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[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[LotRO's Kate Paiz praises community, addresses F2P switch]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/lotros-kate-paiz-praises-community-addresses-f2p-switch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/lotros-kate-paiz-praises-community-addresses-f2p-switch/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/12/lotros-kate-paiz-praises-community-addresses-f2p-switch/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Over at Mordor or Bust, Lord of the Rings Online's new executive producer Kate Paiz sat down to talk about what's on every hobbit's mind: the transition to LotRO's free-to-play version this fall. Paiz took the reins of LotRO just as the F2P change was announced and is bringing her experience from DDO Unlimited's transition over to LotRO's team.

In the interview, Paiz spends a considerable amount of time both praising the community and reassuring it that these changes will benefit the game as a whole. One of the issues she addressed was the lack of Player versus Monster Player (PvMP) combat for non-subscribers, saying that it was necessary for now, but that may change in the future: "While we plan to introduce [PvMP] at some point in the future to the rest of the playerbase, we wanted to first focus on delivering the quality PvE game that we have to players in a way that continued to drive great interest and fun in the game."

While she declined to comment on whether Turbine would be giving refunds for lifetime subscribers who purchased that option shortly before the announcement of the F2P change, Paiz did say they'd like to offer lifetime VIP subscriptions again at some point. Paiz also said Turbine has "a lot of ideas" for additional classes, and it is working with the CDC to get LotRO launched in China.

You can read the full interview over at Mordor or Bust!

MassivelyLotRO's Kate Paiz praises community, addresses F2P switch originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdcchinaclassesddoddo-unlimiteddungeons-and-dragons-onlinef2pfree-to-playkate-paizlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromordor-or-bustplayer-vs-player-monsterpvmpturbineMon, 12 Jul 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online coming to China later in the year]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/lord-of-the-rings-online-coming-to-china-later-in-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/lord-of-the-rings-online-coming-to-china-later-in-the-year/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/29/lord-of-the-rings-online-coming-to-china-later-in-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Lord of the Rings Online is coming to China later in the year, thanks to CDC Games and their partnership with Turbine. CDC Games is one of the largest online gaming distributors in China, and is said to be a pioneer in the 'free-to-play, pay for merchandise' business model in that country.

Despite what are said to be significant changes in the game from the version now played in North America, Europe, Russia and South Korea, the Chinese closed beta has been going very well for CDC with an 80 percent activation rate. These 'significant changes' include an enhanced PvP function, which CDC believes will cater more towards the Chinese playerbase that they already know so well.

Considering CDC Games' work with F2P games, we're curious about other 'significant changes' including a new business model for China, although there has been no official word on this.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online coming to China later in the year originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cdccdc-gameslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroportpvpturbineMon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST