Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Is LotRO's questing system over the hill?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-road-to-mordor-is-lotros-questing-system-over-the-hill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-road-to-mordor-is-lotros-questing-system-over-the-hill/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/28/the-road-to-mordor-is-lotros-questing-system-over-the-hill/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
There's a good chance you're not reading this column right now but instead are fully immersed in the weekend beta for Guild Wars 2: Guild Harder. That's OK. I won't hold it against you -- I may even be playing it as well. Oh, those ArenaNet folks. They make such lofty promises, don't they? They're going to rewrite MMOs as we know them and show us once and for all that we've been playing with Tinker Toys when we could have fully functional jetpacks and whatnot.

I don't harbor any ill will against Guild Wars 2; in fact, I'm quite looking forward to it. But as everyone's focused on the game's excising of traditional questing as popularized by World of Warcraft, I thought it would be worth examining just how dated Lord of the Rings Online's questing system has become, if at all.

In an era of dynamic events, public quests, full voice-over, and other techniques designed to get us away from the text box questing model, will LotRO hold its ground against these fads or is it truly becoming a relic of the past? Let's dig in!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Is LotRO's questing system over the hill?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Is LotRO's questing system over the hill? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 28 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lord of the Rings Online - Oatbarton archway
It's confession time, folks. I change MMOs like most people change socks, so while many of my colleagues write about their long-term MMO love and possibly a backup game or two in this column, I'm more inclined to write about four different titles in as many weeks. In fact, by the time you finish reading this, I may well have moved on to something else.

That's OK, though, and that's one of the great things about the modern MMO space: There are just so damn many games that there's really no excuse for ever getting bored. And this week's infatuation is Lord of the Rings Online.

Continue reading Why I Play: Lord of the Rings Online

MassivelyWhy I Play: Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>editorialf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-inn-leaguelotro-music-systemmassively-metametamiddle-earthmmo-musicmusicmusic-systemnon-combatnon-combat-gameplaynostalgiaop-edopinionplayer-generated-contentroast-muttontolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentuser-generated-contentwhy-i-playwhy-i-play-lotroWed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[See the shores of the Anduin in LotRO's Update 6]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/see-the-shores-of-the-anduin-in-lotros-update-6/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/see-the-shores-of-the-anduin-in-lotros-update-6/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/29/see-the-shores-of-the-anduin-in-lotros-update-6/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - Thinglad swamp
Lord of the Rings Online has a lot of ground to cover in its quest to follow the fellowship across the wilds and deep into Mordor. And like the mighty river Anduin, the game is slowly but inexorably snaking its way across the world that Tolkien created. Update 6: Shores of the Great River adds seven new explorable areas to Turbine's digital Middle-earth, and the company has taken the wraps off some new screenshots and videos to whet players' appetites.

The patch brings us to Thinglad, Parth Celebrant, Eorlsmead, Wailing Hills, Limlight Gorge, the Brown Lands, and the Rushgore. Take a look at each of these areas in our Update 6 gallery below, then click past the cut for video tours of Limlight Gorge and Eorlsmead.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: LotRO - Update 6: Shores of the Great River

Continue reading See the shores of the Anduin in LotRO's Update 6

MassivelySee the shores of the Anduin in LotRO's Update 6 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anduineorlsmeadf2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerylimlight-gorgelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-update-6middle-earthscreenshotsshores-of-the-great-rivertolkienturbineTurbine-Entertainmentupdate-6videoWed, 29 Feb 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Riding into Rohan: LotRO maps out 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/riding-into-rohan-lotro-maps-out-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/riding-into-rohan-lotro-maps-out-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/25/riding-into-rohan-lotro-maps-out-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Riders of Rohan
In the words of Frank Sinatra, 2011 "was a very good year" for Lord of the Rings Online. Executive Producer Kate Paiz and Director of Communications Adam Mersky sat down with us to talk about the future of the game, but before they got to the juicy details, they wanted to give a quick recap of the previous year for the game and the studio.

The big emphasis for LotRO in 2011 was the unifying of the global community and the release of the game's third (and best-selling) expansion, Rise of Isengard. While the aforementioned unification of the NA and EU sides of the game presented many challenges for the team including localization, it paid off in spades. Turbine plans to continue to add more payment options for those used to methods other than the ones currently available. The team was most proud of unveiling Saruman "in all of his glory" and the inclusion of free players into the sphere of Monster Play.

"The game definitely grew last year," Mersky said in response to a question about the current number of players. He noted that the playerbase has changed somewhat in the past two years, becoming more casual in some respects.

But it's time to move forward! Turbine is prepared to take LotRO players on a dizzying chase around the wilds of Middle-earth with a few significant changes and additions to the game -- and the release of the brand-new expansion later this year, Riders of Rohan. Mounted combat, ho!

Continue reading Riding into Rohan: LotRO maps out 2012

MassivelyRiding into Rohan: LotRO maps out 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acadam-merskyamon-henaragornasherons-callbig-teves-of-fangornfangornfangorn-forestfeaturedfifth-anniversaryfourth-anniversaryfrank-sinatragilmligreat-rivergreat-river-andulgrindaversaryinstance-finderkate-paizlegolaslord-of-the-rings-onlinelothlorienlotromounted-combatriders-of-rohanrise-of-isengardrohanrohirrimskirmish-soldiersoldiers-in-landscapessoldiers-on-landscapestolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentWed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO producer's letter promises a ton of content in 2012]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/lotro-producers-letter-promises-a-ton-of-content-in-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/lotro-producers-letter-promises-a-ton-of-content-in-2012/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/26/lotro-producers-letter-promises-a-ton-of-content-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - The Shire
Can you believe that Lord of the Rings Online is nearly five years old? We can't either, but it's true, and Turbine's Aaron "Rowan" Campbell says the best is yet to come in his latest producer letter.

The piece is pretty short, and much of it is devoted to recapping 2011. Campbell touches on the Rise of Isengard expansion and the Turbine Global Service initiative (which unified the North American and European LotRO communities under a single banner).

The most interesting portion of the blurb occurs toward the end, and it features quite a tasty tease for the future. "In 2012, you can expect more content than you've seen at any time since our launch in 2007. We'll be unveiling details with you after the New Year," he writes.

In other LotRO news, Turbine is offering the aforementioned Rise of Isengard content for a whopping 50% off. The catch? It's a one-day sale that starts (and ends) on December 26th, so get it while you can!

MassivelyLotRO producer's letter promises a ton of content in 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-campbellf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthproducers-lettertolkienupdateMon, 26 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine teases Rohan content with new LotRO screenshots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/turbine-teases-rohan-content-with-new-lotro-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/turbine-teases-rohan-content-with-new-lotro-screenshots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/30/turbine-teases-rohan-content-with-new-lotro-screenshots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - FORTH EORLINGAS! OK, maybe not quite yet
Oh Turbine, how you're teasing us with visions of Rohan, Rohirrim, and desperately suicidal cavalry charges punctuated by raucous shouts of "DEATH!" OK, now that we're all hot and bothered, let's have a look at the latest Lord of the Rings Online screenshots.

