Lord of the Rings Online: Jeff Anderson Part Two: Monster Play

Stradden · February 2007

Managing Editor Jon Wood recently had the chance to sit down with Jeff Anderson, the President and CEO of Turbine Inc. In this, the second part of a two part interview, Jon and Jeff discuss the Monster Play feature in the upcoming game, Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar.

Last week, we brought you the first half of Jon Wood's interview with Jeff Anderson, the CEO and President of Turbine Inc. about the process of turning the well-loved classic Lord of the Rings novel trilogy into an MMORPG. Today, we bring you part two of Jon's interview. In part two, Jeff talks about the game's unique Monster Play system.

One of the major complaints that we heard about Lord of the Rings Online when details first started to be released was that there would be no evil races available for play and because of this, the game would not have PvP. You see, many fans of Tolkien's books are as much a fan of the utterly evil races as they are the bright and shiny hero races. Lord of the Rings was, for me growing up, the ultimate story of good vs. evil.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of PvP, but it really felt to me as though there was a missed opportunity here. When I asked Jeff Anderson, the President and CEO of Turbine, about this, I was relieved to find that while it was true that Turbine would not be including Orcs in their list of playable races, there was still a system in place that would allow players to get into the evil mindset and actually get our hands on some of Sauron's minions. Monster Play, I was told, would solve this problem.

You can read the rest of the article here.

cyberlettuce · February 2007

I am not a huge pvp'er but monster play certainly has me intrigued. It is nice to see an original take on pvp and one that could easilly be expanded on if it proves popular. I am looking forward to trying it out.

Shoal · February 2007

I would like to predict that this one feature is going to vault LoTRO to a very lofty position in MMORPG history. It may not dethrone WoW, but it is sure going to put the gimp on all the others still in the field.

Just my feelings. But a combination of the old EQ1 Monster Play + DAoC RvR + Level Advancement + Meaningful PvP + Optional ? I think they have a real winner here.

Let's hope the get it right !

andriona · February 2007

As a huge fan of pvp and a tester for LOTRO since alpha, I can say that monster play is perhaps some of the most fun I've ever had in a game. It's great to just rush in and create a fun monster, and start the slaughter! There were always several raids going on the human fortresses and people shouting out about the PCs running around the zone. It sorta felt like alot of the fun stuff from WoW world pvp (attacking outposts/towns/fortresses, PCs defending) were incorporated with some good game mechanics (Rewards for killing Free People generals, leaders, not just PCs).

I would also say that the high ranking NPC leaders were on par with some raid bosses O.o

Argent · February 2007

EQ tried this (kinda) and it was fun, even though you started out as a lowly level one critter in a noobie zone. But still, sneaking up and scaring noobs was loads of fun.

I am wondering if player monsters can leave the Ettenmoors zone and terrorize the outside world? And, is your monster character persisant or does it get deleted when you log?

Vallenar · February 2007

Originally posted by Argent

EQ tried this (kinda) and it was fun, even though you started out as a lowly level one critter in a noobie zone. But still, sneaking up and scaring noobs was loads of fun. I am wondering if player monsters can leave the Ettenmoors zone and terrorize the outside world? And, is your monster character persisant or does it get deleted when you log?

To the best of my knowledge the monsters will be limited to the Ettenmoors at launch. I'm sure an expansion of some kind will happen in a patch of something. You also don't lose your monster when you log out. Think of it as playing a character whithin your main character. Where you log your monster out is where you will start with the monster when you log back in. It works the same way your main character does.

GungaDin · February 2007

Great stuff ! My guy is up to level 7 in BETA, hopefully have him to level 10 soon to try out the monster play. The idea is great and makes alot of sense. Innovative? Sure why not, , the system itself is and I believe new MMORPGS will copy this idea.

Overall, LOTRO has alot to offer. PVE, Quests, Monster Play, Crafting, Exploring a world true to its Lore (books / movies) and a great community.

Can't wait for open BETA !

Paks · February 2007

I'm really interested in trying this out.

gpett · February 2007

I hope monster play isnt like pvp in many other games... an after-thought. That is actually what it was in LOTR. It could be great.. I don't know I havent played it. But, I doubt monsterplay will have the epic feel of pvp in DAoC or EVE. Even WAR and AoC seem to have built thier PVP system into the game instead of just stapled it on as an after-thought.

joereed1 · February 2007

Monsterplay sounds like a great idea. I was wondering whether or not to try the game at all, but this article about monsterplay has inspired me, and I'm actually looking forward to the game coming out now.

Ryowulf · February 2007

Its reads more like an Ad than an article. The hype about monster play is a bit much. Its also rather sad when mpvp is more fun than the actual game.

Grind out pve and you get little pvp pets. If you want some of the better pets you're going to have to grind higher than 10th. With the lastest nerf to the spider (group control role) made it rather sad.

As limited as character creation is they outdid themselves, but having the monsters that all look alike and all have the same abilities if they are the same level.

