies... so far as a hunter I've had a bit of an edge one-on-one because I could start shooting arrows at them from afar, use a special skill that's an arrow that slows them down (so I can shoot even MORE arrows at them) and set traps... once I got the hang of how to do everything, I could weaken most enemies greatly before they even got close. Some of them had a little long-range skill, but the Wight Archers were the first it was a shootout. Lots of fun.

And now that you mention loot, those guys tossed out some great things!! At least for a meager level 11 dwarf that I was.

Durelin

02-13-2007, 02:32 PM

Farael

02-13-2007, 10:25 PM

Excellent!

I'm checking my email several times a day now... :p

Hmm...do you think there will be any chance of guild houses on the 'Downs? ;)

At least, they talked about "guild houses" originally; it's been a while, though, so I have no clue if they're still a part of the game...
As far as players go, the jury on player-built houses is still out. I believe the consensus is towards "instanced" houses (i.e: not a building as part of the world, but entering a small map that is the house itself) I think most of us agree that it would be very "untolkien" to find a bunch of houses in the Old Forest.

Still, I have no idea what the Devs are thinking. I have to say that most of my Internet time is going into the game... and as always, my "forum" time is spent here at the downs rather than at the game forum.

Completely off topic, I have to say that, being in another forum for the first time in a long time, I've grown to appreciate even more how great the community is over here. I am absolutely sick of reading through a page and a half of "I totally agree with everything that has been said before" or "pwned, lolz" or even "Yeah, well, I don't care if you think such and such, because I am much better than you because this and this".

Love you guys!! *hugs all around*... no, even better *group hug!!*

Durelin

02-14-2007, 02:29 PM

Yes, I suppose that would kind of shatter the illusion... :D

And yeah, this forum has totally spoiled me! I recall my days on "Ringbearer" being purely out of amusement...

So...

*joins in the group hug*

Perhaps an air group hug would be...less scary? ;)

CaptainofDespair

02-14-2007, 04:15 PM

Completely off topic, I have to say that, being in another forum for the first time in a long time, I've grown to appreciate even more how great the community is over here. I am absolutely sick of reading through a page and a half of "I totally agree with everything that has been said before" or "pwned, lolz" or even "Yeah, well, I don't care if you think such and such, because I am much better than you because this and this".

Don't read the LOTRO "Roleplaying" forum posts. They're even worse.

I think the instanced houses will be more than likely, if houses are implemented. It would make sense, considering they don't have the lore to support an SWG-type system. And random, player-built settlements don't mesh so well in a Lord of the Rings-y environment. It also becomes incredibly difficult to maintain a lower lag when a non-instanced housing area is just sitting around. There'd be almost too much activity for the server to handle.

At least, that's what logic would say.

Who knows though. Vivendi did some weird things when they were the publisher. And Turbine has done some weird things since then. ;)

Kuruharan

02-14-2007, 06:30 PM

You got away with a lot as a teenager, didn't you, Kuruharan?

I am a devoted follower of the indirect approach to life...usually...and that is all I'm going to say about that.

Completely off topic, I have to say that, being in another forum for the first time in a long time, I've grown to appreciate even more how great the community is over here.

You...mean...there...are...other...forums...out... there...in...the...scary...internet?!

*runs and hides in corner*

I think the instanced houses will be more than likely

*Noises of agreement* At one point they were to be part of some phase II, along with expanding the map, but that was the plan a long time ago.

CaptainofDespair

02-14-2007, 08:09 PM

*Noises of agreement* At one point they were to be part of some phase II, along with expanding the map, but that was the plan a long time ago.

Indeed. Supposedly houses and horses would have been implemented with the Rohan/Mirkwood Expansion that'll come out about...oh...a decade or so from now.

These Turbine Devs are tricksey and their minds are not known to us. They've changed their plans so many times now it'd be incredibly difficult to even guess at what's going on. Hopefully the concept of a "beta" has settled them down, though. ;)

Durelin

02-15-2007, 08:53 PM

I got my beta invite! :D :D

Now I can see if this game is worth $250....

FeRaL sHaDoW

02-16-2007, 01:44 AM

i might of missed it but will it ever come to new zealand???

Thenamir

02-16-2007, 12:17 PM

Thanks to everyone, especially Farael and CaptainOfDespair for all the great info -- who knew there'd be this much activity on this thread? I've not received a beta invite yet, but I'm still hoping. I've *never* played in an MMO before (well, as an excuse I can only say that I'm nearly 45 years old, with a job, wife, kids...my free time is very limited...) but I'm seriously considering making an exception for this one.

I doubt very much that I'll take the founder's deal, but I'd gladly be a part of the Barrow-Downs Troupee...hey waitaminit...I'm almost bald enough to wear a troupee...:p

Farael

02-16-2007, 07:52 PM

i might of missed it but will it ever come to new zealand???
As far as I know, they have the game ready for North America and Europe... but I HAVE heard of people from Australia playing. Maybe they bought the game and they play in European or North American servers? the game would run slower, but it might be doable. Although that's just my guess.

I doubt very much that I'll take the founder's deal, but I'd gladly be a part of the Barrow-Downs Troupee...
Keep in mind that the founder's deal has the option of (rather than paying 200 bucks for a lifetime membership) paying a 9.99$ monthly fee (which is a nice discount, I believe they expect the regular fee to be in the 15-19$ range).

If I get the founder's deal, I'll probably opt for the $9.99 fee rather than the lifetime subscription... but you never know.

Alkanoonion

02-18-2007, 09:19 PM

I just got my beta invite so all I need to do now is download the 3.5gig file. I am playing from Adelaide, Australia so I hope that the speed will not be too slow. Thanks for all the info on the game.

Durelin

02-21-2007, 02:46 PM

Argh, second try to post...

Here are some screenshots. When I have more time and energy I'll say more about the game. Yes, yes, a review... All I can say now is I think that I am indeed rather addicted. For the first time in a RPG, MMO or otherwise, I've been able to play a Bard/Minstrel character and not be almost completely useless, and even do pretty well by myself! At any rate, here they are:

These were taken while my brother was playing, actually...

Overlooking the Midgewater Marshes (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00026.jpg")

Lovely waterfall and pond (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00027.jpg)

Pond and trees; yay water effects (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00028.jpg)

Taken while I was playing, and are of my character...

Whole body (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00030.jpg)

Torso closer (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00031.jpg)

Even closer, pretty good shot of face - looky, a scar! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00032.jpg)

Taken on a lower graphics setting than the others:

Some buildings in Archet (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00011.jpg)

The starry night sky (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00013.jpg)

A Hobbit Hole (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00014.jpg)

The Moon (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00020.jpg)

Woopsies...spider on the fence! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00018.jpg)

A Neeker-Breeker! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/Durelin/ScreenShot00023.jpg)

Kuruharan

02-22-2007, 09:03 AM

Oh…heh, heh…I’m sort of in the beta now too. Just got so excited I kind of forgot to mention it here. Unfortunately, (to my considerable exasperation) circumstances have conspired to keep me from playing very much up till now. I intend to rectify this fault this weekend.

CaptainofDespair

02-22-2007, 07:27 PM

I suppose I am in the beta, as well.

Farael

02-23-2007, 05:57 PM

Well guys, if you need someone to show you the rope, make sure you create a character in Brandywine and send a /tell to Earendur (that's my current main character). I have a human, a dwarf and a hobbit so I can easily help you with those classes... and the dwarf is close to the elf starting area so I can help you with him if you decide to be an elf.

Not that I understand why you would want to be one.

Kuruharan

02-23-2007, 06:19 PM

Have we actually founded the Barrow-Downs Troupe yet?

Just thought I'd ask in case I missed something.

Due to server issues I have characters on both servers that have been active this week. Unfortunately, splitting my limited time between two toons means that neither of them has advanced very far. :(

I'm working on it though. :D

CaptainofDespair

02-23-2007, 09:08 PM

Currently I'm on the Brandywine server, as a Human Champion.

And no, I do not think we've founded a troupe. Durelin mentioned it, though, while we were playing through Midgewater Marsh.

Kuruharan

02-23-2007, 10:00 PM

Okay.

My character on Brandywine is Fazi. Unfortunately, he's the lesser advanced of the two. I've been playing mostly on the other.

I go see if I can't pump him up a bit.

Durelin

02-24-2007, 09:14 AM

CaptainofDespair

02-24-2007, 10:35 AM

I am a human female minstrel named Durelin, CoD is playing as a human male champion named Issith.

I'm going to go ahead and set up the BD Troupe today, and we can all at least see what the kinship stuff is like in game. I've got more money in game than I know what to do with, anyway. :D

Oopsies...

I hope you haven't set one up already...I made one by the name 'The BD Troupe' earlier. I, like you, have too much money. ;)

Durelin

02-24-2007, 03:29 PM

Actually the kinship's name is now "The Downs Troupe." Unfortunately "Barrow Downs" is an illegal name to use...it makes sense that it would be, but it's still frustrating. We're totally justified!

I played briefly as an Elf on Meneldor server, and I must say...you have to try an Elf because of Edhelion, where you start out. It's gorgeous!

Anyway, I think I'm buying the game. :D

Kuruharan

02-24-2007, 04:44 PM

What was your Elf's name?

I've been on Meneldor most of the day playing as Khaless (a play on the Klingon character Kahless. Of course, this fooled absolutely nobody and people have been walking up to me saying "Qapla!" since the toon was born).

Which server is the Downs Troupe on? Is it possible to have the same kinship on different servers or does it have to be founded on each server?

Durelin

02-24-2007, 06:57 PM

Haha, love the name!

My elf's name is Sairien. And yeah, the server thing is rather frustrating. "The Downs Troupe" was created on Brandywine server, and I think that it is limited to the server, because it is based around the character that created it. Yes, that means I'm the "leader" at this point. :eek: Don't worry, that can change. ;)

Unfortunately I created my minstrel on Brandywine, and I love minstrels/bards, so I'm rather hooked there. I should really branch out more, I know. :D

Kuruharan

02-25-2007, 07:10 AM

Khaless is a minstrel too. I like him better than Fazi, who is a guardian. However, from my experience from being in a fellowship last night that didn't have a guardian...I discovered that guardians are kind of a bit necessary. The wrong people were continually getting the arrgo and it was really hard to distract the mobs with no guardian.

Anyway, we lot are going to have to get organized. I was on Brandywine for a little bit last night and tried to get ahold of you guys. But that lasted for all of five minutes before Brandywine completely crashed (again). So I switched over to Khaless and played him for the rest of the night.

I think we may have to set a time for all of us to try and be online.

I'm going to try and play Fazi today and (finally) get him leveled up a bit, so if you are on Brandywine you can keep trying to IM him and I'll do the same.

Durelin

02-25-2007, 08:58 AM

The best way to keep an eye out for people is to add them to your friends list in the social panel. It should tell you then when people come online, and if they are green on the list, they are. (Sorry if you already know this, it just took me a while to figure out. :D)

I know I can't really plan when I'll be online, only becase I have to play on the family computer. I only really have to fight with my brother for it, but sometimes my dad as well. So I'm used to finding myself disappointed when it comes to planning. Sorry!

Typically I'll be on in the early evening on weekdays, and the early half of the day on weekends (EST), if I dare give a usual.

Farael

02-26-2007, 06:47 PM

Oh My......

I don't know if you guys have done so already, but you MUST visit Tom Bombadil in the Old Forest... it's very tricky to get there, and you better watch out for the Huorns and other nasty creatures...

The house itself is pretty but it didn't blow me away... what DID was the music! OH MY.... If there is any music that is more Tom Bombadillesque I've never heard it.

CaptainofDespair

02-26-2007, 07:36 PM

The house itself is pretty but it didn't blow me away... what DID was the music! OH MY.... If there is any music that is more Tom Bombadillesque I've never heard it.

Agreed. But Tom is not very Bombadilly. His boots simply aren't bright enough to me.

And he looks too much like Grizzly Adams Mountain Man. ;)

Kuruharan

03-02-2007, 06:54 AM

Just thought I'd mention to anybody who didn't know, but the tavern in Michel Delving is called The Bird and Baby. :D

Farael

03-06-2007, 04:27 PM

What do you guys think about the looks of the misterious "Strider"?

At first I thought he looked a little unimpressive, but after taking a closer look, I think that they did a good job in capturing that "he is more than meets the eye" kind of presence.

So now that most of us have been playing for a while, what are your collective thoughts on the game?

CaptainofDespair

03-06-2007, 08:41 PM

Well, my impressions of the game are mostly good.

I really enjoy the presentation of LOTRO. I think, rather than capturing a "realistic" look, they did very well to bring out an artistic rendition (like in a work by Howe).

Most of the games mechanics seems to be put together pretty well. However, I feel there are a few minor problems. I do not like the way the item durability system works (i.e. the loss of durability for inventory items that are not actually engaged in the game action). Related to the above issue, is that of the actual durability of items. I feel certain things wear out far too quickly. I find it difficult to complete longer instances, such as the Great Barrow, as both my used items wear down, my inventory replacements wear down, and there is no way it seems to repair items in the field, even if they are only temporary ones.

But, basically, I really enjoy the game. I particularly love Trestlebridge and Fornost. :P

Kuruharan

03-07-2007, 02:27 PM

I really enjoy the presentation of LOTRO. I think, rather than capturing a "realistic" look, they did very well to bring out an artistic rendition (like in a work by Howe).

I'm afraid we slightly disagree there. I think some of it looks entirely too Conany.

I do not like the way the item durability system works

Completely agreed.

I also think that some of the resource distribution in the game needs work. There is far, far too much metal lying about the Shire, you can't go anywhere without tripping over the stuff. In the Blue Mountains you have to hunt and hunt and hunt for it. Something there does not seem quite right.

CaptainofDespair

03-07-2007, 02:31 PM

I also think that some of the resource distribution in the game needs work. There is far, far too much metal lying about the Shire, you can't go anywhere without tripping over the stuff. In the Blue Mountains you have to hunt and hunt and hunt for it. Something there does not seem quite right.

Yes, yes it does. Though, maybe that's representative of the dwarves' strip mining? ;)

But, there is a patch coming out today. So maybe that'll fix several of the issues we have with LOTRO.

Child of the 7th Age

03-07-2007, 09:55 PM

Thanks to everyone for all this information. I think I'll consider this in the summer when my schedule opens up a bit.

I also found this review (http://media.www.dailylobo.com/media/storage/paper344/news/2007/03/07/Culture/Tolkiens.Masterpiece.Hits.World.Of.Online.Gaming-2762237.shtml) interesting.

Durelin

03-07-2007, 10:29 PM

Uh oh, apparently the latest update has "nerfed" just about everything...

Nerfed = lowered its power, likely because of complaints about it being too powerful.

All the armour defense has been lowered, the "health" amounts, etc...

Not sure if this will be a good or a bad thing. Personally I didn't feel that anything was "too easy." I don't want it to take me a year or two to max out one character, myself...

TURBINE YOU HAD (hopefully still have) A GOOD THING GOING FOR YOU, PLEASE DON'T SCREW IT UP.

Sorry. I haven't played it yet since the update (it's brand new), so I'd better not panic.

Kuruharan

03-08-2007, 11:11 AM

Probably the uber-1337 beta testers who have no jobs and play games all day long had maxed out their characters and were getting bored... :rolleyes:

Farael

03-08-2007, 04:09 PM

Probably the uber-1337 beta testers who have no jobs and play games all day long had maxed out there characters and were getting bored...
I say we kill them

err.... in game... yes, yes, in game, attack their characters in Monster play :p

I haven't had a chance to test the game after the big patch... might get to it in a while, but I don't understand why they'd did some of the "retouching" (let's not say nerfing) they did.

For example, it seems to me that they weakened (even further) the Captain class... suposedly a meele class, it'd take me for bloody ever to kill just about anything that was not two levels lower than me. I got tired and started playing my burglar.

Fortunately, my little hobbit burglar is much more fun. While it's by no means a heavy-hitter on a "fair fight", who said that I'd ever give them a fair fight? :p and even then, I was able to take two blue orcs and a white one almost all at the same time and survive using only one minor Athelas essence potion.

The captain would die from two light blue spiders.

By the way, have you guys checked out the "combat primer for fellowships" on the forum? PLEASE Tell me that people do not play like that

"No-one should talk, except to say that they need a heal or to communicate that there was an add"

The guy who wrote it is a pompous @)#*#%.... if I want to discuss Balrog Wings while I smack the heck out of an Ucorn, I WILL :p

Still, at least the graphics are looking better every time around (even in my computer, with the "child drawing with crayons" graphic settings).

Kuruharan

03-08-2007, 04:21 PM

How come your characters weren't in the kinship? ;) :p

We might have been able to keep it if they were...

I think they have chosen to take the captain down the road of inspiration...which is what the minstral does so much better...

By the way, have you guys checked out the "combat primer for fellowships" on the forum? PLEASE Tell me that people do not play like that

"No-one should talk, except to say that they need a heal or to communicate that there was an add"

The guy who wrote it is a pompous @)#*#%

I believe he would be one of the uber-1337 players I was refering to earlier.

Probably helpful when one is in the grip of mortal combat...especially on the PVP side.

Durelin

03-11-2007, 01:58 PM

Farael

03-11-2007, 09:02 PM

Well, I haven't noticed any difference in the minstrel class...and I suppose no one would notice any difference if they hadn't played beta. Still, Turbine worries me sometimes...

So, who thinks they're buying the game? :D

I think I've been bamboozled into pre-ordering....
Do you know when the pre-order offer expires? I am worried about how laggy I can get wherever there are more than a couple players running around (i.e. Bree!!!) so I'd love to get a chance to try the game in open beta and pre-order then if everything is working out... but then, I rather pre-order and get the discount monthly fee than miss out on that!

Durelin

03-12-2007, 01:37 PM

Supposedly it ends the day the game comes out - so the 24th of April.

I do think it will run a little more smoothly in the final release, but there will also likely be more people. The lag has gotten better for me...at least a little. That stress test weekend, though...ugh, it was unbearable.

I'm a little hesitant too because I'm not sure of my computer situation, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to shell out the money for it and a good bit towards a nice computer... *sigh*

CaptainofDespair

03-13-2007, 08:47 AM

I do think it will run a little more smoothly in the final release, but there will also likely be more people. The lag has gotten better for me...at least a little. That stress test weekend, though...ugh, it was unbearable.

Yea, the lag has gotten better. But if the stress test is an indicator, I don't think it'll be very fun unless they add several more servers to pick up the load. Surely they will, so I'm not worried about that. My only worry concerning the servers is what they consider to be the general population limit, which if too low can make for some unpleasantly long waits to get into a server.

Kuruharan

03-23-2007, 09:35 AM

When the game comes out, which server are other people going to be playing on?

I personally prefer to avoid the first server because they tend to be the most crowded.

Farael

03-24-2007, 03:33 AM

When the game comes out, which server are other people going to be playing on?

I personally prefer to avoid the first server because they tend to be the most crowded.
I think here we're faced with a conundrum (spelling?) of epic proportions. Unless all servers that will be open at release are also open during Open Beta, if I buy the game with the Founder deal, I will have to play in whichever server the character I've kept will be at.. on the other hand, if all servers are open, I'll just go to the last one on the list. Or the second-to-last, still down at the bottom, but avoiding all those who think "I'll go to the last one to beat the lag :p"

By the way, after the next wipe, we should all agree on which server to play on! Which reminds me, if you are in Brandywine, look for Annagil my elven hunter (and current main)... though I haven't been able to play as much lately.

HATE THOSE EXAMS!!!

Farael

03-25-2007, 03:13 PM

The character wipe for the end of Closed Beta will be on Monday.... I was thinking that we should all have a party at the barrow downs tonight (I say tonight 'cos I figure it'll be easier that a Monday night).

If you are interested, let me know ASAP, and also what time would work for you.

I'd suggest around 10 PM CT, which would work best for me, but that might be tough for anyone on EST time.

Edit:

I know, the 'downs is not the best place for a party, with all those wights and all... but I believe we have some high-level characters, so we should be safe.

CaptainofDespair

03-25-2007, 05:17 PM

Kuruharan

03-25-2007, 05:37 PM

Fazi will be there.

By the way, has anybody else noticed the Merisuwyniel smiley? :Merisu:

Estelyn Telcontar

03-26-2007, 03:31 AM

Who's Merisuwyniel? :Merisu:

Kuruharan

03-26-2007, 08:03 AM

A typo apparently.

PUB CREEP TONIGHT!!!!!

I'll be starting in the tavern in Thorin's Hall and working my way east...

Just look for Fazi on your friends list and the party won't be far away...

(And yes, I shamelessly ripped the idea off some other people...)

CaptainofDespair

03-26-2007, 08:13 AM

PUB CREEP TONIGHT!!!!!

I'll be starting in the tavern in Thorin's Hall and working my way east...

So, follow the train of drunken dwarves staggering across the Lone Lands? ;)

I'll really try to get on. Though, I have a 6-9pm class tonight.

Was there a Barrow-Downs "Table for Two" party last night?

Kuruharan

03-26-2007, 08:50 AM

So, follow the train of drunken dwarves staggering across the Lone Lands?

Hey, I'm going to have a lot of money that I can't keep after I sell off all the crap (the vast majority of my stuff) that I no longer have an immediate use for and can't keep. May as well spend it on food and beer.

I'll really try to get on. Though, I have a 6-9pm class tonight.

EST?

Was there a Barrow-Downs "Table for Two" party last night?

Not exactly, Farael went questing in the east, and I stayed and partied in Bree.

One word...

CONGA!!!!!

CaptainofDespair

03-26-2007, 09:08 AM

Hey, I'm going to have a lot of money that I can't keep after I sell off all the crap (the vast majority of my stuff) that I no longer have an immediate use for and can't keep. May as well spend it on food and beer.

But still, why not donate it to the Bree Poor House? They could certainly use a silver piece or two to...well...hmm...

EST?

Yeppers.

CONGA!!!!!

I'm having a hard time imagining a dwarf doing the Conga. Maybe it's those stubby legs...;)

Thenamir

03-26-2007, 09:44 AM

Well, though I started the thread, I never made it into the closed Beta, so I'm hoping for a chance in the open Beta. Thanks for all the info, guys, keep it up!

Kuruharan

03-26-2007, 10:43 AM

I'm having a hard time imagining a dwarf doing the Conga. Maybe it's those stubby legs

I have screenshots, as Farael can attest to.

