Because of its linear style, quest driven design that does nothing to promote player grouping due to its strong emphasis on solo game play. No real risk versus reward, not really the world simulation it could/should have been, player actions have almost no impact on the environment, LotRO is well made, yet remains one of the most insipid and uninspiring games (IMO) in the genre.
Very much spot on I think, particuarly the comments on how slanted the game is to solo play and how gimped grouping is, as well as the poor risk/reward (also issue of time invested VS reward).
At least we know you guys have no clue about the game, clearly not playing it.
There has been a LOT of efforts encourining grouping, albeit much of it focusing on smaller groups (3-man instances).
But it's funny to see people agreeing on something about a game, when none of them are playing it. Carry on, please
DB
Now now don't go getting butt hurt, Im sure most if not all of us have played and experienced the solo process of leveling where i grab a group to complete that one chapter quest and then throw them away so i can continue to level efficiently.
Yeah, it happens. Just like when I find a PUG, and we start solving all quests that 4 or more of us have in the vicinity. Pretty much every time I decided to do FS quests, this was happening - partly thanks to the excellent quest chain group interface, and of course of the excellent community.
Again, it can be luck. It can be the server, or it can be my ingame personality . There is no objective fact, only experiences. Mine is not the only type of experience, I admit. But at least I do play the game regulary, so that assumes some kind of credibility, I believe? Now read again the text in yellow, and think.
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
LOTRO, to me, is one of the most professionally designed and implemented games on the market. It looks good, it handles well everything about it is intuitive. The community is fantastic; the story is deep and involving. It has everything a MMO needs to have for mass appeal.
It also bores the hell out of me because of its linear style, quest driven design that does nothing to promote player grouping due to its strong emphasis on solo game play.
No real risk versus reward, not really the world simulation it could/should have been, player actions have almost no impact on the environment, LotRO is well made, yet remains one of the most insipid and uninspiring games (IMO) in the genre.
OP, see? This is how your post should have been written
Nothing against this one, at all... fair enough, well taken
DB
No, the post is still incomplete, I added the missing content.
It's amazing to me that you defend Darkfall with ALL of it's flaws and attack LotRO, one of the most polished MMO's on the market (IMO). I think, because of this, Kyleran, your post has no validity to me, but to each their own.
I'm having a blast playing this game. I was burnt out on the MMO genre, but this game "inspired" me.
At least we know you guys have no clue about the game, clearly not playing it. There has been a LOT of efforts encourining grouping, albeit much of it focusing on smaller groups (3-man instances). But it's funny to see people agreeing on something about a game, when none of them are playing it. Carry on, please DB
A few token pieces of content does not an effort to encourage and facilitate grouping make, LotRO is a solo game plain and simple save the grindy grin end game. From the noob areas on up the core game design rewards the same XP.items for solo quests that it does for groups quests ignoring the extra effort needed for group quests (forming up, the dynamics of multiple people, and the extra difficulty and time of dealing with areas that are mostly all elite MOBs). The only other regular group content that doesn't fit the above generalization are the really bad group quests that are just the end of a string of solo quests that take all of about 30 seconds to complete such as a quests that 3 to 5 times sends you solo through an area collecting this or that only to end with a quest to go back tot he same area to kill some named MOB who himself is a total pushover but he just has enough HP or adds to make it impossible to do solo. Aside from the dynamic of getting no more reward for the time of forming a group and doing this group quest it is simply an insult to grouping that you would nee to group for what amounts to 30 or 40 seconds of group help, and the hassles of finding people all on the same part or constantly redoing parts to catch folks up is just salt on the wound.
If you deny this then one has to question your knowledge of the game because it is quite apparent to most anyone that this is the reality in game, whether or not everyone agrees it is a good or bad thing.
as terrrible as some want to portray the game to be it has been out for 2 years nowand has a higher population now than it did a year ago..... f 'ing amazing isn't it LOL
all these negative threads couldn't be envy from other games gfanbois now could they...nah never happen
If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that at least a third of the overall content in LoTRO is inacessable to solo players. There are whole stretches of the book quests, quest chains in every zone, and entire quest hubs in most zones that focus entirely on group content. I've been playing the game since open beta, and I have yet to see all of the group content. There is a hell of a lot more than just book quests and the endgame. Anyone that claims LoTRO only has "token" group content doesn't know what the hell they are talking about.
