I am not claiming the game is growing or in decline or anything of the sort. I am just pointing out that all the proclamations that it is growing are just as speculative as those saying the opposite. We do not know if the game is growing or in decline as most MMOs are over time. The only two things we can say about LotRO populations with relative certainly it that the game is not a flop or otherwise suffering in steep decline like tanking games and that it is not some meteoric smash phenom hit. IN all likelihood it is probably only fair to say the game seems stable and successful and has a healthy population. Anyone who says otherwise is absolutely full of crap whether saying the pops are in decline or growing.
This is the first time you are saying this. This is NOT what you had been saying so far.
Are you a politician IRL? Thank god there is an ignore list here.
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
Say what you want but if you say the game is growing you are offering unsubstantiated opinion just as the person claiming the game is shrinking is offering unsubstantiated opinion. xFire whatever means NOTHING, the recent stress test thing could be as much about the network troubles Turbine has had of late with ALL their products as anything else and it is ridiculous to suggest they are just inventing new ways to cram more people on the same servers as an excuse for why they are not adding any, and the new markets shows the game is doing well but again it doesn't show the net gain counters the likely normal loss in US/Euro.
Short of Turbine releasing numbers or servers in existing market being added over time there is no real evidence that the game is growing even though it seems obvious from the outside looking in that the game is doing just fine and likely healthy.
As for the what I have been saying - my first post here saying anything about populations in response to someone being dismissive of a criticism on the basis that the growth proves them is wrong:
Originally posted by AgtSmith
Originally posted by Jackdog
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 substantively better.
Enough with the trolling, hater or fanboy alike. LotRO is a good enough game for fans to be proud but as with all things there is room for legitimate disagreement and criticism. Stop flaming people for discussing what they find lacking when done reasonably as this thread was before the fanboys got in and started flaming up anyone daring to say LotRO is not some perfect acheivement in gaming.
Think if you don't find grouping fun during the book quests, then mmo's in general are not for you. Something like Project Entropia or Second Life, where you have a social element without the hassle of leveling or grinding. For the rest of the players of mmorpgs we know what we like, and people who know that lotro Slower style combat and long story line, is just to much to deal with. Not that the person doesn't have any great knowledge over another, they just have different tastes in games. I can agree the combat is slower then any game I've played, and I like that. I see all the little animations that go undone in some games, like blocking animation, evade animations, fear animation ect, detailed things that make me say , "wow, Turbine is a class act in game creation"
As far as the OP, he does this all the time, to open a flood gate for other trolls, look at the post history , everything from AoC , DF LotRO , any a lot more get this post from the OP, it is like a "Ace" in his pocket post that will deviustate any games community he plays it on, all I can say is :
EPIC FAIL
Yes we do and this site is great for all the little trolls hiding under the bridge. I as well don't mind the slower pace of combat,its actually a nice change from the "ok I got 5 macros to make sure all 15 of my abilities go of in 4 seconds,but not be for i hit this macro to buff this skill.
im having so much fun in lotro again, once my df acc ran out I just started playing this again and im hooked
Same here, well except for the df part last game I played before returning was TCoS. I've run across quite a few players in game that just returned themselves. It's rather nice
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
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
It is not the game it is you. I would bet you have played mmos for awhile now and have experienced many types of mmo experiences. What has happened to you like many players is you no longer are immersed in the mmo experience. You say it yourself LOTRO has all the pieces in place. What is different is how you react to them. I also bet you are bored in all the mmos you play now. They have become just games for you. You do not use your imagination anymore. Your characters are just vehicles to move around the game world not characters in an immersive world. They are not the little people or extension of yourself anymore they are just game pieces.
LOTRO is fine, you have changed as an mmo player. You might want to take a break from mmos in general or maybe leave the genre all together. I predict you will never feel immersed in any mmos anymore unless you let your imagination take part again, like so many did when they were new to mmos. I also think you did mean this as a troll but I thought I would offer my opinion to offset some who might read this thread and avoid LOTRO. It is not a boring game, the OP is a boring player.
It is not the game it is you. I would bet you have played mmos for awhile now and have experienced many types of mmo experiences. What has happened to you like many players is you no longer are immersed in the mmo experience. You say it yourself LOTRO has all the pieces in place. What is different is how you react to them. I also bet you are bored in all the mmos you play now. They have become just games for you. You do not use your imagination anymore. Your characters are just vehicles to move around the game world not characters in an immersive world. They are not the little people or extension of yourself anymore they are just game pieces. LOTRO is fine, you have changed as an mmo player. You might want to take a break from mmos in general or maybe leave the genre all together. I predict you will never feel immersed in any mmos anymore unless you let your imagination take part again, like so many did when they were new to mmos. I also think you did mean this as a troll but I thought I would offer my opinion to offset some who might read this thread and avoid LOTRO. It is not a boring game, the OP is a boring player.