If you are especially nice I might post them...after tonight, maybe tomorrow...I'll probably have more by then.

so I'm hoping for a chance in the open Beta

Speaking of which, we do need to decide what server we will play on.

Brandywine
Elendilmir
Gladden
Landroval
Meneldor
Silverlode
Windfola

Assuming they are presented in that order, I'd say Meneldor or Landroval might be the best bets to avoid undue crowds.

Also, Open Beta will see the birth of Kuruharan, but I won't be playing him much to keep him under the lvl 15 retention limit. I'll probably be playing as "Khoreth," Kuruharan's father according to lore.

Durelin

03-26-2007, 05:30 PM

I think it's been two-three weeks since I last played...is that what's behind my headaches and stomach pains? :eek:

CaptainofDespair

03-26-2007, 08:03 PM

Here are some screenshots I've taken from LOTRO over the course of the closed beta.

Drake Ho! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00050.jpg)

My Character, Issith, in Garth Agarwen (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00087.jpg)

A View of Imladris from the Top (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00105.jpg)

Gandalf the Grey in Elrond's Library (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00112.jpg)

The Streets of Imladris (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00110.jpg)

Flying Badger! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00126.jpg)

A Night View of Imladris' Falls (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00118.jpg)

Issith's Funeral, with Fazi in Attendance Playing the Lute (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v625/CaptainofDespair/ScreenShot00143.jpg)

Enjoy!

Kuruharan

03-27-2007, 07:12 AM

My experience last night was a bit odd.

The client crashed 5 times in total and I had bad lag a lot during the early part.

However, later on the amount of lag I experienced was inversely proportional to the number of players in the area.

I'll post my screenshots later tonight.

I'm probably going to be playing on the Silverlode server. Nice and low on the list.

Note: The testing server was still online as of a few minutes ago before I came to work.

EDIT: Those screenshots may not be going up tonight, I'm finishing my computer upgrade...

Kuruharan

03-29-2007, 07:48 PM

Here are some of my screenshots from March 25 where we were having a little player organized party to celebrate the end of beta.

Getting the Party Started (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00008.jpg)

"They have begun to arrive." (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00010.jpg)

A shot without the UI (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00011.jpg)

CONGA!! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00012.jpg)

This was actually my second line, shorter than the first and had no devs in it (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00013.jpg)

da, da, da, da, da...DA! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00014.jpg)

This guy was good. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00015.jpg)

These shots are from March 26 during "The Event"

Fazi is very sad. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00016.jpg)

Maybe some music will help (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00017.jpg)

Dwalin wasn't particularly comforting... (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00018.jpg)

Street performers in Bree (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00019.jpg)

We're going to party like it is TA 3021! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00020.jpg)

When the moon hits your eye... (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00022.jpg)

Fazi has a groupie (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00023.jpg)

Hello Rivendell! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00024.jpg)

Looks like a fun time has been had by all. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00025.jpg)

...and fun continuing to be had. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00026.jpg)

Check my level...Issith, eat your heart out! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00027.jpg)

MOMMY! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00028.jpg)

Letting others catch the worst bits of the fighting (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00029.jpg)

Fazi moving up to the line of scrimmage (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00031.jpg)

Fazi in the scrum (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00032.jpg)

Now you see him... (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00033.jpg)

...now you don't...cheater (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00034.jpg)

There he is! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00035.jpg)

Have to take a rest. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00039.jpg)

Toe to toe! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00041.jpg)

Running away, eh? (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00042.jpg)

Git 'him, Fazi, Git 'im!! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00043.jpg)

Victory (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00047.jpg)

Told ya I could take him (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00053.jpg)

Gandalf and Elrond congratulate me on my victory. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00055.jpg)

Bilbo likes my music (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00056.jpg)

Farewell to Rivendell. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00058.jpg)

Good-bye Bree. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00059.jpg)

Nasty dev warg eating partygoers at the Party Tree (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00061.jpg)

Good-bye Shire. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00062.jpg)

Good-bye Thorin's Hall (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00063.jpg)

Good-bye Troll's Head Tavern (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00064.jpg)

Home at last. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00065.jpg)

Farewell Fazi! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00066.jpg)

The next morning I discovered the server hadn't been taken down yet, so...

One last hurrah! (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00067.jpg)

Final Good-bye from Fazi. (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00069.jpg)

Valesse

04-06-2007, 09:58 PM

Open beta (for everyone) starts today -- which means I'll be ignoring what I'm suppose to be doing for a good while and probably going slightly psychotic in Eriador, but I figured for everyone thats been eyeing the game and hasn't joined the beta you're time is now. : )

Also, after looking at those screen shots (Thank you for them, they're great!) I can just imagine what this game does to Tol-in-Gauroth. ; D

Kuruharan

04-06-2007, 11:11 PM

I can recommend Silverlode as a pretty good server. The crowds have been reasonable (up to this point...) and the people are all pretty nice. I haven't run across any griefers (up to this point...) Even the spam in the general chat channel has been...tolerable.

Stay away from Brandywine and I've heard that Windfola has been collecting a number of griefers.

Farael

04-07-2007, 01:09 PM

I've been playing in Landroval, and so far it's been good. As the "unofficial RP server" It's been easy to find RPers, which is always a plus for me. Here are a few screen shots I took last time.

A talk by the fountain of Dulliond (High def... as HD as my PC will go) (http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Annagil_Stargift/ScreenShot00014.jpg)

And Low Def (http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Annagil_Stargift/ScreenShot00013.jpg)

Weather top (from Closed Beta) (http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Annagil_Stargift/ScreenShot00006.jpg)

The River by Dulliond (from Closed Beta) (http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Annagil_Stargift/ScreenShot00003.jpg)

And last but not least... the country-side, by Dulliond as well (http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u18/Annagil_Stargift/ScreenShot00004.jpg)

Hope you enjoy! =) I'll try to get some more soon

Valesse

04-07-2007, 08:36 PM

Yay! It's finally downloaded. :p

If you're careful you might catch Valesseka (currently a very low level lore-master) running around Bree on the Landroval server!

For those who are thinking about trying it out, beware that the file is HUGE. With a quick connection it still took me six hours to download the entire package however the pay off is glorious. My regards go to the effort the Turbine people put into the artwork and voice-characters... the end result puts other games to shame however with such detail in the art therein requires lots of loading (anytime you enter a building... something foreign to WoWarcrafters, such as I) and there aren't many interaction codes.. yet? I'm not sure if there are plans for more, but I hope so.

Can't wait to see some other downer's online... and for those who have preordered it, is there a Barrowdowns fellowship yet?

Kuruharan

04-09-2007, 04:33 PM

Kuruharan (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00071.jpg)

This is actually surprisingly close to how I'd always pictured him...not quite right, but close.

Hello (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00076.jpg)

Rainbow (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00077.jpg)

Durelin

04-09-2007, 04:48 PM

I had pretty much determined I wasn't getting it, but...

Mmm, rainbow......

CaptainofDespair

04-09-2007, 07:23 PM

Kuruharan (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00071.jpg)

Here I thought you hated bright green as a color choice for armor...;)

And that's a wonderful screenshot (the second one) of your dwarf. It makes me want to at least play the beta...again. Not that I'd play as a dwarf, though...

If only I could afford the pre-order.

Kuruharan

04-09-2007, 09:37 PM

I do detest green. Unfortunately, at that moment I didn't have a whole lot of choice in the matter.

I assure you that awful thing found itself in some vendor's dustbin at the earliest opportunity.

I'm not particularly enamoured of how he looks right now either. That is just about the best that is available right now because not too many people can get to the good stuff (although tonight I saw that some maniac had at level 15 been out into the Misty Mountains and mined 70 units of platinum and 20 units of Misty Mountains silver...show off.)

Unfortunately, not too many people have found recipes for good suits of armor and they are not spreading the wealth.

Durelin

04-18-2007, 04:15 PM

CoD linked me to this (he's an avid Penny Arcade fan...):

The wonders of a minstrel... (http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2007/04/18)

ElentariGreenleaf

04-18-2007, 04:51 PM

People kept telling me the other movie based games for LotR were not very good :( I've played the book based FotR (wish they'd made the sequels!) and The Hobbit. You think this'll be good? Do you have to pay monthly or anything? (looking through the videos at the moment. Bet they'll answer both my questions, lol). Graphics looks like it wont run on my pc anyway :(

Kuruharan

05-29-2007, 05:14 PM

I thought...oh...maybe one or two people might be interested in a few more screenshots.

Here is my alt Khoreth in Bag End, I have no idea why Cyrano de Bergerac is pictured by the fire (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00081.jpg)

Khoreth and Tom Bombadil (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00083.jpg)

Here is Kuruharan in civilian clothes (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00091.jpg)

Hello again (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00096.jpg)

Stomping on a troll's toe (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00097.jpg)

No need for me to soil my fingers on that one (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00100.jpg)

Nice view of the Lone Lands (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00101.jpg)

I still miss Issith and Durelin though. :(

CaptainofDespair

05-30-2007, 06:34 AM

I thought...oh...maybe one or two people might be interested in a few more screenshots.

I still miss Issith and Durelin though. :(

Nice screens, Kuru! I particularly like the troll toe-stomping one. Perhaps that's because I hate them so much from fighting them in Dol Dinen. I'm curious though, as to where that screenshot was taken. It looks like the swamp in the Lone Lands, but I can't be sure anymore. ;)

And I miss Issith too. :p

Kuruharan

05-30-2007, 07:23 AM

Yes, that was in the southeastern swamp in the Lone Lands.

Kuruharan has only been in Dol Dinen once and had a traumatic experience.

He'll probably be going back before too long.

And I'm not the one who can fix us missing Issith. ;)

Durelin

05-30-2007, 12:00 PM

I do miss being a Bard and not being completely worthless!

Oh sigh...if it didn't cost so bloody much to buy the game itself I'd pay for a couple months this summer... ;) Maybe I still will....(and that means I'll try my best to get Issith back in the game, though CoD is *gasp* a working man this summer, so he has an excuse all set up for him... :p)

What level have ye gotten Kuru up to, by the by?

Kuruharan

05-30-2007, 02:29 PM

and that means I'll try my best to get Issith back in the game, though CoD is *gasp* a working man this summer, so he has an excuse all set up for him

Tell him to get his priorities in order! After all, he has to spend the money he's earning. :D

What level have ye gotten Kuru up to, by the by?

Kuruharan will be level 31 by the end of today. Khoreth is level 26. My third and much neglected alt Otir is level 15.

<-----------Insert gloating by Issith that in two months I still haven't passed his level at the end of closed beta.

CaptainofDespair

05-30-2007, 02:45 PM

Tell him to get his priorities in order! After all, he has to spend the money he's earning. :D

I do indeed need to spend some of it. Though, I was thinking more along the lines of the Wii rather than LOTRO. :p

<-----------Insert gloating by Issith that in two months I still haven't passed his level at the end of closed beta.

It's quite depressing that in less than a month I went from level 0 to level 40, and you still haven't passed me in that time. ;)

Kuruharan

05-30-2007, 06:30 PM

In my defense, I've been leveling more characters.

Kuruharan

06-05-2007, 04:10 PM

Chrysophylax's Cousin (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00106.jpg)

Which probably explains why he just flew past me (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00107.jpg)

And the stable-hand says, "What the heck?" (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00109.jpg)

CaptainofDespair

06-05-2007, 05:18 PM

Chrysophylax's Cousin (http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/ScreenShot00106.jpg)

Nice quest load there, Kuru. Those collection quests are tedious though, aren't they? :P

I do recall the Great Auroch Skull quest being rather fun...

