Pre-ordering online, not possible ?

Kaynos1972

I downloaded the game last night and i would like to be a founding member.  But from what i read, i cannot pre-order the game online ?  I have to go through a retailer and wait for them to send me the founder key ?  Why can't turbine just allow us to pay them the game price and give us the key already ? 

Taniquetil

You can pre-order online from codemasters or a big retailer.Most companies are sending the pre-order keys out by email 10 days before the full launch so you get your early access.

Cabe2323

Usually a developer will have deals in place to actually provide their software.  Now those retailers will often times offer the product over the internet.  For something that is suspected to be a huge success it is often better to not offer direct sales at first.  You get more advertising, space in brick and mortar stores, etc if you allow the retailers to sell the product first.  Turbine does sell keys for Asheron's Call directly.  So I would imagine later on they will offer direct keys for LOTRO as well, but I would suspect it would be a year at least after it comes out. 

seabass2003

I preordered through Amazon and got the key code in about 2 days. You can buy the preorder box at a store and bring it home and play right away though.