Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

***Thenamir*** · 01-27-2007, 10:39 PM

Is there anyone who is looking at or playing the Beta of the new MMO Lord of the Rings Online site? The screenshots look stunning, but I wonder if there's any interest in getting a band of Downers together to form a group (guild?) in it. Anyone with info or who has played the Beta please post here and let us know how it plays, and if it's worth our time.

The website is http://lotro.turbine.com/.

Oh and here's a lovely screenshot of the Barrow-Downs from the game:
http://lorimages.turbine.com/files/93/96/18/42/67.jpg

Elmo · 01-28-2007, 11:57 AM

I applied for the Beta but I don't think I'll get it as I couldn't be bothered finding about my computer spec

Durelin · 01-28-2007, 12:20 PM

I was in a guild for that...about...well, three years ago? And it still hasn't come out, so I must say I've rather lost interest. There's also that money issue.

If I have the money, though, I'm a sucker for MMORPGs, particularly when I have people to play with. So I'll keep a BD guild in mind.

Apparently it is pretty good, from what I've heard from CaptainofDespair who has talked to beta testers. It runs a lot like all the other major MMORPGs, so it may not be anything new under the sun...except that it's a Lord of the Rings MMORPG. Not necessarily bad at all.

There is still an issue with PvP, though, apparently. No one seems to know for sure what they're doing with it. They say that there is no straight-forward PvP, but they've hinted that there's going to be some sort of other kind of PvP...how different it can be, I don't know. There also hasn't been any news about that in a while, I believe, so...who knows.

I don't know much else, except that the fact that it switched developers since I first started looking at it had me worried. It seemed to separate itself from the movies nicely, even it's original name of "Middle-Earth Online" further separating it from the strictly people-only-know-about-"Lord of the Rings"-because-of-the-movies thing. I haven't really looked into it in a while, though, so I can't say too much.

Edit: Okay, sorry, apparently Turbine just bought out Vivendi so they would be both publisher and developer.

Farael · 01-30-2007, 12:20 AM

Well folks, I got an e-mail the other day saying that I was invited as a stress-tester... and this weekend I actually got to try the game out!!

Now, I'm bound by an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) so I can't tell you MUCH... but the game is REALLY good.

My computer isn't the best out there but still at times the game ran very smoothly (at low graphs levels) so I'm guessing that if I ever get to play when it's not a stress-test (stress-test meaning that A LOT of people are on at the same time to try to test the limits of the servers and whatnot) it should run just fine.

If you want to start a guild (Called Kinships in game, I believe) we could discuss it here... or you can drop me a PM.

The game is really good, but BEWARE... just like the movies, it's NOT the books exactly... so there are some things that your inner mind will say "but this can't happen!!" yet overall it was pretty faithful to Tolkien's work and lots of fun to play.

FeRaL sHaDoW · 01-30-2007, 01:17 AM

so farael, how much can you tell us ???

Elmo · 01-30-2007, 02:46 AM

he couls tell us all he wants its not like they're spying on Lord of the Rings messageboards looking to see if anyone blabs

Kuruharan · 02-12-2007, 04:57 PM

The Barrow-Downs Troupee...I like it. It sounds fun and vaguely nonsensical.

Oddwen · 10-13-2007, 08:46 PM

Dang...I just downloaded the 7-day free trial, and have to say I like it but can't afford to keep playing.

Durelin · 06-25-2008, 09:48 PM

*uses "Enlivening Grace" on this thread*

So, any BDers currently playing this other than Kuru, CoD, and myself? Yeah, I know, said I couldn't afford it...

Decided you could afford it yet, Oddwen?

The first expansion is coming out supposedly in the fall: the Mines of Moria, adding two more classes and who knows what else. < / advertisement >

Oddwen · 08-25-2010, 11:49 PM

So, come September 10th, LotROnline will be free-to-play. Something which is very close to what I can afford!

Does anyone still play?

Kuruharan · 09-09-2010, 07:29 AM

Meh...sort of.

