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Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood Interview
Stradden
Managing EditorMember CommonPosts: 6,696
MMORPG.com's Jon Wood had the chance to speak with Turbine's Jeffrey Steefel and Aaron Campbell about the upcoming Lord of the Rings Online expansion, Siege of Mirkwood.
;)
MMORPG.com:
Presenting Siege of Mirkwood as a digital expansion is a fairly radical departure from the aggressive retail box release of LotRO's first expansion, Mines of Moria. Is this an indication that a second expansion couldn't hold up to a retail distribution, or are there other factors at work?
Turbine:
Players and the industry should look at this as another example of Turbine exploring more and more ways we can continue to bring quality entertainment to our customers, and provide choice and diversity of offerings. Mirkwood Digital distribution means neither the end of retail LOTRO releases nor the end of free content updates. We are simply doing something different for Mirkwood to bring significant new content to players just a year after Moria, and in the most appropriate way possible for this particular product, and time. We want to continue to provide serial entertainment to players through both free and paid content offerings and this will continue to be the backbone of the LOTRO experience.
Read the Siege of Mirkwood Interview.
Cheers,
Jon Wood
Managing Editor
MMORPG.com
Comments
Nice interview... i like the way the game is growing...
AWSOME! xD
lock up yo kids, lock up yo wife, even yo husband cuz they rapin everybody round here
I love how they listen to the player base. The mount changes are just what I need. Not having to dismount every time I talk to an NPC or go through a door, makes me all tingly inside. I'm also excited about the skirmishes, they sound interesting. I just hope they're not overhyping them to fail. =(
Turbine:
I'd disagree that this change has little impact. Sometimes the smallest things can have the largest impact on day-to-day life as a player. Changes coming to mounts include mounts as a skill (so they no longer take up inventory space), interacting with NPCs from your mount, mount-based emotes, and the ability to rename your mount. This is something that the development team was passionate about and we're glad to see it complete.
Like redesigning your player models, which IMO happen to be some of the ugliest looking of any MMO I've played. Not to mention the lack of choices in character customization, allowing for an extremely limited variation in the look of characters. I can't understand how a game with such amazing environments can have such ugly character models. It's like oil and vinegar, they just don't mix.
Expand on these two things and I'll be content and come back.
Your fail comment, failed.
What? Do the playerbase ever asked for a mage-like class? Do the playerbase ever asked for a gating content? Do the playerbase ever asked for GOATS?? Do the playerbase ever asked to not recieve any free content updates during the last years except for a couple of hastly-crafted 30 minute instances? No, Turbine is not listening to their playerbase, Turbine is no longer interested what the bunch of lifetimers has got to say, they already squeezed their wallet. Turbine is interested and appeal to new market.
REALITY CHECK
Except on a salad.. yummmmmm
That's not a small thing. also, LOTRO is not lacking in appearance customization.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
What? Do the playerbase ever asked for a mage-like class? Yup alot of people asked for that, I wasnt one of them but I love my Rune keeper!
Do the playerbase ever asked for a gating content? Yup alot of people were asking about progression after reaching level cap so there was any point to keep playing instead of just rolling an alt or quit. And since almost all content in LotrO and most MMOs is gated I dont see the problem.
Do the playerbase ever asked for GOATS?? You people were asking for some mount in Moria, dont see the issue. Even thou I think they should stay in Moria only. But it a very small issue.
Do the playerbase ever asked to not recieve any free content updates during the last years except for a couple of hastly-crafted 30 minute instances? We got 2 free updates and now a mini-expanion this year. SoM doesnt cost much and some even get it free. Considering the special offers Turbine give LotrO is ceaper that most other MMOs. Better than the microstransactions companies like SoE and Cryptic add to their sub bases games eh?
No, Turbine is not listening to their playerbase, Turbine is no longer interested what the bunch of lifetimers has got to say, they already squeezed their wallet. Turbine is interested and appeal to new market.
So Turbine does listen to their players and most people seem very happy about the changes coming with SoM. MOM was abit to ambitouse imo which cause alot of problems and pushed back content but now they brought it back on track.
Have fun in Vanguard!
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
That's not a small thing. also, LOTRO is not lacking in appearance customization.
It's not small in regards to the work that it would take to implement. Perhaps not, but I'm not sure that's what they were referring to in the interview and I fail to see where it would be more work than some of the other upcoming additions/changes. Maybe I'm wrong.
You are referring to gear. I'm strictly speaking about features such as faces, etc. I'm talking about the look of your character when creating it. It's very limited in regards to the initial look of one character from another.
Your fail comment, failed.
What? Do the playerbase ever asked for a mage-like class? Do the playerbase ever asked for a gating content? Do the playerbase ever asked for GOATS?? Do the playerbase ever asked to not recieve any free content updates during the last years except for a couple of hastly-crafted 30 minute instances? No, Turbine is not listening to their playerbase, Turbine is no longer interested what the bunch of lifetimers has got to say, they already squeezed their wallet. Turbine is interested and appeal to new market.
