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 releases Update 7: Shades of the Past]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-update-7-shades-of-the-past/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-update-7-shades-of-the-past/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/14/lord-of-the-rings-online-releases-update-7-shades-of-the-past/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Lord of the Rings Online's Update 7 is upon us, and it's established itself as taking a step forward... and a step back into the past. Featuring a new skirmish, a revamp of both Moria and the old Fornost instance, and an interesting addition to the legendary item system, Update 7 has a smattering of both endgame and mid-game content for most players to enjoy.

As always, it's worth combing through the notes for the smaller changes. Some of these include new and updated maps, friendlier Elves in Lothlorien who won't shoot you on sight, and Audacity lowering power costs in PvMP.

The official patch notes are up and the game will have the servers patched up by mid-morning. In the meantime, make sure to read up on what we think of the update's big selling points in our recent Road to Mordor column.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online releases Update 7: Shades of the Past originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f2pfantasyfornostfree-to-playlegendary-itemslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriapatchpatch-notesshades-of-the-pastskirmishturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-7update-notesMon, 14 May 2012 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Looking at the brighter Moria in Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/looking-at-the-brighter-moria-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/looking-at-the-brighter-moria-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/07/looking-at-the-brighter-moria-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Does Lord of the Rings Online's Moria benefit from a brighter night-light? The folks over at A Casual Stroll to Mordor went on the test server to investigate just how different the underground zones look now that Turbine's gone back to give the area additional lighting effects.

The fansite examines four different locales on both the live and test server and took screenshots to document the changes. The Great Delving, Silvertine Lodes, The Waterworks, and Durin's Way are the stops on the tour, and out of all of them, Silvertine is the most noticeably brighter.

"While playing, I can say that I do feel like it's easier to see," Goldenstar writes. "I don't know if I would fall into 'it's too bright' category. It still feels like Moria to me."

A revamp to half of Moria is planned with Update 7. Head on over and check out the differences for yourself!

MassivelyLooking at the brighter Moria in Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 May 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-casual-stroll-to-mordorcompare-and-contrastf2pfantasyfree-to-playlightinglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriamoria-brighteningmoria-revampmoria-updatepatch-7shades-of-the-pastturbineturbine-entertainmentupdateupdate-7Mon, 07 May 2012 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online explains Moria revamp]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-moria-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-moria-revamp/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-moria-revamp/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
Since the word came down recently that Turbine is revamping much of Lord of the Rings Online's Moria, players have been buzzing about the merits and scope of such a project. Content Developer Lauren Salk posted an article on the official site explaining the reasoning behind the decision as well as the specific changes involved.

Salk said that Turbine wanted to respond to player complaints about the difficulty and pace of Moria's leveling experience. She admits that the quests did not always lead to the best places and resulted in a frustrating stint underground instead of an amazing journey. Salk confessed that the zone even frustrated her mother, who never made it all the way through.

With Update 7, LotRO will update half of Moria, while the latter half will come later on down the road. In addition to a smoother quest flow, additional quests, and an easier difficulty level, Turbine's adding tasks for all to enjoy.

Travel through Moria will become more pleasant, as the lighting will be adjusted, additional stable routes added, monsters moved out of the major pathways, and a no-reputation goat made available from the start.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online explains Moria revamp originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>challengedev-blogdev-diarydev-postdifficulty-levelf2pfantasyfree-to-playlauren-salklord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriamoria-revampshades-of-the-pasttravelturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Fri, 04 May 2012 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/05/04/lotro-update-7-to-add-new-skirmish-revamp-old-content/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
Even a good anniversary celebration can't delay Turbine from delivering the content through snow, rain, and volcanic ash from Mount Doom. The team has posted an outline of Lord of the Rings Online's next content patch, Update 7, with word that it will go to the test server soon.

Update 7: Shades of the Past promises to add a new endgame skirmish called Storm on Methedras. The skirmish will be free for VIP players and tasks groups of one to 12 players with taking on Saruman's ally, Gwyllion, in the Misty Mountains.

The update will also contain two huge renovations to existing content. Turbine will be divvying up the massive Fornost dungeon into four scalable instances accessible from levels 30 on up. More importantly, the team is renovating great parts of Moria with better graphics and a smoother quest flow.

MassivelyLotRO Update 7 to add new skirmish, revamp old content originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>content-patchcontent-updatef2pfantasyfornostfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoriarevampshades-of-the-pastskirmishStorm-on-Methedrasturbineturbine-entertainmentupdate-7Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Rise of Isengard report card]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-road-to-mordor-rise-of-isengard-report-card/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-road-to-mordor-rise-of-isengard-report-card/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/04/07/the-road-to-mordor-rise-of-isengard-report-card/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
It's been a half-year since Lord of the Rings Online's third expansion, Rise of Isengard, opened the doors to Dunland and beyond. It was an interesting expansion compared to what came before in several ways: It finally took us into the pages of The Two Towers, it introduced Rohan and the Rohirrim, and it introduced what I consider to be the most compelling villain this game has seen to date.

While the game's hinted and alluded to Saruman and his White Hand back-up dancers leading up to RoI, the expansion finally unveiled the mastermind behind many of the machinations of Middle-earth's mischief. His was not an overt city-crushing type of evil; instead, he's a crafty politician-type who attempts to woo and seduce minds to his cause. More than the Witch-king of Angmar or Sara Oakheart, Saruman gives us a perfect target for our justified outrage. This is a guy we don't want to see succeed, ever.

So with six months under our belt, I thought it would be a great time to evaluate as much of Rise of Isengard as I've experienced with the ol' report card treatment. Where does it get good marks -- and where does it need tutoring?

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Rise of Isengard report card

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Rise of Isengard report card originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 07 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evaluationexpansionf2pfantasyfeaturedfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaopinionpvereport-cardreviewriders-of-rohanrise-of-isengardroad-to-mordorrohanrohirrimsiege-of-mirkwoodskirmishthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 07 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine enlists Chance Thomas to score LotRO, DDO expansions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/turbine-enlists-chance-thomas-to-score-lotro-ddo-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/turbine-enlists-chance-thomas-to-score-lotro-ddo-expansions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/06/turbine-enlists-chance-thomas-to-score-lotro-ddo-expansions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Chance Thomas
If you were disappointed by the absence of new music in Lord of the Rings Online's last couple of expansions, then today is a good opportunity to break out the headphones in celebration. Composer Chance Thomas has announced that Turbine contracted him to create an "all-original orchestral, choral and acoustic ensemble score" for this fall's Riders of Rohan.