The new batch coincides with the continuation of the game's epic storyline, and the shots primarily center around Theodred, prince of Rohan and son of King Theoden. If you've read Tolkien -- or seen Peter Jackson's films -- you're probably familiar with Theodred's fate and thus it might surprise you to learn that you'll be aiding him in Turbine's version of Middle-earth. It all fits, though, and you can find the prince in the game's new Dunland region, preparing his troops for battle and waiting on the timely assistance of heroes like you.

[Source: Turbine press release]

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery

MassivelyTurbine teases Rohan content with new LotRO screenshots originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dunlandf2pfantasyfree-to-playgallerylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroquestsrohanrohirrimscreensscreenshotstheodredtolkienturbineWed, 30 Nov 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online still not available in China]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/lord-of-the-rings-online-still-not-available-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/lord-of-the-rings-online-still-not-available-in-china/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/15/lord-of-the-rings-online-still-not-available-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online - skirmish dragon
When it comes to mammoth western themepark MMOs and the Chinese gaming market, apparently there can be only one. And that one isn't named Lord of the Rings Online (or Highlander Online, sadly).

CDC Corporation initially entered into an agreement to distribute Turbine's Tolkien-inspired MMORPG to Chinese gamers in 2006. Five years later, the game still has not seen the light of day, and Turbine has pulled the plug on the arrangement as a result. CDC spent approximately $10 million on "licensing, development, and other costs," but has nothing to show for the expenditures.

Don't cry too hard for Turbine, though, as the Boston-based developer pocketed the $4 million non-refundable licensing fee.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online still not available in China originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscdccdc-corporationchinachinese-gaming-marketf2pfantasyfree-to-playlicensinglocalizationlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrommo-industrytolkientranslationturbineTurbine-EntertainmentThu, 15 Sep 2011 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-road-to-mordor-not-all-who-wander-are-lost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-road-to-mordor-not-all-who-wander-are-lost/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/19/the-road-to-mordor-not-all-who-wander-are-lost/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Road to Mordor
These are exciting times for Lord of the Rings Online, for sure. The Fellowship -- and hundreds of thousands of groupies following in its wake -- has moved south, and we are growing ever closer to Mordor and Mt. Doom. In a month, Middle-earth will grow significantly with the addition of Rise of Isengard, and level-capped players will suddenly have a whole new buffet of content to devour.

It's also a good era for exposure for the game, as plenty of people will get to see the expansion at Gamescom and PAX, not to mention those already in the beta proper. While we haven't heard anything about the game's finances or player numbers lately, there's no reason to believe that it's not still going strong.

That said, I want to take a step back today, as I sometimes do, and look at the larger picture. How is LotRO positioned against the current competition and the heavy-hitters yet to come? What does Turbine need to be working on over the next year or two? Are we just wandering aimlessly, or is the path laid out for journey for a long time to come?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Not all who wander are lost originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last week Turbine released the concept art for one of its major bosses from the upcoming Rise of Isengard expansion: Draigoch. With it came a number of appropriate "oohs" and "ahhs," and no doubt raiders began thinking up uses for a giant dragon skull in their homes. But there was also a crowd that popped out to cry foul about lore molestation -- that this was a blatant example of Turbine pandering to MMO players by including the expected dragons even when the lore shouldn't support it.

A couple examples of quotes, first. "Yet whatever way you cut this idea, how can you integrate another dragon into the story? Smaug was the last one of his kind," Contains Moderate Peril complains. A commenter on our article sniped, "So Turbine's decided to entirely drop the pretense of sticking to the lore, then?"

Ouch.

As much as I am totally not attached to MMO lore in general, I feel like this might be a good time to both address this particular argument and also the larger one of Turbine's approach to Tolkien's world. Are giant dragons lore-breaking? Does Turbine simply not care about remaining faithful to source material? Do you have my decaf light mocha with cinnamon sprinkles?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Double dragons

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Double dragons originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adaptationberephoncontains-moderate-perildragondragonsdraigochdwarveselvesfeaturedgollumhobbitsjefJonathan-Rudderjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelore-breakinglore-masterlore-monkeylotromeomiddle-earthmiddle-earth-onlinemochapeter-jacksonrune-keeperssmaugsoapboxsource-materialthe-hobbitthird-agetolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentvivendiFri, 22 Jul 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's Rise of Isengard beta begins July 27th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/lotros-rise-of-isengard-beta-begins-july-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/lotros-rise-of-isengard-beta-begins-july-27th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/22/lotros-rise-of-isengard-beta-begins-july-27th/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Feel like the road trip to Mordor isn't getting there as fast as you'd like? Good news, everyone -- Turbine's about ready to pull out of the gas station and truck toward Isengard! Today the studio announced that the beta program for Lord of the Rings Online's Rise of Isengard expansion will begin next Wednesday, July 27th.

Invites will be going out to select players across North America and Europe, although the NDA forbids participants from even mentioning that they're part of the program. Those who have pre-ordered the digital expansion will have "preferred access" to the beta, so that seems like your best bet if you're interested.

Rise of Isengard will release on September 27th, and contains a level cap increase to 75, three new zones and a 24-person raid against the dragon Draigoch. The expansion heads deep into the territory mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers.

MassivelyLotRO's Rise of Isengard beta begins July 27th originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-man-raid24-person-raidbetaclosed-betadraigochexpansionisengardjrr-tolkienlevel-cap-increaselord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropre-orderpreferred-accessraidrise-of-isengardsarumanthe-two-towerstolkienturbineTurbine-EntertainmentFri, 22 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: A talk with the crew of The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/the-road-to-mordor-a-talk-with-the-crew-of-the-fellows-hip-ris/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/the-road-to-mordor-a-talk-with-the-crew-of-the-fellows-hip-ris/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/01/the-road-to-mordor-a-talk-with-the-crew-of-the-fellows-hip-ris/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Buzz has been increasing about an intriguing independent film that looks to blend Tolkien love, geek pride, and Lord of the Rings Online fandom into one epic adventure. Called The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers, this movie is about a group of friends who undertake a journey to a convention in order to participate in a LotRO gaming competition (and stick it to some bullies while they're at it).

Many blogs, such as LOTRO Reporter and A Casual Stroll to Mordor, have promoted this up-and-coming film, and after seeing the trailer, we too became fascinated with what could be a fun movie that puts MMO gaming front and center.

One may not simply walk into Mordor, but with the right connections, one could phone the folks up there. We got on the line with three crew members for The Fellows Hip -- Ron Newcomb (producer, director and writer), Scott Mathais (producer and writer), and Shane McClung (producer) -- to see just what type of lovable insanity would cause a group of people to throw together such a movie.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A talk with the crew of The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A talk with the crew of The Fellows Hip: Rise of the Gamers originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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I had so much fun walking down the halls of "What if?" last week that I thought I'd keep the streak going for the rest of the month (if you'll allow for some summertime indulgence). It's not that I necessarily wanted MMO history to turn out differently than it did, but it's always tantalizing to wonder what the field would look like with different games out there. Would they have proven more popular than our current crops? Would they have pushed the envelope of innovation?