Hersaint · February 2007

Monster play sounds great. At least now I have something to get over-hyped about. lol Without monster play I wasn't even glancing at this title. Read the books saw the movies. Played EQ; played WoW. Been there done that. Here's to something different for a change.

Jackdog · February 2007

it's great fun. It still needs tweaking in a bit and I don't think it will ever be as good as DAoC was in it's prime but it sure is a a fun way to spend a evening now and then.

goingwylde · February 2007

Havent got into the beta yet, but with turbine's history, Ive got to say it makes me a little nervous. It seems almost like turbine's R and D team decided to add the pvp features to LOTR with the same hasty treatment they gave DnD after receiving some major backlash. I cant say Im enthused about playing generic shell monsters with limited customization, but I did like the sound of emphasizing world pvp objectives even if its limited to one zone, but it seems the replay value could be really low. When I first heard that LOTR wasnt going to have the evil races at launch, I had hoped they would maybe be in the first expantion pack, but introducing them this way just seems to forfiting a lot of unrealized potential for faction vs faction warfare. I would really have liked a little more detail in the article about the monster shell's customization features at least, ie. (armors, skill sets, can you even name the avatar?), but hopefully the stress test this weekend will prove me wrong, and that turbine got one right for a change. See you in the Beta

Savilz · February 2007

I'm an X Daoc and so far no game as match their pvp style faction war. "Monster Play" sounds great when i first read it, but then thinking back what's the incentive to continue playing the monster or the good guy. If monster play is alot fun then there wont be many player playing the good guy. If that's the case then pvp will just die. Limited costumization of the monster is also lower incentive to play monsters. Seems like there are still a few important factors that they have not consider. Just having a few evil race playable would solve alot of these problems.

Cerion · February 2007

As you gain destiny points you can customize your Monster. Initially, noob Monsters are pretty much the same for their race.

Yes, you can name your monster.

One thing that isn't mentioned much but for me is a great incentive for neophyte PVPers is that there isn't any cross-faction talk. If you're monster, you only speak with other monsters. This prevents the immature smack talk that pollutes so many PvP arenas.

It is pretty fun, but still needs some tweaking, especially the Spider. I suspect they're having a hard time balancing the DOT combat design of it, since if you get a bunch of spiders stacking DOTs it could get nasty--because of this, the solo use of spiders is tough to play currently. But they are the coolest monster to play nonetheless. Pretty fun wrapping a hobbit up in webs

Shoal · February 2007

Stop, and think a bit. Can you not imagine where this is might lead? If this works in the game, I could see Evil Player races being developed. Even if the are not, I doubt if Ettenmores will be the final PvP zone. How about Mordor and other such places? Areas where Evil has a heavy hand. Don't think this one entry point is the end all and be all of Monster Play mechanics and areas. This could be only the beginning.

Jackdog · February 2007

I would like to see them add in some more stuff, and while I don't think the MvP ius a good as DAoC's PvP, the PvE in Lotro has DAoC's beat hands down. Quite frankluy I think they have done a hell of a job with it si far considering it is the secondary game, and I am sure they will add to it as time goes by. The game is still in beta and already has most of the released games beat in my opinion.

shadowmage · February 2007

I am wondering if the ranks 15 is a typo or what. As there is only 5 ranks so far and a lot of problems with one class at rank 5 already. If that class has 10 more ranks to get then I can see a lot of nerfing coming down the lines for that class.

DemonOvrlord · February 2007

I'll have to see how they implement this, at least it is a way to introduce PvP without ruining the basic focus of Lord of the Rings on the good races.

I just feel sorry for the first person to try it, you become a Level 50 monster at level 10? You've got a long wait before any equal level player characters start coming into the zone lol

Malakai · February 2007

Originally posted by Shoal

Stop, and think a bit. Can you not imagine where this is might lead? If this works in the game, I could see Evil Player races being developed. Even if the are not, I doubt if Ettenmores will be the final PvP zone. How about Mordor and other such places? Areas where Evil has a heavy hand. Don't think this one entry point is the end all and be all of Monster Play mechanics and areas. This could be only the beginning.

You make a very good point. I believe that this will indeed be the beginning of something great. It will allow them to make areas like Mordor truly nasty and dangerous to visit. After all the most dangerous monster in a game is one controlled by a human, just due to the sheer unpredictable nature of people. You would never know what to expect in an area like that

.

phlcarl · February 2007

Turbine had a no brainer mmorpg here and ruined it. They could of had all the questing they have now and a great pvp system in place. They went the lazy route and only had the good races. Now they realize that an mmo without pvp sux and decide to save themselves by adding this feature. Random killing is only fun for a little while and everyone will get bored of it. Could of had evil and good battling for territory and control over middle earth just like in te movies and books, with castle sieging and such...o well just my thought

vajuras · February 2007

I have serious doubts about this pvp system just seems like something ppl might do for a lil while then go back to leveling their mains. I think LOTRO has already alienated the pvp crowd.... anyway I'll keep an eye on this to see how it turns out wish them luck I guess

Gooney · February 2007

Originally posted by Shoal

I would like to predict that this one feature is going to vault LoTRO to a very lofty position in MMORPG history. It may not dethrone WoW, but it is sure going to put the gimp on all the others still in the field.
Just my feelings. But a combination of the old EQ1 Monster Play + DAoC RvR + Level Advancement + Meaningful PvP + Optional ? I think they have a real winner here.
Let's hope the get it right !