I hate to be a party pooper but the game has gotten steadily worse over the course of its lifetime. I was playing pretty regularly up until a month or so ago but when I saw the changes they were going to be bringing in with it going f2p and, more importantly, some of the glaring problems they were not fixing I...uhh...kinda sorta did a.../ragequit.

CaptainofDespair is probably wondering what in the world happened to me.

I do intend to keep playing some...I already had a lifetime membership which means I automatically have premium when it goes f2p...but as far as really *playing* it for more than just advancing the story for my characters, I don't see myself willing to do that anymore. The game is just not that great and there are much more fun things for me to spend my time on.

Morthoron · 09-09-2010, 08:20 AM

Hmmm...where do I start about LotRO?

I was once closely related to the game and the developers, but having gone through the alpha and beta stages of the game, it was evident to me that the vision of the game had digressed from 'living in Middle-earth' to amassing piles of swag, endlessly killing mobs and basically emulating World of Warcraft. In fact, the head dev admitted his desire to compete with WoW, rather than deliver a gaming experience solidly entrenched in the lore and ethics of Middle-earth.

Interesting to so see LotRO has declined to the point where it requires free-to-play status. Perhaps if they catered to the very folks who believed in the original game design (MEO or Middle-earth Online) and were avid fans of Tolkien's Middle-earth, then they may have maintained a loyal customer base without the need to use such desperate tactics to remain viable.

CaptainofDespair · 09-23-2010, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

CaptainofDespair is probably wondering what in the world happened to me.

Nah. I could tell from your last month or so in-game that you were not terribly pleased with Turbine's continued direction. Good to see you are still kickin' though. ;-)

01-27-2007, 10:39 PM	#1
*Thenamir* Spectre of Capitalism Join Date: May 2001 Location: Battling evil bureaucrats at Zeta Aquilae Posts: 987	Lord of the Rings Online MMORPG Is there anyone who is looking at or playing the Beta of the new MMO Lord of the Rings Online site? The screenshots look stunning, but I wonder if there's any interest in getting a band of Downers together to form a group (guild?) in it. Anyone with info or who has played the Beta please post here and let us know how it plays, and if it's worth our time. The website is http://lotro.turbine.com/. Oh and here's a lovely screenshot of the Barrow-Downs from the game: http://lorimages.turbine.com/files/93/96/18/42/67.jpg __________________ The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane. ~~ Marcus Aurelius

01-28-2007, 11:57 AM	#2
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	I applied for the Beta but I don't think I'll get it as I couldn't be bothered finding about my computer spec __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

01-28-2007, 12:20 PM	#3
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	I was in a guild for that...about...well, three years ago? And it still hasn't come out, so I must say I've rather lost interest. There's also that money issue. If I have the money, though, I'm a sucker for MMORPGs, particularly when I have people to play with. So I'll keep a BD guild in mind. Apparently it is pretty good, from what I've heard from CaptainofDespair who has talked to beta testers. It runs a lot like all the other major MMORPGs, so it may not be anything new under the sun...except that it's a Lord of the Rings MMORPG. Not necessarily bad at all. There is still an issue with PvP, though, apparently. No one seems to know for sure what they're doing with it. They say that there is no straight-forward PvP, but they've hinted that there's going to be some sort of other kind of PvP...how different it can be, I don't know. There also hasn't been any news about that in a while, I believe, so...who knows. I don't know much else, except that the fact that it switched developers since I first started looking at it had me worried. It seemed to separate itself from the movies nicely, even it's original name of "Middle-Earth Online" further separating it from the strictly people-only-know-about-"Lord of the Rings"-because-of-the-movies thing. I haven't really looked into it in a while, though, so I can't say too much. Edit: Okay, sorry, apparently Turbine just bought out Vivendi so they would be both publisher and developer. Last edited by Durelin; 01-28-2007 at 12:24 PM.

