I'm a bit perplexed at the fact that this game hasn't really been talked-about a lot, neither here nor in general (considering the huge fanbase LOTR has created). So I was just wondering if anybody else is planning to get this game when it's released. Me and some friends have decided that we would at least try it out, all of us growing more and more tired of WoW.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some facts about the game: it takes place approximately as soon as Frodo leaves the Shire with the ring. So you'll be able to meet a few of the characters from the book (the ones confirmed so far are: Frodo, Bilbo, Aragorn, Gandalf, Elrond, Tom Bombadill, Old Man Willow, Radagast and D̮̼̉̉nedains (refered to as rangers in the game)).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although its main target group are people that are interested in the LOTR lore and such, it will also have instances, PvMP (more about this later) and raids (24-man raids have so far been confirmed). However, I really hope it will not sell out like Vanguard, and become another WoW-clone where PvP and raids are the only ways to "play the game". And so far that doesn't seem to be the case. :)

 

 

 

Now for the PvP, while initially they didn't plan on having a feature like this, it is now something they have not only added, but plan on updating and maintaining as well. However, in LOTRO it is called PvMP (Player versus Monster Play). A quote from the website regarding this:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While there is some (but very little) precedent for PvP in the lore, it doesn't fit into Tolkien's world in the usual way that PvP fits into MMORPG's. In light of this, the development team has designed a PvP alternative - monster play - to satisfy those who enjoy competitive play, while preventing scenarios such as Elves "ganking" Hobbits in the Shire. The current PvP systems included in LOTRO are sparring and monster play (PvMP).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From my understanding the PvMP will go down as follows: you are teleported to an island, and you choose from one of the following "monsters": Uruk-Hai, Orc, Spider, Worg. Your monster automatically gains the max level. You can create your own groups, and then you basically run around and kill other players whom have done the same thing. Upon killing other players, you gain "Destiny Points" which works like "Honor" does in WoW: you can upgrade your monster with new weapons, armours etc. You can enter this place with your own character when he or she is level 45-50.

 

 

 

There are also plenty of quests in this area, so it's not only a big ole' gank fest. This actually looks pretty fun from the gameplay videos I've seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[uPDATE] I read up some more on the PvMP, and this is a quote from a forum explaining it a bit more thoroughly:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as a quick recap because people seem to want to know what is going on and info hasn't been amazingly clear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can pick one of 7 monsters - you name this character , and it is yours. There is all kinds, from a rogue analogy to a hunter analogy. When you complete monster quests or even kill Freeps (PC's) you get points to improve your character - you can increase HP, DPS or get new skills to enable quicker hobbit-snacking. (As alluded to before you can get titles to be known by if you kill enough Hunters/Elves etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want, you can keep these points and use them for (very) temporary buffs on your normal Freep character.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The points can also be spent to boost your main character's XP. I've also heard you can buy new armours and weapons for your main character with the Destiny Points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now for the races and classes you can play as in the game:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Races are: Man, Elf, Dwarf, Hobbit. So, in case I haven't mentioned this earlier, you can only play the "good" races - which, if you think about it, makes perfect sense; think of how end-game raids would be with an evil race. It could impossibly to stay "true to Tolkien's lore", which has been their main goal from the beginning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The different classes are: Minstrel, Burglar, Guardian, Champion, Hunter, Captain and

 

 

 

Lore-Keeper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the initial launch, you will be able to visit the whole Eriador-region which is:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Archet

 

 

 

o Hunting Lodge

 

 

 

o Brownes Folly

 

 

 

o Sprigley's Farm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Bree-land

 

 

 

o The Midgewater Marsh

 

 

 

o The Prancing Pony

 

 

 

o Barrow-downs

 

 

 

o Bree

 

 

 

o House of Tom Bombadil

 

 

 

o Withywindle

 

 

 

o Brandy hall

 

 

 

o Dead Spire

 

 

 

o Brockenborings

 

 

 

o Staddle

 

 

 

o Combe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Ered Luin

 

 

 

o Thorin's Halls

 

 

 

o Thorin's Throne

 

 

 

o Hunters Cabin

 

 

 

o Duillond

 

 

 

o Kheledul

 

 

 

o Spire of Kheledul

 

 

 

o Celondim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* North Downs

 

 

 

o Trestlebridge

 

 

 

o Ruined Watch-tower

 

 

 

o Esteldin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Lone-lands

 

 

 

o Forsaken Inn

 

 

 

o Weathertop

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Shire

 