Of course, it's easy to project greatness onto never-released titles, bemoaning that "if only MMO X had launched, we would've had the perfect game!" What ifs are interesting but should never be taken as absolute fact.

This week I wanted to look at a project that's related to an MMO near and dear to my heart. As most of you know, I'm somewhat of a Lord of the Rings Online nut here at Massively. Sure, the rest of the staff is upset that I smoke pipeweed inside and never wear shoes, but that's just how far I go to understand the game.

But even my LotRO isn't immune to a massive what if. Known to some but not to all, Turbine wasn't the first MMO studio to take a crack at Tolkien's license -- no, for that we have to travel back to 1998 and revisit Sierra On-Line. It was this company that had a brief but memorable run designing Middle-earth Online, aka "What if LotRO had permadeath?" It's a fascinating glimpse into an entirely different approach to the IP, and even though it died a fairly early death, it's important to be remembered. Frodo lives!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Middle-earth Online

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the What Ifs: Middle-earth Online originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2-d3-dbalrogcraig-alexanderdaniel-jameselveseqeverquestfeaturedfourth-agefrodofrodo-livesi-hate-elvesisometricjoe-ludwigjrr-tolkienkings-questlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromeomiddle-earth-onlinemonster-playpermadeathpkpkingplayer-killingpsychologypuzzle-piratessierrasierra-onlinespace-queststephen-nicholsthe-game-archaeologistthe-professorthe-realmthe-realm-onlinetolkienultima-onlineuovivendivivendi-universalTue, 21 Jun 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine announces LotRO's Rise of Isengard release date]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/turbine-announces-lotros-rise-of-isengard-release-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/turbine-announces-lotros-rise-of-isengard-release-date/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/07/turbine-announces-lotros-rise-of-isengard-release-date/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

The road goes ever on for fans of Lord of the Rings Online, and as of September 27th, that road will lead to Isengard. Turbine has just announced the official launch date for its Rise of Isengard expansion, and the update will add Isengard, Dunland, and the Gap of Rohan to the expanding Middle-earth map.

There's also a new level cap in the offing (75) as well as a new 24-player raid in the works. If September seems far away, take heart. Turbine has also announced that pre-orders are available today, and bonus items including a new cloak, title, mount, and bonus XP will be available in-game immediately after your purchase.

The pre-order comes in three flavors (the Base, Heroic, and Legendary editions), and each includes the full expansion and an escalating array of the bonus items listed above. Head to the official Rise of Isengard website for more and check out the trailer after the cut!

Continue reading Turbine announces LotRO's Rise of Isengard release date

MassivelyTurbine announces LotRO's Rise of Isengard release date originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24-man-raidbreakingdunlandf2pfantasyfree-to-playgap-of-rohanisengardlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthpre-orderpre-order-bonusrise-of-isengardtolkientrailerupdatesvideoTue, 07 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 1]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-1/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/26/the-game-archaeologist-plays-with-muds-your-journeys-part-1/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

What a long, strange trip it's been back through the heyday of multi-user dungeons and the many, many spin-offs and variations thereof. We've looked at the history, talked with Richard Bartle, and promoted a few of the best titles out there -- but we're not done yet! The Game Archaeologist will not hang up his hat and call it a day well-lived until your stories are entered into the history books.

Throughout this month, MUD and MU* players have deluged the inbox of the Game Archaeologist Institute for Text-Based Virtual Worlds, impressing us with hefty paragraphs of passionate experiences. These stories are so good, in fact, that we have little desire to choose between them, which is why we're going to annex the first week of May so that we can share all of them. May won't mind -- May's cool like that.

So hit the jump and read the testimonies of the word warriors who were there on the front line of parser combat and grammatically correct roleplaying. These are their stories. This is your lunch break.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 1

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist plays with MUDs: Your journeys, part 1 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AmberMUSHbbsbulletin-board-systemdungeons-and-dragonsexcelsiorfar-sidefarsidefeaturedfireflygopherIntoTheBlackiron-realms-entertainmentlusterniamajormudmoomumudmulti-user-dungeonmushotherspacepvprichard-bartleRoger ZelaznyRogerZelaznystar-trekstar-wars-galaxiesstarfleet-academyswgsysopthe-game-archaeologisttolkienTOS-TrekMUSETrekMUSEwes-plattwhite-wolfworld-of-darknessyorktownTue, 26 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Four more years, four more years!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/the-road-to-mordor-four-more-years-four-more-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/the-road-to-mordor-four-more-years-four-more-years/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/22/the-road-to-mordor-four-more-years-four-more-years/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

While four years is not a nice round number -- or even a halfway number like five -- it's a substantial milestone for any MMORPG. Debuting in early 2007, Lord of the Rings Online introduced something we'd never seen before: a fully realized 3-D virtual Middle-earth where we could not only enjoy a deep MMO but explore the lands and meet the people we'd only read about before.

It might not be a universal truth that all LotRO players are big Tolkien fans, but I'm sure enough that it's a sizable chunk of the playerbase. There's something special about the IP that gives a weight and richness to the game, especially when a long-time reader of the books is given leave to actually go on adventures through Eriador, Moria and Mirkwood. It's a giant sight-seeing tour of lore, a thrill with every brush one has with the source material.

It's heady to consider that four years ago we were but starting on this journey, feeling out the mechanics of combat, crafting and pie-running. Four years later, LotRO has emerged to be one of the most significant MMOs of the past decade, growing strong with no signs of slowing down.

Hit the jump as we reminisce about the ups, the downs, and the off-the-beaten-path hikes of our beloved game as it celebrates its fourth anniversary.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Four more years, four more years!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Four more years, four more years! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4th-anniversaryaaron-campbellacadam-merskyanniversaryasherons-callatlas-of-middle-earthblizzardddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineepic-storylineeriadoreurogamerf2pfeaturedfourth-anniversaryfree-to-playgame-chroniclesjeffrey-steefeljrr-tolkienlegendary-itemslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrometacriticmiddle-earthmirkwoodmoriapvmpradianceseoulshadows-of-angmarskirmishessouth-koreatolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentwarner-broswbworld-of-warcraftwowwow-cloneFri, 22 Apr 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online anniversary bringing double XP, beer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/lord-of-the-rings-online-anniversary-bringing-double-xp-beer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/lord-of-the-rings-online-anniversary-bringing-double-xp-beer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/19/lord-of-the-rings-online-anniversary-bringing-double-xp-beer/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The 2011 version of Lord of the Rings Online's Spring Festival may have passed into legend, but hope remains for Hobbits, Men, and fair folk when it comes to having a good time in the month of April (OK, Dwarves are invited too).