This has got to be one of the stupidest solutions to the problem Ive ever heard. Turbine, I really cant fathom how they are still in the MMO production business. I can only conclude that the whole company exists solely to money launder illicit funds from Columbia, god knows they must be hemmoraging cash with thier half baked ideas.

Here is the number one reason why the Monster View idea will fail in an MMO.

Most players will want to PVP with the toon they have spent all of thier time leveling and identifying with. Because of this truism the monster side will be permanently under-manned (once the rosey glow of freshness wears off). Which will mean that Turbine will have to create incentives for players to partake of the monster side, which will open up problems with balance and far more likely breaking immersion to the point that the game world takes a back seat to the mechanics that allow PVP. BAD. Not only that but the lack of a permanent "evil" side will mean that thier PVP tactics will never develop the tight team work that comes from a good pvp team. In a traditional MMO each player knows thier character intimately, they have after all leveled with the toon for weeks an months before attaining top level. A monster team will have no such luxury, which means that they will be out manned, out tactic-ed, and out skilled by thier opponents. Again BAD.

Think about it, monster view will be nothing more than a gimmick, one that will be entertaining only so long as it is still "new" and "fresh".

Turbine has a long history of being DEAD WRONG about what players want, or will think is fun. But hey, good luck to them anyhow.

Me, Im not holding my breath.

-Gooney

Endemondia · February 2007

anything that breaks with the boring and simplistic mould of WoW has to be good. Guildwars is the undisputed master of pvp for a fantasy mmorpg so to try and out do them or copy any of the other pvp systems is pointless. Here is an original and unique concept that Turbine will make work. Much like with the evolution of D&D, LOTR will adapt to allow continuity. To continue the comparison, D&D is very different to the game that was released a year ago. So much so that I now play that more than any other mmorpg. However, while D&D has the best combat system around, it looks like LOTR will be back to the point and click combat and that is a real shame. Fighting is the key element of a fantasy mmorpg and to dumb down the combat is simply cloning existing systems which are deeply unsatisfying. If only Turbine had maintained a pioneering spirit with the combat then they would have hada game that will KO WoW and its ilk!

Gooney · February 2007

Originally posted by Endemondia

anything that breaks with the boring and simplistic mould of WoW has to be good. Guildwars is the undisputed master of pvp for a fantasy mmorpg so to try and out do them or copy any of the other pvp systems is pointless. Here is an original and unique concept that Turbine will make work. Much like with the evolution of D&D, LOTR will adapt to allow continuity. To continue the comparison, D&D is very different to the game that was released a year ago. So much so that I now play that more than any other mmorpg. However, while D&D has the best combat system around, it looks like LOTR will be back to the point and click combat and that is a real shame. Fighting is the key element of a fantasy mmorpg and to dumb down the combat is simply cloning existing systems which are deeply unsatisfying. If only Turbine had maintained a pioneering spirit with the combat then they would have hada game that will KO WoW and its ilk!

I get what your saying here...Innovation is good, copy catting is bad.

But is it really? Would you consider every automobile created now to be copies of the first automobile? Of course not, there are countless innovations since the originals first drive. And yet they all have recognizable similarities. The same holds true for nearly every product ever made..ok maybe not pet rocks but you get the picture.

The point is to take the things that work and improve on them, sure try to innovate, but not to the point that your final product no longer resembles the original. If you do that, you must in essence begin as the original for a new product line, and pray that your innovations were good enough to set your product apart as a successful pioneer and not just another casultiy along the long road of unsuccessful MMOs.

DDO is most definatly in that position, it is in essence much closer to Guild Wars than any current MMO, and because of that it is lingering in a very unenviable position in the MMO marketplace. Guildwars is free to play, DDO carries a subscription fee, so irregardless of an older, more mature and a culturally more influential IP DDO can only be considered a flop in the MMO marketplace.

I wouldnt say that Guildwars is the master of PVP I dont even consider it an MMO at all, more a 3d matching service and chat. I pvp daily, and have done so for years and Guildwars isnt even a blip on my hard drive, I understand people like it, I simply dont. I tried it but, big deal, little tiny teams in little tiny instances.

The question is whether or not innovation for the sake of innovation is good. Turbine is trying very hard to stick to the "spirit" of the story. Which prevents them from adding the evil side as player races. This should be a no-brainer, and indeed, is to everyone except them apparently.

The focus seems to be wrong. They shouldnt be trying to capture the spirit of the story but the incredibly rich spirit of the WORLD. They should be using the Silmarillion as thier main refrence and not the LoTR story. But hey, its their perogative to destory yet another IP.

-Gooney

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Lord of the Rings Online: Jeff Anderson Part Two: Monster Play

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Lord of the Rings Online: Jeff Anderson Part Two: Monster Play

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