 

 

o Bag End

 

 

 

o Bamfurlong

 

 

 

o Brandywine Bridge

 

 

 

o Bucklebury Ferry

 

 

 

o Bywater

 

 

 

o Great Smials

 

 

 

o Michel Delving

 

 

 

o The Party Tree

 

 

 

o Sandyman's Mill

 

 

 

o The Green Dragon Inn

 

 

 

o Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Trollshaws

 

 

 

o Ford of Bruinen

 

 

 

o Bilbo's Stone Trolls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Ettenmoors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Misty Mountains

 

 

 

o Rivendell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Angmar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[/copy-paste]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They will continually increase the map however, and are planning to cover the entire Middle-Earth!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, for a very exciting feature, which me and my friends look forward to the most: the ability to play instruments (real time!) in the game! :D

 

 

 

Let me explain. Say your character purchases a lute for 20 silver, you can now compose your own melodies and songs that other people hear in the game! You press key 1-8 for the different notes, and shift to raise the tone, and ctrl to lower it. You can press down 4 keys max (and thus, you can play most chords!). There are 24 notes all in all. While every class can play the lute + one class-specific instrument, the minstrel can play all instruments. And despite of what you might think, this feature works very very well in the game. I have seen videos of beta testers playing various songs from the LOTR movies, the Mario theme, Dust In The Wind etc. and they all sound really good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet another thing I was worried about was if the game would be played like Guild Wars and similar RPGs: incredibly linear and no jump feature (:P). However from the gameplay videos I have seen, the game is very much like WoW, in the respect that you can truly wander off on your own and explore, and actually go places where you should be able to go (down a waterfall into the water for example), and you can jump! Which I think is just excellent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[uPDATE] The game will also have a rank system. They explain this here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now I'll round this off with some random facts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- The (EU) release date is 24th of April. I'm not sure if it is different for US citizens.

 

 

 

- You'll be able to have a horse as mount.

 

 

 

- Player housing is planned to be implemented in the future.

 

 

 

- You can create your own fellowship. But from what I have understood, a fellowship works like a group/party does in other MMORPGs.

 

 

 

- Guilds are called "kinships".

 

 

 

- Yes there will be a monthly fee. How much it will be has not yet been decided.

 

 

 

- There will be an auction house.

 

 

 

- Within a fellowship, you will be able to make "fellowship maneuvers", which is a group combat action. They start off simply but later increase in complexity.

 

 

 

- You can smoke pipe.

 

 

 

- The level cap on LOTRO's inital launch will be 50.

 

 

 

- [uPDATE] When making a Dwarven character, there is no female option. Why, is explained here:

 

 

 

[quote="ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬ÅThe History of Middle-EarthÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬Å; volume 11: ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬ÅThe War of the JewelsÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬Å; part II: ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬ÅThe Later Quenta SilmarillionÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬ÃâÃ

Freakin epic looking! I really like the fact you can play that instrument in real time, i can see people paying for "bands" i guess you could say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assuming they will have game cards (Like WoW does) ill give it a try.

Freakin epic looking! I really like the fact you can play that instrument in real time, i can see people paying for "bands" i guess you could say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assuming they will have game cards (Like WoW does) ill give it a try.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it? :) The developers are very excited about the feature as well (see: dev chats), so they will maintain and update it frequently. And considering all my friends who will start playing also play instruments as a hobby, and are all equally excited as I, we will have tons of fun with it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And yes, there will be gamecards.

First off, nice post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really haven't kept an eye on this because it hasen't interested me. I enjoy the LoTR universe but the idea of the PvP just doesn't "do it" for me. It looks like another incredibly quest based WoW-like game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The features you are talking about look good and I would probaly recomend this game from first look to someone who enjoys PvE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I personaly am waiting for Age of Conan. Full PvP servers in an action based MMO FTW.

i applied for the beta (didnt get in though), is there a 14-day trial sort of thing going on?