QFT.
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
It is not the game it is you. I would bet you have played mmos for awhile now and have experienced many types of mmo experiences. What has happened to you like many players is you no longer are immersed in the mmo experience. You say it yourself LOTRO has all the pieces in place. What is different is how you react to them. I also bet you are bored in all the mmos you play now. They have become just games for you. You do not use your imagination anymore. Your characters are just vehicles to move around the game world not characters in an immersive world. They are not the little people or extension of yourself anymore they are just game pieces. LOTRO is fine, you have changed as an mmo player. You might want to take a break from mmos in general or maybe leave the genre all together. I predict you will never feel immersed in any mmos anymore unless you let your imagination take part again, like so many did when they were new to mmos. I also think you did mean this as a troll but I thought I would offer my opinion to offset some who might read this thread and avoid LOTRO. It is not a boring game, the OP is a boring player.
QFT.
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
DB
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
QFT. Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done! Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes DB
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish.
Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting.
And I agree with the rest of your post as well. Last night I finished book 3 in Moria. The last 2 quests were a solo instance and a session play. In the solo instance you had to use actual emotes (!) to carry on the plot... what other MMO does that? The story was amazing - the last chapter, "We cannot get out", was so damn enthralling and immersive, I have felt that true excitement, when i read the books many, many years ago. Not only did I become familar with the fate of dwarves in Moria well before the story in the books, but I was *there*! Really.... that was some experience. I truly wish all naysayers on these board will have such immersive experiences - if not in Lotro, then in any other game... good luck with that
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
Originally posted by DonnieBrasco Originally posted by eccoton Originally posted by DonnieBrasco
QFT. Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done! Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes DB
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish. Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting. DB
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
Played: AC, AC2, Anarchy Online, AoC, D&D Online, Dark+Light, EQ2, EVE Online, FF XI, Guild Wars, Lineage II, Lotro, Ragnarok, Ryzom, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online, WAR, WoW, etc. Also various MUDs
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish.
Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting.
DB
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
Very good tactics mate. I am pretty sure you'll be craving for MMO's in a few months the same worked for me, at least!
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
It is not the game it is you. I would bet you have played mmos for awhile now and have experienced many types of mmo experiences. What has happened to you like many players is you no longer are immersed in the mmo experience. You say it yourself LOTRO has all the pieces in place. What is different is how you react to them. I also bet you are bored in all the mmos you play now. They have become just games for you. You do not use your imagination anymore. Your characters are just vehicles to move around the game world not characters in an immersive world. They are not the little people or extension of yourself anymore they are just game pieces. LOTRO is fine, you have changed as an mmo player. You might want to take a break from mmos in general or maybe leave the genre all together. I predict you will never feel immersed in any mmos anymore unless you let your imagination take part again, like so many did when they were new to mmos. I also think you did mean this as a troll but I thought I would offer my opinion to offset some who might read this thread and avoid LOTRO. It is not a boring game, the OP is a boring player.
QFT.
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
DB
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish.
Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting.
DB
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
Good planning on your part but to be fair to yourself I don't blame you for not being able to get immersed in either of those other games.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
So now the fanboys are telling people what is and is not boring to THEM? Come on, are you guys really so far gone as to argue someone's perception and tell them they are wrong in saying they find the game boring? My God that is arrogance beyond compare. I will say again, though the fanboys will of course ignore me saying so, that LotRO is a well made game and a good game and is well worth the price of admission (especially with the SoA/MoM prices these days and the promotions for $10 subs). However, that being said the game does have some issues that perfectly reasonable, non hater people game find bland or boring or even poor - much as any game will certainly have things about it that many find not to their liking. Only a self obsessed and arrogant twit would suggest that any game is so beyond question that nobody could describe it as boring or bad or most any other pejorative that describes preference. Jeez, get a life people - it is a game and no matter how good or bad it may be it doesn't in any way inflate or deflate you worth as a person to have people not see it as you do.