01-30-2007, 12:20 AM	#4
Farael Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In hospitals, call rooms and (rarely) my apartment. Posts: 1,538	Stress-tester here!! Well folks, I got an e-mail the other day saying that I was invited as a stress-tester... and this weekend I actually got to try the game out!! Now, I'm bound by an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) so I can't tell you MUCH... but the game is REALLY good. My computer isn't the best out there but still at times the game ran very smoothly (at low graphs levels) so I'm guessing that if I ever get to play when it's not a stress-test (stress-test meaning that A LOT of people are on at the same time to try to test the limits of the servers and whatnot) it should run just fine. If you want to start a guild (Called Kinships in game, I believe) we could discuss it here... or you can drop me a PM. The game is really good, but BEWARE... just like the movies, it's NOT the books exactly... so there are some things that your inner mind will say "but this can't happen!!" yet overall it was pretty faithful to Tolkien's work and lots of fun to play. __________________ I prepared Explosive Runes this morning.

01-30-2007, 01:17 AM	#5
FeRaL sHaDoW Wight Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 232	so farael, how much can you tell us ??? __________________ God created night, but man created darkness....

01-30-2007, 02:46 AM	#6
Elmo Pittodrie Poltergeist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: trying to find that warm and winding lane again Posts: 633	he couls tell us all he wants its not like they're spying on Lord of the Rings messageboards looking to see if anyone blabs __________________ As Beren looked into her eyes within the shadows of her hair, The trembling starlight of the skies he saw there mirrored shimmering.

02-12-2007, 04:57 PM	#7
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,591	The Barrow-Downs Troupee...I like it. It sounds fun and vaguely nonsensical. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

10-13-2007, 08:46 PM	#8
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	Dang...I just downloaded the 7-day free trial, and have to say I like it but can't afford to keep playing. __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

06-25-2008, 09:48 PM	#9
Durelin Estelo dagnir, Melo ring Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,063	uses "Enlivening Grace" on this thread So, any BDers currently playing this other than Kuru, CoD, and myself? Yeah, I know, said I couldn't afford it... Decided you could afford it yet, Oddwen? The first expansion is coming out supposedly in the fall: the Mines of Moria, adding two more classes and who knows what else. < / advertisement >

08-25-2010, 11:49 PM	#10
Oddwen Drummer in the Deep Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Next Sunday A.D. Posts: 2,145	So, come September 10th, LotROnline will be free-to-play. Something which is very close to what I can afford! Does anyone still play? __________________ But all the while I sit and think of times there were before I listen for returning feet and voices at the door

09-09-2010, 07:29 AM	#11
Kuruharan Regal Dwarven Shade Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: A Remote Dwarven Hold Posts: 3,591	Oh...hi there! Meh...sort of. I hate to be a party pooper but the game has gotten steadily worse over the course of its lifetime. I was playing pretty regularly up until a month or so ago but when I saw the changes they were going to be bringing in with it going f2p and, more importantly, some of the glaring problems they were not fixing I...uhh...kinda sorta did a.../ragequit. CaptainofDespair is probably wondering what in the world happened to me. I do intend to keep playing some...I already had a lifetime membership which means I automatically have premium when it goes f2p...but as far as really playing it for more than just advancing the story for my characters, I don't see myself willing to do that anymore. The game is just not that great and there are much more fun things for me to spend my time on. __________________ ...finding a path that cannot be found, walking a road that cannot be seen, climbing a ladder that was never placed, or reading a paragraph that has no...

09-09-2010, 08:20 AM	#12
Morthoron Curmudgeonly Wordwraith Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ensconced in curmudgeonly pursuits Posts: 2,509	Hmmm...where do I start about LotRO? I was once closely related to the game and the developers, but having gone through the alpha and beta stages of the game, it was evident to me that the vision of the game had digressed from 'living in Middle-earth' to amassing piles of swag, endlessly killing mobs and basically emulating World of Warcraft. In fact, the head dev admitted his desire to compete with WoW, rather than deliver a gaming experience solidly entrenched in the lore and ethics of Middle-earth. Interesting to so see LotRO has declined to the point where it requires free-to-play status. Perhaps if they catered to the very folks who believed in the original game design (MEO or Middle-earth Online) and were avid fans of Tolkien's Middle-earth, then they may have maintained a loyal customer base without the need to use such desperate tactics to remain viable. __________________ And your little sister's immaculate virginity wings away on the bony shoulders of a young horse named George who stole surreptitiously into her geography revision.

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