First off, nice post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really haven't kept an eye on this because it hasen't interested me. I enjoy the LoTR universe but the idea of the PvP just doesn't "do it" for me. It looks like another incredibly quest based WoW-like game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The features you are talking about look good and I would probaly recomend this game from first look to someone who enjoys PvE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, I personaly am waiting for Age of Conan. Full PvP servers in an action based MMO FTW.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indeed, this game would be for the people who prefer PvE. And in this, I am quite neutral. While I enjoy PvP... I also think exploring and questing in groups is slightly more enjoying. It all comes down to matter of taste obviously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that's the reason I also haven't looked into Age of Conan much. While the combat-engine sounds tasty, the "Conan world" just doesn't seem all that interesting to me. I will probably give it a try though out of curiosity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While on the subject, what do you think about SUN Online?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

i applied for the beta (didnt get in though), is there a 14-day trial sort of thing going on?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I did as well, but I haven't recieved any response from them (well, I got one from them a few days ago, 6 months after I had applied, saying I must apply for the EU one. Apparently I had applied for the US beta... :uhh: )

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will however be an open beta starting on the 30th of March for pre-order customers, and 6th of April for the general public. I don't know if it will have the "try it out free for X days" thing WoW has. If it will, it will probably be implemented at a later stage.

yes I have been tracking this game for quite some time. Unfortunately my computers 5 years old so Ill have to get a new one before I can give it a try. I try'd the free trial on DOD (made by the same company) and I gota tell you you better have the minimal requirements or its a Lag fest from a overworked CPU.

Indeed, this game would be for the people who prefer PvE. And in this, I am quite neutral. While I enjoy PvP... I also think exploring and questing in groups is slightly more enjoying. It all comes down to matter of taste obviously.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And that's the reason I also haven't looked into Age of Conan much. While the combat-engine sounds tasty, the "Conan world" just doesn't seem all that interesting to me. I will probably give it a try though out of curiosity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While on the subject, what do you think about SUN Online?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a bit I was keeping up with SUN until I heard that I think its going more along the lines of what Guild Wars did (more instanced-ish from what I got).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See, the bigest thing I enjoy about PvP in games is the kind of drama and politics that can go on between waring guilds. Lineage II was full of it and it really imerses you into the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As far as conan goes I'm looking foward to the world because its based off of guild interaction more than faction v. faction stuff (Same reason I'm not looking foward to Warhammer online although it is PvP-centric).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also conan is a much grittier world and is being a bit more based off of PvP (there will be PvE/PvP servers where PvE servers you can only PvP in certain hotspots while PvP server will be everywhere) so it should be interesting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With that being said though I agree with you. LoTR is shaping up decently for a good PvE experience (although I am having trouble not doubting them, I mean, DDO...)

Ewww, no good, getting the itchy fingers again...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

damn nice.

>> I say all tip.it people who can do it, should play on the same servers....

I stopped reading at "Tolkien lore doesn't really accomidate for the 'normal' PVP in most games"...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Are ya' kidding? They could have made an awesome PVP system with this, but probably opted not to because it would have looked like a WoW copycat...What with elves, dwarves, hobbits and humans all on one side, with orcs, uruk'hai, goblins, etc on another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not even remotely excited. -.-

I've been waiting and waiting for this game for such along time. I'm probably going to try this game just because I've been looking forward to it for such a long time. The only thing that I fear for this game is that its going to be bad :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

FYI: This game was originally called Middle Earth Online

any1 else remember the MEmod for morrowind? that was gonna be so awesome... but i digress..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

if this thing has gamecards i am TOTALLY getting it... i really am looking for a new mmo to play.. i know im gettin a bit bored of WoW

I stopped reading at "Tolkien lore doesn't really accomidate for the 'normal' PVP in most games"...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Are ya' kidding? They could have made an awesome PVP system with this, but probably opted not to because it would have looked like a WoW copycat...What with elves, dwarves, hobbits and humans all on one side, with orcs, uruk'hai, goblins, etc on another.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not even remotely excited. -.-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like I said, ever since the game was announced back in 2003, it has always been a PvE-RP game. The PvMP feature was just added recently to give players something else to do. Besides, upon adding another faction, you must also realise they would have to create raids and instances for them as well. This is where it would not work with the lore. The only sorts of raids I could see viable would be ones where you burned random small villages. But, I mean, there are already quests where you do this. Besides, playing a faction that is doomed, I think, would feel pretty, in lack of better words, "meh".

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Furthermore, I don't know if you read my post, but I also mentioned that when you reach level 45-50, you will be able to enter the "PvMP island" with your own character. Meaning, you will be able to play against Orc- and Uruk'hai players. So...I mean, that's at least something for the crowd not feeling that battling against a computer-controlled Orc is satisfactory enough. :P

I've been waiting and waiting for this game for such along time. I'm probably going to try this game just because I've been looking forward to it for such a long time. The only thing that I fear for this game is that its going to be bad :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

FYI: This game was originally called Middle Earth Online

 

 

 

Smeg me, that's the same game? Jeez, this has been coming around the corner for years.