Yeah, I am so unreasonable ... I had good things to say about LotRO as well as a few bad things, I argued that since Turbine doesn't release sub numbers anyone claiming to know the game is growing or shrinking in population is full of it, and I suggested that it was arrogant to tell another person that they are wrong about what bores them (be it MMOs from burnout or LotRO's gameplay or whatever). Boy, I am so unreasonable it is hard to believe Al Gore himself hasn't invoked his inventors prerogative to ban me from the internet.
So now the fanboys are telling people what is and is not boring to THEM? Come on, are you guys really so far gone as to argue someone's perception and tell them they are wrong in saying they find the game boring? My God that is arrogance beyond compare. I will say again, though the fanboys will of course ignore me saying so, that LotRO is a well made game and a good game and is well worth the price of admission (especially with the SoA/MoM prices these days and the promotions for $10 subs). However, that being said the game does have some issues that perfectly reasonable, non hater people game find bland or boring or even poor - much as any game will certainly have things about it that many find not to their liking. Only a self obsessed and arrogant twit would suggest that any game is so beyond question that nobody could describe it as boring or bad or most any other pejorative that describes preference. Jeez, get a life people - it is a game and no matter how good or bad it may be it doesn't in any way inflate or deflate you worth as a person to have people not see it as you do.
You are the most arrogant person posting here. Try reading the OP. He claims LOTRO is fundamentally boring without saying why. He even says he can not figure out why. So I offer a suggestion as to why he "might" be bored. Your judgemental post points to the fact you are the most self obessed person here with your little name calling. I am a fanboi? Prove it. Did you even read where I said I recently returned to LOTRO? A fanboi would not have left the game more then once would they? By the way EQ2 is my main game not LOTRO. When did I even say LOTRO is perfect?
The OP in my opinion was simply trolling so I tried to offer a serious answer to the troll that others aggree with but you can not stand that can you? I think we all see who really needs to get a life. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest why he might be so bored he needed to post here about it. You did read where I said I can not truly speak as to why the OP is bored? I was offering only one possible reason not making all knowing statements like yours. In fact you responses offered nothing to the thread, so I did not respond to you until your name calling little rant.
Seems to me by your responses your the one who can not stand it if people disagree with you, so much so that you have to call names since you do not have a real thoughtful response. I am sure you will comeback with some insulting response since it is clear you are the type that need to get the last word in. You see I can call names and generalize about you to. It is easy and takes no real thought and adds nothing useful to the discussion. Oh wait none of your responses offered anything to the idea behind original post.
I have been in mmos since 1996 with Meridain 59 and I have heard similar comments like the OP and mostly are based on burnout and the fact they try to compare every mmo experience to that first one that got them hooked. Nothing will be as good as that first game that hooked you back when you still used your imagination. Do you even play LOTRO? Most trolls do not play the games they post about so I was just wondering. You go on about the game is growing or not but the thread was about the game being boring. At least I try to stay on topic but I guess that is what us twits do. You desperately need to take your own advice given in your last sentence.
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
I'm in pretty much the same state of mind at the moment. Got bored after over four years on CoH and decided to give LOTRO a try. It's a lovely looking game but I just couldn't get on with it. I think the superhero genre, where you tend to blitz around at a hell of a pace, is now so firmly ingrained in me that I simply can't cope with the idea of creeping about at a snails pace like you do most other MMO's. That's not to say they are bad, it's just what I've become used to.
I tried AO as well, same problem. So, I'm back with CoH at the moment - been there too long to cancel the sub at this stage. I'm waiting for CO to be released. Don't think I'll waste my time looking at any other MMO, I'm pretty sure I won't like the way they play. Damn that CoH, it's got me hooked even though I'm sometimes so bored with it...if that makes any sense!
Yeah, I am so unreasonable ... I had good things to say about LotRO as well as a few bad things, I argued that since Turbine doesn't release sub numbers anyone claiming to know the game is growing or shrinking in population is full of it, and I suggested that it was arrogant to tell another person that they are wrong about what bores them (be it MMOs from burnout or LotRO's gameplay or whatever). Boy, I am so unreasonable it is hard to believe Al Gore himself hasn't invoked his inventors prerogative to ban me from the internet.
Thats your first post that doesnt sound 100% like trolling, congrats.
I'm not a no life that sits in front of his computer all day long, I'm an intern that sits in front of his computer all day long.
Whoa! No flame wars here, heh. We are just talking about personal experiences and opinions! I find watching Tennis or Soccer boring as hell, but thats just an opinion. I wont critizise you if youn say you LOVE watching tennis or soccer.