No LoTRO isn't one of those archaic MMOs where you are forced to get a four man party man with tank, DPS, healer, and CC to be able to do anything. But it does have a screaming ton of group content. From around level 20 on you could level almost entirely on group content if that is your bag and you had a steady play group. In fact, you'd be rewarded for it since all of the best quest rewards and drops are locked behind group quests or come from bosses in dungeons filled with elites. The fact that most players spend a lot of time soloing when they level reflects the fact that most players don't enjoy standing around with their thumb up their butts trying to get a party together. It does not reflect a lack of group content in LoTRO.
I have played many MMOs where players are forced to group. Most classes in launch EQ, most classes in launch DAoC, most classes in EQOA, many classes in AO. In my experience it's just as easy to get a PuG together in LoTRO as it was in the older MMOs, if you are so inclined. I cleared Fornost in a PUG three weekends ago, and it's roughly an 8 hour dungeon for characters in the late 30s. I've also PUGed every single group quest in the Breelands, and most of the Book quests. I've PUGed CD more times then I care to admit (5+ hour dungeon).
I don't want to write this, and you don't want to read it. But now it's too late for both of us.
Exactly, Yeebo, there's lots of group-based content in Lotro spread out across all of the zones and the best thing is that it is very easy to find people. On the European server Snowbourn grouping takes place constantly. Some of you were saying how Lotro is very solo-centric. Well, then, I urge you to play WoW or AoC for a couple of months, then try to claim that for Lotro again. And yes, the rewards are much better when you do fellowship quests.
as terrrible as some want to portray the game to be it has been out for 2 years nowand has a higher population now than it did a year ago..... f 'ing amazing isn't it LOL
all these negative threads couldn't be envy from other games gfanbois now could they...nah never happen
Higher pops? Prove it.
Mind you I am not saying it has worse pops or better but it is absolute speculation to say it has higher pops. In fact, as we all know save one or two exceptions all MMOs lose population over time and with no servers being added since launch it actually tends to suggest that pops are at best not substanatively better.
As for group content, I didn't say it had no, or otherwise limited, group content - I said the mechanics of the game (endless chaining of quests (often with 4, 5, even more solo parts only ending is small group part) , the lack of extra rewards of XP or loot (actually get far less loot for group stuff) for group content which takes more time to form up and to do, and other disincentives to grouping are a problem. Heck, the institutioanlly approved powerlevelling mechanics trash grouping - in LotRO you can get full reward for quests if you are afk and on follow while a high level toon does the work completing the goals as you get paid the bulk of XP and the best loot on quest turn in.
LotRO grouping exists, and is pretty good with fellowship skills, but the designed mechanics and conscious choice to support solo accomplishment over at least a mix of group and solo nueter group play turning it in to what is typically the worst way to level/progress and the most time consuming way as well.
Mind you I am not saying it has worse pops or better but it is absolute speculation to say it has higher pops. In fact, as we all know save one or two exceptions all MMOs lose population over time and with no servers being added since launch it actually tends to suggest that pops are at best not substanatively better.
You can't prove anything either. I've noticed you trying to prove that numbers out there are false and that you hold the truth to the universe.
If you're so smart, what's the meaning of life?
-Would you like cheddar or swiss cheese? -Yes. -...
Mind you I am not saying it has worse pops or better but it is absolute speculation to say it has higher pops. In fact, as we all know save one or two exceptions all MMOs lose population over time and with no servers being added since launch it actually tends to suggest that pops are at best not substanatively better.
You can't prove anything either. I've noticed you trying to prove that numbers out there are false and that you hold the truth to the universe.
If you're so smart, what's the meaning of life?
I can prove that the game is not exhibiting the common external factors of a growing game as the servers remain static from launch. I can also prove, doubt you would even contest, that the vast, vast, majority of MMOs peak early on and taper off over time. That might not be a lot but it is one hell of a lot more than anyone wanting to say LotRO is growing or bigger or anything of the sort can prove.
The graphics and atmosphere is nice but there is no life to the game. It doesn't feel like Lord of the Rings at all, it feels very slow paced and too casual with no consquence at all.