My point was that they could have made an awesome PVP system, and just...Didn't.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMO's don't work without good PVP. Not everyone likes to PVP, but try PVEing ALL the time...It gets boring.

My point was that they could have made an awesome PVP system, and just...Didn't.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMO's don't work without good PVP. Not everyone likes to PVP, but try PVEing ALL the time...It gets boring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And Azvareth's point was that you're wrong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. They couldn't just make 2 factions like in WoW. They wanted to follow the lore and it's not a struggle, the end is set.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. They added PvMP which IS PvP, just not your character. They also let you go in and kill other PvMPing with your OWN character at lvl 45.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In conclusion; read more, understand what is written, and don't judge before you've tried it.

My point was that they could have made an awesome PVP system, and just...Didn't.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MMO's don't work without good PVP. Not everyone likes to PVP, but try PVEing ALL the time...It gets boring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to what Korla said, and to clarify further, if they made the PvP the way you'd want it to be, there could not be any sort PvE besides the "collect X amount of apples" quests. There would only be the PvP, more or less. So I would imagine it to be like a 3rd-person hack'n slash CS game, set in a LoTR-ish environment. It would not be appealing to the average LoTR fan at all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, I read up some more on the PvMP, and this is a quote from a forum explaining it a bit more thoroughly:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just as a quick recap because people seem to want to know what is going on and info hasn't been amazingly clear:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can pick one of 7 monsters - you name this character , and it is yours. There is all kinds, from a rogue analogy to a hunter analogy. When you complete monster quests or even kill Freeps (PC's) you get points to improve your character - you can increase HP, DPS or get new skills to enable quicker hobbit-snacking. (As alluded to before you can get titles to be known by if you kill enough Hunters/Elves etc.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want, you can keep these points and use them for (very) temporary buffs on your normal Freep character.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other than that, there is a Rank system, which probably means more to really serious MPvPers but not me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It also seems that you can buy new equipment for your normal character with the "Destiny Points". That point doesn't seem to be totally confirmed however.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Also, the people at SA (which is, unlike the official LOTRO forum, an impartial source) absolutely love the PvMP system.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A quote:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I finally got my rear end to Bree last night and Monster Play is so rad. I feel like I'm back in old-school DAoC, only instead of being a lame human, I was stealthed hiding behind a rock with a giant spider. The spider popped out and did something rad to an elf, then I charged out of hiding and ripped them to shreds with my mighty warg powers. Then a 40 man raid of us went and attacked some keep or something and promptly died hilariously. I may have to crack and buy this one.

 

 

 

Someone also said that it isn't just something that was thrown in as an "afterthought" but it is actually well-integrated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for the rank system, which I forgot to mention in my initial post, since it hasn't (remarkably) been mentioned a lot. However, here they explain this.

 

 

 

So yes, you will be able to actually adopt people (holy ninja jesus!). This will provoke a lot of creepyness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I want my beta key.

Ohh, that looks extremely nice. I'll be sure to have a good look at it when it comes out :)

 

 

 

Lord Of The Rings fan ftw

No Maiar or Valar characters? :(

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you at least ride horses?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

edit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- You'll be able to have a horse as mount.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aww bleep. I've been MMORPG free for a decent time now too

I wonder if you can go to helms deep :o

You'll be able to have a horse as mount.

 

 

 

So I'm guessing yes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maiar and Valar characters would not fit in the game universe, since they're not inhabitants of Middle Earth of the Third Age which apparently is the timeline of the game, and they don't 'mingle' with Men, Elves, etc. Also they'd be way too powerful for the others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well, I for one am very excited about the game; don't care much for PvP, exploring the world and interacting with characters will be fun enough! The screenshots look amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My only problem is with the classes - imo they are a bit restrictive and ocassionally overalpping, and I duno, not very Lotr-like. I dunno, I just wished there were more options and more 'specialized', depending on the race and such. Meh. But overall, very very excited about trying it out.

I wonder if you can go to helms deep :o

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yea, or if they've managed to capture Mirkwood for example in a good way, it's so much more than crisp graphics needed there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Damn, I'm getting hyped for this game :P

Yeah, Helm's Deep would be awesome. But man, if they added Minas Tirith, and put as much effort into it as they did with Torin's Halls, I would crap myself.

My god, if they could pull off a world event like the battle of Minis Tirith

 

 

 

:shock:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm definatly excited for this one