Beginning this weekend, Turbine is offering double XP on monster kills to celebrate LotRO's four-year anniversary (yes it has been that long) as well as a number of events designed to put even the grumpiest denizens of Middle-earth in a festive mood. In addition to featuring horse races, new cosmetic items, and anniversary tokens galore, the event marks the return of the much-loved beer fight -- sorry, the Battle for Glorious Beer -- wherein players are tasked with clubbing their fellows around an ale-soaked arena in Thorin's Hall.

The official LotRO website has a few details, as do the folks at A Casual Stroll to Mordor. The celebration runs from April 19th through May 2nd, while the double XP event runs from April 21st to the 24th. You can check out some new anniversary shots in our gallery below.

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online Core Gallery

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online anniversary bringing double XP, beer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>4-year-anniversaryanniversaryanniversary-eventbattle-for-glorious-beerbeerbeer-fightdwarf-tossingf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthtolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 19 Apr 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Echoes of the Dead update launches on Lord of the Rings Online's Euro shards]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/echoes-of-the-dead-update-launches-on-lord-of-the-rings-onlines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/echoes-of-the-dead-update-launches-on-lord-of-the-rings-onlines/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/24/echoes-of-the-dead-update-launches-on-lord-of-the-rings-onlines/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Better late than never, eh? Lord of the Rings Online's Update 2: Echoes of the Dead has been out for a couple of days in the States, and Turbine's European servers are finally joining the long-expected party today. Much like its American counterpart, the Euro version of Update 2 will be dropping the reviled radiance system and also spicing up Monster Play PvP with an initial round of tweaks.

Minstrels, Burglars, and Hunters have also been given a bit of a facelift, and Legendary Items are on the receiving end of some developer love. Finally, Volume III: Book 3 continues LotRO's epic story quest line, and the Volume II epic arc has been revamped to make it more solo-friendly. These are just a few of the changes in store for denizens of Turbine's Middle-earth, and you can read the full release notes on the official Codemasters forums.

MassivelyEchoes of the Dead update launches on Lord of the Rings Online's Euro shards originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-long-expected-patchechoes-of-the-deadeuroeuropean-serversf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrlotromonster-playpatchpvpradianceradiance-removaltolkienupdateupdate-2Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine releases new LotRO Echoes of the Dead screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/turbine-releases-new-lotro-echoes-of-the-dead-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/turbine-releases-new-lotro-echoes-of-the-dead-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/turbine-releases-new-lotro-echoes-of-the-dead-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Big changes are in the offing for Lord of the Rings Online's upcoming Echoes of the Dead update, and whether it's radiance removal, legendary item and relic changes, or the continuation of the epic quest line into Book 3, there's bound to be something for everyone.

Turbine has just released a new batch of screenshots previewing the update, and more specifically, the images give us a glimpse of changes to the character UI. There's also a shot of a rather monstrous undead dude sporting some pretty spiffy headgear, so do yourself a favor and check out all the juicy details in our gallery below.

Gallery: Lord of the Rings Online free-to-play

MassivelyTurbine releases new LotRO Echoes of the Dead screens originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>book-3echoes-of-the-deadf2pfantasyfree-to-playgalleriesgallerylord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthpatchscreenshotstolkienturbineTurbine-Entertainmentuiui-tweaksupdateWed, 23 Feb 2011 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online dev diary details legendary item and relic changes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/lord-of-the-rings-online-dev-diary-details-legendary-item-and-re/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/lord-of-the-rings-online-dev-diary-details-legendary-item-and-re/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/23/lord-of-the-rings-online-dev-diary-details-legendary-item-and-re/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

While the radiance mea culpa and radiance's subsequent removal from the game is the big Lord of the Rings Online news nugget of the month, it's worth noting that Turbine's version of Middle-earth will be rolling out some changes to legendary weapons as well.

In a new dev diary at the official LotRO website, Ken "Graalx2" Burd and Brian "Zombie Columbus" Aloiso spell out some of the upcoming tweaks. The good news is that the randomness associated with legendary items is soon to be a distant memory. In spite of the Pool A/Pool B legacies introduced with the Mirkwood expansion, players would still occasionally be stuck with item legacies that didn't fit with particular playstyles. New Legacy Replacement Scrolls will remedy this situation; they will be acquired through the deconstruction of an item with the desired legacy (or through the game's item shop).

The devs also have a bit of info to pass along regarding changes to the game's relic system. In a nutshell, the goal for relics was the same as the goal for legendary item tweaks: reduce the random element and give the player more control. To this end, the number of relic tiers has been reduced to six, as has the amount of time required to attain the top tier. Secondly, Turbine has added a new legendary item currency called shards, which serves to "bind various parts of the system together," according to Aloiso. It's a lot more complicated than that, of course, and you can read the lengthy details at the official LotRO website.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online dev diary details legendary item and relic changes originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-aloisodev-diaryf2pfantasyfree-to-playgame-mechanicsgraalx2ken-burdlegendary-item-currencylegendary-itemslegendary-weaponslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthrelationshipsremakes+and+sequelsshardstolkienturbineTurbine-Entertainmentzombie-columbusWed, 23 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine dev diary outlines LotRO Hunter tweaks]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/turbine-dev-diary-outlines-lotro-hunter-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/turbine-dev-diary-outlines-lotro-hunter-tweaks/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/09/turbine-dev-diary-outlines-lotro-hunter-tweaks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The winds of change are blowing toward Lord of the Rings Online's Hunter class, and Turbine developer Brian "Zombie Columbus" Aloisio has penned a new dev diary detailing the efforts to make Hunters more interesting for high-level players. This is no small feat, as "the Hunter was intentionally designed to avoid complexity," Aloisio says. "The differences between the trait lines are a little shallow."

How exactly is Turbine going to achieve the delicate balance between easy-to-play and hard-to-master? Aloisio outlines three primary focus points for the Hunter changes: a reduction of the number of "filler" traits, enhancements for underused skills (as opposed to new skill additions), and general maintenance. The dev diary goes into great detail regarding the bowmaster and huntsman lines, with the former ultimately receiving a reduction in top damage potential but an increase in the overall effective damage and the latter seeing significant changes to Fleet Stance and Strength of the Earth.

Find a path to the official LotRO website for the full details.

MassivelyTurbine dev diary outlines LotRO Hunter tweaks originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-aloisioclass-changesclass-tweaksclassesf2pfantasyfree-to-playhunterlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthtolkienturbineturbine-entertainmentzombie-columbusWed, 09 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The Professor]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-professor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-professor/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-professor/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

This past week on January 3rd, J.R.R. Tolkien celebrated his 118th birthday -- or rather, we celebrated it for him. Tolkien was born in South Africa in 1892 and lived a rich and full life, from fighting in the first World War to working on the Oxford English Dictionary to taking a position at several universities that would earn him the nickname "The Professor."

He is, of course, most well-remembered for his seminal works of fantasy -- The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion -- although his writings didn't end there. Due to Tolkien's love of nature, linguistics, and mythology, his creations were born out of comprehensive backgrounds and rich histories, which he seemed to love making up just as much as the stories themselves.

For years now, Tolkien fans around the world have remembered his birthday by raising a glass on his birthday and giving a simple toast, "The Professor," at 9:00 p.m. wherever they lived. Likewise, in Lord of the Rings Online, many players gathered at their tavern of choice to do the same.

Today I thought I'd remember the Professor in a slightly different way by exploring the quest chain "Missing the Meeting." While it's not completely overt if you happened to come across it, "Missing the Meeting" is a tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien and his life, and it's worth going through at least once if you want to pay homage and get a nifty token by which to remember him.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The Professor

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The Professor originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bird-and-baby-innbirthdaybrandywinebullroarers-swardcarlo-williamscharles-williamschronicles-of-narniacs-lewiseagle-and-child-pubelfevendimfeaturedfrostbluff-theatrehomagehugo-dysoninklingsjack-lewisdownjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelost-doglost-leaflotrolotro-wikimiddle-earthmissing-the-meetingnarnianpcowen-barfieldowen-farfieldoxford-english-dictionarypipepostal-servicequestronald-dwaleroverandomsouth-africathe-hobbitthe-inklingsthe-professorthe-silmarilliontoasttolkientolkiennaturbineuniversity-of-oxfordworld-war-iyule-festivalFri, 07 Jan 2011 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Figgy pudding]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/the-road-to-mordor-figgy-pudding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/the-road-to-mordor-figgy-pudding/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/17/the-road-to-mordor-figgy-pudding/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

For those of us who celebrate the holidays, right now is an insanely busy time of the year. There are presents to be wrapped, eggnog to be nogged, and looks of annoyance to be thrown at the radio when the music station decides to play that Do They Know It's Christmas? song for the sixth time that hour.

It also means that winter holidays are hitting most major MMOs, including our beloved Lord of the Rings Online. This year, the Yule Festival is marked by the addition of a whole new area -- Winter-home -- and players are already neck-deep in the quests, snowball fights and theatrical hilarity. Turbine's done a spectacular job this year infusing a lot more life and fun into the festivals, from the shrew stomping this past spring to the Haunted Burrow this fall. Winter-home is, in many ways, a perfect capstone to a terrific year for the game, and it's a pretty enjoyable event from what I've seen so far.

So grab that cute Hobbit or Dwarf and join me as we travel to the merriment of Winter-home this week!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Figgy pudding

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Figgy pudding originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Disclaimer: The Soapbox column is entirely the opinion of this week's writer and does not necessarily reflect the views of Massively as a whole. If you're afraid of opinions other than your own, you might want to skip this column.

Luke: What a piece of junk!

Han: She'll make point five past lightspeed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. I've made a lot of special modifications myself. But we're a little rushed, so if you'll just get on board, we'll get out of here.

Luke: Lawlz. You can't pilot that thing. It's a YT-1300 and you're a Rebel-aligned Smuggler!

Han: %&*$ ...

Ah yes, continuity. It might as well be a four-letter word, at least when it comes to MMORPGs based on existing intellectual properties. Sure, producers pay a lot of lip service to faithfully recreating beloved works in an online space, but the reality inevitably ends up looking like the love child of Frankenstein's monster and a duck-billed platypus.

Why then do we keep seeing MMOs riffing on Star Wars, Star Trek, Tolkien, and even Battlestar Galactica? Easy money, of course. A better question, and one I hope to answer at the conclusion of today's Soapbox, is why "MMORPG" automatically equals butchered continuity. In a nutshell, why is it so hard to respect the IP?

Continue reading The Soapbox: Respect the IP (or, why MMOs can't)

MassivelyThe Soapbox: Respect the IP (or, why MMOs can't) originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanbiowarecanonconancontinuitycrypticcryptic-studiosfeaturedfuncomintellectual-propertyipip-based-mmosjeffrey-steefellord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelore-nazismmo-prime-directiveopinionrespect-the-ipsoapboxsoapbox-jef-reahardSOESony-Online-Entertainmentstar-trekstar-trek-onlinestar-warsstar-wars-galaxiesstar-wars-the-old-republicswgswtorthe-soapboxtolkienturbineTurbine-EntertainmentTue, 16 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Will our journey take us back to The Hobbit?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-will-our-journey-take-us-back-to-the-hobbit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-will-our-journey-take-us-back-to-the-hobbit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/12/the-road-to-mordor-will-our-journey-take-us-back-to-the-hobbit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


The next few years promise to be exciting ones for fans of Middle-earth. Ever since The Return of the King debuted in theaters in 2003, audiences have clamored for more of Tolkien on the big screen -- specifically, The Hobbit. After nearly a decade of back-and-forth negotiating and legal entanglements, it appears that this The Hobbit movies are finally going to happen, with Sir Peter Jackson once again in the director's chair and Martin Freeman taking on the lead role as Bilbo.

That's smashing news for movie buffs, but what does this have to do with Lord of the Rings Online -- y'know, that MMO we sometimes talk about in this column? It could be "very little," with Turbine proceeding on its merry way and perhaps enjoying the free boost to playership as movie buffs hunt around for a game to extend the experience. However, if the company were smart, it would be laying out the groundwork right now to synergize the heck out of the movie with a similar in-game experience.

For a while now, I've been chewing on the notion that Turbine could incorporate the events, locations and characters of The Hobbit into LotRO -- in fact, several of the key pieces are already in place. Could our journey in LotRO eventually take us back to the era of Bilbo's grand adventure? How would such a thing even work?

Hit the jump and I will smack your brain so hard with ideas that you'll forget all of your piano lessons. It's OK -- you didn't really need them.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Will our journey take us back to The Hobbit?

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Will our journey take us back to The Hobbit? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>back-to-the-futurebattle-of-the-five-armiesbilbobilbo-bagginschrono-triggerdwalinenedwaithf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgloingoblin-townhobbithobbit-playlonely-mountainlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromartin-freemanmcflymiddle-earthmirkwoodmisty-mountainspeter-jacksonreturn-of-the-kingrhovanionrhunrivendellsession-playsmaugthe-greatest-little-hobbit-of-them-allthe-hobbitthe-return-of-the-kingthe-simarilliontime-traveltimelinetolkientolkien-enterprisestrollshawsturbineTurbine-EntertainmentFri, 12 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The Codemasters conundrum]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/the-road-to-mordor-the-codemasters-conundrum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/the-road-to-mordor-the-codemasters-conundrum/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/the-road-to-mordor-the-codemasters-conundrum/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

J.R.R. Tolkien once wrote, "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." In light of recent events, we might turn that phrase to become, "Do not meddle in the affairs of players, for they are outspoken and very, very quick to anger."