Yup, I cant stand Turbine anymore...Theres now way I'll return to LOTRO as long as their running the show. LOTRO is a huge fail in my eyes, its nothing like I expected a LOTR MMO to turn out like.
My only wish is for a different company to try their hand at Middle Earth but its very unlikely.
/Turbine Fails
"I play Tera for the gameplay"
Improving the look of characters and add more custimization would be great. +Fix all the ugly animations such as some running and jumping animations!
And LotrO really need a "sidekick" feature so high level and low level characters can play together! Especially with the new skirmishes!!!
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
err the game mechanics have no need for this. You get xp based on size of party, but NOT on lvl of members.. if your lvl 30 for example, you get the same xp grouping with another 30 as you do with a 60.. 60's can join the party and have no negative effect..
I'd hoped for a bit more in the interview. I didn't see anything in there that I didn't already know.
Slainte Mhath!
You say Turbine fails, but yet give no reason why they fail. I can understand that LotRO didn't live up to your expectations, but you could give reasons why they don't. I see that you play Aion, which has a huge bot/spamming issue. That to me is lack of dev attention and would make me think that they don't care about their player base and their complaints. It would leave me to believe that....
/NCSoft Fails
What? Do the playerbase ever asked for a mage-like class? Do the playerbase ever asked for a gating content? Do the playerbase ever asked for GOATS?? Do the playerbase ever asked to not recieve any free content updates during the last years except for a couple of hastly-crafted 30 minute instances? No, Turbine is not listening to their playerbase, Turbine is no longer interested what the bunch of lifetimers has got to say, they already squeezed their wallet. Turbine is interested and appeal to new market.
Yup, I cant stand Turbine anymore...Theres now way I'll return to LOTRO as long as their running the show. LOTRO is a huge fail in my eyes, its nothing like I expected a LOTR MMO to turn out like.
My only wish is for a different company to try their hand at Middle Earth but its very unlikely.
/Turbine Fails
Lotro is very successful, doing great, and one of the most fun mmo's out there. Lots and Lots of people play and love it. They are innovative w/ subscription pricing, and..
They revived DDO with going f2p and making a ton of cash off it. They just opened another server!
/turbine = success huge fail in your eyes? Seriously it's not for you that 's fine..but tell me one mmo that lived up to your expectations?
Skirmishes are for player range 30 -65.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
Skirmishes are for player range 30 -65.
Oh yea I know, just would be nice if everyone could be the same level since its not much fun to play with lvl 65 character if you are 30!
If WoW = The Beatles
and WAR = Led Zeppelin
Then LotrO = Pink Floyd
Skirmishes are for player range 30 -65.
Oh yea I know, just would be nice if everyone could be the same level since its not much fun to play with lvl 65 character if you are 30!
Random, scaling, encounters.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
Lotro is as far to success as it could be with such a huge IP behind. Turbine picked up their money for this overcheap lifetime, and now there's simply not enough regular subscribers.
There's a reason why Lotro since MoM didnt recieve any real content update. In fact, Lotro recieved less content update since MoM, that Vanguard did this year and we all know Vanguard has 4 devs. Want me to make a comparison of the added features one by one?
Successful game with less content updates than Vanguard? Oh give me a break.
REALITY CHECK
Lotro is as far to success as it could be with such a huge IP behind. Turbine picked up their money for this overcheap lifetime, and now there's simply not enough regular subscribers.
There's a reason why Lotro since MoM didnt recieve any real content update. In fact, Lotro recieved less content update since MoM, that Vanguard did this year and we all know Vanguard has 4 devs. Want me to make a comparison of the added features one by one?
Successful game with less content updates than Vanguard? Oh give me a break.
Thillian knows all.
LOTRO has received plenty of content updates. You just dont want to acknowledge all of it, meanwhile everyone else is generally happy. And turbine still gives out the best deal in MMO gaming and free content to its players.
But, we have been down this road with you, your like a broken record at this point, one, with pointless songs on it.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
If anybody wants a free account here are the details
Lotro English U.S. server Windfola
Username: Borghive
Password: Joey49
has a lvl 60 dwarf hunter and a 40+ female Warden
If you do take the account dont forget to change all details including the password (of course) the e-mail the name its under the secret question and things like these
this message has been sent out to other people so if you want it jump on it now!
FREE ACCOUNT!
Lotro is as far to success as it could be with such a huge IP behind. Turbine picked up their money for this overcheap lifetime, and now there's simply not enough regular subscribers.
There's a reason why Lotro since MoM didnt recieve any real content update. In fact, Lotro recieved less content update since MoM, that Vanguard did this year and we all know Vanguard has 4 devs. Want me to make a comparison of the added features one by one?
Successful game with less content updates than Vanguard? Oh give me a break.
Thillian knows all.
LOTRO has received plenty of content updates. You just dont want to acknowledge all of it, meanwhile everyone else is generally happy. And turbine still gives out the best deal in MMO gaming and free content to its players.
But, we have been down this road with you, your like a broken record at this point, one, with pointless songs on it.
Let's go for it fanboy. Vanguard has 4 devs:
Lotro since MoM:
Vanguard since last year: (I repeat, Vanguard has 4 DEVS)
REALITY CHECK
I won't go down this road with you.
But you fail to acknowledge the zone revamps, bounty quests, crafting changes ETC.. The list goes on. We have been over this before, you simply lack perspective. Its great that Vanguard is finally getting some content.
Its really ok to just not like a game. But at lest lets stop with the "DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM" and lies.
EDIT: You also highly play down the amount of content in your little list there. And its fan, not fanboi. Fanboi would imply I ignore the games issues. Issues are different than your crackpot conspiracies.
----------
"Anyone posting on this forum is not an average user, and there for any opinions about the game are going to be overly critical compared to an average users opinions." - Me
"No, your wrong.." - Random user #123
"Hello person posting on a site specifically for MMO's in a thread on a sub forum specifically for a particular game talking about meta features and making comparisons to other titles in the genre, and their meta features.
How are you?" -Me
What? Do the playerbase ever asked for a mage-like class? Do the playerbase ever asked for a gating content? Do the playerbase ever asked for GOATS?? Do the playerbase ever asked to not recieve any free content updates during the last years except for a couple of hastly-crafted 30 minute instances? No, Turbine is not listening to their playerbase, Turbine is no longer interested what the bunch of lifetimers has got to say, they already squeezed their wallet. Turbine is interested and appeal to new market.
Yup, I cant stand Turbine anymore...Theres now way I'll return to LOTRO as long as their running the show. LOTRO is a huge fail in my eyes, its nothing like I expected a LOTR MMO to turn out like.
My only wish is for a different company to try their hand at Middle Earth but its very unlikely.
/Turbine Fails
Lotro is very successful, doing great, and one of the most fun mmo's out there. Lots and Lots of people play and love it. They are innovative w/ subscription pricing, and..
They revived DDO with going f2p and making a ton of cash off it. They just opened another server!
/turbine = success huge fail in your eyes? Seriously it's not for you that 's fine..but tell me one mmo that lived up to your expectations?
WoW lived up to what I thought it would be until end-game and Aion will far surpass my expections as long as NCsoft keeps trying to better its new MMO.
I truly do hope LOTRO the best but its far from what I thought Middle Earth would look like in an MMO. I'm sure its a great game to some, but to me LOTRO is a fail. Hence the reason I quit not long after Moria and dont plan to ever return. A big part of my leaving was the lack of PVP which I admit makes me biased....doesnt Middle Earth feel too safe to others? It sure did to me, to the point that I packed up my bags and left.
"I play Tera for the gameplay"
Are you kidding me right? Do you consider the few crafting high level recipes added after half a year community whine to level up crafting items which were subpar with the dungeon drops being a new content? I didnt talk about VG zone revamps either. I was talking about major content updates and additions.
It is simply as that. Lotro gained less free content updates since MoM, than Vanguard with 4 devs last year. This is not a successful game, this is a dying game with most of its playerbase now playing for free due to their lifetime sub paid years ago.
Turbine depleted their most loyal fans which are on lifetime for years now. There's no more money coming from the most loyal LOTR playerbase, except from the occasional expansions. Lotro is going into Guild Wars model with no free content updates and only paid expansions, because there's simply not enough regular monthly subscribers.
REALITY CHECK
Lotro is as far to success as it could be with such a huge IP behind. Turbine picked up their money for this overcheap lifetime, and now there's simply not enough regular subscribers.
There's a reason why Lotro since MoM didnt recieve any real content update. In fact, Lotro recieved less content update since MoM, that Vanguard did this year and we all know Vanguard has 4 devs. Want me to make a comparison of the added features one by one?
Successful game with less content updates than Vanguard? Oh give me a break.
Thillian knows all.
LOTRO has received plenty of content updates. You just dont want to acknowledge all of it, meanwhile everyone else is generally happy. And turbine still gives out the best deal in MMO gaming and free content to its players.
But, we have been down this road with you, your like a broken record at this point, one, with pointless songs on it.
Let's go for it fanboy. Vanguard has 4 devs:
Lotro since MoM:
Vanguard since last year: (I repeat, Vanguard has 4 DEVS)
I really enjoyed Vanguard when I was playing it. Unfortunately, none of my friends were interested in playing and being that I enjoy games more when playing with friends, I left as well. More importantly though and I must ask, why even bother wasting your time in the LoTRO forums? I'm not intending to start a war of words either. Just curious as to why people waste time posting in forums of games they have no interest in or can't stand.
Honestly, I spend time in the Warhammer forum although I no longer play that game. However, this is because I love the IP and because of my tarnished hope for what that game could have been. What is your reasoning for being here? Like I said, just curious.
Your fail comment, failed.