Kuruharan

06-07-2007, 07:31 AM

Nice quest load there, Kuru. Those collection quests are tedious though, aren't they?

Those quests are heaven compared to fighting through Agamaur and Garth Agarwen, though. Those are utter and complete misery.

I do recall the Great Auroch Skull quest being rather fun...

It was kind of funny watching me running along carrying this huge skull that was bigger than my toon, although it didn't really last very long.

CaptainofDespair

06-07-2007, 07:40 AM

Yea, I had a great laugh watching a couple of dwarves do the Auroch skull quests. It's even better watching a hobbit do it...

Agamaur and Garth Agarwen aren't that bad, though. They were hard areas, but they were fun if you got in a good group. Otherwise it was a pain, considering everything was 'Elite'.

Kuruharan

06-07-2007, 10:32 AM

You wouldn't believe how much money I lost there last night getting killed over and over and over again trying to get Ivar. We finally got him in the end but I had to cap it all off by getting killed again at the end of that fight. What made me mad was my last death was totally unnecessary, I was tanking an archer mob when Ivar got killed and instead of coming to help me with the mob, they just stood there and oooed and awwwed over the phat lootz while I got chopped to ribbons because I was out of power.

After that, they asked me to stay when I wanted to leave the instance and repair because my stuff was breaking. I like a couple of them, so against my better judgment I stayed a bit...I personally got nothing accomplished except losing a lot more money because more of my stuff broke.

I was not happy when I logged off last night.

No, I'm not bitter! :p

Oddwen

10-13-2007, 08:46 PM

Dang...I just downloaded the 7-day free trial, and have to say I like it but can't afford to keep playing. :(

Durelin

06-25-2008, 09:48 PM

*uses "Enlivening Grace" on this thread*

So, any BDers currently playing this other than Kuru, CoD, and myself? Yeah, I know, said I couldn't afford it... :rolleyes: :D

Decided you could afford it yet, Oddwen? ;)

The first expansion is coming out supposedly in the fall: the Mines of Moria, adding two more classes and who knows what else. < / advertisement >

Oddwen

08-25-2010, 11:49 PM

So, come September 10th, LotROnline (http://www.lotro.com/)will be free-to-play. Something which is very close to what I can afford!

Does anyone still play?

Kuruharan

09-09-2010, 07:29 AM

Meh...sort of.

I hate to be a party pooper but the game has gotten steadily worse over the course of its lifetime. I was playing pretty regularly up until a month or so ago but when I saw the changes they were going to be bringing in with it going f2p and, more importantly, some of the glaring problems they were not fixing I...uhh...kinda sorta did a.../ragequit. :o

CaptainofDespair is probably wondering what in the world happened to me.

I do intend to keep playing some...I already had a lifetime membership which means I automatically have premium when it goes f2p...but as far as really *playing* it for more than just advancing the story for my characters, I don't see myself willing to do that anymore. The game is just not that great and there are much more fun things for me to spend my time on.

Morthoron

09-09-2010, 08:20 AM

Hmmm...where do I start about LotRO?

I was once closely related to the game and the developers, but having gone through the alpha and beta stages of the game, it was evident to me that the vision of the game had digressed from 'living in Middle-earth' to amassing piles of swag, endlessly killing mobs and basically emulating World of Warcraft. In fact, the head dev admitted his desire to compete with WoW, rather than deliver a gaming experience solidly entrenched in the lore and ethics of Middle-earth.

Interesting to so see LotRO has declined to the point where it requires free-to-play status. Perhaps if they catered to the very folks who believed in the original game design (MEO or Middle-earth Online) and were avid fans of Tolkien's Middle-earth, then they may have maintained a loyal customer base without the need to use such desperate tactics to remain viable.

Snowdog

09-09-2010, 05:49 PM

Kuruharan

09-09-2010, 07:52 PM

basically emulating World of Warcraft. In fact, the head dev admitted his desire to compete with WoW, rather than deliver a gaming experience solidly entrenched in the lore and ethics of Middle-earth.

That's what I'd figured. The problem with competing with WoW is that nobody can compete with WoW because nobody can do WoW better than WoW (follow that sentence, I dare you :p). Its sad but true, WoW is just a better game than LOTRO. Having played WoW, which I hadn't until earlier this year, it is depressing with that perspective to see how LOTRO never had a shot because of the misguided intentions of its developers.

When one adds in the excruciatingly bizarre decisions made by Turbine over the course of the game's life its kind of amazing that it’s lasted as long as it has.

Interesting to so see LotRO has declined to the point where it requires free-to-play status. Perhaps if they catered to the very folks who believed in the original game design (MEO or Middle-earth Online) and were avid fans of Tolkien's Middle-earth, then they may have maintained a loyal customer base without the need to use such desperate tactics to remain viable.

It’s sad to see Tolkien's amazing world sink to the level of Allods Online (even though Allods is probably a better game) and the other myriads of such offerings that don't even deserve a mention. It could have been so much more than this. When I look at the things that are planned for games like Guild Wars 2 and compare it to the twaddle Turbine peddles...its just pathetic. :(

Morthoron

09-09-2010, 08:42 PM

Couldn't have said it better myself. My early high hopes for MEO were dashed before release, and I never came to ever starting to play it.

That's what I'd figured. The problem with competing with WoW is that nobody can compete with WoW because nobody can do WoW better than WoW (follow that sentence, I dare you :p). Its sad but true, WoW is just a better game than LOTRO. Having played WoW, which I hadn't until earlier this year, it is depressing with that perspective to see how LOTRO never had a shot because of the misguided intentions of its developers.

When one adds in the excruciatingly bizarre decisions made by Turbine over the course of the game's life its kind of amazing that it’s lasted as long as it has.

You may be amused to read my final review of LotRo from February, 2007, when I washed my hands of the whole thing in as scathing a fashion as possible. It set off a firestorm between Turbine sycophants and brown-nosers VS. the Tolkien crowd. I must say, I was furious when I wrote it, particularly after championing lore-appropriateness in a Middle-earth MMORPG since Sierra had the designing rights in the late 90's. Be warned, the language is not pretty or civil, but in retrospect, I still believe I was entirely correct: I Will Not Be Playing LOTRO (http://www.ardapost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=775)

Kuruharan

09-09-2010, 09:05 PM

That review is...hilarious, I love it.

I also think that my being able to stomach LOTRO had to do with the fact that LOTRO was my first MMO...well, actually second, third if you want to stretch...but anyway, the point is I'd not played many. The more MMOs I've played the worse LOTRO has looked.

I think it would do us all good if some of these Tolkien based multiplayer mods for Mount & Blade would ever get themselves off the ground... :rolleyes:

Nerwen

09-10-2010, 12:46 AM

Ah, well, sounds like it's good for a laugh:
The single area in LOTRO most incongruous to Tolkien's Middle-earth is the sulphur bog/slime green desert of East Angmar. This region is so alien that I expect to see C3PO and R2D2 arguing with each other as they try to find a way out. Who can possibly explain such an arid biosphere located so far north in Eriador? Okay, I can see the thinly plausible (yet still farcical) use of giant herds of mammoth turtles (based loosely on Tolkien's single mention of the Fastitocalon in a fanciful poem), but giant sulphur leeches?

CaptainofDespair

09-23-2010, 08:14 AM

CaptainofDespair is probably wondering what in the world happened to me.

Nah. I could tell from your last month or so in-game that you were not terribly pleased with Turbine's continued direction. Good to see you are still kickin' though. ;-)

Kuruharan

09-23-2010, 11:19 AM

CaptainofDespair

09-24-2010, 10:10 AM

Yep, I'm still kicking.

I've been playing WoW, Guild Wars (Guild Wars 2 looks like it will be awesome, btw) and single player games. :eek:

I haven't even logged in since LOTRO went f2p. What do you think of how the game is now?

F2P is, from my perspective, a disaster. Aside from Enedwaith, there is not actually any new content. Somehow turning Helegrod into a skirmish-like instance is suddenly new content to players who have had none since Mirkwood. I don't know what that means for long-term new content. Maybe they'll just keep redoing instances and adding increased radiance to old items that have been recolored as a 'reward' for those instances.

Dynamic Layers are somewhat of a pain when you experience them...one minute you are in Bree with other players, the next minute you've been sent into a new layer and few, if any, other players are visible. It's supposed to reduce lag, but it's mostly just annoying.

I haven't paid much attention to anything else, since I've given up on playing like I used to.

Kuruharan

09-24-2010, 10:48 PM

Yuck, the dynamic layers in particular sound dreadful.

I know I said that I'd probably go back to keep up with the story at some point...but I'm not sure anymore. I really have no desire to play that game.

I probably will go back at some point, but I think my days of playing that game are pretty much over.

CaptainofDespair

09-25-2010, 10:07 AM

I will probably log into LOTRO from time to time. At the moment, I'm going to wait until the next update (whenever that is), as Turbine has promised to take a closer look at some of the annoying features of the game (like radiance, the legendary item time-sink, etc). If it only gets worse after that point, I'll know I'm done. But I don't expect them to get around to that until early next year, at best.

I shudder to think what "new" or "innovative" ideas they have for Rohan, as all of the choices they've made on gameplay and features since SoA concluded have been major blunders.

Morthoron

09-25-2010, 10:43 AM

I shudder to think what "new" or "innovative" ideas they have for Rohan, as all of the choices they've made on gameplay and features since SoA concluded have been major blunders.

Actually, Turbine has blundered ever since changing MEO into the mutant LOTRO. The world was scaled back, the adherence to canon was sacrificed, and the controls and feel of the game were redesigned to emulate WoW. They plopped tedious PvP sandboxes in where players eternally play capture the flag, plopped absurd sci-fi creatures in, segregated the North American and European player communities, and now forced everyone into a free-to-play situation that will certainly rub long-time players the wrong way.

Humorously, the Turbine motto is 'powered by our fans'. They do not know who their fans are, nor do they care.

Kuruharan

09-27-2010, 07:29 AM

Turbine has promised to take a closer look at some of the annoying features of the game (like radiance, the legendary item time-sink, etc).

:eek:

I'm shocked to see that they are willing to admit that those were all horribly implemented...especially considering that they *still* (years later) haven't officially admitted that a "little" thing like the troll/ranger session play thing was a complete fiasco.

I shudder to think what "new" or "innovative" ideas they have for Rohan, as all of the choices they've made on gameplay and features since SoA concluded have been major blunders.

You and me both.

Humorously, the Turbine motto is 'powered by our fans'. They do not know who their fans are, nor do they care.

Truer words were never spoken. They really are a joke of a development studio at this point. I am officially coming out and saying that I hope they go belly up and that somebody else can get the Tolkien license...although my level of confidence in most game developers is pretty low.

I personally think that the whole move to f2p across the board in MMOs is caused by most developers not having a clue how to make quality products and their incompetence is being shown by the hordes of small time people who are making small f2p games that are better in quality to almost anything being put out by a big name studio.

Morthoron

09-27-2010, 04:08 PM

I personally think that the whole move to f2p across the board in MMOs is caused by most developers not having a clue how to make quality products and their incompetence is being shown by the hordes of small time people who are making small f2p games that are better in quality to almost anything being put out by a big name studio.