I can prove that the game is not exhibiting the common external factors of a growing game as the servers remain static from launch. I can also prove, doubt you would even contest, that the vast, vast, majority of MMOs peak early on and taper off over time. That might not be a lot but it is one hell of a lot more than anyone wanting to say LotRO is growing or bigger or anything of the sort can prove.
You said you can prove a lot of things.
Mind doing so or was that just wind in the air?
EDIT: i'm not trying to be insulting. I just think your attitude is presomtuous at best. You cast aside most people who don't share your views and substitute your own as the right and only one. You even seem to bend the facts to your liking. I saw someone post a link to lotro's active player base numbers and you cast it aside as false and made up. What's up with that?
-Would you like cheddar or swiss cheese? -Yes. -...
Well, all I can say is that if you think Lotro is solo-centred, then please, go ahead and try WoW and AoC. Just try grouping up with people in Azeroth, Kalimdor or Outland or, for that matter, the starting areas of Northrend. Or just try to find people in the eternal instances of AoC.
Xfire hours, web traffic in Alexa and Quantcast etc all point to growth since last year Smith. here is a challange, lets see you prove it isn't growning. Need something more concrete than your desires and "observations" for proof though. As far as your servers, all the servers still have a decent populations and there have been no server merges.
On a different note, when it comes to grouping I wonder if some the people complaining act in game as obnoxious as they do on these boards. I normally don't do PUGs but I have have been playing some off hours in LoTRO lately and have no difficulties with finding PUGs. Maybe those who do have issues should check their own personality factor, there could be a reason people want to get away from them as soon as the quest is finished.
Mind you I am not saying it has worse pops or better but it is absolute speculation to say it has higher pops. In fact, as we all know save one or two exceptions all MMOs lose population over time and with no servers being added since launch it actually tends to suggest that pops are at best not substanatively better.
You can't prove anything either. I've noticed you trying to prove that numbers out there are false and that you hold the truth to the universe.
If you're so smart, what's the meaning of life?
I can prove that the game is not exhibiting the common external factors of a growing game as the servers remain static from launch. I can also prove, doubt you would even contest, that the vast, vast, majority of MMOs peak early on and taper off over time. That might not be a lot but it is one hell of a lot more than anyone wanting to say LotRO is growing or bigger or anything of the sort can prove.
EQ has added servers over and over again the last few years. Getting ready to add a new one in a few weeks. Does that mean the game is growing?
EVE has yet to add a server. Does that mean the game is shrinking?
All we can say about LoTRO based on servers is that the game has yet to reach the capacity of the current servers. We also know that LoTRO has checks in place to handle heavy server loads that most MMOs don't. For example draw distance reductions under heavy loads. Given that the best content in LoTRO is mostly group content, and that group content requires other players that feel like doing the same content as you to be accessible...it is really in Turbine's best interest to pack out the current servers before adding new ones.
LoTRO is not a WoW sized hit. Nor is any other MMO you happen to like (unless it's WoW or a few ftp MMOs like Runescape and Wizard 101). But all indications that I'm seeing on the ground in the game are that it's slowly and steadilly growing.
Edit: most MMOs do indeed hit some peak and then start to decline. However, LoTRO does not yet seem to have reached it's peak. I am nearly certain that LoTRO hit a new peak with MoM. What the game has done since then I'm not certain of. The number of folks in the endgame doesn't give a good picture of the rest of the game. I will say my alts are doing fine at getting PUGs. Regardless, LoTRO is not dieing by any stretch of the imagination. Compared to one year ago, pops are certainly higher on my server (and I'm not on one of the really big ones). If Turbine plays their cards well (and they have so far with this MMO...admitedly not so much with past MMOs), the game could hit another new peak with the next paid expansion. Rohan, mounted combat, the battle of Helms Deep? Those will all be huge draws. Mirkwood and Dale (that is where most of The Hobbit took place after all) could also be huge draws.
The only evidence you have that the game is in decline is your dislike of it.
I don't want to write this, and you don't want to read it. But now it's too late for both of us.
Observation. All the negative comments I have read on this forum, like this thread and its OP point to one thing. This game is not for someone with a short attention span. May I suggest Super Mario Brothers.
I still play mario when i can't take my current mmog anymore. I's refreshing. Personnaly i think ppl who get bored are the type that rush to endgame. When they see it takes time and dedication they would get bored.