It's not just LotRO audiophiles who have cause to rejoice, either: Thomas is also on board with creating the music for Dungeons and Dragons Online's first expansion, Menace of the Underdark.

Thomas' career in video game music dates back to the late '90s with Quest for Glory V. LotRO players know him best as one of the composers for both Shadows of Angmar and Mines of Moria. Menace of the Underdark will release June 25th, while Riders of Rohan is scheduled for some time this fall.

MassivelyTurbine enlists Chance Thomas to score LotRO, DDO expansions originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chance-thomascomposerddodnddungeons-and-dragonsdungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionexpansionsf2pfantasyfree-to-playlord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromenace-of-the-underdarkmines-of-moriamusicriders-of-rohanscoreshadows-of-angmarsoundtrackturbineturbine-entertainmentTue, 06 Mar 2012 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Wish lists, past and future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-wish-lists-past-and-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-wish-lists-past-and-future/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/31/the-road-to-mordor-wish-lists-past-and-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Road to Mordor
Hobbits love making lists, don't they? In The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo had a lengthy list of friends and relatives to invite to his eleventy-first birthday party, and he didn't have the luxury of Facebook to help him out. I love lists as well, although I try to save most of that for my Perfect Ten column.

At the beginning of the year, I sat down and drafted up a "wish list" for Lord of the Rings Online's 2011 year, populating it with 11 changes and additions I was hoping to see by now. To my surprise, Turbine actually pulled off quite a few items on the list, and I thought it'd be a good idea to go back and examine which of my goals the team met and which remain elusive.

Also, since 2012 kicks off tomorrow, I'll look forward as well and draft up a dozen -- yes, one more over the year before -- wish list items that I'd love to see come true in the new year. It's my column; I can cry if I want to, after all. Let's get this party started!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Wish lists, past and future

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Wish lists, past and future originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bilbobilbo-bagginsclassclass-deedscosmetic-weaponsexpansionf2pfeaturedfellowship of the ringFellowshipOfTheRingfree-to-playhousingiconiconsinstance-finderlegendary-itemslilondonlord-of-the-rings-onlinemines-of-moriamounted-combatplayer-housingrise-of-isengardrohansummer-festivalturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtuesvoice-oversvolume-2wardrobewish-listSat, 31 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![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[The Road to Mordor: My love-hate relationship with Legendary Items]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-road-to-mordor-my-love-hate-relationship-with-legendary-ite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-road-to-mordor-my-love-hate-relationship-with-legendary-ite/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/10/the-road-to-mordor-my-love-hate-relationship-with-legendary-ite/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LotRO
Second to perhaps radiance, Legendary Items have become one of the most controversial, most debated, and most divisive game features in Lord of the Rings Online since their implementation in Mines of Moria. Since their inclusion, players have discussed -- loudly -- how the system could be fixed and improved, and Turbine's made a couple of attempts at refining the feature into something we can all enjoy.

And yet Legendary Items remain in that category that I like to call "love-hate," where there's almost as much to love about them as there is to loathe. I've waited a long time to write this article because the timing never felt right; either I was too new to the system to speak with any authority on it or changes were "right around the corner" or I was lazy. Take your pick.

Perhaps talking about this today is beating somewhat of a dead horse in the LotRO community, but I wanted to get my thoughts out why LIs haven't quite gotten to where they need to, how they've failed, where they've succeeded, and why I pray every evening for cosmetic weapons so I can get rid of that ugly glow effect.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: My love-hate relationship with Legendary Items

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: My love-hate relationship with Legendary Items originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 10 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaalternative-advancementbilboeqiieverquest-iifeaturedfrodogandalfitem-xplegendary-itemlegendary-itemslegendary-weaponlilislord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotterylottomines-of-moriano-time-for-love-doctor-jonesriftroad-to-mordorstar-wars-the-old-republicstingswtorthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmentSat, 10 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The 10 most memorable quests in LotRO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-road-to-mordor-the-10-most-memorable-quests-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-road-to-mordor-the-10-most-memorable-quests-in-lotro/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/05/the-road-to-mordor-the-10-most-memorable-quests-in-lotro/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

LotRO
I honestly have no idea how many quests we're up to in Lord of the Rings Online at this point. Thousands, for sure. And as with many other facets in life, 90% of these quests are fated to be unmemorable tasks that blur together with all the rest. However, I've always felt that LotRO has a decently high cool quest-to-forgettable chore ratio, at least compared to other MMOs.

What makes a memorable quest? Here's my litmus test: When I sat down first thing in the morning, all bleary-eyed, to write this article, these quests bubbled up to the forefront of my mind. They've "stuck," for lack of a more precise term, in my head. They've made an impression, and because of that I feel they're among the cream of the crop in LotRO's repertoire.

For today's Road to Mordor, I'm going to simply list the first 10 most memorable quests that came to me. I actually was going to just do six, but couldn't stop myself there; I could barely halt at 10, if that gives you an indication. These might not be your most favorite quests or even the best in the game, but they've been the ones that have stuck with me through thick and thin.'

Warning: Past this point thar be spoilers! Beware!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The 10 most memorable quests in LotRO

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The 10 most memorable quests in LotRO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ale-associationepic-storylinefeaturedfrodofrostblufffrostbluff-theatregollumhauntinglord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaquestquestsrise-of-isengardstoriestookturbinevolume-2volume-iiwatcherwatcher-in-the-waterSat, 05 Nov 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Getting the most out of your F2P account]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/the-road-to-mordor-getting-the-most-out-of-your-f2p-account/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/the-road-to-mordor-getting-the-most-out-of-your-f2p-account/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/15/the-road-to-mordor-getting-the-most-out-of-your-f2p-account/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Road to Mordor
We're going to step waaay back from Rise of Isengard today (screenshots notwithstanding) to address a question that I've seen pop up time and again. The question comes from players on the free-to-play side of the game who are wondering "What do I need to do or buy to get the most out of my LotRO gaming experience?"

In my opinion, the lovely aspect of Lord of the Rings Online's hybrid model is that you, the player, have a wide range of choices when it comes to how you want to fund your gameplay. If you decide not to go the subscription/VIP route, it can get a little confusing, especially in light of just how much there is in the LotRO store. Do you need to buy anything at all? What are the essentials? How should you go about earning some free Turbine Points to finance these purchases?

