If expansions follow the story, then what's the final one?

Trenker

If expansions follow the story, like the expansion in June does, then what could the final expansion be like?  As you may know, the final part of the book was the epic battle when all the good guys and all the bad guys were assembled.  Could the end expansion result in an 'end game' of a new massive PvMP area?  Would this be in about 1 year or 5 years do you think?

I for one would look forward to playing a game that evolved over a few years into an 'end game' of PvP.  Well, PvMP anyway.

Jackdog

I figure even withthe June content that it is still only about 1/10 th of the Middle Earth map. Should be a safe bet to think they will be adding paid and free expansions for at least 4 or 5 years. The announcement to day is on e reason why I think that the 200 dollar lifetime deal is a bargain.

OBK1

I am very interested in how they will handle the end-game, what happens when you play the last epic-quest? Surley the game can't end for that character? Will be interesting to see how they handle this, if we get to play in the world after the ring is destroyed or if we will forever have to fight at the gates of Mordor or something.

seabass2003

Originally posted by OBK1

I am very interested in how they will handle the end-game, what happens when you play the last epic-quest? Surley the game can't end for that character? Will be interesting to see how they handle this, if we get to play in the world after the ring is destroyed or if we will forever have to fight at the gates of Mordor or something.

When I was browsing the LotRO forums I came across a section where they said after the final big game ending quest of destroying the ring that Turbine would continue to expand. I will try to find it and post. Might be awhile before I find it as I had stumbled across the info by mistake anyways.

wykkid79

Originally posted by seabass2003

Originally posted by OBK1

I am very interested in how they will handle the end-game, what happens when you play the last epic-quest? Surley the game can't end for that character? Will be interesting to see how they handle this, if we get to play in the world after the ring is destroyed or if we will forever have to fight at the gates of Mordor or something.

When I was browsing the LotRO forums I came across a section where they said after the final big game ending quest of destroying the ring that Turbine would continue to expand. I will try to find it and post. Might be awhile before I find it as I had stumbled across the info by mistake anyways.

You're exactly right, they've said it multiple times.  The war doesn't end the instant the ring is destroyed.  Every orc doesn't suddenly keel over dead, etc etc...  There's a lot of clean up after the ring is destroyed after all, and there's always the lands beyond...

As for how they'll handle content post-launch.  If you're in the beta I would recommend you run to the edges of various zones and look to the areas you can't get into yet.  Put draw distance at high, etc etc... You'll see whole areas that are already land-scaped and even have buildings/ruins.  Then look at the map of Eriador.  We're starting with about half of this region.  My understanding from the developer's discussions over the course of beta and from some of the chats is that we'll get Eriador over the course of the next year.  So that'll almost double existing content.  Then we'll get a paid expac that will open the next region.  After a few years...  Well, the plans say we'll have a ridiculous amount of content.

fiontar

Originally posted by wykkid79
You're exactly right, they've said it multiple times.  The war doesn't end the instant the ring is destroyed.  Every orc doesn't suddenly keel over dead, etc etc...  There's a lot of clean up after the ring is destroyed after all, and there's always the lands beyond...
As for how they'll handle content post-launch.  If you're in the beta I would recommend you run to the edges of various zones and look to the areas you can't get into yet.  Put draw distance at high, etc etc... You'll see whole areas that are already land-scaped and even have buildings/ruins.  Then look at the map of Eriador.  We're starting with about half of this region.  My understanding from the developer's discussions over the course of beta and from some of the chats is that we'll get Eriador over the course of the next year.  So that'll almost double existing content.  Then we'll get a paid expac that will open the next region.  After a few years...  Well, the plans say we'll have a ridiculous amount of content.

That's my understanding as well. We have about half of Eriador, free updates will fill in the other half. Next year, we'll get half the next region in a paid expansion and the other half of that zone will be filled in with free updates, etc...



The world should double in size this year, be triple it's current size when the expansion is released and be quadruple it's current size at the end of year two. If they can pull that off and maintain quality, no one is going to have to worry that the world is too small or that once you've explored the launched content there will be nothing else to expect.



As to which zone will be last in following the story, I would have to say Mordor! The time in Mordor is sort of rushed through in the Books and the Movie, but if you look at the maps it's about the size of Eriador!

jor8888

Mordor is coming out 2013.

 

Trenker

Great replies so far thanks.  But do you think gameplay (not content) will change with the last chapters/expansions, perhaps with regards to PvMP for the ultimate battle or a greater use of magic through a new class?  Will we be part of the army that fights alongside the main characters at the final big battle?

Einherjar_LC

I'd like to see some bad guys become playable at some point in a future expansion with some RvR zones similiar to AO's land control towers ideal.  Only PVP in those zones though.

 

Even though I'm not a PvP fan at all, that would be a controlled way to add it to the game and give feeling to the conflict/struggle part of the story line.