I'd recommend rolling alt over alt and only deleting some when you can't fit a new one, expolre all the content the game has to offer and go for the fun. I've heared those people last longer before gerring bored.
-Would you like cheddar or swiss cheese? -Yes. -...
Observation. All the negative comments I have read on this forum, like this thread and its OP point to one thing. This game is not for someone with a short attention span. May I suggest Super Mario Brothers.
I made no claim about growth, or lack of growth, I only responded to someone who claimed the game was growing when in fact there is no evidence to suggest it is. The reality of MMOs says it is not (as all MMOs, save the rare exception, peak early and taper off over time) as does the lack of additional servers. Of course, this has nothing to do with the OP but let's be clear - some fanboy made the unsubstantiated claim about LotRO growing I only countered saying that what we can see from the outside looking in doesn't show that to be the case.
Okay, so I played LOTRO for like 4 months...I will admit, I am a HUGE fan of Tolkien's works, I have been for nearly 10 years, so, obviously I would jump right in to LOTRO...I played, loved the graphics, the community, the classes were okay, the quests were very basic, but as I travelled farther into Middle Earth, I too became bored...
For me, I think it was the fact that I knew the world TOO well...I have the Middle Earth Atlas, a bunch of maps of ares and what not, but then I think I kinda "knew" how everything was going to look, and what would be where......it just bored me after a while.......don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the game, and maybe I will return some day....but for now....I need a rest from Middle Earth...
PLAYING: NOTHING!!! PLAYED:FFXI, LotRO, AoC, WAR, DDO, Megaten, Wurm, Rohan, Mabinogi, RoM
I am just behind another "lets try out LOTRO" 3-week period. *sigh* What I dont get is, why LOTRO is so damn boring. Really, no trolling meant, but... ya know LOTRO looks great. And I am a huge Tolkien-fan for a long time. There are funny quests, great atmosphere in the various landscapes, it is all very true to the books... and yet every time I think, "hey I am bored... why not try out LOTRO?" it goes the same way. I play it, have fun for 2 weeks, then in week 3 my enthusiasm drops severly, and at week 4 I stop playing. Usually I keep sub another 2-3 weeks until I realize I don't miss the game a heck. The thing is, I can't even say 100% why. In every other MMO I could say exactly why, and usually there are some things which clearly miss. Surely its the dull classes and races, for one thing. But there is some... excitement missing. Some variation. I cant say 100%. Its so much like a theme park of entertainment point A, B and C... When I look at LOTRO rationally, most things seem to be alright, but I cant for the love of the Maker find myself entertained, and that puzzles me. Maybe the world is too "safe" and "known". After playing the game the first 2 months I felt like EQ2 after 3 years. I really dont want to drive you from LOTRO when you like it, thats all fine, but it kinda puts me at odds, but LOTRO is so... DAMN BORING. And that is a pity. Sorta. Anyone else? Oh well... /rant off
Yeah I know exactly what you mean. I love their lore and the books but something about LOTRO being boring and...i dunno just lame. I love the world and everything as you do but I just end up quitting after about a month or 2. If you ever figure it out let me know lol ive been trying to figure it out since 3 returns post launch. :P
Comments
Very much spot on I think, particuarly the comments on how slanted the game is to solo play and how gimped grouping is, as well as the poor risk/reward (also issue of time invested VS reward).
At least we know you guys have no clue about the game, clearly not playing it.
There has been a LOT of efforts encourining grouping, albeit much of it focusing on smaller groups (3-man instances).
But it's funny to see people agreeing on something about a game, when none of them are playing it. Carry on, please
DB
Now now don't go getting butt hurt, Im sure most if not all of us have played and experienced the solo process of leveling where i grab a group to complete that one chapter quest and then throw them away so i can continue to level efficiently.
Yeah, it happens. Just like when I find a PUG, and we start solving all quests that 4 or more of us have in the vicinity. Pretty much every time I decided to do FS quests, this was happening - partly thanks to the excellent quest chain group interface, and of course of the excellent community.
Again, it can be luck. It can be the server, or it can be my ingame personality
. There is no objective fact, only experiences. Mine is not the only type of experience, I admit. But at least I do play the game regulary, so that assumes some kind of credibility, I believe? Now read again the text in yellow, and think.
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
OP, see? This is how your post should have been written
Nothing against this one, at all...
fair enough, well taken 
DB
No, the post is still incomplete, I added the missing content.
It's amazing to me that you defend Darkfall with ALL of it's flaws and attack LotRO, one of the most polished MMO's on the market (IMO). I think, because of this, Kyleran, your post has no validity to me, but to each their own.
I'm having a blast playing this game. I was burnt out on the MMO genre, but this game "inspired" me.
A few token pieces of content does not an effort to encourage and facilitate grouping make, LotRO is a solo game plain and simple save the grindy grin end game. From the noob areas on up the core game design rewards the same XP.items for solo quests that it does for groups quests ignoring the extra effort needed for group quests (forming up, the dynamics of multiple people, and the extra difficulty and time of dealing with areas that are mostly all elite MOBs). The only other regular group content that doesn't fit the above generalization are the really bad group quests that are just the end of a string of solo quests that take all of about 30 seconds to complete such as a quests that 3 to 5 times sends you solo through an area collecting this or that only to end with a quest to go back tot he same area to kill some named MOB who himself is a total pushover but he just has enough HP or adds to make it impossible to do solo. Aside from the dynamic of getting no more reward for the time of forming a group and doing this group quest it is simply an insult to grouping that you would nee to group for what amounts to 30 or 40 seconds of group help, and the hassles of finding people all on the same part or constantly redoing parts to catch folks up is just salt on the wound.
If you deny this then one has to question your knowledge of the game because it is quite apparent to most anyone that this is the reality in game, whether or not everyone agrees it is a good or bad thing.
--------------------------------
Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD
as terrrible as some want to portray the game to be it has been out for 2 years nowand has a higher population now than it did a year ago..... f 'ing amazing isn't it LOL
all these negative threads couldn't be envy from other games gfanbois now could they...nah never happen
I miss DAoC
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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If I were to hazard a guess, I'd say that at least a third of the overall content in LoTRO is inacessable to solo players. There are whole stretches of the book quests, quest chains in every zone, and entire quest hubs in most zones that focus entirely on group content. I've been playing the game since open beta, and I have yet to see all of the group content. There is a hell of a lot more than just book quests and the endgame. Anyone that claims LoTRO only has "token" group content doesn't know what the hell they are talking about.
No LoTRO isn't one of those archaic MMOs where you are forced to get a four man party man with tank, DPS, healer, and CC to be able to do anything. But it does have a screaming ton of group content. From around level 20 on you could level almost entirely on group content if that is your bag and you had a steady play group. In fact, you'd be rewarded for it since all of the best quest rewards and drops are locked behind group quests or come from bosses in dungeons filled with elites. The fact that most players spend a lot of time soloing when they level reflects the fact that most players don't enjoy standing around with their thumb up their butts trying to get a party together. It does not reflect a lack of group content in LoTRO.
I have played many MMOs where players are forced to group. Most classes in launch EQ, most classes in launch DAoC, most classes in EQOA, many classes in AO. In my experience it's just as easy to get a PuG together in LoTRO as it was in the older MMOs, if you are so inclined. I cleared Fornost in a PUG three weekends ago, and it's roughly an 8 hour dungeon for characters in the late 30s. I've also PUGed every single group quest in the Breelands, and most of the Book quests. I've PUGed CD more times then I care to admit (5+ hour dungeon).
I don't want to write this, and you don't want to read it. But now it's too late for both of us.
Exactly, Yeebo, there's lots of group-based content in Lotro spread out across all of the zones and the best thing is that it is very easy to find people. On the European server Snowbourn grouping takes place constantly. Some of you were saying how Lotro is very solo-centric. Well, then, I urge you to play WoW or AoC for a couple of months, then try to claim that for Lotro again. And yes, the rewards are much better when you do fellowship quests.
Higher pops? Prove it.
Mind you I am not saying it has worse pops or better but it is absolute speculation to say it has higher pops. In fact, as we all know save one or two exceptions all MMOs lose population over time and with no servers being added since launch it actually tends to suggest that pops are at best not substanatively better.