Unlike many other recent MMO F2P conversions, LotRO's offers you more flexibility than "just suffer with F2P restrictions or subscribe," which should give you hope that you can tailor the game to your exact needs. In today's Road to Mordor, I'm going to put myself in the shoes of a F2P player and tell you exactly what I'd do to get the most out of my account.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Getting the most out of your F2P account

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Getting the most out of your F2P account originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-la-carteboxed-copycharacter-slotsdeedsdiscountf2pfeaturedfree-to-playhybrid-modelin-game-storelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storemines-of-moriamithril-editionpremiumquest-packsrise-of-isengardshadows-of-angmarstoretraitsturbineTurbine-EntertainmentvipvirtueszonesSat, 15 Oct 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The unfinished expansion]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-road-to-mordor-the-unfinished-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-road-to-mordor-the-unfinished-expansion/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/08/26/the-road-to-mordor-the-unfinished-expansion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

LOTRO Saruman
This week I want to switch from the general optimism of last week's Lord of the Rings Online forecast and future suggestions to something that's been troubling me the more we read about Rise of Isengard.

To put it frankly, it's coming across as an unfinished expansion. An expansion with promise, but one that needs a little more... oomph, for lack of a better grunt. More of an "it" factor, if you will.

Am I excited about Isengard? Oh, most definitely; that's not in question. I'm looking forward to exploring new lands, to meeting new people, and to killing pretty much everything in sight. I wouldn't kill them, but they're refusing to give me that loot, see? I'm pumped for skill consolidation, giving Saruman a taste of rebellion, and a new book in the epic storyline. I'm not going to be complaining come September 27th, I can tell you that.

And yet, I have to be up front and voice a few concerns that need to be said, even if it's just me being a worry-wart. I've been concerned that Isengard is not going to be up to the standards set by previous expansions, and perhaps there are forces of time, pressure, and external competition that have caused this to not measure up to true potential.

Hit the jump and follow my convoluted line of thought, and see if you come to the same conclusion.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The unfinished expansion

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The unfinished expansion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comparisonexpansionexpansion-packfeaturedisengardlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromiddle-earthmines-of-moriamirkwoodmoriaorthancrise-of-isengardsarumansiege-of-mirkwoodturbineturbine-entertainmentFri, 26 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Soundtrack bonanza!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-road-to-mordor-soundtrack-bonanza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-road-to-mordor-soundtrack-bonanza/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07/08/the-road-to-mordor-soundtrack-bonanza/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

One of the probably-not-very-interesting things about me is that I'm somewhat of a video game soundtrack aficionado. Ever since MP3s became all the rage, I've been collecting my favorite tunes from console and computer games, often replacing the in-game score with my own personal soundtrack.

MMO soundtracks, as a whole, are hit or miss with me. While there are many incredible pieces out there, a bulk of what you find is low-key atmospheric stuff that isn't meant to be on anyone's Top 40 playlist. Lord of the Rings Online has its up and downs as a soundtrack, but overall it really does evoke the spirit of Middle-earth. It's hard to imagine playing the game, especially the early levels, without hearing these tracks.

I've collected both the soundtracks to Shadows of Angmar and Mines of Moria and have been saving them for a special occasion. Today is that special occasion. These were composed by Chance Thomas (who's scored many Lord of the Rings-related games) and Stephen DiGregorio. Ranging from bombastic to sinister to folksy, this score covers the gamut of themes and emotions related to the journey of the Ring. It's cool to listen to it independently of the game, as you can appreciate the score for what it is -- and see how the pieces evoke memories of your times in LotRO.

Instead of individually reviewing all 40 or so tracks, I'm simply going to pick my 10 most favorite to share with you!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Soundtrack bonanza!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Soundtrack bonanza! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chance-thomasdrums-in-the-deepelvesfeaturedhobitslord-of-the-rings-onlinelothlorienlotromines-of-moriamoriamusicostrivendellscoreshadows-of-angmarshiresoundtracksoundtracksstephen-digregoriothe-hobbitthe-road-to-mordorthorinthorin-oakenshieldtom-bombadiltop-10tracksFri, 08 Jul 2011 18:00:00 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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Instead of being hit by one huge Lord of the Rings Online bombshell at E3, as some predicted, we were treated to a series of smaller yet gripping reveals that are sure to have a major impact on our gameplay in the future. We assumed that E3 would be all about Rise of Isengard for LotRO, and sure enough, it was.

Weeks like this are what we live for as fans. It's crazy to get a glut of information that we're expected to digest all at once, and it's so much fun too. I think Turbine probably has a few more reveals tucked up its sleeve about the expansion -- we still have four months to go, after all -- but this is a good start to the ramping-up period before Isengard releases.

So enough dilly-dallying; let's dig into it! What can we make out of all of these revelations? What does the pre-order mean for you? What were the highlights and what were the disappointments? Hit the jump and we'll take you on a legendary ride all the way to the gates of Orthanc itself!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Digesting E3

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Digesting E3 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonusescosmeticsdeale3e3-2011featuredlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamonster-playoutfitsphasingpre-orderpromotionpvmppvprelease-daterise-of-isengardsiege-of-mirkwoodstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-road-to-mordortrailerturbineturbine-entertainmentvirtuesFri, 10 Jun 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: A look back at Volume 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/the-road-to-mordor-a-look-back-at-volume-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/the-road-to-mordor-a-look-back-at-volume-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/06/the-road-to-mordor-a-look-back-at-volume-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last year, I spent a column giving my reflections, thoughts, and observations on the entirety of Volume 1 of Lord of the Rings Online's epic storyline, and today I'd like to do the same for Volume 2. Since these stories are at the center of LotRO's player experience, it's important to see how they function and hold up in today's increasingly story-centric MMO environment.

I've gone through Volume 2 twice, once before the "solofication" of the recent update and once after. The second journey was, by far, much more enjoyable since I didn't have to sit there for weeks hoping to find enough players on the same part of the Fellowship portions to continue the tale. Being able to go through it at my own pace was vastly more enjoyable, especially when I could dedicate huge chunks of time to knock out several chapters in one go.

And this is a good thing, as this volume of the epic story not only gives you one of your legendary traits but greatly helps you build reputation toward a faction that will give you another one (the Iron Garrison Guards). As such, Volume 2 will continue to be an important part of any character's journey.

So let's dig into this puppy (not... a literal puppy, you understand) and see what Volume 2 has to offer. If you haven't yet gone through this part of the epic story, beware: Here be spoilers!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: A look back at Volume 2

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: A look back at Volume 2 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 May 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>balrogdwarfdwarveselfelvesepic-storyfeaturedfellowshipfellowship-of-the-ringflashbackflashbacksfrodogandalfiron-garrison-guardslegendary-itemslegendary-traitslord-of-the-rings-onlinelothlorienlotromazgogmines-of-moriamirkwoodsauronsiege-of-mirkwoodskirmishskirmishessoloficationspoilersturbineturbine-entertainmentvolume-1volume-2volume-ivolume-iiwatcherwatcher-in-the-waterFri, 06 May 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Re-evaluating Moria]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-road-to-mordor-re-evaluating-moria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-road-to-mordor-re-evaluating-moria/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/04/08/the-road-to-mordor-re-evaluating-moria/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

When I first left Lord of the Rings Online, it was early in 2008 and we were constrained to Eriador and Eriador alone. Angmar was the most dangerous spot on the map, level 50 was the cap, and getting your legendary traits was an almost inhuman feat. When I returned in 2010, I discovered I had missed out on the release of not one but two expansions and a huge amount of new content in the world. As a previous player, I felt as though everything I had known was completely different, and there was nothing as unknown or intriguing as the Mines of Moria.

Expansions have a funny way of making or breaking MMOs, you see. They can exemplify some of the best qualities of the genre: they represent the persistent growing world; they give our characters new challenges to overcome; and they can introduce new features that significantly change how the game is played. Of course, they can damage the game's reputation by creating a worse endgame than before, by screwing up the good aspects of the game, or simply by being unpopular.

So how does Mines of Moria fare two-plus years after its release? Today, I want to take a look back at what will probably be the single largest expansion that LotRO will ever see and examine how its purpose has changed from 2008 to 2011. Also, we'll probably make fun of Dwarves.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Re-evaluating Moria

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Re-evaluating Moria originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>angmarbattle-instancesDwarrowdelfdwarvesechoes-of-the-deadenedwaitheregioneriadorfeaturedfellowshipfellowship-of-the-ringfrodoKhazad-dûmlord-of-the-rings-onlinelothlorienlotromines-of-moriarivendellshadows-of-angmarsiege-of-mirkwoodskirmishessoloficationthe-road-to-mordorturbineturbine-entertainmenttwenty-first-hallvolume-iiFri, 08 Apr 2011 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Echo... echo... echo...]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/the-road-to-mordor-echo-echo-echo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/the-road-to-mordor-echo-echo-echo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/18/the-road-to-mordor-echo-echo-echo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Last night before I drifted off to sleep, I was idly wondering what it would be like to actually live in Middle-earth. Apart from the extremely high mortality rate due to wandering wolves, bold bandits, and orchestrating orcs, it might be a pretty excellent place to dwell, as long as one didn't mind a lack of Wi-Fi and Starbucks. I think Hobbit pies and Dwarf ale would be an acceptable substitute.

Next week our virtual world will grow a bit in girth and depth with the Echoes of the Dead update. When all is patched and done, it'll be a truly big update containing meaty piles of content to devour. I think many of us are still scrutinizing Turbine as we go through this first year after the free-to-play switch, watching to see whether all of this additional revenue will be pumped back into the game or not. Echoes of the Dead marks the second post-F2P update for Lord of the Rings Online, following last November's Journey to Winter-home, and I have to say that I'm pretty impressed with just how much is being served up this time around.

So in anticipation of the patch, let's walk through the major features of LotRO's latest update and see whether it was worth the wait!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Echo... echo... echo...

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Echo... echo... echo... originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-instancesbook-3burglarcharacter-panelcraftingdwarfechoes-of-the-deadenedwaithevendimf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgallerygaunt-lordshunterinstancesisengardjourney-to-winter-homelegacieslegendary-itemlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaminstrelmonster-playmorianorth-downspatchpvmppvpradiancerelicssara-leesharper-imageskirmishessoloficationstarbucksturbineturbine-entertainmentupdatevolume-iivolume-iiivolume-iii-book-3wifiwinter-homeFri, 18 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online: "Solofication" is the word of the day]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/lord-of-the-rings-online-solofication-is-the-word-of-the-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/lord-of-the-rings-online-solofication-is-the-word-of-the-day/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/08/lord-of-the-rings-online-solofication-is-the-word-of-the-day/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ever since Turbine modified the first volume of its epic storyline for Lord of the Rings Online, players have eagerly anticipated the same revamp of Mines of Moria's Volume II. With the upcoming Echoes of the Dead patch, this will in fact take place, and Turbine's ready with another illuminating dev diary to shed some light on the process on the "solofication" of Volume II.

It turns out that reworking Volume II wasn't as simple as scaling down mob health or just slapping Inspired Greatness (a huge buff) on characters. Every stage of the journey -- which contained many large group instances -- had to be reconsidered, and Turbine's Bob Hess details how the content team broke down the journey, adjusted it and then reassembled it to be a more solo-friendly experience. "Overall, I feel as though the changes made will allow a great number of players who previously could not proceed through the epic to see the rest of the story unfold," Hess said.

Volume II's solofication includes taking battle instances and transforming them into skirmishes, adjusting the levels of the different books and making quest objectives simpler. You can read the entire article over at LotRO's website, and don't miss out on five new screenshots from Echoes of the Dead below!

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

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online: "Solofication" is the word of the day originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battle-instancesbob-hessechoes-of-the-deadgalleryinspired-greatnesslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaskirmishessoloficationturbineturbine-entertainmentvolume-1volume-2volume-3volume-ivolume-iivolume-iiiTue, 08 Mar 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Rise of Isengard is coming!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-road-to-mordor-rise-of-isengard-is-coming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-road-to-mordor-rise-of-isengard-is-coming/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/19/the-road-to-mordor-rise-of-isengard-is-coming/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

[Update: Made a clarification that there is no indication of "open-world" PvMP in the expansion.]

Times are tough in Middle-earth, even after the inexplicable appearance of several hundred thousand new adventurers this fall. The Fellowship of the Ring is broken, Sauron is rising in power, and the White Hand of Saruman is marching across the lands. Even the bravest and hardiest soldier of the Free Peoples cannot be blamed for feeling disheartened, especially in the face of the monumental struggle to come.

Welcome to the beginning of The Two Towers in Lord of the Rings Online. Welcome to Isengard.

The rumors are true: Next year we will be venturing into LotRO's third expansion, titled Rise of Isengard, to confront evil in its own backyard. While this may not be the Rohan or Gondor expansion that we've anticipated, Turbine is fairly confident that it will be well-received by players and will represent an ambitious step forward on (wait for it) the road to Mordor.

Turbine's Adam Mersky and Aaron Campbell were on hand to outline for us the company's near- and far-future plans with Massively, starting with the imminent November update and cruising all the way through 2011. Hit the jump as we look at interactive theater, busy bees, Monster Play improvements and, of course, Isengard.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Rise of Isengard is coming!

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Rise of Isengard is coming! originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-campbelladam-merskybreakingbusy-beecosmeticcosmetic-systemdourhanddungeonsdunlandeager-beaverenedwaithettenmoorsf2pfeaturedfedexfellowship-of-the-ringfirst-agefree-to-playgap-of-rohangondorikeaisengardjourney-to-winter-homelegendary-itemslord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterlotromad-bagginsmiddle-earthmines-of-moriamonster-playnon-combat-petorthancoutfitpvmppvpraidsrandiancerise-of-isengardrohanrune-keepersarumanshadows-of-angmarsiege-of-mirkwoodstarter-zonestudly-mcawesometask-systemtasksthe-road-to-mordorthe-two-towersturbineTurbine-Entertainmentwardrobewhite-handwinter-homeyuleyule-festivalFri, 19 Nov 2010 05:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO Veteran's Day sale slashes expansion costs in half]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/lotro-veterans-day-sale-slashes-expansion-costs-in-half/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/lotro-veterans-day-sale-slashes-expansion-costs-in-half/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/lotro-veterans-day-sale-slashes-expansion-costs-in-half/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day, and you know what that means: Incredible savings on MMO expansions! Well, that and honoring the brave soldiers that fought in wars. But also the expansion thing.

For 11/11, Turbine is offering a few great deals for Lord of the Rings Online players. First up is a new exchange rate of $11.11 for a 1111 Turbine Point bundle (locking in a decent 1:1 TP-to-penny ratio) for the LotRO store. For any players lacking one of the expansions, both Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood are half-off at 1248 TP and 998 TP, respectively. Shrewd shoppers can also pick up a Moria-capable goat mount, the Valour virtue, two fun emotes and XP boosts for 50% off the normal price.

Mines of Moria unlocks all of the quests and deeds for this level 50-60 zone, as well as the Rune-keeper and Warden classes, while Siege of Mirkwood opens up the titular area and increases the level cap to 65. This sale ends at midnight EST on November 11th, so move quickly if you want to take advantage of this offer!

MassivelyLotRO Veteran's Day sale slashes expansion costs in half originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exchange-rateexpansionlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storemines-of-moriamirkwoodmoriarune-keepersalesiege-of-mirkwoodstore-saleturbineTurbine-Entertainmentturbine-pointsveterans-dayveterans-day-salewardenWed, 10 Nov 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO producer's letter hints at new "Task" system and more for the future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/lotro-producers-letter-hints-at-new-task-system-and-more-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/lotro-producers-letter-hints-at-new-task-system-and-more-for/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/21/lotro-producers-letter-hints-at-new-task-system-and-more-for/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Since the launch of Lord of the Ring Online's F2P version, there's been an air of both optimism and uncertainty as to the game's future. How will Turbine handle updates from here on out? Will the epic storyline continue or go stagnant? And when oh when will we see giant flying eagle mounts?

While she doesn't handle the eagle mount issue, LotRO's Kate Paiz tackles many of these questions and more besides in her first producer's letter following the recent update. Paiz says that the team has shifted the way they're approaching updates: In an effort to get more frequent content to players, not every future update will contain an additional book of the epic storyline -- but the storyline will continue.

Paiz then laid out several upcoming features for the November update, including a new "Task" system for low-level players, another revision to the player vault and a fine-tuning of the Lore-master and Rune-keeper classes. Turbine will also be unlocking the two expansions (Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood) for all players to travel through and experience the epic storyline, although the free-to-play crowd will still need to purchase the expansions to unlock quests and deeds in those zones.

The future is looking up for LotRO, so head on over to the official site to read the full producer's letter!

MassivelyLotRO producer's letter hints at new "Task" system and more for the future originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionf2pflying-eagle-mountsfree-to-playi-wanna-fly-like-the-eagle-to-the-seakate-paizlord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterlotromines-of-moriaproducers-letterrune-keepersiege-of-mirkwoodtask-systemturbineupdateThu, 21 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[GDCO 2010: LotRO's revenues double as Turbine lays out a promising future]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/gdco-2010-lotros-revenues-double-as-turbine-lays-out-a-promisi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/gdco-2010-lotros-revenues-double-as-turbine-lays-out-a-promisi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/08/gdco-2010-lotros-revenues-double-as-turbine-lays-out-a-promisi/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

According to Turbine, it's been a bonanza month for Middle-earth. At GDCO, the studio announced that revenues from Lord of the Rings Online have doubled in the past month since switching to a free-to-play hybrid model. What's even better is that Joystiq reports that LotRO has added a whopping million new accounts over these 30 days as well. Turbine is monitoring the server loads and have additional servers waiting if needed. It turns out that the F2P launch was even bigger than the original launch of LotRO back in 2007.

The good news doesn't stop there, either; LotRO has seen 20% of previous subscribers return, three times the numbers of concurrent players at peak times, and over half of the players using the hotly debated LotRO store for a purchase. Speaking of the store, the top-selling item has been an increase in shared storage, followed by tomes (stat boosters), the riding skill, and the Mines of Moria expansion.

Looking forward to the future, LOTRO Weekly wrote a summary of Massive Online Gamer's first podcast in which the Turbine devs outlined a few of the goodies in store for players in coming months. They are hoping to roll out updates every two to three months in a similar fashion to DDO's schedule, but are still committed to big expansions such as next year's Isengard. A new multi-boss raid is slated for early 2011, about the same time that the Radiance mechanic will be vanquished from the game forever.

MassivelyGDCO 2010: LotRO's revenues double as Turbine lays out a promising future originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodungeons-and-dragons-onlineexpansionf2pfree-to-playgdc-online-2010gdcogdco-2010isengarditem-shopjoystiqlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storelotro-weeklymassive-online-gamermines-of-moriaradianceraidsubscribersturbineFri, 08 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[PAX 2010: Counting down to LotRO's relaunch with Turbine]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/04/pax-2010-counting-down-to-lotros-relaunch-with-turbine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/04/pax-2010-counting-down-to-lotros-relaunch-with-turbine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/04/pax-2010-counting-down-to-lotros-relaunch-with-turbine/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

With the launch of Lord of the Rings Online's biggest patch to date a scant few days away, we touched base with Turbine's Aaron Campbell, Brian Aloisio, and Bob Hess at PAX Prime to see how their nerves are holding up at this point. It is, as Aloisio laughed, akin to launching the game all over again, and LotRO is definitely under close scrutiny because of it.

Many players were surprised to hear that LotRO's free-to-play update was going live much sooner than anticipated, and we asked Campbell whether this was due to a preset schedule or better-than-anticipated beta feedback. He said that they weren't going to release it until it was ready, but by the team's reckoning, the beta process went so smoothly that there was no reason to delay any further.

Compared to the betas for Shadows of Angmar, Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood, the F2P beta -- according to Campbell -- was the most upbeat Turbine's ever had, with far more positive feedback than negative. Hit the jump to hear more and see the latest screenshots and video from PAX.

Continue reading PAX 2010: Counting down to LotRO's relaunch with Turbine

MassivelyPAX 2010: Counting down to LotRO's relaunch with Turbine originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-campbellbetabob-hessbrian-aloisioclassddodirectx-11dungeons-and-dragons-onlinedx11enedwaithf2pfeaturedfree-to-playftpgallerygreat-barrowslegendary-itemslord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-masterlotromines-of-moriamonth-of-the-classpaxpax-2010pax-primepax-prime-2010petsrobert-hessrune-keeperscaled-instancesscreenshotsshadows-of-angmarsiege-of-mirkwoodtrailerturbinevanity-petsvideozombie-columbusSat, 04 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Frugal free-to-play]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/the-road-to-mordor-frugal-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/the-road-to-mordor-frugal-free-to-play/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/08/27/the-road-to-mordor-frugal-free-to-play/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Two weeks! Two weeks, people! Why are you just sitting there, all calm-before-the-storm-like, instead of following my lead and running around like a chicken with its head... well, you know. Two weeks until Volume III Book 2 launches (and a little earlier for current subscribers), and I am psyched. There certainly is something for everyone here: a F2P version, store options, a new zone, instance scaling, more dungeons, DX11, the wardrobe, a revamped beginner experience, three new servers, the next chapter in the epic story, class tweaks, a haunted cellar, and, of course, demonic goats. Did I miss something? I probably did, but it's kind of crazy around here.

One of the highlights I'm anticipating is all of the new (and returning) players giving LotRO their time due to the multiple payment options, including F2P bliss. I'm always a huge fan of options in my games, and I truly feel that the implementation of this free-to-play model will benefit a wider range of players than the current subscription core. Mmm, that Kool-Aid tastes great!

If you're thinking about heading into LotRO in two weeks but are unsure how much "free" will come with your F2P, when you'll be hit with the big catch, or whether you'll be forced to subscribe at some point, I have some great news for you. There are a variety of routes you can take to experience a good chunk of Lord of the Rings Online without denting your bank account. Read on for five valuable strategies to save a buck while saving Middle-earth!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Frugal free-to-play

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Frugal free-to-play originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a-la-cartea-la-carte-pricingbree-landcash-shopered-luinevendimexpansionf2pfeaturedforochelfree-to-playftpitem-shoplevelinglord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-storemines-of-morianorth-downspatchpremiumshadows-of-angmarshiresiege-of-mirkwoodthe-road-to-mordortpturbine-pointsvolume-3-book-2volume-iii-book-2Fri, 27 Aug 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine point cards coming to a Gamestop near you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/turbine-point-cards-coming-to-a-gamestop-near-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/turbine-point-cards-coming-to-a-gamestop-near-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/21/turbine-point-cards-coming-to-a-gamestop-near-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Microtransactions and cash shops are common in many games these days, but the downside of a lot of them is that you're out in the cold if you don't have a credit card.

Many developers are finding ways around this problem, and Turbine's the newest member of that list; Gamestop will soon be selling Turbine Point Cards. Turbine Senior Community Specialist Tolero posted a photo of a couple of the cards in $10 and $25 increments, with the promise that we'll be seeing them in stores "very soon." It's not entirely out of the question that we'll see them in stores by the end of July.

It will be interesting to see if there will be cards for both games once Lord of the Rings Online goes free-to-play -- we'll keep an eye out!

MassivelyTurbine point cards coming to a Gamestop near you originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinegamestoplord-of-the-ringslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriatoleroturbineturbine-point-cardsturbine-pointsWed, 21 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[LotRO's devs have some real estate in Enedwaith to sell you]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/lotros-devs-have-some-real-estate-in-enedwaith-to-sell-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/lotros-devs-have-some-real-estate-in-enedwaith-to-sell-you/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/19/lotros-devs-have-some-real-estate-in-enedwaith-to-sell-you/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

All eyes in Lord of the Rings Online are set on the expanding frontier of the game, as both the Fellowship and players alike begin to head south this fall. This means a brand-new zone, Enedwaith, and all of the secrets and discoveries that it holds. We previously got a glimpse of this new area through a sneak-peek tour, but it's still great to read a nine-page dev tour of Enedwaith by Turbine's Jonathan Rudder.

It's interesting to note that Enedwaith is comprised of several "biomes" or self-contained ecosystems that range from rolling prairie to winter tundra to jagged bluffs. Each area has its own theme and unique critters, including the terrifying shadow wolves. And before you ask, yes, Turbine threw in a few demonic goats free of charge. As players progress through Enedwaith, they'll encounter the united Grey Company of Rangers and assist in their quest to help Aragorn.

Turbine's proud of the amount of content in this region, claiming that it has more quests and deeds than North Downs (which was the previous non-Moria record-holder for a zone), and it has more new and unique art per square meter than Moria. Read through this hefty dev diary for the complete skinny on Enedwaith!

MassivelyLotRO's devs have some real estate in Enedwaith to sell you originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aragornbiomedemonic-goatsdev-diaryecosystemenedwaithf2pfree-to-playgrey-companyjonathan-rudderlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamorianorth-downsrangersshadow-wolvesthat-goat-will-swallow-your-soulturbineMon, 19 Jul 2010 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: Touring the fall's new content with Turbine (part one)]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/the-road-to-mordor-touring-the-falls-new-content-with-turbine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/the-road-to-mordor-touring-the-falls-new-content-with-turbine/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/02/the-road-to-mordor-touring-the-falls-new-content-with-turbine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It just may be the dream of every MMO geek to command the attention of his or her favorite dev team, bombard them with questions, and be shown secrets previously kept behind closed doors. Well, my friends, today that dream came true for this geek, as Turbine graciously sat down with Massively for over two hours to conduct an all-access tour to the fall's hot new LotRO content -- including the details behind the controversial and anticipated F2P switch. Aaron Campbell (Producer), Allan Maki (Senior Designer), Elliot Gilman (Senior Designer), Brian Aloisio (Designer), Joseph Barry (Designer) and Jonathan Rudder (Lore Guru) were on hand to fly me through the new content -- and reveal a few big surprises.

To say that I had questions is an understatement; I fear that I sounded a bit like a six-year-old who peppers parents with unending "Why?" queries. Expecting to hear "no comment" a lot (after all, this content is in beta), I was surprised when the Turbine team enthusiastically answered all of my questions and then some. This is a team who know this F2P move is bringing some apprehension and concern, and they're trying to assuage that with as much information as possible.

So join me as we go through the first part of this tour, looking at an enhanced new-player experience, instance scaling and the addition of Enedwaith to Turbine's Middle-earth.

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: Touring the fall's new content with Turbine (part one)

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: Touring the fall's new content with Turbine (part one) originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-campbellallan-makialliot-gilmanannuminasbrian-aloisiodungeonsdunlandenedwaitheregionf2pfeaturedfree-to-playgondorgreat-barrowshelegrodinstance-scalinginterviewjonathan-rudderjoseph-barrylord-of-the-rings-onlinelore-gurulotromaur-tulhaumiddle-earthmines-of-morianew-player-experiencestoorstourturbinetutorialuivolume-3-book-2welshFri, 02 Jul 2010 11:00:00 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[PC Gamer's reader poll honors EVE as the #3 PC game of all time]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/pc-gamers-reader-poll-honors-eve-as-the-3-pc-game-of-all-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/pc-gamers-reader-poll-honors-eve-as-the-3-pc-game-of-all-time/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/pc-gamers-reader-poll-honors-eve-as-the-3-pc-game-of-all-time/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Reader polls always tend to be an exercise in popularity, bucking conventional wisdom and surprise upsets -- and perhaps never so much as a recent annual PC Gamer poll that asked readers to rank the top 100 PC games of all time. EVE Online scored a surprising #3 spot on the list (falling from last year's #2 position), behind only Fallout 3 and Half-Life 2. This certainly is a testament to EVE's devoted and outspoken fans.

Several other MMOs appeared in the top 100, including World of Warcraft (#10), WURM Online (#20), World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (#25), Lord of the Rings Online: The Mines of Moria (#31), Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (#36), RuneScape (#45), Guild Wars (#72), World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (#97) and EverQuest (#100).

Of course, reader polls should always be taken with a grain of salt (mmm... salty goodness), as large organizational efforts and promotion from one studio or group of fans is often enough to create a skewed result. Still, it's a decent list, and terrific to see so many MMOs given the top honors.

MassivelyPC Gamer's reader poll honors EVE as the #3 PC game of all time originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 May 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetblizzardccpeve-onlineeverquestfallout-3guild-warshalf-life-2jagexlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriaonetoofreepc-gamerreader-pollsrunescapeshadows-of-angmarsoethe-burning-crusadetop-100turbineworld-of-warcraftwrath-of-the-lich-kingwurm-onlineFri, 14 May 2010 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Road to Mordor: The highs and lows of Middle-earth]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-highs-and-lows-of-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-highs-and-lows-of-middle-earth/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/the-road-to-mordor-the-highs-and-lows-of-middle-earth/#commentsFiled under: , ,


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

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was also the most trite way to open an article, especially if you were to be submitting it to your English teacher. Still, I've never encountered a week in LotRO that's given me such a bipolar experience, and I'm going to need your help to work it out. You with me? Good, then grab a cup of red tea and let us spin such a yarn that cats all over the world will be attracted to it.

The week began with a switch back to my Captain -- I like to juggle characters, but my cappy (Captain Crunch, thank you very much) is the flagship character of my account, the one in which I've poured the most time and interest. Crunch had just hit level 45, which meant she was eligible to start Volume II, Book I. This is generally recommended at level 45, because the book nets you your first legendary item (and your second, by the end of it). I figured, might as well get cracking on that infamous LI grind I hear so much about, so away I went!

Continue reading The Road to Mordor: The highs and lows of Middle-earth

MassivelyThe Road to Mordor: The highs and lows of Middle-earth originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 07 May 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abercrombie-and-fitchbuttlescuttcaptain-crunchdeedsgrindkill-ten-ratslegendary-itemslord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-wikimines-of-moriashadows-of-angmarskirmishesthe-road-to-mordorturbinevirtuesvolume-2Fri, 07 May 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine purchased by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/turbine-purchased-by-warner-bros-home-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/turbine-purchased-by-warner-bros-home-entertainment/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/20/turbine-purchased-by-warner-bros-home-entertainment/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In news that rocked us back on our heels, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has just announced the purchase of Turbine Inc. Previously the largest privately-owned MMO studio in North America, Turbine is now a member of the Time-Warner family. This means that Asheron's Call, Dungeons & Dragons Online and Lord of the Rings Online have been folded into this deal. This comes after a Warner Bros. spending spree, in which they picked up TT Games, the assets of Midway, and a majority stake in Rocksteady Studios.

Continue reading Turbine purchased by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

MassivelyTurbine purchased by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asherons-callbreakingddodungeons-and-dragons-onlinefinancial-timesjoystiqlord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromartin-tremblaymines-of-moriaturbinewarner-brosWarner-Bros-InteractiveTue, 20 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Lord of the Rings Online to get hardware upgrade]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-to-get-hardware-upgrade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-to-get-hardware-upgrade/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/09/lord-of-the-rings-online-to-get-hardware-upgrade/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The folks at Turbine are planning a significant hardware upgrade for Lord of the Rings Online, and are asking players to help test it out.

The Bullroarer server currently has the new hardware, and is open to anyone who currently has an active subscription. You can copy up to five of your characters over using the character copy tool in order to join the test, and you'll find some nice bonuses in exchange for your time: all of the content from Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood is on the Bullroarer server. If you don't own the expansions, this is an excellent way to check them out.

Turbine has one more thank you gift for players: everyone who plays on the Bullroarer server for at least an hour between now and Friday will be entered in a drawing for a Best Buy gift card. One person will receive a $250 card, one will receive a $150 card, and five people will receive $100 cards. The Bullroarer server can be downloaded here.

MassivelyLord of the Rings Online to get hardware upgrade originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bullroarerhardware-upgradelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriasiege-of-mirkwoodturbineWed, 09 Dec 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Turbine releases Siege of Mirkwood launch video]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/turbine-releases-siege-of-mirkwood-launch-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/turbine-releases-siege-of-mirkwood-launch-video/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/01/turbine-releases-siege-of-mirkwood-launch-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In case you haven't heard, Turbine launched Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood today. "Today we unveil LOTRO's second major expansion and let players enter the legendary forest of Mirkwood and experience the climax and conclusion to Volume II of our epic story. The response from our players and the press has been nothing short of outstanding and serve as a real validation of LOTRO's position as one of the world's premium online games," said Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel.

Besides closing out Mines of Moria, Siege of Mirkwood also brings about an increased level cap, the much-talked-about Skirmish system, and some major gameplay changes and improvements.

Many Lord of the Rings Online players have been anticipating this and will be heading for Mirkwood at the first opportunity, but if you're not one of them, the launch video may tip the scales for you. Follow along after the jump for a look.

Continue reading Turbine releases Siege of Mirkwood launch video

MassivelyTurbine releases Siege of Mirkwood launch video originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>expansionlaunch-videolord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriasiege-of-mirkwoodturbineTue, 01 Dec 2009 11:30:00 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[Moral relativism in Lord of the Rings Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/moral-relativism-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/moral-relativism-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/23/moral-relativism-in-lord-of-the-rings-online/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's one thing to accept that in the average fantasy MMO, you're going to be killing a truly astonishing number of creatures. That's not the most commendable concept ever, but it at least falls under the header of expected. But every so often, you find yourself stopping to think about the real-world ramifications of what you're doing. The Angry Bear took a closer look at the activities that Lord of the Rings Online is currently moving through in the Mines of Moria, and come to some rather interesting conclusions about the game's stance of invading the homes of other sentient creatures, killing them, and claiming everything they'd owned for several thousand years as rightfully yours.

Of course, Lord of the Rings Online is hardly the first time you've been tasked with invading someone's home for little reason other than it being convenient, but the argument outlined here is rather compelling and interesting. It also comes to an interesting conclusion after all the moral sides of the argument are fully explored, one that puts you largely back in the same place you started -- but it's still an interesting argument to consider. Take a look at the full piece, and perhaps tread a bit more lightly the next time you venture into Khazad-dum.

MassivelyMoral relativism in Lord of the Rings Online originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>culturelord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromines-of-moriamoralityopinionturbineFri, 23 Oct 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Server merges in LotRO? Heck no!]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/21/server-merges-in-lotro-heck-no/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/21/server-merges-in-lotro-heck-no/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/21/server-merges-in-lotro-heck-no/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The longer you are exposed to the One Ring, the stronger the hold it begins to have over you. It would appear Turbine has been able to harness this magic and set it loose upon the unsuspecting gaming population because The Lord of the Rings Online is continuing to grow even two years after its release.

When VG247 caught up with Live Producer Aaron Campbell and asked him about any potential server merges, he had this to say: "If anything, The Lord of the Rings Online is growing. We have no plans to merge servers." Since Turbine nefariously refuses to release subscription numbers for any of their MMOs, I guess we'll have to take his word for it.

Is it really that difficult to believe though when you consider the steady stream of content Turbine releases in the form of new Books? They also launched a strong second anniversary campaign, which included a digital download of the original game plus the Mines of Moria expansion for only $9.99. This pricing is still available.

MassivelyServer merges in LotRO? Heck no! originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aaron-campbellbook-8lord-of-the-rings-onlinelotrolotro-book-8mines-of-moriaturbinevg247Sun, 21 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Codemasters releases trailer for LotRO Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/codemasters-releases-trailer-for-lotro-book-8-scourge-of-khazad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/codemasters-releases-trailer-for-lotro-book-8-scourge-of-khazad/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/06/01/codemasters-releases-trailer-for-lotro-book-8-scourge-of-khazad/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Things are looking pretty good for fans of Lord of the Rings Online with the frequent content updates that Turbine has been cranking out. Codemasters has just released a teaser trailer for Lord of the Rings Online Volume II Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm that shows what awaits your Fellowship in the Mines of Moria this summer.

Massively recently had the opportunity to go on a dev tour of the new content and get some info about the quest revamps, 3-, 6,- and 12-man instances, and a preview of the Summer Festival, which is well worth a look if we don't say so ourselves. LotRO's Volume II Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm is slated for a June release and we've got a video embed of the Book 8 teaser trailer for you after the jump.

Gallery: LotRO Volume 2: Book 8 Dev Tour

New Hobbit eventOn your mark...Go go go go!Turning in your tokensDwarven race event

Gallery: LotRO Volume 2: Book 8

Continue reading Codemasters releases trailer for LotRO Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm

MassivelyCodemasters releases trailer for LotRO Book 8: Scourge of Khazad-Dûm originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's something really exciting about a new set of patch notes, especially when it's for a fantasy MMO like Lord of the Rings Online. Turbine have just released the latest patch notes for the Bullroarer test server for volume 2 of book eight. These notes will hit live servers -- barring the usual changes, updates and revisions -- in June.

The notes themselves are quite comprehensive with plenty of class-specific alterations across the board. There will also be two new events added to the Summer Festival, one taking place in the Shire and another near Thorin's Hall. Lothlorien Gift Boxes are among some of the items being changed, as are the cost of First Age Legendary items. Indeed it seems there's something for everyone, whatever the class or level. You can check out the full patch notes here.

MassivelyLatest LotRO test realm patch notes released originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lord of the Rings Online CM and Senior Quality Assurance Analyst Kehleyr popped on the forums yesterday to let players know they are reopening applications for the Isengard Private Preview Program. A bit like City of Heroes' Training Room test server or WoW's PTR, Isengard is a lot more private but you will get the chance to try new content and help the QA folks iron out bugs.

Kehleyr explains that applicants will have to have an active account, be over 18 and sign an NDA but if you're a huge fan of LotRO in good standing (as in never received a temporary ban), then you can apply. Head over to the forums to see the full details.

MassivelyThe Isengard Private Preview Program needs you originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 16 May 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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