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: 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carribeancodemastersddodelaydungeons-and-dragons-onlineeueuropef2pfeaturedflying-eagle-mountsfree-to-playfreemiumj-r-r-tolkienlimbolord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-eulotro-europenanorth-americapax-2010pax-prime-2010pubic-relations-is-completely-different-than-public-relationspublic-relations-disastertolkienturbineFri, 08 Oct 2010 15:00:00 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[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<![CDATA[Know Your LotRO Lore: Orcs and Goblins]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/know-your-lotro-lore-orcs-and-goblins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/know-your-lotro-lore-orcs-and-goblins/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/27/know-your-lotro-lore-orcs-and-goblins/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


Welcome to Know Your LotRO Lore, a new weekly column here at Massively showcasing the lore of J.R.R. Tolkien's world as it intersects with Turbine's Lord of the Rings Online.

Probably the most predominant evil race in Middle-earth, the Orcs come in many shapes and sizes. Their origins are often debated, and their definition has actually been changed throughout the life of Tolkien's work. One thing is for certain though: Orcs are filled with hate, and lead miserable lives for the service of Sauron.

They also evoke many unanswered questions from those new to the Tolkien scene. Did Tolkien invent the Orc? Are Orcs really just cursed Elves? Are goblins considered Orcs? What is an Uruk? Luckily for us lore buffs, there aren't simple yes or no answers to these questions. Follow along through this week's Know Your LotRO Lore to find out more answers to your Orc questions.

Gallery: Know Your LotRO Lore

LothlorienThe EntsGimliThe ValarOrcs and Goblins

MassivelyKnow Your LotRO Lore: Orcs and Goblins originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredgoblinsj-r-r-tolkienjoystiqfeaturesknow-your-lotro-lorelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotroorcstolkienturbineurukTue, 27 Jan 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LOTS more LotRO to come; Turbine extends LotR license]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/lots-more-lotro-to-come-turbine-extends-lotr-license/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/lots-more-lotro-to-come-turbine-extends-lotr-license/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/02/20/lots-more-lotro-to-come-turbine-extends-lotr-license/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We've had punters out there guess at just how long Lord of the Rings Online might be able to last, as well as one particularly detailed and precise look at how Tolkien's Middle-earth might unfold over the years, but Turbine has now given official confirmation that they are in it for the long haul. A new press release (posted in full after the break) sent to us from Turbine's PR company states that they have extended their license agreements with Tolkien Enterprises for Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit until 2014, with the rights to claim them all the way up to 2017 if they so choose.

The president and CEO of Turbine, Jim Crowley, affirmed his faith in the license -- and honestly, it's not a bad horse to back -- saying, "With the recent announcement of what are sure to be two blockbuster films based on The Hobbit and a sequel, we expect the success of the license and our relationship with Tolkien Enterprises to grow for years to come." Only time will tell whether Turbine can give LotRO and associated games legs until 2014 (or 2017!), but with this agreement under their belts they can develop away for the foreseeable future. Hit the jump to read the press release in its entirety.


Continue reading LOTS more LotRO to come; Turbine extends LotR license

MassivelyLOTS more LotRO to come; Turbine extends LotR license originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingj-r-r-tolkienjim-crowleylord-of-the-ringslotrlotrothe-hobbittolkientolkien-enterprisesturbineWed, 20 Feb 2008 11:00:00 EST