As for group content, I didn't say it had no, or otherwise limited, group content - I said the mechanics of the game (endless chaining of quests (often with 4, 5, even more solo parts only ending is small group part) , the lack of extra rewards of XP or loot (actually get far less loot for group stuff) for group content which takes more time to form up and to do, and other disincentives to grouping are a problem. Heck, the institutioanlly approved powerlevelling mechanics trash grouping - in LotRO you can get full reward for quests if you are afk and on follow while a high level toon does the work completing the goals as you get paid the bulk of XP and the best loot on quest turn in.
LotRO grouping exists, and is pretty good with fellowship skills, but the designed mechanics and conscious choice to support solo accomplishment over at least a mix of group and solo nueter group play turning it in to what is typically the worst way to level/progress and the most time consuming way as well.
--------------------------------
Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD
You can't prove anything either. I've noticed you trying to prove that numbers out there are false and that you hold the truth to the universe.
If you're so smart, what's the meaning of life?
-Would you like cheddar or swiss cheese?
-Yes.
-...
You can't prove anything either. I've noticed you trying to prove that numbers out there are false and that you hold the truth to the universe.
If you're so smart, what's the meaning of life?
I can prove that the game is not exhibiting the common external factors of a growing game as the servers remain static from launch. I can also prove, doubt you would even contest, that the vast, vast, majority of MMOs peak early on and taper off over time. That might not be a lot but it is one hell of a lot more than anyone wanting to say LotRO is growing or bigger or anything of the sort can prove.
--------------------------------
Achiever 60.00%, Socializer 53.00%, Killer 47.00%, Explorer 40.00%
Intel Core i7 Quad, Intel X58 SLi, 6G Corsair XMS DDR3, Intel X-25 SSD, 3 WD Velociraptor SATA SuperTrak SAS EX8650 Array, OCZ 1250W PS, GTX 295, xFi, 32" 1080p LCD
The graphics and atmosphere is nice but there is no life to the game. It doesn't feel like Lord of the Rings at all, it feels very slow paced and too casual with no consquence at all.
I laughed my @$$ off.
http://www.facebook.com/DEATHREAT
You said you can prove a lot of things.
Mind doing so or was that just wind in the air?
EDIT: i'm not trying to be insulting. I just think your attitude is presomtuous at best. You cast aside most people who don't share your views and substitute your own as the right and only one. You even seem to bend the facts to your liking. I saw someone post a link to lotro's active player base numbers and you cast it aside as false and made up. What's up with that?
-Would you like cheddar or swiss cheese?
-Yes.
-...
Well, all I can say is that if you think Lotro is solo-centred, then please, go ahead and try WoW and AoC. Just try grouping up with people in Azeroth, Kalimdor or Outland or, for that matter, the starting areas of Northrend. Or just try to find people in the eternal instances of AoC.
Xfire hours, web traffic in Alexa and Quantcast etc all point to growth since last year Smith. here is a challange, lets see you prove it isn't growning. Need something more concrete than your desires and "observations" for proof though. As far as your servers, all the servers still have a decent populations and there have been no server merges.
On a different note, when it comes to grouping I wonder if some the people complaining act in game as obnoxious as they do on these boards. I normally don't do PUGs but I have have been playing some off hours in LoTRO lately and have no difficulties with finding PUGs. Maybe those who do have issues should check their own personality factor, there could be a reason people want to get away from them as soon as the quest is finished.
I miss DAoC
You can't prove anything either. I've noticed you trying to prove that numbers out there are false and that you hold the truth to the universe.
If you're so smart, what's the meaning of life?
I can prove that the game is not exhibiting the common external factors of a growing game as the servers remain static from launch. I can also prove, doubt you would even contest, that the vast, vast, majority of MMOs peak early on and taper off over time. That might not be a lot but it is one hell of a lot more than anyone wanting to say LotRO is growing or bigger or anything of the sort can prove.
EQ has added servers over and over again the last few years. Getting ready to add a new one in a few weeks. Does that mean the game is growing?
EVE has yet to add a server. Does that mean the game is shrinking?
All we can say about LoTRO based on servers is that the game has yet to reach the capacity of the current servers. We also know that LoTRO has checks in place to handle heavy server loads that most MMOs don't. For example draw distance reductions under heavy loads. Given that the best content in LoTRO is mostly group content, and that group content requires other players that feel like doing the same content as you to be accessible...it is really in Turbine's best interest to pack out the current servers before adding new ones.