My point was, that I am at a bit of a loss. I really want to enjoy LOTRO, but all too soon I find myself bored. The posts here kinda made it a bit clearer. These things are of course my reasons only, they may or may not apply to others .
One thing is for sure a personal burnout after so many years and so many MMOs. But to a burnout it always takes two, one playing too much, and companies always copy-paste the same stuff. And seriously, ever since EQ we have seen much really new under the sun.
Another aspect is, yes I knew Middle Earth by heart. I have studied the Tolkien Atlas from Karen Wynn Fonstad and other Tolkien books, so I know a LOT already. Maybe that adds to the feeling of more walking through a kind of museum than through an acutal game world. I would be curious if others, who do not know Tolkien Lore so well too have this museum-feeling?
Also the nature of Tolkiens Middle Earth is that of a "low fantasy", due to the age, meaning some kind restricted world. There are no really wild things, a lot of classes and races and mobs are practically excluded. Whereas in EQ they were free to add whatever they wanted, in LOTRO this isnt possible. So we do see a lot of boars and goblins and oh look more boars and goblins. I really don't want to be in their shoes imagening all the stuff in the rest of Middle Earth and not make boars and goblins and wolves all over AGAIN. Somehow I have this impression that all possible mobs are already there, so what new mobs CAN we expect in the future??
One very personal gripe is the characters, both class and races as well as visual design. I find the faces, hairs and armor quite... sterile. Not bad, but nothing to evoke any deep emotion about. In stark contrast to the VERY emotion evoking landscapes! And races... its humans, elves, dwarfs, hobbits. Again, Tolkien lore doesnt allow Ratonga or Kerran. Or whatever cool and bizarre race you may imagine.
Lastly, yes also the combat is not thrilling. Partial because of the not so interesting animations. The two new classes are way better in animation btw. But it is a common problem that we have seen the same animations over and over in so many games, as one the authors here on MMORPG said so correctly. It is more symbolic combat, and after all the years I just grew tired of that.
I really dont want to drag the game down. If you enjoy it, thats all fine with me. Especially if you have little or no MMO experience LOTRO can be a very good beginner MMO. Or if you have little time. (For instance I found the levelling WAY too fast, but of course when you have little time you might see that differently.) What I think is, that LOTRO is in a way the summit of the possible development of this, classic style of Online Multiplayer gameplay. But after all the many MMos and years I belong to those who grew beyond that.
I want a story that is PERSONAL, I want real choices and great diversity in races, class and skills. I was combat that feels like IMPACT and not like a symbolic dance. Like a small kids clothing I feel like I have outgrown this kind of old fashioned gameplay. Sorry if that sounds arrogant, but that is how I feel these days about MMOs I see and try. They perfected the old way, but I expanded, my desire have become more... sophisticated over the years. And IMVPO thats what happend to many who feel like this about MMos. We grew and MMos basically only perfected their old level.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
Whoa! No flame wars here, heh. We are just talking about personal experiences and opinions! I find watching Tennis or Soccer boring as hell, but thats just an opinion. I wont critizise you if youn say you LOVE watching tennis or soccer. My point was, that I am at a bit of a loss. I really want to enjoy LOTRO, but all too soon I find myself bored. The posts here kinda made it a bit clearer. These things are of course my reasons only, they may or may not apply to others . One thing is for sure a personal burnout after so many years and so many MMOs. But to a burnout it always takes two, one playing too much, and companies always copy-paste the same stuff. And seriously, ever since EQ we have seen much really new under the sun. Another aspect is, yes I knew Middle Earth by heart. I have studied the Tolkien Atlas from Karen Wynn Fonstad and other Tolkien books, so I know a LOT already. Maybe that adds to the feeling of more walking through a kind of museum than through an acutal game world. I would be curious if others, who do not know Tolkien Lore so well too have this museum-feeling? Also the nature of Tolkiens Middle Earth is that of a "low fantasy", due to the age, meaning some kind restricted world. There are no really wild things, a lot of classes and races and mobs are practically excluded. Whereas in EQ they were free to add whatever they wanted, in LOTRO this isnt possible. So we do see a lot of boars and goblins and oh look more boars and goblins. I really don't want to be in their shoes imagening all the stuff in the rest of Middle Earth and not make boars and goblins and wolves all over AGAIN. Somehow I have this impression that all possible mobs are already there, so what new mobs CAN we expect in the future?? One very personal gripe is the characters, both class and races as well as visual design. I find the faces, hairs and armor quite... sterile. Not bad, but nothing to evoke any deep emotion about. In stark contrast to the VERY emotion evoking landscapes! And races... its humans, elves, dwarfs, hobbits. Again, Tolkien lore doesnt allow Ratonga or Kerran. Or whatever cool and bizarre race you may imagine. Lastly, yes also the combat is not thrilling. Partial because of the not so interesting animations. The two new classes are way better in animation btw. But it is a common problem that we have seen the same animations over and over in so many games, as one the authors here on MMORPG said so correctly. It is more symbolic combat, and after all the years I just grew tired of that.
I really dont want to drag the game down. If you enjoy it, thats all fine with me. Especially if you have little or no MMO experience LOTRO can be a very good beginner MMO. Or if you have little time. (For instance I found the levelling WAY too fast, but of course when you have little time you might see that differently.) What I think is, that LOTRO is in a way the summit of the possible development of this, classic style of Online Multiplayer gameplay. But after all the many MMos and years I belong to those who grew beyond that. I want a story that is PERSONAL, I want real choices and great diversity in races, class and skills. I was combat that feels like IMPACT and not like a symbolic dance. Like a small kids clothing I feel like I have outgrown this kind of old fashioned gameplay. Sorry if that sounds arrogant, but that is how I feel these days about MMOs I see and try. They perfected the old way, but I expanded, my desire have become more... sophisticated over the years. And IMVPO thats what happend to many who feel like this about MMos. We grew and MMos basically only perfected their old level.
Elikal, now this is a thoughtful post. If you had posted something like this instead of your first post, I might not have suggested you were just trolling. While I disagree with some of your ideas about LOTRO this is a clear reasoning as to why you might find LOTRO boring.
The paragraph I highlighted I think is probably the main reason for people feeling mmos are getting boring. Also your comment about the game feeling like a museum is interesting. While I am not bored with LOTRO I can see your point on this. I was saying this exact thing to a friend of mine. I was commenting that I move around Middle Earth like I was in a Tolkien exhibit at times moving from display to display.
Your last paragraph is pretty right on the money to. I think games like LOTRO, WOW, and EQ2 have taken the original mmo concept to it's climax. I do not want to argue over these games but they offer the same experience and they all do it as well as the genre can. While I do not find LOTRO boring I do think the genre needs to grow to keep up with the players. I see nothing on the horizon that seems to offer this. So we are stuck with the games that do their job the best. For me that is LOTRO, EQ2, and WoW. I do give SOE credit for trying something like Free Realms but I want a Free Realms for adults. It is obvious the mmo genre has more followers then ever so lets hope the developers take a few chances to offer a new experience. There is room for a WOW killer but will any developer be willing to risk the reward to try something new and for all their talk will the players really support something new?
What I think most people are missing here is that the primary purpose of a MMO is socialization game play is important also but it is still secondary. Luckily for me LoTRO has decent game play and I find the community the second best of any MMO I have ever played. SWG at launch had the best but that time is long gone.
LoTRO also has plenty of game play also with lots of thing to do while I am chatting with my friends. I can explore, level a character, grind deeds or coin, look for a decoration for my house, craft some good gear for a friend or a alt or the AH, do a instance run, or just sit and listen to a player practicing music at the Inn. there special events and festivals and regular content updates. LoTRO may not be the perfect MMO but it is damn close.
Anyone who is "bored with the rings" will probably be bored in any MMO
Comments
This is the first time you are saying this. This is NOT what you had been saying so far.
Are you a politician IRL? Thank god there is an ignore list here.
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
Say what you want but if you say the game is growing you are offering unsubstantiated opinion just as the person claiming the game is shrinking is offering unsubstantiated opinion. xFire whatever means NOTHING, the recent stress test thing could be as much about the network troubles Turbine has had of late with ALL their products as anything else and it is ridiculous to suggest they are just inventing new ways to cram more people on the same servers as an excuse for why they are not adding any, and the new markets shows the game is doing well but again it doesn't show the net gain counters the likely normal loss in US/Euro.
Short of Turbine releasing numbers or servers in existing market being added over time there is no real evidence that the game is growing even though it seems obvious from the outside looking in that the game is doing just fine and likely healthy.
As for the what I have been saying - my first post here saying anything about populations in response to someone being dismissive of a criticism on the basis that the growth proves them is wrong:
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 substantively better.
Enough with the trolling, hater or fanboy alike. LotRO is a good enough game for fans to be proud but as with all things there is room for legitimate disagreement and criticism. Stop flaming people for discussing what they find lacking when done reasonably as this thread was before the fanboys got in and started flaming up anyone daring to say LotRO is not some perfect acheivement in gaming.
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Yes we do and this site is great for all the little trolls hiding under the bridge. I as well don't mind the slower pace of combat,its actually a nice change from the "ok I got 5 macros to make sure all 15 of my abilities go of in 4 seconds,but not be for i hit this macro to buff this skill.
im having so much fun in lotro again, once my df acc ran out I just started playing this again and im hooked
Same here, well except for the df part last game I played before returning was TCoS. I've run across quite a few players in game that just returned themselves. It's rather nice
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
It is not the game it is you. I would bet you have played mmos for awhile now and have experienced many types of mmo experiences. What has happened to you like many players is you no longer are immersed in the mmo experience. You say it yourself LOTRO has all the pieces in place. What is different is how you react to them. I also bet you are bored in all the mmos you play now. They have become just games for you. You do not use your imagination anymore. Your characters are just vehicles to move around the game world not characters in an immersive world. They are not the little people or extension of yourself anymore they are just game pieces.
LOTRO is fine, you have changed as an mmo player. You might want to take a break from mmos in general or maybe leave the genre all together. I predict you will never feel immersed in any mmos anymore unless you let your imagination take part again, like so many did when they were new to mmos. I also think you did mean this as a troll but I thought I would offer my opinion to offset some who might read this thread and avoid LOTRO. It is not a boring game, the OP is a boring player.
QFT.
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
QFT.
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
DB
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish.
Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting.
And I agree with the rest of your post as well. Last night I finished book 3 in Moria. The last 2 quests were a solo instance and a session play. In the solo instance you had to use actual emotes (!) to carry on the plot... what other MMO does that?
The story was amazing - the last chapter, "We cannot get out", was so damn enthralling and immersive, I have felt that true excitement, when i read the books many, many years ago. Not only did I become familar with the fate of dwarves in Moria well before the story in the books, but I was *there*! Really.... that was some experience. I truly wish all naysayers on these board will have such immersive experiences - if not in Lotro, then in any other game... good luck with that 
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish.
Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting.
DB
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
Played: AC, AC2, Anarchy Online, AoC, D&D Online, Dark+Light, EQ2, EVE Online, FF XI, Guild Wars, Lineage II, Lotro, Ragnarok, Ryzom, Star Wars Galaxies, Ultima Online, WAR, WoW, etc. Also various MUDs
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
Very good tactics mate. I am pretty sure you'll be craving for MMO's in a few months
the same worked for me, at least!
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
QFT.
Kudos man, this is the best and most well-comprehensive description of MMO-(or general gaming)-burnout. Well done!
Happens to all of us, once in a while. Good thing: it comes and goes
DB
Bump! /agree 100% on that
I can not truely speak to why this guy is finding LOTRO boring but I have seen this over and over again. It is always the games fault but in reality it is more likely the players fault. Especially when it comes to highly developed projects like LOTRO. There are boring games out there for sure. However, just because a player is bored does not make the game a boring game. The OP suggests there is something fundamentally missing in LOTRO hence it is a boring game. He says he can not put his finger on it. That is because he needs to point his finger at himself before professing LOTRO is boring. I recently returned and LOTRO is better then ever. They have really improved the DX10 performance. I am having a great time. I am living in Middle Earth not just playing in it. Developers can only offer the tools for your enjoyment. How you use them is up to you. Many mmo players seem to have forgotten this.
I can see where you're coming from. Feeling bored of a game is OK, even more: normal. Blaming the game itself: childish.
Venting it out on a public forum, while still blaming the game: pathetic. One can't help thinking about plain attention-hunting.
DB
I've been playing MMOs since 2003 and since early this year I've become bored of them. It's not the games, it's me. I have tried AoC and WAR after I was done with WOW. It just doesn't 'grab' me anymore. I think the above posters are right, the immersion is gone. Taking a break can help, so that's why I'm not going to play another MMO for at least six months. I will just spend my time on single player RPGs (Fallout 3 comes to mind) and other games.
Good planning on your part but to be fair to yourself I don't blame you for not being able to get immersed in either of those other games.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
So now the fanboys are telling people what is and is not boring to THEM? Come on, are you guys really so far gone as to argue someone's perception and tell them they are wrong in saying they find the game boring? My God that is arrogance beyond compare. I will say again, though the fanboys will of course ignore me saying so, that LotRO is a well made game and a good game and is well worth the price of admission (especially with the SoA/MoM prices these days and the promotions for $10 subs). However, that being said the game does have some issues that perfectly reasonable, non hater people game find bland or boring or even poor - much as any game will certainly have things about it that many find not to their liking. Only a self obsessed and arrogant twit would suggest that any game is so beyond question that nobody could describe it as boring or bad or most any other pejorative that describes preference. Jeez, get a life people - it is a game and no matter how good or bad it may be it doesn't in any way inflate or deflate you worth as a person to have people not see it as you do.
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"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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Yeah, I am so unreasonable ... I had good things to say about LotRO as well as a few bad things, I argued that since Turbine doesn't release sub numbers anyone claiming to know the game is growing or shrinking in population is full of it, and I suggested that it was arrogant to tell another person that they are wrong about what bores them (be it MMOs from burnout or LotRO's gameplay or whatever). Boy, I am so unreasonable it is hard to believe Al Gore himself hasn't invoked his inventors prerogative to ban me from the internet.
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"Freedom is just another name for nothing left to lose" - Janis Joplin
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You are the most arrogant person posting here. Try reading the OP. He claims LOTRO is fundamentally boring without saying why. He even says he can not figure out why. So I offer a suggestion as to why he "might" be bored. Your judgemental post points to the fact you are the most self obessed person here with your little name calling. I am a fanboi? Prove it. Did you even read where I said I recently returned to LOTRO? A fanboi would not have left the game more then once would they? By the way EQ2 is my main game not LOTRO. When did I even say LOTRO is perfect?
The OP in my opinion was simply trolling so I tried to offer a serious answer to the troll that others aggree with but you can not stand that can you? I think we all see who really needs to get a life. I was trying to give him the benefit of the doubt and suggest why he might be so bored he needed to post here about it. You did read where I said I can not truly speak as to why the OP is bored? I was offering only one possible reason not making all knowing statements like yours. In fact you responses offered nothing to the thread, so I did not respond to you until your name calling little rant.
Seems to me by your responses your the one who can not stand it if people disagree with you, so much so that you have to call names since you do not have a real thoughtful response. I am sure you will comeback with some insulting response since it is clear you are the type that need to get the last word in. You see I can call names and generalize about you to. It is easy and takes no real thought and adds nothing useful to the discussion. Oh wait none of your responses offered anything to the idea behind original post.
I have been in mmos since 1996 with Meridain 59 and I have heard similar comments like the OP and mostly are based on burnout and the fact they try to compare every mmo experience to that first one that got them hooked. Nothing will be as good as that first game that hooked you back when you still used your imagination. Do you even play LOTRO? Most trolls do not play the games they post about so I was just wondering. You go on about the game is growing or not but the thread was about the game being boring. At least I try to stay on topic but I guess that is what us twits do. You desperately need to take your own advice given in your last sentence.
I'm in pretty much the same state of mind at the moment. Got bored after over four years on CoH and decided to give LOTRO a try. It's a lovely looking game but I just couldn't get on with it. I think the superhero genre, where you tend to blitz around at a hell of a pace, is now so firmly ingrained in me that I simply can't cope with the idea of creeping about at a snails pace like you do most other MMO's. That's not to say they are bad, it's just what I've become used to.
I tried AO as well, same problem. So, I'm back with CoH at the moment - been there too long to cancel the sub at this stage. I'm waiting for CO to be released. Don't think I'll waste my time looking at any other MMO, I'm pretty sure I won't like the way they play. Damn that CoH, it's got me hooked even though I'm sometimes so bored with it...if that makes any sense!
Thats your first post that doesnt sound 100% like trolling, congrats.
I'm not a no life that sits in front of his computer all day long, I'm an intern that sits in front of his computer all day long.
Whoa! No flame wars here, heh. We are just talking about personal experiences and opinions! I find watching Tennis or Soccer boring as hell, but thats just an opinion.
I wont critizise you if youn say you LOVE watching tennis or soccer.
My point was, that I am at a bit of a loss. I really want to enjoy LOTRO, but all too soon I find myself bored. The posts here kinda made it a bit clearer. These things are of course my reasons only, they may or may not apply to others .
One thing is for sure a personal burnout after so many years and so many MMOs. But to a burnout it always takes two, one playing too much, and companies always copy-paste the same stuff. And seriously, ever since EQ we have seen much really new under the sun.
Another aspect is, yes I knew Middle Earth by heart. I have studied the Tolkien Atlas from Karen Wynn Fonstad and other Tolkien books, so I know a LOT already. Maybe that adds to the feeling of more walking through a kind of museum than through an acutal game world. I would be curious if others, who do not know Tolkien Lore so well too have this museum-feeling?
Also the nature of Tolkiens Middle Earth is that of a "low fantasy", due to the age, meaning some kind restricted world. There are no really wild things, a lot of classes and races and mobs are practically excluded. Whereas in EQ they were free to add whatever they wanted, in LOTRO this isnt possible. So we do see a lot of boars and goblins and oh look more boars and goblins. I really don't want to be in their shoes imagening all the stuff in the rest of Middle Earth and not make boars and goblins and wolves all over AGAIN. Somehow I have this impression that all possible mobs are already there, so what new mobs CAN we expect in the future??
One very personal gripe is the characters, both class and races as well as visual design. I find the faces, hairs and armor quite... sterile. Not bad, but nothing to evoke any deep emotion about. In stark contrast to the VERY emotion evoking landscapes! And races... its humans, elves, dwarfs, hobbits. Again, Tolkien lore doesnt allow Ratonga or Kerran. Or whatever cool and bizarre race you may imagine.
Lastly, yes also the combat is not thrilling. Partial because of the not so interesting animations. The two new classes are way better in animation btw. But it is a common problem that we have seen the same animations over and over in so many games, as one the authors here on MMORPG said so correctly. It is more symbolic combat, and after all the years I just grew tired of that.
I really dont want to drag the game down. If you enjoy it, thats all fine with me. Especially if you have little or no MMO experience LOTRO can be a very good beginner MMO. Or if you have little time. (For instance I found the levelling WAY too fast, but of course when you have little time you might see that differently.) What I think is, that LOTRO is in a way the summit of the possible development of this, classic style of Online Multiplayer gameplay. But after all the many MMos and years I belong to those who grew beyond that.
I want a story that is PERSONAL, I want real choices and great diversity in races, class and skills. I was combat that feels like IMPACT and not like a symbolic dance. Like a small kids clothing I feel like I have outgrown this kind of old fashioned gameplay. Sorry if that sounds arrogant, but that is how I feel these days about MMOs I see and try. They perfected the old way, but I expanded, my desire have become more... sophisticated over the years. And IMVPO thats what happend to many who feel like this about MMos. We grew and MMos basically only perfected their old level.
People don't ask questions to get answers - they ask questions to show how smart they are. - Dogbert
Elikal, now this is a thoughtful post. If you had posted something like this instead of your first post, I might not have suggested you were just trolling. While I disagree with some of your ideas about LOTRO this is a clear reasoning as to why you might find LOTRO boring.
The paragraph I highlighted I think is probably the main reason for people feeling mmos are getting boring. Also your comment about the game feeling like a museum is interesting. While I am not bored with LOTRO I can see your point on this. I was saying this exact thing to a friend of mine. I was commenting that I move around Middle Earth like I was in a Tolkien exhibit at times moving from display to display.
Your last paragraph is pretty right on the money to. I think games like LOTRO, WOW, and EQ2 have taken the original mmo concept to it's climax. I do not want to argue over these games but they offer the same experience and they all do it as well as the genre can. While I do not find LOTRO boring I do think the genre needs to grow to keep up with the players. I see nothing on the horizon that seems to offer this. So we are stuck with the games that do their job the best. For me that is LOTRO, EQ2, and WoW. I do give SOE credit for trying something like Free Realms but I want a Free Realms for adults. It is obvious the mmo genre has more followers then ever so lets hope the developers take a few chances to offer a new experience. There is room for a WOW killer but will any developer be willing to risk the reward to try something new and for all their talk will the players really support something new?
What I think most people are missing here is that the primary purpose of a MMO is socialization game play is important also but it is still secondary. Luckily for me LoTRO has decent game play and I find the community the second best of any MMO I have ever played. SWG at launch had the best but that time is long gone.
LoTRO also has plenty of game play also with lots of thing to do while I am chatting with my friends. I can explore, level a character, grind deeds or coin, look for a decoration for my house, craft some good gear for a friend or a alt or the AH, do a instance run, or just sit and listen to a player practicing music at the Inn. there special events and festivals and regular content updates. LoTRO may not be the perfect MMO but it is damn close.
Anyone who is "bored with the rings" will probably be bored in any MMO
I miss DAoC
I'm really glad the OP has re-phrased his point, which became totally valid and fair - that's the power of words
I agree with eccoton, actually with everything in his last post. Well done
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.