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: Baggins of Bag End]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-road-to-mordor-baggins-of-bag-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-road-to-mordor-baggins-of-bag-end/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/24/the-road-to-mordor-baggins-of-bag-end/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Bilbo Baggins
It's hard to believe that it's been 10 years to the month since The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring came out in movie theaters. It's even harder to process that Peter Jackson will be bringing us back to Middle-earth with the two Hobbit films starting a year from now. The Jackson trilogy, while beloved by many (including, I assume, gamers), hasn't gotten a lot of space in this column to date. The general consensus from the community is that the films and the MMO are separate interpretations of the same source material, and never the twain shall meet -- nevermind all the other LotR games, like War in the North.

While that may be true, they do meet in the hearts of those who simply love this franchise. I adore the movies, am a huge fan of the game, and like (yes, just "like") the books. But I think that it's worthwhile to go to the films for LotRO players because they do give a different perspective and perhaps clarify a few plot points that shoot over our heads in-game. If nothing else, if the movies can revitalize our excitement about exploring the lands of Lord of the Rings Online, then they've done well by us.

I mention all this because this past week saw the release of the first Hobbit trailer, which I must have watched a good dozen times, and it got me pumped up once more for this game world. In today's column, I want to use this trailer to springboard a discussion of how LotRO and the films share a common bond and how the Hobbit movies use many elements that Turbine's been working on for years now. Plus, a bonus Hobbit Tribute Tour!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Baggins of Bag End

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Baggins of Bag End originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bag-endbilbobilbo-bagginsbilbos-buttonscomedydol-guldurdwarfdwarvesf2pfeaturedfilmfilmsfree-to-playgandalfgoblin-towngollumhumorjokeslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriamoviemovie-trailermoviesnecromancerone-ringpeter-jacksonsiege-of-mirkwoodthe-hobbitthe-shirethorinthorin-oakenshieldthorins-hallturbineturbine-entertainmentwar-in-the-northSat, 24 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings developer diary explores Dol Guldur]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/lord-of-the-rings-developer-diary-explores-dol-guldur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/lord-of-the-rings-developer-diary-explores-dol-guldur/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/12/lord-of-the-rings-developer-diary-explores-dol-guldur/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We've seen the screenshots and trailer for the fortress of Dol Guldur in the upcoming Lord of the Rings Online expansion Siege of Mirkwood, and today's developer diary explores it in more detail, giving us an extensive look through the area.

Tsieng Liu from the LotRO Dungeons Team describes Dol Guldur as "the fortress where Sauron dwelt when he was known as "The Necromancer." It's an old fortress that is now full of the foul servants of the Enemy on the edge of Mirkwood forest. It is in this region that the elves of Lothlórien are mounting an offensive in order to keep the Enemy from penetrating their forests."

Dol Guldur will contain three 3-person dungeons and a 6-person dungeon, leading up to a 12-person raid in which you storm the tower of Dol Guldur and take on the "leadership behind its forces." This area will also feature some fun new mechanics and challenges that should turn your tried-and-true group methods of playing neatly on their ear.

Dungeon overviews, as well as a look at the new surprises Dol Guldur has in store, can all be found in the diary entry. It's well worth the read.

MassivelyLord of the Rings developer diary explores Dol Guldur originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>developer-diarydol-guldurexpansionlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrosiege-of-mirkwoodtsieng-liuturbineThu, 12 Nov 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's spellbinding 'Lieutenant of Dol Guldur' trailer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/lotros-spellbinding-lieutenant-of-dol-guldur-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/lotros-spellbinding-lieutenant-of-dol-guldur-trailer/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/11/03/lotros-spellbinding-lieutenant-of-dol-guldur-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Turbine is stepping it up with their newest Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood trailer, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur. The voice acting, editing, music, creatures and setting are all enthralling to a degree that goes beyond our standard expectations. We've no doubt this one will get people's blood pumping, and in a good way. Seriously, this is the kind of stuff you expect when a company adopts an important IP -- especially where the voice acting is concerned.

We can't wait to see what the future holds for Turbine trailers, especially considering the locales of Middle-earth the game has yet to expand into its world. Rohan? Helm's Deep? Minas Tirith? Osgiliath? Thinking of trailers for all these places makes us tingle with anticipation.

Check out the trailer after the cut.

Continue reading LotRO's spellbinding 'Lieutenant of Dol Guldur' trailer

MassivelyLotRO's spellbinding 'Lieutenant of Dol Guldur' trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dol-guldurlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotropaxpax-2009sauronscreensscreenshotscreenshotssiege-of-mirkwoodtolkienturbineThu, 08 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2009: Turbine tells us all about Siege of Mirkwood ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/08/pax-2009-turbine-tells-us-all-about-siege-of-mirkwood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/08/pax-2009-turbine-tells-us-all-about-siege-of-mirkwood/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/08/pax-2009-turbine-tells-us-all-about-siege-of-mirkwood/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This last weekend at PAX 2009 we had the opportunity to sit down with Lord of the Rings Online's executive producer Jeffrey Steefel. He gave us a sneak peek at some of the new zone and instanced content coming in Siege of Mirkwood, as well as many of the new features. So if you're skeptical or just plain curious, we think you'll be most intrigued to see what knowledge we've uncovered after venturing deep into Mirkwood and all the way into Sauron's fortress of Dol Guldur.

Continue reading PAX 2009: Turbine tells us all about Siege of Mirkwood

MassivelyPAX 2009: Turbine tells us all about Siege of Mirkwood originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dol-guldurexpansionfeaturedjeffrey-steefellord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromirkwoodpaxpax-2009sauronsiege-of-mirkwoodturbineTue, 08 Sep 2009 09:30:00 EST