I'm referring, of course, to the outright debacle that's been happening on the Lord of the Rings Online European front. While Turbine released LotRO's F2P version along with the latest patch a month ago in North America, Codemasters has yet to follow suit, citing numerous problems on its end.

When we first heard of the delay, I assumed it would be shortly resolved -- perhaps no more than a week or two at the most -- which is why I've mostly kept from discussing it in this column before now. Tech problems happen, there's always legal traps waiting, code can be glitchy, and regionalization is an ever-present obstacle. But at this point it feels as though the EU "Have-Nots" community has been under siege from lack of information and a frustrating view of the "Haves" across the pond.

When will it be their turn? Why didn't Codemasters see this coming? How is the EU team trying to mollify the community as the devs scramble to get this puppy to live? Let's take a journey, you and I, through the past month and into the near future. Don't mind the hobbits picketing the Shire -- I'm sure it'll all work out.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The Codemasters conundrum

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The Codemasters conundrum originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's hard being the youngest child -- you get the hand-me-downs, suffer through swirlies by older siblings, and eventually develop such a neurosis that it requires seven different brands of horse tranquilizers to make it through the day. Not that I would actually know, being an oldest child and all. But I suppose it would be a hard-knock life.

In a couple ways, Asheron's Call was the youngest of the three MMO siblings that comprised the first major MMO generation. Ultima Online, the big brother, had prestige and legacy behind it, and middle child EverQuest quickly became the most popular at school. And then there was Asheron's Call, poking its head on the scene in late 1999 as a cooperative project between developer Turbine and publisher Microsoft. AC never got the recognition of Ultima Online nor the numbers of EverQuest, but this scrappy title became a fan favorite and endured even to this day -- beyond its own sequel, believe it or not.

Instead of plowing through a stale history report of Asheron's Call today, I thought it'd be fun to come up with a list of the eight most unique aspects of this fairly innovative 11-year-old MMO. Ah lists, how I adore thee -- let me count the ways. Eight ways, to be precise!

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist and the Asheron Recall: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist and the Asheron Recall: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acac2allegiance-systemasherons-callasherons-call-2asherons-call-for-dinnerasherons-whisper-of-sweet-nothingsasherons-yodelcrypticderethdnddungeons-and-dragonseqeventseverquestfealty-systemfeaturedfiunlistslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromicrosoftmosswartolthoiracial-skillsseamless-worldskill-basedstar-trek-onlinestostory-arcthe-game-archaeologisttolkienturbineultima-onlineundeaduoworld-of-warcraftzombiesTue, 05 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's radiance to be run over by a train and other future tidbits revealed]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/lotros-radiance-to-be-run-over-by-a-train-and-other-future-tidb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/lotros-radiance-to-be-run-over-by-a-train-and-other-future-tidb/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/07/lotros-radiance-to-be-run-over-by-a-train-and-other-future-tidb/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

"We took Radiance outside, tied it up to some railroad tracks, and...well...I think you saw the end of this in Red Dead Redemption. Look for this in the future -‐ we will be removing Radiance from LotRO." Thus sayeth Turbine's Jen "Jalessa" Gordy, who confirmed that the controversial gear gating system is headed for a messy death.

In the same WarCry developer chat, the team fielded a number of questions about where LotRO is headed after this week's mega-update. Some of the features in the works for Tolkien's digital offspring include a new raid, class changes for monster play, a barter item wallet, PvMP skirmishes, Isengard, additional minigames and -- yes -- vanity pets for all. The devs also admitted to slipping in a few pop culture mentions into the game, such as Firefly and Futurama references.

And will there ever be any other hobbies than fishing in LotRO? Kate Paiz mused: "All of us devs really want to make golf next, but it's a tricky undertaking, so we don't have a timeline yet, but feel free to start practicing your backswings!"

You can read the full transcript at A Casual Stroll to Mordor.

MassivelyLotRO's radiance to be run over by a train and other future tidbits revealed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordorcant-stop-the-signaldev-chatdeveloper-chatfireflyfishingfuturamagolfhobbieshypnotoadisengardjen-gordyjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrominigamespvmpradianceraidred-dead-redemptiontolkienturbinevanity-petswarcryTue, 07 Sep 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[We've got your key for The Lord of the Rings Online F2P beta test!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/weve-got-your-key-for-the-lord-of-the-rings-online-f2p-beta-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/weve-got-your-key-for-the-lord-of-the-rings-online-f2p-beta-test/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/26/weve-got-your-key-for-the-lord-of-the-rings-online-f2p-beta-test/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Step right up here friends, I said step right up! How would you, yes you, like to try out the title that has been 'causin a ruckus among us? That's right, friend, I'm talking about the one, the only, the hobbittastic Lord of the Rings Online[TM]! But I'm not talkin' about the one that's already out there, friend! I'm talkin' about the one that's coming -- the free to play version! Are you gamer enough to take it on?

All right, circus barker speech aside, our friends over at Turbine have supplied us with a special code for those of you who want to get in on the Lord of the Rings Online beta! However, there is a catch to this code -- it can only be used for 500 Massively readers who will be invited to the beta when the next wave of invites goes out.

Want more information, as well as the code you'll need to enter when you sign up for the beta? Not a problem, just skip past the break for all of the information you'll need!

Continue reading We've got your key for The Lord of the Rings Online F2P beta test!

MassivelyWe've got your key for The Lord of the Rings Online F2P beta test! originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-key-giveawaybeta-testcbtclosed-beta-keyclosed-beta-key-giveawayclosed-beta-testf2pfree-to-playj-r-r-tolkienlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earththe-lord-of-the-rings-onlinetolkienturbinewarner-brosMon, 26 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Disillusionment with MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/disillusionment-with-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/disillusionment-with-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/29/disillusionment-with-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Because I never studied nor considered studying psychology, you may doubt my words, but I will still tell you that many people go through a phase in life in which things become less shiny for them. What, there really is no Santa Claus? Those awesome space battles on TV are just tiny plastic miniatures hanging from fishing-line? World of Warcraft didn't invent Naga? Sooner or later the curtain will be pulled back on something you found new or fascinating in your life. Losing that sense of excitement from something you thought was different or new can leave a gaping hole of disillusionment.

The short history of MMOs is not immune to providing plenty of room for players to become disillusioned. Like television, movies, and books, MMOs don't use 100% new content that developers invented out of thin air. I've been on many MMO forums and have seen players at different stages of disillusionment seemingly frothing at the mouth about being sick of elves in fantasy MMOs, and accusing one MMO of stealing a name or even a similar-sounding name from an MMO they would defend as "more original." The fact is that most concepts and ideas have already been done, and it can just be hard to deal with. Who doesn't get a little disillusioned when he grows up and finds out his dad or mom really isn't the smartest or strongest person in the world? If I haven't disappointed you enough then follow along as I spoil even more of your favorite MMOs -- but hopefully I can also show you that disillusionment isn't the end.