The saddest part of all of this is that had Turbine maintained their original MEO concept, stayed truer to the lore and eschewed the WoW influence, they'd have as many loyal customers, if not more, than they do now. Having MEO as a boutique design for 300,000 to 400,000 zealous Tolkien fans worldwide may have commanded a higher monthly fee, and would certainly have assured a higher customer retention rate. How do I know this? Well, from a personal standpoint, I am still in touch with most of the people involved in the design prior to LOTRO's release. It was always Middle-earth and not necessarily the game, a fact lost on Turbine.

Once they cheapened the game with lustful dreams of stealing customers away from WoW, they lost many adult fans, such as me, who would have paid more simply because the game DID NOT attract the WoW crowd. But they lost a ton of money by going immediately for marketshare, offering ridiculously low lifetime rates at the game's release. Start high while the game is fresh and people are excited (that's at least what I learned in college Marketing). You can always go lower, but you can never go higher without attrition.

Just plain ig'nant.

Kuruharan

09-27-2010, 05:24 PM

It was always Middle-earth and not necessarily the game, a fact lost on Turbine.

That's the truth. CoD can attest to how long and how much I bellyached about how the Tolkien feeling was rapidly lost from the game. For me it was gone before I was halfway through SoA and it never returned.

*wonders aloud if some of these developers could somehow grab hold of rights to the Sil* ;)

Morthoron

09-27-2010, 05:33 PM

*wonders aloud if some of these developers could somehow grab hold of rights to the Sil* ;)

You'll have to wait for Christopher Tolkien to take the last ship from Gray Havens before that ever comes to pass.

Kuruharan

09-27-2010, 05:36 PM

I suppose rights to make an MMO from the movies would fall under the same umbrella...not that I would necessarily want that either.

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-03-2010, 05:01 AM

So, come September 10th, LotROnline (http://www.lotro.com/)will be free-to-play. Something which is very close to what I can afford!

Does anyone still play?

I am really no fan of MMORPGS or such things (and, well, even the time of ruthless pc game-playing is behind me), but I actually have tried LOTRO a long time ago, around the time the Mines of Moria came out, as a trial thing for a week... Given my general restraint towards any depictions of Middle-Earth in the "wide public", I found it quite good still, and now that the announcement about it being free came to me, I have sort of randomly returned to try it again.

It is still all brand new to me, so I don't feel any side-effects like those things Kuru and Morth mentioned, and for now I am fine with basically running around for various quests and enjoying the scenery. But if there were some 'Downers I could meet, it would be definitely worth it. I am not sure how much the communities are compatible, right now I have both my old and my current (both rather low-level) characters on the Meneldor server, so if anybody was there... or at least let me know on which server should I make my future characters, if it came to that. :D (Although maybe I won't know that the game exists anymore after some time... but if I got hooked, for instance by other 'Downers...)

Eönwë

10-03-2010, 08:18 AM

I remember when this came out and a few of my friends at the time (casual LOTR fans- saw the films and read the book, and that was about it) signed up, with one buying a lifetime account, though at the time I didn't really see the point in it. Anyway, I might just try it out now and see how I find it.

It is still all brand new to me, so I don't feel any side-effects like those things Kuru and Morth mentioned, and for now I am fine with basically running around for various quests and enjoying the scenery. But if there were some 'Downers I could meet, it would be definitely worth it. I am not sure how much the communities are compatible, right now I have both my old and my current (both rather low-level) characters on the Meneldor server, so if anybody was there... or at least let me know on which server should I make my future characters, if it came to that. :D (Although maybe I won't know that the game exists anymore after some time... but if I got hooked, for instance by other 'Downers...)

Well, Legate, I'm about to download it now (through the US bit, since it isn't officially Free-to-Play in the UK yet), and I'll tell you what I think.

Kuruharan

10-03-2010, 08:58 AM

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-03-2010, 09:46 AM

Having people around that you know definitely helps. That, actually, is the reason why many people continue to play MMOs for ages and ages; they don't want to lose touch with their friends.

CoD and I are both on Silverlode...I'm not sure how much either of us will ever be around though.

My toon on Silverlode will be very easy for you to find.
Good! So I should mark Silverlode as first for making any new characters... :) although probably both of you are some ridiculously high level, so we could at most come and chat (if I start from zero there, I definitely could not go with you to some ridiculously dangerous areas from beyond the borders of my map - although again, if you are barely around, then maybe I will have time to get to a ridiculously high level too before I meet you :D ). Also, right now I got quite happy with playing for my new character and developing her, and perhaps would like to focus on her, most of all... But if it seemed reasonable and possible to maintain contact with the rest of you there, it'd be nice.
Well, Legate, I'm about to download it now (through the US bit, since it isn't officially Free-to-Play in the UK yet), and I'll tell you what I think.

Nice to hear that, Eönwë. I think it's quite good, you must judge for yourself. :) If you want to, then you could make your first character(s) on Meneldor and if you feel like it (maybe after you get the handle of things, or I could be of some advice in the starting mechanics, if you needed them), we could eventually meet up somewhere and even join into a fellowship for some quests (or just as an excuse to keep around each other) - given that I am not very far in the storyline and exploring. Currently my elven champion is ripe for travelling anywhere (and maybe I will also recover my old dust-covered man captain from Bree someday). Anyway, if any of you folks happened to be on Meneldor these days, you could look out for Curufinwen (or Guthlic)... Well, surely we could contact each other about anything specific anytime anyway...

Eönwë

10-03-2010, 03:38 PM

Well, it turns out I downloaded the wrong version (And it was 10GB! :eek:)

Anyway, I think I'll just wait until it becomes Free-to-play in the UK before doing anything else, so 'll get back to you all when that happens.

Kuruharan

10-04-2010, 07:03 AM

Probably the best thing to do if you want to see me is to schedule it...otherwise I probably won't turn up.

Although scheduling isn't always easy either as I'm married now and don't have as much time for this sort of thing as I once did.

Alkanoonion

10-12-2010, 11:05 PM

I just returned to the lotro game after getting an E-mail that it was free. I got all nostalgic about LOTR and the chance to visit places that I had read about was not to be missed… that is until I tried to play the game. What a disappointment. The game has no feeling of being in the realm of middle earth. If anything it felt like wow without the cartoon avatars.

I just can’t be bothered to play it after the letdown to my expectations.
I think I will just read the sil again instead.

Durelin

10-20-2010, 02:15 PM

I'm still on Silverlode as is CoD...we don't really play much right now, but...we got lifetime subs way back so we're not paying for anything.

It was a good MMO for me, and my first MMO. I enjoyed it. I was in a good, active guild for a long time. Unfortunately it failed, partially simply because they did not have the money backing them, and probably they didn't make the money to put back into the game because of bad decisions, etc. They haven't been able to put out any real content for a long time.

Anyway, I think the landscape design was great, actually. I'm not a huge lore person, and I never expected an intense adherence to lore out of an MMO which necessitates a gazillion epic heroes running around and lots of epic enemies to kill. Basically if you want the *real* Middle-earth...you're not going to get an MMO out of it. Which is fine. No need to have an MMO...but I enjoyed a Middle-earth-based MMO and the style of MMO they developed, with pretty much no emphasis on PvP (also part of why it failed).

Certainly it could have been done better. But part of what is necessary for better (such as for WoW), is lots of money. And yes, every MMO is trying to be WoW, because what does everyone compare every MMO to now...WoW...haha. Even though it was far from the first.

Anyway I'm still going to play occasionally, such as when I get more time... Legate already found me (I still need to respond to his mail...) My main is Rakein.

So once I get time again I'll be glad to do some questing and instances with people and help you out with getting gear and such. :)

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-20-2010, 04:12 PM

xMellrynxMaidenx

10-20-2010, 06:07 PM

Looks like what Dury says is mostly what I would think... I think the bad part is when one starts to make compromises, as I think the LOTRO guys did, and retreating from their original "pure" idea more towards the "classic WoW"-type, but they still cannot completely move it into that type, so it tends up to be some awkward crossbreed which eventually probably disappoints the "pure LotRists" while still not satisfying the "commercial public". Not that I would advise them to continue in that direction, though...

As for right now, actually, I seem to be on relatively frequently (fresh enthusiasm still works), also as now the Harvestmath Festival is going on and since I have never before experienced anything like that, I find it's a lot of fun (unlike I expected, as I thought it will be just some silly big thing to appease the audience... but I like it. Best experience: running around the Shire with the aim to get acquaintance with the Inn League... I think everybody knows this already, but that seriously made my day). I have started developing my character on Silverlode, so now I can join other 'Downers who happen to be around.

I actually thought the festival wouldn't be as fun and thought it to be something to cause my game to lag worse than it does...well, it still lagged due to there being so many on the Silverlode server, but it was still fun. I've attempted to do the Inn League and every stinking time, due to the there being so many on the internet here where I live, my internet will lose connection. But It's still a trip to do! Be it a glitch in the game or what, but my elf (odd I know for an elf to actually get intoxicated :p) actually tripped over a fence. Have you went to the small festival they're doing in Duillond? There's not much there like there is in the Shire, but there's still a small festival going on.

CaptainofDespair

10-20-2010, 06:28 PM

I'm still on Silverlode as is CoD...we don't really play much right now, but...we got lifetime subs way back so we're not paying for anything.

...

So once I get time again I'll be glad to do some questing and instances with people and help you out with getting gear and such. :)

Yea, I'm not around much. I do still pop in from time to time, mostly to check my mail and auctions. But, if I happen to be online or anyone wishes to schedule "adventure", you can usually find me on one of my main characters: Sevira, Sordatha, or Letania.

And, since Rakein mentioned getting gear, I also do the armor and jewelry crafting for both of our character sets. I probably still have a lot of left over materials...

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-21-2010, 03:57 AM

I actually thought the festival wouldn't be as fun and thought it to be something to cause my game to lag worse than it does...well, it still lagged due to there being so many on the Silverlode server, but it was still fun. I've attempted to do the Inn League and every stinking time, due to the there being so many on the internet here where I live, my internet will lose connection. But It's still a trip to do! Be it a glitch in the game or what, but my elf (odd I know for an elf to actually get intoxicated :p) actually tripped over a fence. Have you went to the small festival they're doing in Duillond? There's not much there like there is in the Shire, but there's still a small festival going on.
There is a small festival in each of the places. The last thing I have done is actually participating in a horse race near Bree. The last thing I remember is desperate need of money to buy the festival mount :)

And, since Rakein mentioned getting gear, I also do the armor and jewelry crafting for both of our character sets. I probably still have a lot of left over materials...
Well, I have a jeweller myself. Nonetheless, perhaps a colleague-cooperation could be performed some day. Whatever, we shall see if we see...

Kuruharan

11-24-2010, 10:44 PM

CaptainofDespair

11-28-2010, 09:21 AM

Nice Hurlock there CoD. (now there is a setting that might make a nice MMO)

I heard a rumor that there is going to be another update soonish.

I thought asking here might be a good way to get an honest appraisal of its potential. ;)

Well, they are finally putting in a new PvMP zone in the expansion. That's about all I know of Rise of Isengard.

As for the mini-update coming whenever-ish, judging from the patch notes it won't be much. RKs and LMs get some slight upgrades.

And yes, Dragon Age would be a wonderful MMO setting. :)

Kuruharan

11-29-2010, 07:25 AM

Elmo

11-29-2010, 02:33 PM

I spent hours downloading this game, it froze when it installed framework, finally downloaded that separately, then it wouldn't recognise my screen name! Turns out I'd downloaded the US version not the European. Now the download of the game is at 0 kbyes a second for no reason and I think I'm about to crack up. :( I've never played a game like this before and this hassle is putting me off them. I guess it's good fun though?

CaptainofDespair

11-29-2010, 04:27 PM

Somehow hearing that doesn't really thrill the cockles of my heart.

I wonder what they are going to do for the new PvMP zone. If its just basically a copy of the moors I don't think it will work...but if it has new features they will probably be implemented badly.

Are other older players staying around or are they quitting too?

It seems they've indicated a willingness to try something new with the next PvMP zone, but we'll see.

As for other older players leaving, I can't really say. I've seen a few leave, but I don't know if it constitutes boredom with the current game, or if it's just part of the ebb and flow.

Kuruharan

12-01-2010, 08:05 PM

We'll see if I ever go back.

At the moment I'm leaning no...but never say never. :)

Oddwen

12-07-2010, 11:26 AM

Whee! I finally cleared enough space on my computer to DL this. My hunter Reprimand is on Silverlode from time to time.

So far the the comparisons to WoW are...wow, very similar. I'm not a hardcore MMORPGer anyway, so this'll do.

Legate of Amon Lanc

12-07-2010, 02:29 PM

CaptainofDespair

12-07-2010, 04:05 PM

Great, somebody else to carry the torch of initial enthusiasm? :)

I think it is more akin to a candle in the wind...

Oddwen

12-07-2010, 11:34 PM

Great, somebody else to carry the torch of initial enthusiasm? :)

At least until the grinding gets to me. Oh who am I kidding, it's all grinding, in the end.

I'm hoping to drag one of my RL friends onto it as well, she's been looking forward to it, and hopefully that will lead her into becoming active here. She has an account but hasn't used it yet.

I think it is more akin to a candle in the wind...

Maybe my second toon will be named Eltundu Iondo.

xMellrynxMaidenx

12-29-2010, 11:49 PM

I'm thinking of sticking around, see what chaos they can throw at us next. I log in when I can on my toon on the Silverlode and was hoping to finish up SoM before they came out with Rise of Isengard, but that doesn't seem to be happening. Heck, I still haven't even finished SoA due to not being able to log in as regularly anymore.

I've not even attempted the PvMP yet, mainly because I want to wait until I'm level 65, but I've been to the moors and given the creators' history with this game...I'm kind of leaning towards what Kuruharan said about it. No doubt though, the new zone will just be a copy of the moors, but we'll see.

Oddwen

01-25-2011, 01:05 PM

Today I walked to Hobbiton, and stood beneath the party tree. Then I jogged to Bag End and stared at the Sackville-Bagginses for a bit. It was a very nerdy moment. Perhaps tomorrow I will log back in and make rude gestures at them.

:D

Eruhen

07-29-2011, 07:36 PM

Bumpity bump bump.

Anyone still play? I just downloaded it, and I think it's alright. Granted, I've never played any kind of MMO (well, unless you count text-based ones like Medievia), so I don't have anything to base it off of.

I'm on Vilya right now, but if any 'Downers are still active on other servers, I'd be more than happy to start a new character on one of them.

Oddwen

08-26-2011, 09:03 PM

I haven't played in a month or more due to a trip, but I usually get on a couple of times a week.

I (Reprimand, Maelusalph, Bruiwen, Daltrey, Derndwimmer, Heypresto) am mainly on Silverlode, though I do have auxiliary characters on Nimrodel and Firefoot.

My highest character is 32, haven't gotten to Rivendell yet.

Would there be any interest in starting our own guild? We need eight characters (not players) to start, plus golds for a house.

Legate of Amon Lanc

08-27-2011, 04:38 AM

As we briefly talked about this with Oddwen during Finlandmoot, my not-so-active-lately interest in the game was rekindled. I have a character on Silverlode (Curufinwen) and I am all the time thinking about getting another one (but I never really got to make them); I also have older characters on Meneldor, whom I don't play much anymore, though. I would be all for starting a guild, and I think money for a house will be the smallest problem, with several characters we can organise some random grinding (well, or not grinding) operations... so in any case, I can "supply" my character(s) for that.

Gwathagor

09-12-2011, 09:29 AM

I have two characters on Gladden (Crabannan and Gwathagor -- surprise, surprise!), but I may abandon them and start playing on Silverlode in order to hang out with you guys. One of them's a level 21, so that's a lot of playing time that would be unfortunate to leave behind, but whatever. I just which they'd let you pay for character transfer with Turbine points.

Gwathagor

09-12-2011, 09:30 AM

And I would totally do the guild thing with you.

Gwathagor

09-12-2011, 10:48 AM

Ok, I now have a dwarf Guardian (Frarr) and a hobbit hunter (Browningar) in Silverlode. Hopefully I'll see some of you there soon.

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-12-2011, 10:54 AM

As I have a couple of exams coming up this week, I think for at least a few days now I won't be there to be encountered, but once I happen to log in, I'll make sure to look out for your characters...

Oddwen

09-12-2011, 11:09 AM

Fortunately, fellowshipping can get you through the lower levels a bit quicker. My lowest character is Derndwimmer, human Captain and ladykiller, at level eleven I believe. My only day available this week is Thursday, so if you see any of me online /t me up yo.

Gwathagor

09-12-2011, 11:13 AM

Right on.

Eönwë

09-12-2011, 11:21 AM

Since returning to the Barrow-Downs in the late summer, I made a character on Vilya to play with with some IRL friends, but if people are still active, I think I'll possibly make a new one on Silverlode.

Gwathagor

09-12-2011, 11:39 AM

I'm typically on at least once or twice a week.

Oddwen

09-12-2011, 11:49 AM

Coolness, Eonwe.

So, regarding the kinship, we can choose a "racial charter" which has nothing to do with anything except leader/officer titles. There's more info on kinship specifics here (http://lorebook.lotro.com/wiki/A_Guide_to_Kinships).

And of course the all-important name.

Knights in Wight Satin?

What a Downer?

Paper Teleporno?

Gwathagor

09-12-2011, 11:58 AM

Will give this some thought and come up with something really awesome.

Oddwen

09-12-2011, 12:01 PM

Anything involving wurst or the phantom is an automatic rejection. :p

Things involving wurst and the phantom are just icky.

Kuruharan

09-16-2011, 07:15 AM

Hi guys.

After over a year's absence I am toying with the idea of re-DLing LOTRO and playing it some again.

I won't be around nearly as much as I was in the past. I just don't have enough time for that...and besides, being on the grinding treadmill is not fun. ;)

As for kinship name suggestions, waaay back in the days of beta when it was just Durelin, CoD and myself I think we called ours The Downs Troupe...to sort of get the "We're a travelling circus" feel in our name.

Gwathagor

09-16-2011, 10:56 AM

Knights of Tyrn Gorthad? Shades of Tyrn Gorthad? The Trooping Spirits? Wight Knights?

Kuruharan

09-17-2011, 01:28 PM

After a download and installation I can only describe as horrifying, I have my account up and running again.

I was surprised at how easy it was to get my house out of hock.

Eönwë

09-17-2011, 05:51 PM

I've basically remade a better version my character on Vilya on this server. A Dwarven historian guardian.

Gwathagor

09-17-2011, 07:02 PM

I'm a dwarf guardian, too!

Kuruharan

09-17-2011, 11:08 PM

Dwarf guardians are awesome!!!

(kinda...)

(The dwarf part is definitely awesome...the guardian part comes and goes... ;))

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-18-2011, 11:49 AM

Well, it so happens that a while ago I started (finally) a secondary character of mine, who is a Dwarven runekeeper-historian. Quite like him. I have left him last time around Gondamon, he is barely something below level 15 or somesuch.

Thinking of getting him a properly Dwarvish-sounding name and inspired by all the names like Gimli, Fíli or Frár, I called him Gimifril (let him that readeth understand).

As for the kinship naming suggestions, specifically those Gwathagor proposed, I think all the "knights" stuff is a bit too, hmm, high and mighty sounding (and everyone has such names anyway), but the Tyrn Gorthad stuff is a nice idea (no idea how long a kinship name can be, just hope the two words don't take all the space). So either I would make it "something of Tyrn Gorthad" (hmm, not sure if "Something of Tyrn Gorthad would be a representative name, though) or then if Knights, then Knights in Wight Satin as mentioned before. That actually would be really nice, on top of "forum" reasons I think it sounds quite good, too. But of course, we can still think of something else (though personally I can't seem to think of anything, unless we want to go with something like 'Ham-on-Skull').

Kuruharan

09-18-2011, 07:25 PM

The potential we are developing here for having all dwarven fellowships rampaging around the landscape is warming the cockles of my heart... :D

Shades of Tyrn Gorthad would be cool.

Gwathagor

09-18-2011, 07:39 PM

Given the number of dwarves...I may ditch one of my Silverlode characters and create a minstrel or something.

Kuruharan

09-18-2011, 09:38 PM

Just make sure its a dwarf minstrel. :p

Btw, I know where there is a kinship house is unoccupied if we want one.

Oddwen

09-18-2011, 09:48 PM

Thinking of getting him a properly Dwarvish-sounding name and inspired by all the names like Gimli, Fíli or Frár, I called him Gimifril (let him that readeth understand).

I say! Bwahaha! :D

My only dwarf is also a runekeeper. I'm not sure if I like the runekeeper class though, and haven't even got him out of the tutorial. I don't want to delete him because he's got all the benefits from that one premium month.

Minstrels are fun.

Gwathagor

09-18-2011, 09:50 PM

Ok, I ended up deleting my Hobbit hunter and creating a human lore-master instead.

Oddwen

09-18-2011, 09:52 PM

Just when I was looking for your hunter's name too, I see. :p

Gwathagor

09-18-2011, 10:08 PM

Figures. Now my two characters are Frarr and Crabbanald.

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-19-2011, 03:07 AM

I say! Bwahaha! :D

My only dwarf is also a runekeeper. I'm not sure if I like the runekeeper class though, and haven't even got him out of the tutorial. I don't want to delete him because he's got all the benefits from that one premium month.

I did not like the runekeeper much initially either (when I tried the game a long time ago), and also didn't get past the tutorial, but actually now I found out that it suits me surprisingly well. Gimifril is cool, anyway.

And minstrels must be fun, yet I never got through actually properly playing one. Must be a bit difficult for solo playing, anyway, which is probably why I got bored easily during the first necessary tutorial-scrambling-through-stuff.

Figures. Now my two characters are Frarr and Crabbanald.

Just as a random remark, at one point (about a year ago, however), I've been mightily disappointed to find that "Hilderinc", while not occupied on many other serves, was taken on Silverlode. What a pity. Then again, maybe better not to mix computer game and reality... um... never mind.

Kuruharan

09-19-2011, 07:19 AM

And minstrels must be fun, yet I never got through actually properly playing one. Must be a bit difficult for solo playing, anyway, which is probably why I got bored easily during the first necessary tutorial-scrambling-through-stuff.

Minstrels get much stronger as you advance. They get some really good attacks and warspeech is awesome...sadly people frequently complain if you use it in groups. :o

Minstrels are also always in demand.

The very early game is not a good picture of class capabilities. Champs and hunters start off pretty similar to what they ultimately turn out to be, but other than that...

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-19-2011, 07:45 AM

Minstrels get much stronger as you advance. They get some really good attacks and warspeech is awesome...sadly people frequently complain if you use it in groups. :o

Minstrels are also always in demand.

The very early game is not a good picture of class capabilities. Champs and hunters start off pretty similar to what they ultimately turn out to be, but other than that...

I know that. But the point is exactly what I said: to get past the first levels. It's not a question of how strong does the character get as I advance, but if I don't get bored in the beginning. But I would still like to give it a shot, eventually. But that has time.

Gwathagor

09-19-2011, 04:57 PM

Did not enjoy lore-master. Replacing with a minstrel.

Durelin

09-19-2011, 07:06 PM

Minstrels are the best. :D

Gwathagor

09-19-2011, 08:01 PM

I'm beginning to agree.

Gwathagor

09-20-2011, 03:49 AM

Ok, I've settled on Frarr and Crabannan, guardian and minstrel. Find me.

Kuruharan

09-20-2011, 07:17 AM

Minstrels are the best.

*waves at Durelin*

You and CoD should come back too now that I'm back. :D

Find me.

You have acquired yourself a stalker! :eek: ;)

Durelin

09-20-2011, 09:42 PM

Good to 'see' you Kuru! I must say I was shocked to see that you are back in the game -- you seemed to get fed up much earlier than we did! ;)

I'm tempted! I told CoD you've decided to give LotRO another go. Maybe if I decide to he will join me (he seems bored waiting for Skyrim). At least when I mentioned the game he didn't go off on how much of a waste of time it would be to go back... :D

What all did you lose after your long hiatus, Kuru? I'm assuming at least your 'VIP' status or whatever? Glad to hear your house wasn't lost, though...I was wondering about that... I haven't logged on in almost a year so almost afraid to do it.

Kuruharan

09-20-2011, 10:32 PM

I was shocked to see that you are back in the game -- you seemed to get fed up much earlier than we did!

I did. Part of it was that it *can* be a really frustrating game at times (especially with constant exposure to some of the more glaring flaws) and part of it was that I'd been playing it literally for years without a break...bitter vet syndrome is real. One day it just suddenly hit me that I wasn't having fun and I didn't want to play LOTRO anymore.

After taking such a long break, its kind of fun being back. :) I was surprised but some people actually remembered me and said hi (one of them literally before I'd finished logging in the first time).

I enjoyed working through the latest book. Given the confines of what one has come to expect from Turbine, I thought it was reasonably well written too. Right now, I'm looking forward to the expansion coming out next week to carry on with the story.

So, in sum, yeah, I got really frustrated and I still am aware of the game's many flaws, but for the moment I've got a little bit of that "new experience" enjoyment and it is nice to talk to some old faces again. We will see how long it lasts. At the moment I don't intend to just stop playing again like I did. I also am not going to be playing anything near as often as I did in the past, for one thing I physically can't, and for another doing that will ultimately just result in the kind of burnout that I experienced already. I'm hoping I learned my lesson.

Taking the whole thing easier seems like a better idea all the way around.

he seems bored waiting for Skyrim

Tell him I think that game will turn out to be disappointing. He knows I'm rarely wrong about these things. :p

I'm assuming at least your 'VIP' status or whatever?

No, my account is still VIP. I think if you bought Lifetime before it went f2p (which, I did and if I remember right you guys had too) you are still VIP for life.

Glad to hear your house wasn't lost, though...I was wondering about that... I haven't logged on in almost a year so almost afraid to do it.

I have to admit that not wanting to deal with trying to get my house back was a big deterrant to coming back to the couple of times I thought about it before I actually did it. However, all I had to do was go to the housing screen and pay the upkeep and I had it back. :)

I hope you guys decide to come back, at least for a bit. It would be nice to see you.

Durelin

09-22-2011, 08:25 AM

Yea, that sounds like a good way to approach it. And yea, I miss the 'new experience' feel! It was my first MMO and I loved exploring when I first started playing. My thoughts lately have been...well, it's free...why not? What is my problem? XD Lately it has simply been lack of time, haha, but anyway...

Thanks for the info, I'm really glad to hear I'll still be VIP! And it looks like I've built up some Turbine points.

So here's the characters I have that I know I won't be replacing, lol: Rakein, Khamir, Rakien, Durelin...Minstrel, Champion, Burglar, Captain.

Eönwë

09-22-2011, 12:11 PM

My only dwarf is also a runekeeper. I'm not sure if I like the runekeeper class though, and haven't even got him out of the tutorial. I don't want to delete him because he's got all the benefits from that one premium month.
At high levels, they are ridiculously powerful. I once did the Great Barrow in a fellowship with a level 30 and he practically took on the main wight himself. Also, they can both heal and do serious damage.

Kuruharan

09-23-2011, 07:23 AM

By dint of unrelenting stalking I tracked down Gwathagor last night.

Scheduled is too strong a word, but we agreed if we both happen to be around at the same...undefinied time on Saturday I would log in my level 14 hunter and we would go forth and quest.

Anybody else who wants to join us is more than welcome. My 14 hunter is named Nokki.

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-23-2011, 08:54 AM

I don't know about Saturday, I will probably be doing other stuff on that day, but if I happened to appear around...

Yesterday we've had a brief encounter and eventual quest-together with Eönwë, it could be summed up as something like "two low-level Dwarves show off with their stunt moves, music skills and sparkling light and then walk from Thorin's Gate to Gondamon with a bit of detour to a goblin fortress". I think it was really enjoyable, and I think we both agreed that more gatherings of 'Downers would be nice. And also that we definitely should go on here with the proposed idea of forming a kinship.

Kuruharan

09-23-2011, 11:09 PM

And also that we definitely should go on here with the proposed idea of forming a kinship.

Agreed.

Had we settled on a name yet?

Gwathagor

09-24-2011, 01:50 AM

I cast my lot for Shades of Tyrn Gorthad. One big private joke, as it were.

Gwathagor

09-24-2011, 01:20 PM

Best vocation for minstrel class? Anybody?

Kuruharan

09-24-2011, 02:34 PM

For a mini it doesn't matter so much...unlike a loremaster where its just a natural fit for scholar.

Any class can be anything and make it work.

Shades of Tyrn Gorthad

I like this one as well. It has that winning combination of being classy and a joke at the same time.

Eönwë

09-24-2011, 02:47 PM

I approve of "Shades of Tyrn Gorthad".

Also, can we arrange at least one time when we can get all our characters to meet?

Kuruharan

09-24-2011, 05:26 PM

We can take a stab at it.

Got any suggested times?

CaptainofDespair

09-25-2011, 05:22 PM

Tell him I think that game will turn out to be disappointing. He knows I'm rarely wrong about these things. :p

Liar.

And I may return to LOTRO. I'm wavering in my desire to play The Old Republic, as I don't have a ton of time and paying a monthly fee for a few hours a month is a little weird. So we'll see. I don't want to download anything again, though, and I don't want to pay for an expansion I probably won't like.

Gwathagor

09-25-2011, 06:41 PM

I will likely be on tonight, if anyone's going to be around.

Kuruharan

09-25-2011, 08:34 PM

I'm wavering in my desire to play The Old Republic, as I don't have a ton of time and paying a monthly fee for a few hours a month is a little weird.

I'm willing to bet anything that overall SWTOR is going to turn out to be LOTRO II. Its one of the huge reasons why I've never been that interested in that game.

They've got the same class imbalances and everything built in already.

I'll let you know if Isengard is any good.

They are saying they will be rolling it out a day early...so that would be tomorrow.

Oddwen

09-25-2011, 10:01 PM

Shades of Tyrn Gorthad is now recruiting Barrow-downers for fun, casual gaming on the Silverlode server.

I, Reprimand, am the owner, and Frarr and Crabannan are seneschals. If you see one of us online, let us know and we'll add you. :D

Gwathagor

09-25-2011, 10:53 PM

It's a fact.

CaptainofDespair

09-26-2011, 09:16 AM

They've got the same class imbalances and everything built in already.

Every multiplayer game, and most singleplayer games, that have classes have class imbalances. It's the nature of class design, skill design, and how players use those classes and skills.

In any case, I am reinstalling LOTRO. Today is a sick day, so re-downloading everything doesn't bother me so much. We'll see if I actually play, or if the icons sit unused on the desktop like so many other games.

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-26-2011, 02:21 PM

Okay, seems they just revamped stuff with the release of Isengard. That should have been expected, I guess. Well, nothing that drastic - at least it seems on first sight.

And great to have the kinship up and running. I think I could join with both of my characters, so that we fill the quota...

Kuruharan

09-27-2011, 07:12 AM

Every multiplayer game, and most singleplayer games, that have classes have class imbalances. It's the nature of class design, skill design, and how players use those classes and skills.

Which is why classes in MMOs are obsolete! :D

In any case, I am reinstalling LOTRO. Today is a sick day, so re-downloading everything doesn't bother me so much.

Wow...you didn't pick a good day for that. It was like first release in how hard it was to find the servers up yesterday.

However, so far I like the new expansion. The mob spawn time has been set very high so that doing the kill quests, even in spite of the very high number of players in the area, was really easy. :)

The only thing that bugs me slightly (so far) is the area feels very small.

Gwathagor

09-27-2011, 12:12 PM

All right, I've added Legate's characters Gimifril and Curufinwen to the kinship, which puts us at the minimum eight members.

CaptainofDespair

09-27-2011, 03:01 PM

Wow...you didn't pick a good day for that. It was like first release in how hard it was to find the servers up yesterday.

The only thing that bugs me slightly (so far) is the area feels very small.

I don't pick my sick days, they pick me. And besides, I had to do a completely new install, so it took awhile.

And you are certainly preoccupied with the size of things, Kuru. Must be a dwarven thing. ;)

Kuruharan

09-27-2011, 10:08 PM

And you are certainly preoccupied with the size of things, Kuru. Must be a dwarven thing. ;)

Darn tootin'!

I have now officially joined Shades of Tyrn Gorthad!

Oddwen

09-27-2011, 10:50 PM

I have now officially joined Shades of Tyrn Gorthad! Today 03:01 PM

Woohoo! We are nine strong now.

Today I made it to Rivendell, whereupon I immediately slapped Legolas and Frodo around for quite a while. I highly recommend it.

Durelin

09-28-2011, 11:38 AM

Well some of the changes are (even more) discouraging...

Minstrel healing, while in War-speech, will be self only.

:mad:

And all my outfits are ruined because Minstrels can't wear medium-armor anymore period... Hmm single-track much...

Oddwen

09-28-2011, 12:30 PM

Should've read up on the changes, logged into my lvl 14 minstrel and the entire playing style has changed...yikes! :eek:

Now as to the kinhouse, do we have any preferences as to the location? Near Manfield, Elftown, Dwarfville, or Hobbitchestingtonfieldville-on-Shire?

And all my outfits are ruined because Minstrels can't wear medium-armor anymore period...

What? Noooo! My tailor had a full outfit planned for her! :(

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-28-2011, 01:11 PM

And all my outfits are ruined because Minstrels can't wear medium-armor anymore period... Hmm single-track much...

Now I think THAT is rather horrible. I mean, surely people must complain. Lots of people must have spent a long time getting their "perfect outfit" and suddenly this...

Now as to the kinhouse, do we have any preferences as to the location? Near Manfield, Elftown, Dwarfville, or Hobbitchestingtonfieldville-on-Shire?

I already have one Elven house, so I would be up for a change if people want it. Dwarven housing is quite nice and attractive to me, but well, they are underground (and also for personal reasons, my two characters are so much "Ered-Luin-ish" that I wouldn't mind having the kinship house somewhere else, just for the sake of traveling convenience). I haven't seen the Man and Hobbit houses yet, actually. Might do that in my spare time to get some idea.

Gwathagor

09-28-2011, 01:22 PM

Minstrels can't EVER wear medium armor? That seems like an unnecessary limitation. I was able to work around the newly excised ballads and anthems - my new attack order works just fine - but I was really looking forward to wearing something besides stupid hats and purple shoes at some point in the future.

Gwathagor

09-28-2011, 01:26 PM

I think either a Bree or Shire homestead makes the most sense. Ered Luin is waaay out there.

Eönwë

09-28-2011, 02:29 PM

Eönwë

09-28-2011, 02:31 PM

Also, is anyone currently online? I'd quite like to join the kinship some time soon.

edit: Ok, Legate's added me to the kinship.

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-28-2011, 02:42 PM

Obviously, as a dwarf, Ered Luin seems good, but a Shire or Bree homestead sounds good. I think that Breeland would probably be the best thematically, since it contains the Barrow-Downs. On the other hand, I haven't seen any of those two yet, and I suspect that the Shire homesteads will be nicer.
I think you can earn a return-skill to your home location anyway (even though it takes time). That's what I am planning to do, anyway. And you can buy your own personal house in Ered Luin, if you wish that (that's actually a lot easier than earning the return-skill to Thorin's Gate). That's basically what I did and that's why I wouldn't mind the kin-house being somewhere else. Let's be "cosmopolitan".

Also, is anyone currently online? I'd quite like to join the kinship some time soon.

I might be now for a short while still, if it's in my power to add you.

Eönwë

09-28-2011, 02:45 PM

I think you can earn a return-skill to your home location anyway (even though it takes time). That's what I am planning to do, anyway. And you can buy your own personal house in Ered Luin, if you wish that (that's actually a lot easier than earning the return-skill to Thorin's Gate). That's basically what I did and that's why I wouldn't mind the kin-house being somewhere else. Let's be "cosmopolitan".

Yeah exactly. I think having a house in Ered Luin would go well with my character, and then the kinship one should be somewhere else (and I like the idea of Shire or Breeland).

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-28-2011, 05:41 PM

Okay, so we just spent some time with Eönwë reviewing houses and actually we both agreed that we'd prefer the Shire housing most of all. To sum it up: it is nice, round, has funny corridors heading down, the surroundings are pretty, the setting is really beautiful (and to me it looks rather Hobbitton-y, with the lights twinkling over the water if you enter the neigbourhood at night). I think there is a really nice kinship house situated always near the entrance, near the huge waterfall (forgot to check the address, might do that later sometime if need be).

Otherwise, for the rest of the neighbourhoods, like I said: with Elven/Dwarven characters and housing more or less already there, and with Bree/Shire being a lot more "cosmopolitan areas", these would be preferrable - and out of them, Shire definitely leads. Human housing is... well... I called it "too square-shaped", not that visually appealing in general, sort of having a bleak look, reminiscent of vacant saloons from old Westerns (even if it was, of course, going to be decorated). At least in comparison to the Shire, it really pales. Eönwë had said the same, so at least when it comes to our suggestions, here you go...

Gwathagor

09-28-2011, 06:31 PM

I could go for the Shire. I think the aesthetics should probably be our foremost consideration, and it sounds like the Shire gets very high remarks in that regard.

Oddwen

09-28-2011, 10:33 PM

I have a personal house in Bree, it's functional but not fun. (I need more thin furniture spaces to store my songbirds, heh.) The Shire sounds spiffy.

Kuruharan

09-30-2011, 07:45 AM

I have tons and tons of decorative items sitting in my vaults that can be used for the kin house, just let me know when we get it.

Legate of Amon Lanc

09-30-2011, 09:43 AM

I have tons and tons of decorative items sitting in my vaults that can be used for the kin house, just let me know when we get it.

Just let us others also have a chance to contribute to the decorations, okay? ;)

I think it would be really great to just decorate our house with purely things of our own craft (or special "gifts" we've acquired, such as the Sinister Keg or whatnot). I think I've been crafting chandeliers all my life (thinking of that, my main character seems to be obsessed with light, then again, what would you expect from an Elven jewel-smith) and I have some stuff that I didn't manage to stuff into my otherwise rather small personal house.

By the way, there is one more thing which we found hilarious in the Shire, and that is, what you can see if you go into the fields at night...

Kuruharan

10-15-2011, 05:30 PM

As I promised...a few weeks ago I admit...

Here (http://s155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/Pureo/?action=view&current=ScreenShot00000.jpg) is a picture of a beardless Kuru caused by a graphical glitch.

Eonwe, Gwath and myself had a fine old time chatting in kin today and Eonwe visited my house and somebody else's and he discovered one of the games more quirky little features. ;)

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-15-2011, 05:37 PM

Eonwe, Gwath and myself had a fine old time chatting in kin today and Eonwe visited my house and somebody else's and he discovered one of the games more quirky little features. ;)

What, you mean something like The Keg? ;)

Eönwë

10-16-2011, 07:46 AM

What, you mean something like The Keg? ;)
That is exactly what he means. :smokin:

Eönwë

10-19-2011, 01:50 PM

Also, it's festival season.

Gwathagor

10-19-2011, 01:56 PM

What is this..."festival season"?

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-19-2011, 04:35 PM

Is it? I was wondering why nothing was taking place this year yet, with the 22nd Sept gone and all.

These are the festivals (usually, I believe, they are in autumn, then later around Christmas, in spring and again in summer) which happen every year, once in a while, there are special activities in the main points of the country (like Shire - resp. usually Hobbitton and/or Michel Delving, Duillond, Thorin's Gate, Bree, or in winter in the sort of special city; now that's just speaking from personal experience) and you can win special festival prizes and stuff (like horses, weird artifacts, clothing, and so forth - my main character learned to dance a lot of really nice dances also there, for instance. You can also join all the drinking-guilds, doing all the "opening quests" is a lot of fun, I have enjoyed it a lot the last year in the autumn). Sometimes they might have something special, I don't know what special stuff is there this year... gotta check.

Oddwen

10-19-2011, 10:02 PM

Kitanna

10-20-2011, 11:58 AM

Haven't done much in the festivals, except for the Yule one last winter. That was awesome. I hope they have the theater again, because you get to participate in a play. By participate, I mean stand on stage and constantly flirt with the audience. :D

I played a while ago and the Yule festival was the best part of it. I might reactivate my account just so I can get drunk on food again and stagger around the town.

I wish I had thought to find out who on here played. Maybe I would have had more fun.

Eönwë

10-20-2011, 02:54 PM

I think we should probably do a kinship moot at some point during it.

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-20-2011, 03:23 PM

I think we should probably do a kinship moot at some point during it.

Indeed, that sounds like a good idea. If we could come up with some good time for meeting, that'd be great.

And I definitely agree that the Frostbluff theatre last winter was one of the best things I've experienced in there :) The Mad Baggins play was just brilliant even by itself - the idea was really commendable, and very canonical, too! (Just for those who don't know - there was this theatre play describing The Long-Expected Party and Bilbo's disappearance, but from the "realistic point of view of the public" - i.e. Gandalf and The Evil Dwarf being the villains who make Bilbo disappear ;) Great stuff.)

Kuruharan

10-21-2011, 07:27 AM

A moot would have to be during the weekend for me.

Eönwë

10-21-2011, 11:35 AM

So what day and time would people be able to make it?

Kuruharan

10-21-2011, 05:21 PM

I'll be around intermittently throughout tomorrow and in the afternoon/evening (US time) on Sunday.

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-22-2011, 04:32 PM

I would be available during Sunday afternoon/evening/even night my time (now, it is about half past midnight for me) - if we agree upon something, and I could possibly even be able to make myself available during US-time evening, if it is convenient for people. Then I assume for us on European time (meaning probably me and Eönwë) the earlier is better, so maybe if we could agree on something US-afternoon-ish when we could be there in larger numbers (I think this would depend on Eönwë's preferences, since for me, like I said, the hour does not matter that much on this particular day).

Haven't yet visited the game since the festivities started, but I assume it could be nice to do some random festival-activities and then we could even spend some time drinking and running all over the place, visiting different sites (especially if the festival takes place in different sites simultaneously, as it often does?) - possibly we could even connect this to making a tour of some peoples' houses? (I still haven't done my house-warming party. Not that there is anything great to see in that tiny place. ;) )

Eönwë

10-23-2011, 06:20 AM

Is anyone joining the Ale Association instead of the Inn League? Or going for a bit of both?

Legate of Amon Lanc

10-23-2011, 06:41 AM

Is anyone joining the Ale Association instead of the Inn League? Or going for a bit of both?

I am totally Inn League, since I already started it. Unless I wanted Gimifril to join the Ale Association. Which I could, in fact, since he's a Dwarf, and just for the sake of variety.

Oddwen

12-18-2011, 12:28 AM

Only a week left until our mighty kinship qualifies for a kinhouse! With the Christmas season not a lot of us have time for the game now, but we can get it set up soon and then we can have a housewarming party and then dance the night away with Tom Bombadil.

I visited the Shire Homesteads and love them. 2 Chalk Road is the closest to the entrance and the main neighborhood center, 4 Brookbank Street is a bit further but you can see a waterfall. I think I want to move to 1 Wending Way myself, so nice. The nearness to Michel Delving is very convenient as all the training and crafting and etc. are in one small area instead of scattered around.

I've been thinking of a second name for my lvl23 elven champion, Maelusalph. "Lustful Soup" enjoys prospecting, woodcrafting and weaponsmithing, and dislikes trying to get bloodstains out of his favorite dress. He's in a different kin but I may move him later.

Tariancthîr - Obstinate Face

Hwiniolthir - Fantastic Face

Deluthir - Deadly Face

Delulebed - Deadly Finger

Raunthir - Deviant Face

Deluraunthir - Deadly Deviant Face

Deluglamthir - Deadly Yelling Face

Glamdeluraunthir - Yelling Deviant Deadly Face

Delueirien - Deadly Daisy

Rhosseirien - Rustling Daisy

Glamthir - Yelling Face

Glamraun - Yelling Deviant

Alaglebed - Quick Finger

Adlanthîwnif - Oblique Sticky Face

Thirmaethor - Face Warrior

Ben-Raun - According to the Deviant

Ben-Rauncerthas - According to the Deviant Alphabet

Puiathir - Spit (on) Face

Gonodeirien - Counting Daisies

Gorothnif - Horror Face

Pendrath-na-Menel - Stairway to Heaven

Any scholars of Sindarin will be shuddering in horror I'm sure, I just picked amusing words out of the dictionary at councilofelrond.com.

I'm probably going to go for Deluthir, although Delueirien has personal, hilarious significance. Perhaps I'll use that one for Bruiwen.

Anyway, rambling.