What name did you prefer.. Middle-earth Online or LOTRO?

Publish6246

For me Lord of the Rings Online suggests that you play a Hero but Middle-earth online suggests you play a normal guy just trying to make his way in the world lol. 

Anvir

I maybe would of prefered "Middle Earth Online" but since they got licenses for Lord of the ring and that name hits rather hard in the market so a rather easy choice (well in my point of view anywhay) 

Kyleran

Middle earth online was a sandbox-type simulation first envisioned early in the game's development.  Over several years and publishers the game changed to be more of a hero-based game, just one where you assisted the main characters in their storyline, and played hero in one of your own.

No, LotRO was the best title for what was released, as the game isn't really much like a Middle Earth Sim.

Godliest

LOTRO makes full use of the rights they have. It probably sell more with that name rather than Middle-earth Online. still I think Middle-earth Online sounds more like the truth. Even if I still hate the "Online" thing. Why not just name it something like Middle-earth: The Quest for *insert something the main story is about* (never got very far). That would make the name sound more selling, at least I do think so.

ianubisi

Middle Earth Online. I don't care much for their tie-in to the hype around the movies.

Flyte27

I prefer middle earth online as well.  They really tried to capitalize off of the success of the movies.

Tatum

Middle Earth Online.  I think they fell into the same trap as SWG, meaning they set their game in the most restricted time-line. 

Tuor7

The game used to be called Middle-earth Online (MEO). That, obviously, changed, and not, IIRC, because they were trying to capitalize on the (crappy) movies, but due to contractual obligations and the fact that the game has gone through more than one Dev company since it was originally conceived. It's too bad, really, becuase from what I can remember of the guys who were originally trying to make the game, they had some interesting ideas. Sadly, they couldn't bring them into reality and things changed.

Of course, IMO, the whole thing was doomed from the start because the books do not lend themselves to being made into an MMO (or a movie).

NakedFury

Middle-Earth Online gets my vote

 

If the name was Middle-earth online people would think more along this lines:

Awesome I can play in that world and kill orcs or goblins and visit those places and do some sight seeing.

 

Whit the name changed to LOTRO this is I think most people think:

Hmmm I get to play in that world but based more in the books.

 

Don't misunderstand me, I like the game even if I only l payed the beta but they could have chosen to based the game in the new age, the age of men. Why? Well for long time fans and gamers who wanted to try a mmorpg about Tolkiens world they, IMO, would have love to play what happened after the fall of Sauron.

We already have plenty of games based on the books(except Silmarilion, that would rock!).

 

Still, perhaps in a year the game story will advance to the point where Sauron is defeated(if it doesnt already, I dont know) and start going into the age of men.

 

observer

Turbine didn't have the rights to all of Middle Earth.  They could only use the LotR and Hobbit books.

And the main reason why the game doesn't really appeal to the mainstream, is because it's NOT based off the movies.

Xpheyel

I don't think Middle Earth Online was ever going to get to release. Sierra started on it twice, the first time was nine years ago. So in that respect, LOTRO.

I think people have taken dimly remembered promises from developers from '98 and idealized MEO into the perfect game in large degree. For example, I remember the class tree from the latter days of MEO included a Necromancer class, with a description that explicitly said players would be able to raise up dead bodies to fight for them (after the manner of the NPC enemy Gaunt Men in LOTRO, or possibly the high level conjunctions).

That isn't Middle-Earth 'ordinary guy' any more than LOTRO, in my opinion.

Charlizd

I think LOTRO is fine but then again if it were called Middle Earth online then ya prolly would not get so many people bashing it cause it is not like the movies and they may have not been so lore stricken and been able to cater for more of a variet of gamers but heh i like it just the way it is.

patrikd23

Middle earth online would be better imo.

CactusmanX

MIddle-Earth Online has a better sound and acronym in my opinion, MEO compared to LOTRO, besides MEO makes more sense, since LOTRO isn't based exactly based on the books/movies, so you can't really call it LOTRO, but it is based in the Middle-Earth realm.