Continue reading Disillusionment with MMOs

MassivelyDisillusionment with MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apathyAvatarbattlestar-galacticadisillusioneddisillusionmentelvesgetting-boredlord-of-the-ringslorelotrominotaurNaganew-ideasno-elvesnothing-newPocahontasrehashretelling-old-storiesRolePlayingsomething-newSquidstorystorytellingteratin-mantolkienworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 29 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/the-road-to-mordor-rune-keepers-under-siege/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/the-road-to-mordor-rune-keepers-under-siege/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/28/the-road-to-mordor-rune-keepers-under-siege/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Let's start today's column with a couple presuppositions, shall we? Number one: There is no set standard for being a "true" Tolkien fan. There's always someone out there who knows more than you, thinks that he is more faithful to the source material, and considers himself better than you in this regard. Like any fans, Tolkien-ites (Tolkkies?) are diverse. They may share the same passion, but they come to it from different backgrounds and with different standards.

Number two: Turbine is not out to molest the corpse of good ol' J.R.R. by turning Lord of the Rings into a farce. Yes, it's all well and good to say as such when you want to be melodramatic on the forums, but the truth of the matter is that Turbine's done an excellent job sticking to both the lore and the spirit of Middle-earth as much as possible while still fashioning a game within those boundaries. It's not in their best interests to make a mockery of this franchise.

These presuppositions converge on one of the most fiercely debated additions to LotRO, the Rune-keeper. Following the launch of the Mines of Moria expansion, fans responded with everything ranging from "Hey, it's a pretty cool class to play" to "IT'S THE END OF THE MIDDLE-EARTH!" hysteria. Seeing how passionate people are on this subject, I thought it would be worth looking into today, to answer the following questions: does the Rune-keeper have a place in LotRO, and does it break the lore and rules that Tolkien established?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Rune-keepers under siege originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordorbrian-aloisiocaptaincorey-olsendev-diarydpsfeaturedgaladrielhealerjrr-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-lawyerlotromines-of-moriaminstrelrkrune-keeperthe-road-to-mordortolkientolkien-professortolkkiesturbineFri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Becoming a true Tolkien lore-master]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/the-road-to-mordor-becoming-a-true-tolkien-lore-master/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/the-road-to-mordor-becoming-a-true-tolkien-lore-master/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/09/the-road-to-mordor-becoming-a-true-tolkien-lore-master/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Every Friday, The Road to Mordor brings you the latest in Lord of the Rings Online news, guides and analysis.

Every MMORPG comes bundled in with what we call "lore" - that is, the background story of the entire world, the framework which holds the game together. Although some people claim to ignore the lore of the game to "just play it," everyone's aware of the lore at least to a certain point. Without it, we'd be generic heroes fighting generic mobs in generic settings.

Lore provides the Who, the What, the Where and the Why of the virtual world around us. Who are those guys I'm fighting against? Why is it important that I beat them? Where did they come from? What history do they have? By providing context, lore enriches the game experience, and as such, it's a vital part of constructing a good MMO. Don't believe me? Think back to some of the blander MMOs that you've played or seen - chances are, they're pretty weak in the lore department.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Becoming a true Tolkien lore-master

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Becoming a true Tolkien lore-master originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ardadungeons-and-dragonsfeaturedfourth-agelord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotroneeker-breekerspodcaststorythe-road-to-mordorthird-agetolkienturbineworld-of-warcraftFri, 09 Apr 2010 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: How skirmishes have changed LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/the-road-to-mordor-how-skirmishes-have-changed-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/the-road-to-mordor-how-skirmishes-have-changed-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/12/the-road-to-mordor-how-skirmishes-have-changed-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Every Friday, The Road to Mordor brings you the latest in Lord of the Rings Online news, guides and analysis.

In the last couple years, MMO developers have been addressing the problem of stagnant mid- and end-game play by giving gamers various forms of repeatable content. Warhammer Online proposed PvP scenarios, World of Warcraft launched their Dungeon Finder, City of Heroes added in Mission Architect, and with the advent of the Siege of Mirkwood expansion, LotRO invented skirmishes.

While not identical in form or function, each of these systems is similar in a few ways: they are instantly accessible, they promote easy grouping, they encourage ad nauseum replay, and they offer an alternative way to gain XP and levels. Not to mention that while each of these features has seen criticism, they are greatly embraced by the playerbase and enjoyed by millions daily.

One could argue -- and I guess I am that one -- that skirmishes were LotRO's hole card for Mirkwood, the big "hook" that grabbed players' attention and imaginations. While not a complete game-changer, skirmishes have undeniably altered the face of the game and impacted many players' experiences, for better or worse. So let's face this change head-on and see how skirmishes have fared since last December's debut.

Pick up a lute and play me a merry song, for we'll need all the courage to hit the jump and come out on top!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: How skirmishes have changed LotRO

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: How skirmishes have changed LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-of-heroesdungeon-finderfeaturedlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-skirmishlotro-skirmishesmirkwoodmission-architectpvp-scenariossiege-of-mirkwoodskirmishestolkienWarhammer-Onlineworld-of-warcraftFri, 12 Mar 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: 10 reasons why LotRO is worth picking up over shiny new MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/the-road-to-mordor-10-reasons-why-lotro-is-worth-picking-up-ove/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/the-road-to-mordor-10-reasons-why-lotro-is-worth-picking-up-ove/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/05/the-road-to-mordor-10-reasons-why-lotro-is-worth-picking-up-ove/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Every Friday, The Road to Mordor brings you the latest in Lord of the Rings Online news, guides and analysis.

Hey dol merry dol, Lord of the Rings Online fans! My name is Justin Olivetti, and I have the pleasure of joining you on this winding, epic road to Mordor. I play a Captain on the Gladden server, and some of my favorite activities in LotRO include wandering accidentally into signature mob camps, exterminating the local fauna in the name of Deeds, and trying to cobble together the perfect pirate costume for show.

So I know that LotRO is one of the best MMORPGs out there, and you know that as well, but with all the newer MMOs bursting out of the gate on what seems like a weekly basis, how can you convince your friends, loved ones and everyone in your social network that a three-year-old title is worth giving a try if they missed it the first time around?

Never fear -- I am on your side, and ready to equip you with ten terrific reasons why the lovechild of Turbine and Tolkien deserve an even greater number of folks exploring the lands of Middle-earth. So hit the jump and let's spread the word!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: 10 reasons why LotRO is worth picking up over shiny new MMOs

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: 10 reasons why LotRO is worth picking up over shiny new MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cookingfeaturedfishinghobbyhousinglorelotromiddle-earthmonster playMonsterPlayrole-playingrpskirmishtitlestolkienFri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Story moments in new Siege of Mirkwood screens]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/story-moments-in-new-siege-of-mirkwood-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/story-moments-in-new-siege-of-mirkwood-screens/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/19/story-moments-in-new-siege-of-mirkwood-screens/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lord of the Rings Online is well known for its story, which it has Tolkien's works to thank for -- although Turbine does a great job of making it all come alive. These new Siege of Mirkwood screens depict a few of the new epic story moments players can expect come December 1st when the expansion is made available for purchase.