LoTRO is not a WoW sized hit. Nor is any other MMO you happen to like (unless it's WoW or a few ftp MMOs like Runescape and Wizard 101). But all indications that I'm seeing on the ground in the game are that it's slowly and steadilly growing.
Edit: most MMOs do indeed hit some peak and then start to decline. However, LoTRO does not yet seem to have reached it's peak. I am nearly certain that LoTRO hit a new peak with MoM. What the game has done since then I'm not certain of. The number of folks in the endgame doesn't give a good picture of the rest of the game. I will say my alts are doing fine at getting PUGs. Regardless, LoTRO is not dieing by any stretch of the imagination. Compared to one year ago, pops are certainly higher on my server (and I'm not on one of the really big ones). If Turbine plays their cards well (and they have so far with this MMO...admitedly not so much with past MMOs), the game could hit another new peak with the next paid expansion. Rohan, mounted combat, the battle of Helms Deep? Those will all be huge draws. Mirkwood and Dale (that is where most of The Hobbit took place after all) could also be huge draws.
The only evidence you have that the game is in decline is your dislike of it.
I don't want to write this, and you don't want to read it. But now it's too late for both of us.
Observation. All the negative comments I have read on this forum, like this thread and its OP point to one thing. This game is not for someone with a short attention span. May I suggest Super Mario Brothers.
I still play mario when i can't take my current mmog anymore. I's refreshing. Personnaly i think ppl who get bored are the type that rush to endgame. When they see it takes time and dedication they would get bored.
I'd recommend rolling alt over alt and only deleting some when you can't fit a new one, expolre all the content the game has to offer and go for the fun. I've heared those people last longer before gerring bored.
-Would you like cheddar or swiss cheese?
-Yes.
-...
I agree with you. I even made a tongue in cheek blog post to illustrate the point.
I don't want to write this, and you don't want to read it. But now it's too late for both of us.
I made no claim about growth, or lack of growth, I only responded to someone who claimed the game was growing when in fact there is no evidence to suggest it is. The reality of MMOs says it is not (as all MMOs, save the rare exception, peak early and taper off over time) as does the lack of additional servers. Of course, this has nothing to do with the OP but let's be clear - some fanboy made the unsubstantiated claim about LotRO growing I only countered saying that what we can see from the outside looking in doesn't show that to be the case.
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Okay, so I played LOTRO for like 4 months...I will admit, I am a HUGE fan of Tolkien's works, I have been for nearly 10 years, so, obviously I would jump right in to LOTRO...I played, loved the graphics, the community, the classes were okay, the quests were very basic, but as I travelled farther into Middle Earth, I too became bored...
For me, I think it was the fact that I knew the world TOO well...I have the Middle Earth Atlas, a bunch of maps of ares and what not, but then I think I kinda "knew" how everything was going to look, and what would be where......it just bored me after a while.......don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed the game, and maybe I will return some day....but for now....I need a rest from Middle Earth...
PLAYING: NOTHING!!!
PLAYED:FFXI, LotRO, AoC, WAR, DDO, Megaten, Wurm, Rohan, Mabinogi, RoM
WAITING FOR: Dust 514
"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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For me the things that put me off..
- Ugly armour and character models
- Bad combat
- Not many races to choose from
- Classes seemed boring
- Animations seemed poor
- Can't play as the enemy side liek you do the good side
- PVP is bad.
Though for me when they changed the name from Middle Earth online to Lord of the Rings Online then I knew it wouldn't be that great.
I have been playing LOTRO on and off from launch and I have the same problem. It's fun for maybe a month and then I just dont want to log in.
The reason for me are:
- Slow boring combat
- Your race means absolutely nothing.
- Every stat in the game means very little so everyone ends up being pretty much the same.
- Class traits have the same problem. There are only few of them and few of them are good so everyone has the same traits on with-in the class.
Haven't logged on once in 4-5 months now but I doubt anything has changed.
Yeah I know exactly what you mean. I love their lore and the books but something about LOTRO being boring and...i dunno just lame. I love the world and everything as you do but I just end up quitting after about a month or 2. If you ever figure it out let me know lol ive been trying to figure it out since 3 returns post launch. :P