Massively Speaking http://massively.joystiq.com This is the Massively podcast http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Massively SpeakingJoystiqMassively Speaking<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Six reasons LotRO's Lore-masters rock]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/18/the-road-to-mordor-six-reasons-lotros-lore-masters-rock/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor Six reasons why Loremasters rock
In my Lord of the Rings Online career, I've played two classes far more than any others: the Captain and the Lore-master. Both scratch that "pet class" itch that I have in MMOs, both are quite group-friendly, and both seem to be somewhat unorthodox picks (at least compared to the plague of Hunters and Champions infecting the game).

I'll leave a discussion about Captains for another time, but today I felt like talking about the strangeness that is the Lore-master. It's such a unique class in feel and execution, and it's captivated me such that I'm actually leveling up my second Lore-master because I was dissatisfied with the way I handled my first one.

Maybe you've never tried one. Maybe you picked one up and just couldn't get a feel for what it was supposed to do. I'll admit that the LM is an acquired taste, partially because its skillset is all over the map and it doesn't settle into an expected template. However, it may just be the coolest class in the game. Here are six reasons why.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Six reasons LotRO's Lore-masters rock

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Six reasons LotRO's Lore-masters rock originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>classclass-reviewclassesf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlmlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterlore-masterslotroopinionpetpet-classroad-to-mordorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO patching to Update 11 today]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/lotro-patching-to-update-11-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/lotro-patching-to-update-11-today/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/13/lotro-patching-to-update-11-today/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

LotRO patching to Update 11 today
Turbine has released the official patch notes for Lord of the Rings Online's Update 11: Treachery of the White Hand this morning, and in them, you'll find an explanation of the changes coming to the game with today's update.

In addition to a new launcher, new Wildermore region, continuation of the epic storyline with Volume III: Book 10, and an improvement to mounted combat, the most important thing to come to any LotRO patch since launch is the removal of Lalia from the cursed Barrow-downs. Seriously. Bob's aggro-magnet daughter and her cloak have retired from frustrating players and she now owns her own shop in Bree. Where she sells MISERY. Just kidding. I think she sells Beanie Babies or something.

Be sure to check out the entire patch notes in the official forums.

MassivelyLotRO patching to Update 11 today originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>book-10f2pfantasyfree-to-playlalialord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromounted-combatpatchTreachery-of-the-White-Handturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-11Mon, 13 May 2013 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: A Wildermore dev chat]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/the-road-to-mordor-a-wildermore-dev-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/the-road-to-mordor-a-wildermore-dev-chat/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/11/the-road-to-mordor-a-wildermore-dev-chat/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor A Wildermore dev chat
Snow-covered zones aren't exactly new to Lord of the Rings Online, but the upcoming region of Wildermore is a little bit different than the normal Misty Mountain ski resorts. How so? Well, for one thing, it's not supposed to be snowy at all. So what's up with the premature winter in this area of Rohan -- and what are you, the player, going to do about it?

That's the basic setup for Update 11: Treachery of the White Hand. The update, which should be going live next week, is what I call the intermission zone: It's the region that Turbine adds between expansions to keep veteran players from bouncing off the walls due to boredom. Lothlorien, Enedwaith, and the Great River are past intermission zones, but Wildermore might be the most fascinating one yet.

Thanks to technical issues, I wasn't able to get a first-hand tour of the new region. Instead, I nabbed a heart-to-heart chat with the devs about the intricacies of Wildermore, the next step of the epic story, and plenty of assorted goodies coming with the update!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A Wildermore dev chat

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A Wildermore dev chat originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 11 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-chatexpansionf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playhelms-deepinterviewinterviewslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionriders-of-rohanroad-to-mordorrorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11wildermoreSat, 11 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Update 11 dev diaries feature epic story, mounted combat 2.0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/lotro-update-11-dev-diaries-feature-epic-story-mounted-combat-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/lotro-update-11-dev-diaries-feature-epic-story-mounted-combat-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/10/lotro-update-11-dev-diaries-feature-epic-story-mounted-combat-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO Update 11 dev diaries feature epic story, mounted combat 20
Hark! Is that a new update for Lord of the Rings Online on the horizon? It is indeed, my chums. And with any fresh LotRO patch comes an expected slew of developer diaries.

Today we have two dev diaries to report about for players getting ready for next week's Update 11. The first talks about the next addition to the epic story, Volume III, Book 10. The diary discusses the 15-chapter storyline as well as the optional "interlude" Ranger episodes that may be played in sequence or out of order. There's even a funny behind-the-scenes moment when the devs show how badly they messed up an NPC model.

Then there's a diary on what Turbine is calling "Mounted Combat 2.0." Sweeping changes are coming to mounted combat with Update 11, including retooling the movement tree into a class-specific one, the addition of more class-specific skills, and a ton of polish and iteration.

Massively will take a deeper look at Update 11 tomorrow, so stay tuned!

MassivelyLotRO Update 11 dev diaries feature epic story, mounted combat 2.0 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>epic-storyf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromounted-combatmounted-combat-2.0turbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11volume-iii-book-10wildermoreFri, 10 May 2013 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch the backstory of LotRO's Wildermore zone]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/watch-the-backstory-of-lotros-wildermore-zone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/watch-the-backstory-of-lotros-wildermore-zone/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/07/watch-the-backstory-of-lotros-wildermore-zone/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Watch the backstory of LotRO's Wildermore zone
When Lord of the Rings Online's Update 11 drops next week, it will open the paths to a brand-new zone: Wildermore. While it's part of the Wold, Wildermore is definitely unlike anything seen in Riders of Rohan; for starters, the area is inexplicably covered in snow and jagged ice crystals.

So what's up with this area? Turbine's developers have put together a video to introduce the zone and explain the main storyhook behind it. It appears that Saruman has fused an ancient relic with a giant, creating a nasty foe that will be the main antagonist as players travel through Wildermore. Don't fret, as there are good guys as well attempting to fight the snow powers that be.

Check out the dev tour after the jump, and if you use the LotRO forums regularly, you may want to read up on the forum consolidation that's about to take place.

Continue reading Watch the backstory of LotRO's Wildermore zone

MassivelyWatch the backstory of LotRO's Wildermore zone originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 May 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dev-diarydev-tourexpansionf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroriders-of-rohanrorturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11wildermoreTue, 07 May 2013 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Update 11 brings five new areas on May 13]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/lotro-update-11-brings-five-new-areas-on-may-13/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/lotro-update-11-brings-five-new-areas-on-may-13/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/06/lotro-update-11-brings-five-new-areas-on-may-13/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

LotRO Update 11 brings five new areas on May 13
Come next week, denizens of Middle-earth will have five new areas to explore and adventure in; Lord of the Rings Online launches Update 11: Treachery of the White Hand on Monday, May 13th. The epic story will continue in Wildermore, the remote area of Eastern Rohan, where players will attempt to restore the region from the icy destruction brought by the stone giant Núrzum.

The journey will take players through Writhendowns, The Fallows, Whitshaws, High Knolls, and Balewood where they will face Uruk-hai threats, marauding Warbands, violent Huorns, and Wood-trolls in an effort to protect the people and fight against growing evil and corruption.

Update 11 also includes a mounted combat revamp, daily Silver Hobbit Presents for logging in, and improved VIP benefits including an improved bonus experience system. The Wildermore Quest pack is free to VIPs. Check out the adventure that awaits in the gallery below.

Gallery: LotRO Update 11


[Source: Turbine press release]

MassivelyLotRO Update 11 brings five new areas on May 13 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Balewoodf2pfantasyfree-to-playHigh-Knollslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroThe-FallowsTreachery-of-the-White-Handturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateUpdate-11Update-11-Treachery-of-the-White-HandWhitshawsWildermoreWrithendownsMon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Could Lord of the Rings Online end in 2014?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/the-road-to-mordor-could-lord-of-the-rings-online-end-in-2014/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/the-road-to-mordor-could-lord-of-the-rings-online-end-in-2014/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/05/04/the-road-to-mordor-could-lord-of-the-rings-online-end-in-2014/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor Could Lord of the Rings Online end in 2014
Almost two years ago, Star Wars Galaxies players were rocked to their core by the news that their virtual world was to be sunsetted at the end of the year. Despite obvious SOE love for the title and player petitions, the call was already made: LucasArts didn't want to renew the contract with SOE, and that was that. Because of an IP, an entire galaxy was lost.

It's one of the "cons" of IP-based MMOs. Because there is licensing and contracts and other legal mumbo-jumbo involved, an online game that is completely wedded to an intellectual property has the added danger of being shut down completely if the IP is denied to the studio. SWG is a sobering lesson as to how this can happen to an otherwise healthy game.

If you haven't noticed already, Lord of the Rings Online is somewhat inspired by a certain IP. This IP can survive without the game, but the opposite is not true. So the scary question that we'd rather not ask is this: What if Turbine loses the rights have its game set in the Lord of the Rings universe?

It's not an unreasonable question. And what makes it even scarier is that it could conceivably happen as early as next year.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Could Lord of the Rings Online end in 2014?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Could Lord of the Rings Online end in 2014? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 May 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlegallicenselicensinglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolucasartsmiddle-earth-enterprisesopinionroad-to-mordorstar-wars-galaxiesswgthe-road-to-mordortolkien-enterprisesturbineturbine-entertainmentwarner-broswbSat, 04 May 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: What plugin(s) can you not live without?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/the-daily-grind-what-plugin-s-can-you-not-live-without/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/the-daily-grind-what-plugin-s-can-you-not-live-without/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/29/the-daily-grind-what-plugin-s-can-you-not-live-without/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - UI with TonicBars
I recently returned to Lord of the Rings Online, and one of the first things I did after reinstalling was hunt down all the old plugins I had a couple of years ago. Some are more important than others, but one is basically indispensable.

Without TonicBars, the LotRO interface is a horrific jumble of 27,000 hotbars and 127,000 abilities, but with TonicBars these abilities are kept neatly off my screen until I roll over the appropriate button and unfurl the underlying bar. You can also configure the plugin to display a hotbar only when various gameplay conditions are met, like, say, your health dropping below a certain percentage.

So that's my indispensable add-on. What's yours?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: What plugin(s) can you not live without? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionpluginstdgthe-daily-grindtonic-barstonicbarsturbineturbine-entertainmentuiui-addonsMon, 29 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Helm's Deep calls!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/the-road-to-mordor-helms-deep-calls/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/the-road-to-mordor-helms-deep-calls/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/27/the-road-to-mordor-helms-deep-calls/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Road to Mordor Helm's Deep
While I'm quite excited to hear the news of this year's Lord of the Rings Online expansion, Helm's Deep, there are two small nits that I must pick, two little peeves that I must pet before moving onward. The first is that Turbine could not have worse timing; I've been prepping for a vacation and pre-written a couple of weeks of this column, and now this announcement's forced me to scramble last-minute to write a new one.

The other issue is that Turbine's abandoned the "[something] of [place]" title structure it's had ever since Shadows of Angmar. A vain, egocentric part of me thinks that this might've happened because a developer read my expansion prediction column and decided to spite me.

With that out of the way, let's digest the official announcement and see what we'll be doing this fall when LotRO's fifth expansion hits!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Helm's Deep calls!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Helm's Deep calls! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playhelms-deeplord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroopinionriders-of-rohanrise-of-isengardroad-to-mordorrorshadows-of-angmarthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO player council selected]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/lotro-player-council-selected/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/lotro-player-council-selected/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/26/lotro-player-council-selected/#commentsFiled under: , ,

LotRO player council selected
The Lord of the Rings Online player council members have been chosen for 2013 and a post on the official forums names each of the 69 players who have been selected.

These players are said to represent "many play styles, countries, and walks of life" and will work to facilitate feedback between the dev team and the rest of the playerbase. But as community manager Rick "Sapience" Heaton reminds us, these council members "cannot discuss their actions or activity as a member of the council."

We'd like to throw out a hearty congratulations to everyone selected!

MassivelyLotRO player council selected originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 26 Apr 2013 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Take a casual stroll through LotRO Update 11]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/take-a-casual-stroll-through-lotro-update-11/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/take-a-casual-stroll-through-lotro-update-11/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/take-a-casual-stroll-through-lotro-update-11/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Take a casual stroll through LotRO Update 11
Over at Lord of the Rings Online fansite A Casual Stroll to Mordor, Andang gives us a nifty walkthrough video of the incoming Wildermore region for Update 11. The 19-minute video shows off the snowy mountainous region near Dunfast down to the plains near Norcrofts.

Take note that this tour is done on the public test Bullroarer server, so things may change before the update is officially launched. Still, it's worth watching the whole video if you're a LotRO fan anticipating the new content.

Continue reading Take a casual stroll through LotRO Update 11

MassivelyTake a casual stroll through LotRO Update 11 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 25 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Will Helm's Deep bring you back to LotRO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/the-daily-grind-will-helms-deep-bring-you-back-to-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/the-daily-grind-will-helms-deep-bring-you-back-to-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/25/the-daily-grind-will-helms-deep-bring-you-back-to-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Legolas and Gimli at Helm's Deep by John HoweLord of the Rings Online is one of those MMOs, at least for me. You know the ones I mean. They're great games for the most part, but for whatever reason you've quit and returned and quit and returned to them more times than you can count.

With yesterday's announcement of the forthcoming Helm's Deep expansion, I'm finding it harder than ever to keep to my pledge of staying away from Turbine's Middle-earth.

What about you, morning crew? Assuming you're a LotRO expatriate, will Helm's Deep bring you back?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Will Helm's Deep bring you back to LotRO? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daily-grindexpansionexpatriatef2pfantasyfree-to-playhelms-deephelms-deep-expansionlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-expansionmmo-expatriateopiniontdgthe-daily-grindturbineturbine-entertainmentThu, 25 Apr 2013 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Update 11 hits LotRO's public test server]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/update-11-hits-lotros-public-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/update-11-hits-lotros-public-test-server/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/update-11-hits-lotros-public-test-server/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

LotRO Update 11 notes
It's not quite yet time for Update 11 to hit Lord of the Rings Online officially, but it is time for folks to start testing it out on Bullroarer, the public test server. The testing patch notes have been posted, so let's take a look at what we may see in Update 11.

There's a new LotRO launcher with several changes. A new region, Wildermore, has new quests, warbands, and endgame activities. The story is pushing players into Wildermore with Book 10: Snows of Wildermore. Mounted combat is getting a big update which will give players a class-specific trait tree for optimal maneuverability. The UI is getting worked over a bit to change the way players can view alerts. Players will now be able to pay for their housing further in advance, which will now go into foreclosure six months after they stop paying for upkeep.

Read the full update notes for Update 11 on the official forum.

MassivelyUpdate 11 hits LotRO's public test server originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bullroarerf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropatch-notesturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-11wildermoreWed, 24 Apr 2013 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's Helms Deep expansion coming this Fall]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/lotros-helms-deep-expansion-coming-this-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/lotros-helms-deep-expansion-coming-this-fall/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/24/lotros-helms-deep-expansion-coming-this-fall/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

LotRO's Helms Deep expansion coming this Fall
Lord of the Rings Online's fifth expansion has been announced, and Middle-earth explorers will travel to Helm's Deep sometime in the Fall of 2013. Turbine is raising the game's level cap to 95, while the epic storyline will continue through the western plains of Rohan and allow players to directly participate in the battle at Helm's Deep.

Additionally, Turbine's press release mentions new skills and "completely updated class specializations," as well as locations including Edoras, Dunharrow, and the fortress of the Hornburg.

[Source: Turbine press release]

MassivelyLotRO's Helms Deep expansion coming this Fall originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 24 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingf2pfantasyforth-eorlingasfree-to-playhelms-deephelms-deep-expansionhornburglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-expansionturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 24 Apr 2013 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Jukebox Heroes: Battle music!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/jukebox-heroes-battle-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/jukebox-heroes-battle-music/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/23/jukebox-heroes-battle-music/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Jukebox Heroes Battle music!
It's time once again to take a week off from looking at specific MMO soundtracks and open ourselves up to a theme instead. The topic? Battle music. Yeah, it can be some of the most obnoxious music in the game, especially after hearing it for the 3,000th time, but every once in a while I hear a piece that has some merit to it. These are the ones we want to examine today.

What makes for a good battle music track? I think it has to get you excited without being annoying or grating and not so loud or incredibly noticeable that you can't help but get tired of it sooner rather than later. It was actually pretty tricky to pull together six such tracks for this column, but I managed to do with with the help of Colonel Bugle up there. He's got the best MP3 collection around.

Continue reading Jukebox Heroes: Battle music!

MassivelyJukebox Heroes: Battle music! originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anarchy-onlineaoatlanticaatlantica-onlinebiowarecamelotclassic-mmocomposercomposersconsoleconsolesdaocdark-age-of-cameloteaelectronic-artseqeq1everquestf2pfantasyfeaturedffff14ffxivfinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivfree-to-playfuncomgame-musicjukeboxjukebox-heroesjustin-olivettilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrommo-jukeboxmmo-musicmusicmythicmythic-entertainmentmythologynexonnexon-americanexon-koreaopinionpvprvrsci-fisoesonysony-online-entertainmentsoundtracksoundtrackssquaresquare-enixtactical-mmoturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 23 Apr 2013 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Happy sixth birthday, LotRO!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/the-road-to-mordor-happy-sixth-birthday-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/the-road-to-mordor-happy-sixth-birthday-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2013/04/20/the-road-to-mordor-happy-sixth-birthday-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The Road to Mordor Happy 6th birthday, LotRO!
Uh, seriously guys, it was just yesterday that I was celebrating the third anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online with you in this column. At least it felt like yesterday. Really, has it been six years already? I guess it must be. It just seems like time moves so rapidly in MMOs, especially ones you've been in for years.

Even if you don't count my first six months in the game prior to and after the game's launch, my current stint in LotRO is the longest period of time that I've ever played an MMO. It's been a little over three years now that I've been playing and covering this game for Massively, and my interest in it has yet to wane. That amazes me; just when I think I might burn out on it, I find something about LotRO to rekindle my interest and passion.

There's something special about this game world that I haven't found elsewhere, I've concluded. Perhaps it's the IP restrictions and continuity that makes Middle-earth more "real" to me than other virtual worlds. Maybe it's the sheer breadth of content or the goofy hats. I can't decide. But I'm happy to raise a glass to LotRO as it turns six and look back at some of my favorite moments over the years.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Happy sixth birthday, LotRO!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Happy sixth birthday, LotRO! originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LotRO hands out daily 'Hobbit presents'
Hobbits love getting gifts, and Turbine loves players being in its game, so now everyone will be rewarded with daily and weekly presents for logging into Lord of the Rings Online. The so-called Hobbit Presents will be awarded daily, with VIP players getting a better version once a week. Each present is held only for 24 hours, after which it is gone forever (but don't cry, Argentina; a new day brings a new present).

The Hobbit Presents will drop a variety of goods, including gear, gold, boosts, and food. The weekly presents have a higher chance of dropping rare rewards. Turbine says that the system will factor in a character's class and level when generating the reward and that only one free present per account will be given daily.

A double-XP weekend began today to celebrate the game's sixth anniversary, and Update 11 is scheduled to go on the test server tomorrow.

MassivelyLotRO hands out daily 'Hobbit presents' originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Road to Mordor A day in Forochel
The snow crunches angrily beneath my boots. It's a hard snow, beaten down by the winds and the constant sub-arctic temperatures. On top of it is a light powder that stings when it is whipped into my eyes. Fortunately all is calm and quiet at the moment, and I move on.

I'm a pioneer in Forochel, or so my title tells me, but I still feel as if I don't know this untamed land. It's the roof of the world, or so they say, with odd peoples, strange languages, and frozen ruins. I see sights there that I never would anywhere else in Middle-earth, and it almost feels like an alien world removed from all I've known because of that.

I walk toward a distant fire while the snow falls behind me and covers my footprints. Too often I think of how far away I am from the safety and warmth of home, and it frightens me. Am I a fool to forge into this land? To go in the opposite direction of the One Ring? Or is this my destined path?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A day in LotRO's Forochel

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A day in LotRO's Forochel originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 13 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LotRO awards dedicated players for the game's sicth anniversary
Lord of the Rings Online is celebrating its sixth birthday this month, and to honor the occasion, the game is holding an anniversary festival from April 16th to April 30th. To say thank you to its loyal fans, Turbine is giving away special gifts based on each player's account status. These gifts will range from a set of fireworks for everyone to more exclusive items for VIP players, depending on how long they've maintained VIP status.

Be sure to log in to the game during the festival to claim your prize, and check out the official FAQ to learn more about each gift.

[Source: Turbine press release]

MassivelyLotRO rewards dedicated players for the game's sixth anniversary originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 09 Apr 2013 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Road to Mordor Stepping into Fangorn Forest
Without a doubt, Riders of Rohan is one of the best expansions Lord of the Rings Online has delivered to date. True, it's not without its rough spots, but overall I'm impressed. The storytelling is excellent, the landscape is engaging, the mounted combat is pretty fun, the music is incredible, and the amount of stuff to do is mind-boggling.

But it wasn't until a week ago when my slow-but-steady Captain finally encountered my favorite aspect of this expansion: the Eves of Fangorn. I wasn't expecting to be so enchanted and engaged, but LotRO threw me for a loop and there I was -- grinning at the zone design and happy that the game can still produce a sense of wonder and adventure in my soul.

Why is it so good? What won me over? If you're thinking, "He's got a tree fetish, he does," then you might not be too far off base.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Stepping into Fangorn Forest

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Stepping into Fangorn Forest originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 06 Apr 2013 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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