From giant spiders to cozy campfires, much about these new screens inspire. Whether thick with peril or cool and mellow, Siege of Mirkwood looks set to offer its community wonders unparalleled. Yes, we're kind of rhyming on purpose. We blame the poetic imagery seen in the gallery below; its vistas both terrible and cold.

Gallery: LotRO: Siege of Mirkwood - Epic story moments

MassivelyStory moments in new Siege of Mirkwood screens originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionexpansionsgalleryimagelord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromediascreensscreenshotscrenshotssiege-of-mirkwoodsomstorytolkienturbineThu, 19 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: LotRO's feature future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/the-digital-continuum-lotros-feature-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/the-digital-continuum-lotros-feature-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/17/the-digital-continuum-lotros-feature-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There are many wonderful features within Lord of the Rings Online, especially with Siege of Mirkwood edging upon the horizon like a merchant's ship carrying treasure chests full of shiny new features. However, for many a person, the game just doesn't click into place. Whether it's because of a missing feature or the pace of combat, some people find themselves unable to acclimate a groove.

So let's talk about features and changes that would help attract fresh blood while keeping the old guard happy -- because changing the core of an MMO is never truly a good idea, but bring in fresh blood doesn't hurt.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: LotRO's feature future

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: LotRO's feature future originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaopinionsiege-of-mirkwoodsomthe-digital-continuumtolkienturbineTue, 17 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Gaze onto Dol Guldur in Siege of Mirkwood]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/gaze-onto-dol-guldur-in-siege-of-mirkwood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/gaze-onto-dol-guldur-in-siege-of-mirkwood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/08/gaze-onto-dol-guldur-in-siege-of-mirkwood/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Back at PAX09, we brought you information on Lord of the Rings Online's latest expansion, Siege of Mirkwood. Unfortunately, at that time we weren't able to show any images of the breathtaking views Turbine treated us to -- at least not until now.

Say hello to Dol Guldur, the fortress that served as Sauron's home back in his necromancer days in The Hobbit. It's pretty evil looking, yeah? it's also a massive vertical dungeon that -- and we can say from first-hand experience -- will astonish any fan of Gothic architecture . There are plenty more screens in the gallery, so take a look and share your thoughts.

Gallery: The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood expansion

MassivelyGaze onto Dol Guldur in Siege of Mirkwood originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMOs are rarely stand-alone entities; there are exceptions of course but most are created thanks to a fan base from some other medium. Some, like WoW, are based on older games (often completely different types of games like an RTS or RPG) with a rich mythology that lends themselves perfectly to transcend its original form and become an MMO. Others, like Age of Conan and Star Trek, have their origins in novels, film franchises or even a TV series. I know, I know, I'm still waiting and living in hope of that Firefly MMO just like the rest of you.

So my question for you is this: Do you play an MMO because of where it came from? Are you a Trekkie who is dying to captain your own ship? Did you play Warcraft back in the days of The Frozen Throne and gravitate naturally to the MMO? On the flipside, did the lore of LotRO make you want to read Tolkien's books? For you, what came first, the origins or the game?

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Does playing an MMO pique your interest about its origins? originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanage-of-conan-hyborian-adventuresaocbooksfilmslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotrommo-originsstar-trekstar-trek-onlinethe-daily-grindtolkientv-seriesworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 18 Jul 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[It's all in the hips: LotRO Fellowship Maneuvers]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/its-all-in-the-hips-lotro-fellowship-maneuvers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/its-all-in-the-hips-lotro-fellowship-maneuvers/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/07/its-all-in-the-hips-lotro-fellowship-maneuvers/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Anyone who's played Final Fantasy XI will be familiar with Fellowship Maneuvers in Lord of the Rings Online. For those of you who aren't, however, it's easiest to think of them like battle recipes where the ingredients are different player's attacks and the outcome are powerful spell-like effects. Of course, there's a lot more to pulling off these things off than hammer a few buttons in a particular order.

That's where Turbine comes in with their rather in-depth guide on the topic of Fellowship Maneuvers. It starts out explaining the basics of the mechanic, then moves into a more detailed analysis of the various sorts of maneuvers possible and what sorts of outcomes a player can expect. It's an interesting game mechanic, and thus a worthwhile read for any MMO player regardless of whether you actually play Lord of the Rings Online or not.

MassivelyIt's all in the hips: LotRO Fellowship Maneuvers originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conjunctionsfellowship-maneuversffxifinal-fantasy-xilord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrosquare-enixtolkienturbineThu, 07 May 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine's Jeffrey Steefel on implementing LotRO's lore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/turbines-jeffrey-steefel-on-implementing-lotros-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/turbines-jeffrey-steefel-on-implementing-lotros-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/16/turbines-jeffrey-steefel-on-implementing-lotros-lore/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lore is something that can engross a person anywhere from several minutes to several hours. In the case of Lord of the Rings fans, it probably leans towards hours and hours. The core books written by Tolkien alone are quite exhaustive in detail.

With Mines of Moria's release well behind us on the calendar, Kill Ten Rats interviewed Turbine's Jeffrey Steefel about how the expansion's team took Tolkien's lore and crafted it into what now exists within the game world. It's an enriching read for anybody interested in adapting lore into MMOs, or anything Lord of the Rings related in general.

Of course, KTR and Steefel aren't the only Lord of the Rings Online fans addicted to extensive storytelling. We've got our own regular column dedicated to the very subject of all things lore related, with a huge focus on the virtual Middle-earth and its backstory.

MassivelyTurbine's Jeffrey Steefel on implementing LotRO's lore originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 16 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jeffrey-steefelkill-ten-ratsknow-your-loreknow-your-lotro-lorelord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelorelotromines-of-moriamoratolkienturbineMon, 16 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Six maliciously fresh screens from LotRO's new player experience]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/12/six-maliciously-fresh-screens-from-lotros-new-player-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/12/six-maliciously-fresh-screens-from-lotros-new-player-experience/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/12/six-maliciously-fresh-screens-from-lotros-new-player-experience/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Hark! New screenshots for Lord of the Rings Online's free Volume II: Book 7 update have, uh, revealed themselves! Okay, we won't expose you -- our dear readers -- to any further torture. We realize that sometimes our diatribes can go a bit deep into the nerdy lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's world.

These six new screens are focused on the new player experience overhaul that Turbine has given to each of the starting zones within the game. We're really digging this goblin dude, who looks pretty devious. Although the caterpillar/butterfly guy being attacked by a Human Warden is also quite a nice shot, as well. We've got all six in our gallery, so feel free to pick your own favorites!

Gallery: LotRO Volume 2: Book 7

MassivelySix maliciously fresh screens from LotRO's new player experience originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goblinhumanj-r-r-tolkienlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-book-2.7tolkienturbinewardenThu, 12 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST