what is this? lotro is number one? how the hell did this happen? what is so special about this game? from what i heard all it is is a nothin special mmo with a lotr theme. whats the deal here people? tell me why it is number one. and dont say people voted for it because i know that but why did they vote for it?
You ask us, the general public, why specific people voted for something? Sorry but unless one or more of them answer then your question can not be answered. Now I can go vote, yes it is true I did not vote, but my views are so mixed than in all honesty with myself I can only give it a middle vote. Personally I liked the theme. Loved the books, enjoyed the movies. I got a semi decent feeling of being "in" the fantasy world. Play wise I have to vote low. was too simplistic for my tatses. I will give you a specific example of that. As a Hobbit you have these mail delivery quests. Simply put for those that have not played it , it is a quest to take object XYZ from point A to point B without being spotted by specific wandering NPC's called Nosey Hobbets within a set time limit. Very simple quest designed to teach you the lay of the lands. Personally my problem with the quests was ... too simple!!. For me there should have been more Nosey Hobbits. The mini map should not have had markers showing thier relative position to you on it. For me that would have been a challenge. But for others that amount of challenge would be too much! Over the top! Stupid ! to name a few comments. Graphics were OK to me. But I could care less if the graphics were so good that I could swear I was seeing with my own eyes a tree just outside my home. It is the content and the quality of that content that drives me. But that is just me very briefly exposed.
The most simplistic answer we can give you is that they voted "for" it because for them the game gave them what they wanted personally.
We are not all alike and a question of this type only serves as a starting base for arguements between for and against. As the posts between yours and mine proves.
Every one has an opinion. it is unreasonable to expect them all to coincide with your own.
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
Originally posted by Heltern Originally posted by vesavius Originally posted by Jackdog are you talking about #1 on the front page poll or #1over at EBgames in sales www.ebgames.com/default.asp need more clarity on which # 1 you are talking about. This one maybe biz.gamedaily.com/charts/
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game? Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular? Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
Tell that to the Firefly fans...
While individually fans might disagree here and there. Mass Sales does indicate that the general populous thinks something about the game makes it the best game on the market. In my opinion, I think that is Blizzard's marketing machine that has made WoW number 1 and not the quality of the game itself. I think their marketing pushing how casual the game is and then them pulling the biggest bait and switch of any MMO game ever, shows it shouldn't be number 1. But Advertising can be a huge drive in your sales. That combined with Blizzard's huge pre-built fan base, who were just dying to play a new Blizzard game, caused WoW to be number 1.
Currently playing: LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too: Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
i dont know about you all...... but i lost interest when i found out there would be no wizard class. ive heard the resons from the lotr nerds. but still think its tarded imo. p.s sorry for the derail
I lost interest in your post after the word "tarded". Go clean your room.
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
Tell that to the Firefly fans...
While individually fans might disagree here and there. Mass Sales does indicate that the general populous thinks something about the game makes it the best game on the market. In my opinion, I think that is Blizzard's marketing machine that has made WoW number 1 and not the quality of the game itself. I think their marketing pushing how casual the game is and then them pulling the biggest bait and switch of any MMO game ever, shows it shouldn't be number 1. But Advertising can be a huge drive in your sales. That combined with Blizzard's huge pre-built fan base, who were just dying to play a new Blizzard game, caused WoW to be number 1. I think it was a combination of things that made WoW a hit. First of all you had Blizzards reputation from the Diablo games, Starcraft and Warcraft series. Second you had a ton of Warcraft fans already out there. Third the game catered to the more casual players who did not have the free time to devote to the Everquest style of game and made soloing a viable strategy to get to 60. Fourth as you point out the marketing department is top notch. Fifth the game was pretty much polished at release.
LoTRO has a big name IP, Turbines marketing has been good with the exception of choosing Codemasters for the European release. The game is polished and has a load of content. More than that though the game is very scalable. It can be very easy to level or you can fine tune your characters by taking the time to work your traits. I can easily solo mobs 4 levels above me by having the right traits in the right slots. There are three of us that have concentrated on working our traits and questing the best gear, as such we are pretty darn powerful and are all in our early 30's or late 20's. Put the three of us Minstrel, Burglar, and Hunter together and we can take on red elites.
Please reread my post. I never said easy. I used the term simplistic. I actually failed to make the runs a few times. It was also about my first impressions of the game. The first section did not inspire me to continue on. it left me wanting more depth, more challenge.
Pray tell is there a challenge in killing Ivar and the Maid beyond the mere fact of simply having the right group combo? Or is there actual puzzling aspects that require thought? If so are those puzzles randomly changing? Does choice A give you a different scenerio than choice B? Or is the secret to the puzzle soon spread out over the grape vine so anyone afterwards knows ahead of time what they will face?
Please reread my post. I never said easy. I used the term simplistic. I actually failed to make the runs a few times. It was also about my first impressions of the game. The first section did not inspire me to continue on. it left me wanting more depth, more challenge. Pray tell is there a challenge in killing Ivar and the Maid beyond the mere fact of simply having the right group combo? Or is there actual puzzling aspects that require thought? If so are those puzzles randomly changing? Does choice A give you a different scenerio than choice B? Or is the secret to the puzzle soon spread out over the grape vine so anyone afterwards knows ahead of time what they will face?
everyone is entitled top their own opinion, I have played UO, DAoC, SWG, and EQII all to max level and find LoTRO no more or no less of a challange or simple than any of them. In some areas it is better than each and in some ways it is not as good as each. Overall it is a B+ game to me, and does so many things right that the overall game is better than anything else out there in my opinion. While it is not perfect by any means, it is just very darn good.
'Cause the majority of people are easily trained sheep who only want what they get.
Vesavius, you sound like my ex-girlfriend, saying that everyone is baying sheep that walk to the slaughter. But how your saying it, your actually part of this little song and dance as well. If your so against the machine and the man, why the hell are you on here trolling yourself when your trying to tell others that your opinion is the only thing that matters.
Also, its a high rated game because tons of people like it, and tons of others hate it, but continue to play it because they just want to grief others and say all other games are superior or its a WoW clone. But i enjoy the game because i have a good kinship(guild) there are great people, i don't feel like i have to get to end game level to enjoy the game and there is minimum grinding. So if you guys hate this game so much, or never played and hate it, don't say anything unless you do a trial run. Go on a buddies account and give it a whirl for an hour, if you hate, then don't bother people about it and give your own little review about it, but don't tell people why they have to hate the game they are starting to love so much.
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Not quite as rare as you'd like to think (then again, that wouldn't suit your agenda, now would it?). The Lord of the Rings books themselves are highly popular, and are quality work. Stephen King is another example of an author with popular appeal and quality work. Let's just go through a rather long list then shall we? Shakespeare, the paintings of Michelangelo, the classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Movies, Batman Returns, the list goes on.....
I'm sorry, vesavius, that you have misanthropic tendancies, that you hate the masses. It must be rather lonely. But sometimes the masses are right, and sometimes they know quality (as the list above shows) when they see it. It's too bad your hatred won't let you enjoy it.
(p.s., of course I expect you to try to derail this argument by saying I'm equating LOTRO to Shakespeare--which I'm not. )
_____________________________ Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Not quite as rare as you'd like to think (then again, that wouldn't suit your agenda, now would it?). The Lord of the Rings books themselves are highly popular, and are quality work. Stephen King is another example of an author with popular appeal and quality work. Let's just go through a rather long list then shall we? Shakespeare, the paintings of Michelangelo, the classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Movies, Batman Returns, the list goes on.....
I'm sorry, vesavius, that you have misanthropic tendancies, that you hate the masses. It must be rather lonely. But sometimes the masses are right, and sometimes they know quality (as the list above shows) when they see it. It's too bad your hatred won't let you enjoy it.
(p.s., of course I expect you to try to derail this argument by saying I'm equating LOTRO to Shakespeare--which I'm not. )
I have no agenda, except an open and honest discussion about modern gaming, of which LotR is a sad testament to. Just to be clear.
Also, before you accuse anyone of being 'misanthropic', make sure you know them more then a few posts in a gaming forum. Lonely? er.. why would I be lonely? My friends, wife, and extended family make sure that never happens...Why the personal insults on such a base level? Just to attack me in order to cheapen my view? Very bad form, and very weak debate.
You obviusly think that anyone who disagrees with you is broken in some way, or that must be angry... This is extremely arrogant, as if 'normal' people *must* share your point of view. Where have I seemed angry in this, or any thread? Please feel free to quote me below.
I promise you, for evey 1 quality piece of popular culture, I can give you at least 10 pieces of utter crap that are at least as, or more, popular due to marketing and hype. You have chosen rare and outstanding works to prove a silly point.
I have agreed that 'sometimes' quality makes it into the public arena, so I don't know why you are being so personally vindictive here, but i also stated that it happens rarely. This is a true statement. You really need me to list popular trash writers, musicians, and film directors that that sell millions to a hyped up, stupified, undemanding audience? Your list may be 'rather long', but I bet my list outnumbers yours, like I say, at least 10:1 if I want it to.
Just because Shakespeare, or whoever, is considered classic and worthy, it dosent make them modern popular media anyhow, or at least not in their original form. Most for instance wouldnt know the story of 'The Taming of the Shrew' without '10 Things I Hate About You', which speaks volumes and supports my point. Most wouldnt recognise a Michelangelo piece if you showed it to them, unless it had been featured in the plot of Buffy that week.
If you are not comparing LotRO to these works, then why mention them...? What relevance do they have except to underline the rare cases in which challenging quality works make it into the public domain. Believe me when I say LotR is *not* one of these rare cases. You honestly think this game trades on anymore then a popular IP, simplistic non challenging play, and pretty environmental visuals? You are hilarious.
Derail the tread? Oops, seems like you already have...
btw, Stephen King is actually quite a poor writer in a number of ways, though of course he is very popular... His characterisations and core ideas are often good enough, though his pacing and plotting is often terrible. I would have thought you could have presented a better example then this of your 'point'.
what is this? lotro is number one? how the hell did this happen? what is so special about this game? from what i heard all it is is a nothin special mmo with a lotr theme. whats the deal here people? tell me why it is number one. and dont say people voted for it because i know that but why did they vote for it?
Because it's a popular game, and many people like it for what it is. Of course, some people dislike it for what it isn't... but that's life for you. Sorry for the simplistic answer, but it's beyond my power to read minds and to list every reason why a lot of people on this site voted for LOTRO, other than to assume that they enjoy the game.
It really isn't that hard to work out why it's number one, though.
IMO its a good game and fun game, stop trying to pick faults in it and let people try it out for themselves. People who usually talk all this crap think they know all about mmo games but infact they know jackshit.
"Those that run away will fight another day" - Vegitus
IMO its a good game and fun game, stop trying to pick faults in it and let people try it out for themselves. People who usually talk all this crap think they know all about mmo games but infact they know jackshit.
Well said.
The game is too new, not everyone is level 50. Most people make it to level 15 and give up. The game doesnt even really start till about level 20ish. Epic Quests, Good drops, Tons of Traits to quest for. Wait till you start raiding, we had about 18 people in PvMP raiding, and you wanna talk about fun. It was pure chaos. Fighting alongside Giant Trolls, going agaist fire breathing Drakes for questing in the snowy mountains. Oh yeah Turbine did a Kick Butt job on the Bears, this has to be one of the best mmorpg that gotten the Bears Right! Also what was pretty wild is that the Ents were throwing bee hives at us and mixed with the excellent sound. FANTASTIC!
If you play the game to at least level 40 and still think the game sucks, well why did you even hang around to level 40?
People claim they leveled to 30 in Beta and it just didnt hold my ineterest. Let me see, BETA doesnt count. Its a BETA for a reason.
Anyways,
I am now level 29 on the game and its only getting better. I went to Rivendell and saw a level 50, of course the Gear looked great! Next time I am there I will get a pic.
But to the people that enjoy the game, keep going!
I am honestly getting very tired of trolls and flamers who come to the LOTRO forums here just to act shocked that a mmorpg based on LOTR lore that doesn't require a NSA server to run and is virtually bug-free is ranked #1.
Come on look at the competition out there...
WoW - been there done that got the shirt. Enjoyed wow when it came out because there wasn't much else in that genre that I cared for. Hammered my way to 60 before the increase in cap. PVP was the best - pre BG. Got bored waiting to group for end game content...Current state of the game is pathetic, full of leet dudes and pwnrz.
The mmorpg genre with regards to fantasy settings has a growing and widening fan base. There are quite a few older more mature gamers that are tired of being forced to turn /ooc off because of all the kiddies.
This fan base will prop lotro up on its shoulder and keep it alive for along time to come. So to all you kiddies that don't like tolken lore, Please Go back to you're precious Barrens chat and Leeroy Jenkens style antics. We don't want you in our community
Theowyne
38 Dwarven Champion
Brandywine
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Lord Acton
IMO its a good game and fun game, stop trying to pick faults in it and let people try it out for themselves. People who usually talk all this crap think they know all about mmo games but infact they know jackshit.
Well said.
The game is too new, not everyone is level 50. Most people make it to level 15 and give up. The game doesnt even really start till about level 20ish. Epic Quests, Good drops, Tons of Traits to quest for. Wait till you start raiding, we had about 18 people in PvMP raiding, and you wanna talk about fun. It was pure chaos. Fighting alongside Giant Trolls, going agaist fire breathing Drakes for questing in the snowy mountains. Oh yeah Turbine did a Kick Butt job on the Bears, this has to be one of the best mmorpg that gotten the Bears Right! Also what was pretty wild is that the Ents were throwing bee hives at us and mixed with the excellent sound. FANTASTIC!
If you play the game to at least level 40 and still think the game sucks, well why did you even hang around to level 40?
People claim they leveled to 30 in Beta and it just didnt hold my ineterest. Let me see, BETA doesnt count. Its a BETA for a reason.
Anyways,
I am now level 29 on the game and its only getting better. I went to Rivendell and saw a level 50, of course the Gear looked great! Next time I am there I will get a pic.
But to the people that enjoy the game, keep going!
*Most* people make it L15 and give up? What does this say about the game? Speaks volumes to me.
Why do they give up do you think? It sure 'aint because the game is too tricky eh? Must be utter and complete boredom right? Most people you say...? lol
So... let me get this right... you are saying that people who leave too early, in your view, to have made an opinion are not worth listening too, a L30s from open beta player's opinion what this game is isnt worth listening too, and L40s who say that it still is as bad at that level are dismissed out of hand...
Tell me... *who* exactly has an opinion that is valid to you? Those that agree with you? lol
It's a fine game and deserves the #1 spot until something great comes along.
Some question: Howcome some people that have not played LOTRO for atleast 20 hours or so have opinions about if it is great or not?
Some answer: Maybe, like my friend Highplain says above, if people don't want to play LotRO even past L15, then the game obviously isnt 'fine' from the start. Obviously, a lot of people don't wanna stick around even for 20 hours, but the question is why? If people are putting down your game, that they have paid for, without even completing the free sub then that sends a serious message about that game eh?
He says that *most* don't get past L15... Why is that, in your opinion?
Personally, I did way more then that, but then I love mmorpgs and like to give these things a chance.
Every one has an opinion. it is unreasonable to expect them all to coincide with your own.
So true. Add to this:
Everyone decides their "opininon" based on their very own experiences.
Trolls (unmature, socially lacking people seeking for a feedback of ANY kind, be it flaming or whatever) simply can't or don't want to accept these 2 facts above....
What's the point in trolling, then - besides the fight itself?
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
what is this? lotro is number one? how the hell did this happen? what is so special about this game? from what i heard all it is is a nothin special mmo with a lotr theme. whats the deal here people? tell me why it is number one. and dont say people voted for it because i know that but why did they vote for it?
It's actually quite simple, but it seems a lot of people don't like the truth and desperately seeks excuses that might explain it in a way they can better cope with....
LotRO is number one on the list because enough people like it, to vote for it. Clearly more people like it than dislike it.
As to why they like it more, you won't get a single answer to that. People have all different reasons as to why they think this is a great game, just as the people who dislike it have different reasons for disliking it.
As to why I like it, (because that I do) it is because there are loads of things to do. Lots of interesting quests and stories to follow, lots of interesting sights to see, loots of roleplaying going on, and I am never bored when I play. I can always find something entertaining to do.
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Not quite as rare as you'd like to think (then again, that wouldn't suit your agenda, now would it?). The Lord of the Rings books themselves are highly popular, and are quality work. Stephen King is another example of an author with popular appeal and quality work. Let's just go through a rather long list then shall we? Shakespeare, the paintings of Michelangelo, the classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Movies, Batman Returns, the list goes on.....
I'm sorry, vesavius, that you have misanthropic tendancies, that you hate the masses. It must be rather lonely. But sometimes the masses are right, and sometimes they know quality (as the list above shows) when they see it. It's too bad your hatred won't let you enjoy it.
(p.s., of course I expect you to try to derail this argument by saying I'm equating LOTRO to Shakespeare--which I'm not. )
I have no agenda, except an open and honest discussion about modern gaming, of which LotR is a sad testament to. Just to be clear.
Also, before you accuse anyone of being 'misanthropic', make sure you know them more then a few posts in a gaming forum. Lonely? er.. why would I be lonely? My friends, wife, and extended family make sure that never happens...Why the personal insults on such a base level? Just to attack me in order to cheapen my view? Very bad form, and very weak debate.
You obviusly think that anyone who disagrees with you is broken in some way, or that must be angry... This is extremely arrogant, as if 'normal' people *must* share your point of view. Where have I seemed angry in this, or any thread? Please feel free to quote me below.
I promise you, for evey 1 quality piece of popular culture, I can give you at least 10 pieces of utter crap that are at least as, or more, popular due to marketing and hype. You have chosen rare and outstanding works to prove a silly point.
I have agreed that 'sometimes' quality makes it into the public arena, so I don't know why you are being so personally vindictive here, but i also stated that it happens rarely. This is a true statement. You really need me to list popular trash writers, musicians, and film directors that that sell millions to a hyped up, stupified, undemanding audience? Your list may be 'rather long', but I bet my list outnumbers yours, like I say, at least 10:1 if I want it to.
Just because Shakespeare, or whoever, is considered classic and worthy, it dosent make them modern popular media anyhow, or at least not in their original form. Most for instance wouldnt know the story of 'The Taming of the Shrew' without '10 Things I Hate About You', which speaks volumes and supports my point. Most wouldnt recognise a Michelangelo piece if you showed it to them, unless it had been featured in the plot of Buffy that week.
If you are not comparing LotRO to these works, then why mention them...? What relevance do they have except to underline the rare cases in which challenging quality works make it into the public domain. Believe me when I say LotR is *not* one of these rare cases. You honestly think this game trades on anymore then a popular IP, simplistic non challenging play, and pretty environmental visuals? You are hilarious.
Derail the tread? Oops, seems like you already have...
btw, Stephen King is actually quite a poor writer in a number of ways, though of course he is very popular... His characterisations and core ideas are often good enough, though his pacing and plotting is often terrible. I would have thought you could have presented a better example then this of your 'point'.
I strongly disagree with you:
First: You call LOTRO a sad statement of "modern gamming", and also in previus post your judgment tell us that Vanguard is a better game. im letting out the whole beta retail issue which btw i think is a ethic issue more than anything, i want to see Toyota selling Camrys without brakes... o wait we are working on it, wait for the 10th patch.
Im not a certified "expert" about gamming and digital arts but. Im working towards it (reading and researching), the gap quality betewn vanguard and LOTRO is just Huge, starting by Vanguard`s unidbody desgin.
Vanguard chars design is nothing but the same body diferent scales and same animations!!, the Wulan look just lame.. a dude with a Wolf head.. give me a break. not cool... (at least not cool as do it in vanguard). Theres a lot of thecnical, artistic and design issues about this game i wont go on them just because IT would take to long, and i think they are pretty much obvius for people with common sense.
A side note about Vanguard: Brad Mcquaid spend the last 5 years doing a game that was released 10 years ago, that "vision" - "core gammer" meaningfull travell bullshit... its just another way of saying i dont have a freaking idea of how the industry is evolving, what its the real purpose of my game other than beeing killing the same freaking mob over and over again. And what about the Vanguard "lore" if you can call it like that.. a high scholl studen in a writting workshop comes out with better ideas.
Let me put an example, what is a Core Gammer?... not one single Brad Mcquaid post have define that, i mean how do you produce a 10million dollars game with out knowing who is aimed for? .Most pople guess: it is for the "Hard core" player the one with the inhuman hability to stay 10 hrs in a row in an alienation state (grindding). neverthless mcquaid has concur in a major flip flop trying to define what he should define 5 years ago.
In the other hand LOTRO and WOW are very clear what they want, who they want and were they are going with the game. Example: regular barrens chat : " OMFG lotro dont have a wizzard class wtf freaking turbine noobs.. " Noobs? not really they know where to aim for, they have a presice market.
Your arrogance in every single post is lacking of the essential a point to ilustrate us.. How and Why is LOTRO so lame.. according to you. That give me the impression that you are just a Generic POSER.
Please let me know how vanguard offers a superior intellectual "challenge" over LOTRO or WOW? I think that WOW was a huge stepp in the right direction after everquest, and now i think that LOTRO is another stepp in the same way... people who call lotro a WOW clone are making a simplistic analisys.
I dont hear people saying F.E.A.R copy Half LIfe and Half life first copy Doom right? its because there are some game mechanics that just works, and is the best to respect that, inovation can come in a more sutile way, like the mere fact that you level up by questing, LOTRO grinding is useless. Blizzard realise that in BC and they reduced the grindding a lot, theres a lot of it i know but you can go from 60 to 70 with tons of quest, compared to original WoW 50 to 60. Those are small changes that means a lot.
About popular culture I do agree that most of the mainstrem is lacking of intellectual deep, nevertheless most of those plastic artist have a very professional team behind. In a technicall point of view they have outstanding production you cant denny that. Even the britney spirs dancers and coreographers.. you can hate them, dislike them... but you cant say they dont know what they are doing.
what is this? lotro is number one? how the hell did this happen? what is so special about this game? from what i heard all it is is a nothin special mmo with a lotr theme. whats the deal here people? tell me why it is number one. and dont say people voted for it because i know that but why did they vote for it?
It's actually quite simple, but it seems a lot of people don't like the truth and desperately seeks excuses that might explain it in a way they can better cope with....
LotRO is number one on the list because enough people like it, to vote for it. Clearly more people like it than dislike it.
As to why they like it more, you won't get a single answer to that. People have all different reasons as to why they think this is a great game, just as the people who dislike it have different reasons for disliking it.
As to why I like it, (because that I do) it is because there are loads of things to do. Lots of interesting quests and stories to follow, lots of interesting sights to see, loots of roleplaying going on, and I am never bored when I play. I can always find something entertaining to do.
Game is number one because people are enjoying themselves, what a concept I guess the trolls find the fact that people like it hard to accept.
Comments
You ask us, the general public, why specific people voted for something? Sorry but unless one or more of them answer then your question can not be answered. Now I can go vote, yes it is true I did not vote, but my views are so mixed than in all honesty with myself I can only give it a middle vote. Personally I liked the theme. Loved the books, enjoyed the movies. I got a semi decent feeling of being "in" the fantasy world. Play wise I have to vote low. was too simplistic for my tatses. I will give you a specific example of that. As a Hobbit you have these mail delivery quests. Simply put for those that have not played it , it is a quest to take object XYZ from point A to point B without being spotted by specific wandering NPC's called Nosey Hobbets within a set time limit. Very simple quest designed to teach you the lay of the lands. Personally my problem with the quests was ... too simple!!. For me there should have been more Nosey Hobbits. The mini map should not have had markers showing thier relative position to you on it. For me that would have been a challenge. But for others that amount of challenge would be too much! Over the top! Stupid ! to name a few comments. Graphics were OK to me. But I could care less if the graphics were so good that I could swear I was seeing with my own eyes a tree just outside my home. It is the content and the quality of that content that drives me. But that is just me very briefly exposed.
The most simplistic answer we can give you is that they voted "for" it because for them the game gave them what they wanted personally.
We are not all alike and a question of this type only serves as a starting base for arguements between for and against. As the posts between yours and mine proves.
Every one has an opinion. it is unreasonable to expect them all to coincide with your own.
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
Tell that to the Firefly fans...
Get to your mid-30's, get a group to go to Garth Agarwen, TRY to kill Ivar and the Maid. Then come post how easy this game is.
Don't use examples of quests at level 7 and say the entire game is too easy. kthxbye
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
Tell that to the Firefly fans...
While individually fans might disagree here and there. Mass Sales does indicate that the general populous thinks something about the game makes it the best game on the market. In my opinion, I think that is Blizzard's marketing machine that has made WoW number 1 and not the quality of the game itself. I think their marketing pushing how casual the game is and then them pulling the biggest bait and switch of any MMO game ever, shows it shouldn't be number 1. But Advertising can be a huge drive in your sales. That combined with Blizzard's huge pre-built fan base, who were just dying to play a new Blizzard game, caused WoW to be number 1.Currently playing:
LOTRO & WoW (not much WoW though because Mines of Moria rocks!!!!)
Looking Foward too:
Bioware games (Dragon Age & Star Wars The Old Republic)
i dont know about you all...... but i lost interest when i found out there would be no wizard class.
ive heard the resons from the lotr nerds. but still think its tarded imo.
p.s sorry for the derail
I lost interest in your post after the word "tarded". Go clean your room.
I am confused why you equate sales with a good game?
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Yes, it is usaully a very good measure, poor sales like Vangurads proves it is crap. This game is actually pretty decent, and Vanguard a huge boring slog fest that deserves to be cancelled and probably will end up that way.
Tell that to the Firefly fans...
While individually fans might disagree here and there. Mass Sales does indicate that the general populous thinks something about the game makes it the best game on the market. In my opinion, I think that is Blizzard's marketing machine that has made WoW number 1 and not the quality of the game itself. I think their marketing pushing how casual the game is and then them pulling the biggest bait and switch of any MMO game ever, shows it shouldn't be number 1. But Advertising can be a huge drive in your sales. That combined with Blizzard's huge pre-built fan base, who were just dying to play a new Blizzard game, caused WoW to be number 1. I think it was a combination of things that made WoW a hit. First of all you had Blizzards reputation from the Diablo games, Starcraft and Warcraft series. Second you had a ton of Warcraft fans already out there. Third the game catered to the more casual players who did not have the free time to devote to the Everquest style of game and made soloing a viable strategy to get to 60. Fourth as you point out the marketing department is top notch. Fifth the game was pretty much polished at release.LoTRO has a big name IP, Turbines marketing has been good with the exception of choosing Codemasters for the European release. The game is polished and has a load of content. More than that though the game is very scalable. It can be very easy to level or you can fine tune your characters by taking the time to work your traits. I can easily solo mobs 4 levels above me by having the right traits in the right slots. There are three of us that have concentrated on working our traits and questing the best gear, as such we are pretty darn powerful and are all in our early 30's or late 20's. Put the three of us Minstrel, Burglar, and Hunter together and we can take on red elites.
I miss DAoC
Please reread my post. I never said easy. I used the term simplistic. I actually failed to make the runs a few times. It was also about my first impressions of the game. The first section did not inspire me to continue on. it left me wanting more depth, more challenge.
Pray tell is there a challenge in killing Ivar and the Maid beyond the mere fact of simply having the right group combo? Or is there actual puzzling aspects that require thought? If so are those puzzles randomly changing? Does choice A give you a different scenerio than choice B? Or is the secret to the puzzle soon spread out over the grape vine so anyone afterwards knows ahead of time what they will face?
I miss DAoC
Also, its a high rated game because tons of people like it, and tons of others hate it, but continue to play it because they just want to grief others and say all other games are superior or its a WoW clone. But i enjoy the game because i have a good kinship(guild) there are great people, i don't feel like i have to get to end game level to enjoy the game and there is minimum grinding. So if you guys hate this game so much, or never played and hate it, don't say anything unless you do a trial run. Go on a buddies account and give it a whirl for an hour, if you hate, then don't bother people about it and give your own little review about it, but don't tell people why they have to hate the game they are starting to love so much.
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Not quite as rare as you'd like to think (then again, that wouldn't suit your agenda, now would it?). The Lord of the Rings books themselves are highly popular, and are quality work. Stephen King is another example of an author with popular appeal and quality work. Let's just go through a rather long list then shall we? Shakespeare, the paintings of Michelangelo, the classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Movies, Batman Returns, the list goes on.....
I'm sorry, vesavius, that you have misanthropic tendancies, that you hate the masses. It must be rather lonely. But sometimes the masses are right, and sometimes they know quality (as the list above shows) when they see it. It's too bad your hatred won't let you enjoy it.
(p.s., of course I expect you to try to derail this argument by saying I'm equating LOTRO to Shakespeare--which I'm not. )
_____________________________
Currently Playing: LOTRO; DDO
Played: AC2, AO, Auto Assault, CoX, DAoC, DDO, Earth&Beyond, EQ1, EQ2, EVE, Fallen Earth, Jumpgate, Roma Victor, Second Life, SWG, V:SoH, WoW, World War II Online.
Games I'm watching: Infinity: The Quest for Earth, Force of Arms.
Find the Truth: http://www.factcheck.org/
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Not quite as rare as you'd like to think (then again, that wouldn't suit your agenda, now would it?). The Lord of the Rings books themselves are highly popular, and are quality work. Stephen King is another example of an author with popular appeal and quality work. Let's just go through a rather long list then shall we? Shakespeare, the paintings of Michelangelo, the classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Movies, Batman Returns, the list goes on.....
I'm sorry, vesavius, that you have misanthropic tendancies, that you hate the masses. It must be rather lonely. But sometimes the masses are right, and sometimes they know quality (as the list above shows) when they see it. It's too bad your hatred won't let you enjoy it.
(p.s., of course I expect you to try to derail this argument by saying I'm equating LOTRO to Shakespeare--which I'm not. )
I have no agenda, except an open and honest discussion about modern gaming, of which LotR is a sad testament to. Just to be clear.
Also, before you accuse anyone of being 'misanthropic', make sure you know them more then a few posts in a gaming forum. Lonely? er.. why would I be lonely? My friends, wife, and extended family make sure that never happens...Why the personal insults on such a base level? Just to attack me in order to cheapen my view? Very bad form, and very weak debate.
You obviusly think that anyone who disagrees with you is broken in some way, or that must be angry... This is extremely arrogant, as if 'normal' people *must* share your point of view. Where have I seemed angry in this, or any thread? Please feel free to quote me below.
I promise you, for evey 1 quality piece of popular culture, I can give you at least 10 pieces of utter crap that are at least as, or more, popular due to marketing and hype. You have chosen rare and outstanding works to prove a silly point.
I have agreed that 'sometimes' quality makes it into the public arena, so I don't know why you are being so personally vindictive here, but i also stated that it happens rarely. This is a true statement. You really need me to list popular trash writers, musicians, and film directors that that sell millions to a hyped up, stupified, undemanding audience? Your list may be 'rather long', but I bet my list outnumbers yours, like I say, at least 10:1 if I want it to.
Just because Shakespeare, or whoever, is considered classic and worthy, it dosent make them modern popular media anyhow, or at least not in their original form. Most for instance wouldnt know the story of 'The Taming of the Shrew' without '10 Things I Hate About You', which speaks volumes and supports my point. Most wouldnt recognise a Michelangelo piece if you showed it to them, unless it had been featured in the plot of Buffy that week.
If you are not comparing LotRO to these works, then why mention them...? What relevance do they have except to underline the rare cases in which challenging quality works make it into the public domain. Believe me when I say LotR is *not* one of these rare cases. You honestly think this game trades on anymore then a popular IP, simplistic non challenging play, and pretty environmental visuals? You are hilarious.
Derail the tread? Oops, seems like you already have...
btw, Stephen King is actually quite a poor writer in a number of ways, though of course he is very popular... His characterisations and core ideas are often good enough, though his pacing and plotting is often terrible. I would have thought you could have presented a better example then this of your 'point'.
Because it's a popular game, and many people like it for what it is. Of course, some people dislike it for what it isn't... but that's life for you. Sorry for the simplistic answer, but it's beyond my power to read minds and to list every reason why a lot of people on this site voted for LOTRO, other than to assume that they enjoy the game.
It really isn't that hard to work out why it's number one, though.
"Those that run away will fight another day" - Vegitus
Well said.
The game is too new, not everyone is level 50. Most people make it to level 15 and give up. The game doesnt even really start till about level 20ish. Epic Quests, Good drops, Tons of Traits to quest for. Wait till you start raiding, we had about 18 people in PvMP raiding, and you wanna talk about fun. It was pure chaos. Fighting alongside Giant Trolls, going agaist fire breathing Drakes for questing in the snowy mountains. Oh yeah Turbine did a Kick Butt job on the Bears, this has to be one of the best mmorpg that gotten the Bears Right! Also what was pretty wild is that the Ents were throwing bee hives at us and mixed with the excellent sound. FANTASTIC!
If you play the game to at least level 40 and still think the game sucks, well why did you even hang around to level 40?
People claim they leveled to 30 in Beta and it just didnt hold my ineterest. Let me see, BETA doesnt count. Its a BETA for a reason.
Anyways,
I am now level 29 on the game and its only getting better. I went to Rivendell and saw a level 50, of course the Gear looked great! Next time I am there I will get a pic.
But to the people that enjoy the game, keep going!
Come on look at the competition out there...
WoW - been there done that got the shirt. Enjoyed wow when it came out because there wasn't much else in that genre that I cared for. Hammered my way to 60 before the increase in cap. PVP was the best - pre BG. Got bored waiting to group for end game content...Current state of the game is pathetic, full of leet dudes and pwnrz.
The mmorpg genre with regards to fantasy settings has a growing and widening fan base. There are quite a few older more mature gamers that are tired of being forced to turn /ooc off because of all the kiddies.
This fan base will prop lotro up on its shoulder and keep it alive for along time to come. So to all you kiddies that don't like tolken lore, Please Go back to you're precious Barrens chat and Leeroy Jenkens style antics. We don't want you in our community
Theowyne
38 Dwarven Champion
Brandywine
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." - Lord Acton
Some question: Howcome some people that have not played LOTRO for atleast 20 hours or so have opinions about if it is great or not?
Well said.
The game is too new, not everyone is level 50. Most people make it to level 15 and give up. The game doesnt even really start till about level 20ish. Epic Quests, Good drops, Tons of Traits to quest for. Wait till you start raiding, we had about 18 people in PvMP raiding, and you wanna talk about fun. It was pure chaos. Fighting alongside Giant Trolls, going agaist fire breathing Drakes for questing in the snowy mountains. Oh yeah Turbine did a Kick Butt job on the Bears, this has to be one of the best mmorpg that gotten the Bears Right! Also what was pretty wild is that the Ents were throwing bee hives at us and mixed with the excellent sound. FANTASTIC!
If you play the game to at least level 40 and still think the game sucks, well why did you even hang around to level 40?
People claim they leveled to 30 in Beta and it just didnt hold my ineterest. Let me see, BETA doesnt count. Its a BETA for a reason.
Anyways,
I am now level 29 on the game and its only getting better. I went to Rivendell and saw a level 50, of course the Gear looked great! Next time I am there I will get a pic.
But to the people that enjoy the game, keep going!
*Most* people make it L15 and give up? What does this say about the game? Speaks volumes to me.
Why do they give up do you think? It sure 'aint because the game is too tricky eh? Must be utter and complete boredom right? Most people you say...? lol
So... let me get this right... you are saying that people who leave too early, in your view, to have made an opinion are not worth listening too, a L30s from open beta player's opinion what this game is isnt worth listening too, and L40s who say that it still is as bad at that level are dismissed out of hand...
Tell me... *who* exactly has an opinion that is valid to you? Those that agree with you? lol
Hooray for the fanbois!
Some answer: Maybe, like my friend Highplain says above, if people don't want to play LotRO even past L15, then the game obviously isnt 'fine' from the start. Obviously, a lot of people don't wanna stick around even for 20 hours, but the question is why? If people are putting down your game, that they have paid for, without even completing the free sub then that sends a serious message about that game eh?
He says that *most* don't get past L15... Why is that, in your opinion?
Personally, I did way more then that, but then I love mmorpgs and like to give these things a chance.
So true. Add to this:
Everyone decides their "opininon" based on their very own experiences.
Trolls (unmature, socially lacking people seeking for a feedback of ANY kind, be it flaming or whatever) simply can't or don't want to accept these 2 facts above....
What's the point in trolling, then - besides the fight itself?
DB
Denial makes one look a lot dumber than he/she actually is.
LotRO is number one on the list because enough people like it, to vote for it. Clearly more people like it than dislike it.
As to why they like it more, you won't get a single answer to that. People have all different reasons as to why they think this is a great game, just as the people who dislike it have different reasons for disliking it.
As to why I like it, (because that I do) it is because there are loads of things to do. Lots of interesting quests and stories to follow, lots of interesting sights to see, loots of roleplaying going on, and I am never bored when I play. I can always find something entertaining to do.
Mass public opinion is rarely a reliable barometer of quality... or do you like everything thats popular?
Not quite as rare as you'd like to think (then again, that wouldn't suit your agenda, now would it?). The Lord of the Rings books themselves are highly popular, and are quality work. Stephen King is another example of an author with popular appeal and quality work. Let's just go through a rather long list then shall we? Shakespeare, the paintings of Michelangelo, the classical works of Mozart and Beethoven, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings Movies, Batman Returns, the list goes on.....
I'm sorry, vesavius, that you have misanthropic tendancies, that you hate the masses. It must be rather lonely. But sometimes the masses are right, and sometimes they know quality (as the list above shows) when they see it. It's too bad your hatred won't let you enjoy it.
(p.s., of course I expect you to try to derail this argument by saying I'm equating LOTRO to Shakespeare--which I'm not. )
I have no agenda, except an open and honest discussion about modern gaming, of which LotR is a sad testament to. Just to be clear.
Also, before you accuse anyone of being 'misanthropic', make sure you know them more then a few posts in a gaming forum. Lonely? er.. why would I be lonely? My friends, wife, and extended family make sure that never happens...Why the personal insults on such a base level? Just to attack me in order to cheapen my view? Very bad form, and very weak debate.
You obviusly think that anyone who disagrees with you is broken in some way, or that must be angry... This is extremely arrogant, as if 'normal' people *must* share your point of view. Where have I seemed angry in this, or any thread? Please feel free to quote me below.
I promise you, for evey 1 quality piece of popular culture, I can give you at least 10 pieces of utter crap that are at least as, or more, popular due to marketing and hype. You have chosen rare and outstanding works to prove a silly point.
I have agreed that 'sometimes' quality makes it into the public arena, so I don't know why you are being so personally vindictive here, but i also stated that it happens rarely. This is a true statement. You really need me to list popular trash writers, musicians, and film directors that that sell millions to a hyped up, stupified, undemanding audience? Your list may be 'rather long', but I bet my list outnumbers yours, like I say, at least 10:1 if I want it to.
Just because Shakespeare, or whoever, is considered classic and worthy, it dosent make them modern popular media anyhow, or at least not in their original form. Most for instance wouldnt know the story of 'The Taming of the Shrew' without '10 Things I Hate About You', which speaks volumes and supports my point. Most wouldnt recognise a Michelangelo piece if you showed it to them, unless it had been featured in the plot of Buffy that week.
If you are not comparing LotRO to these works, then why mention them...? What relevance do they have except to underline the rare cases in which challenging quality works make it into the public domain. Believe me when I say LotR is *not* one of these rare cases. You honestly think this game trades on anymore then a popular IP, simplistic non challenging play, and pretty environmental visuals? You are hilarious.
Derail the tread? Oops, seems like you already have...
btw, Stephen King is actually quite a poor writer in a number of ways, though of course he is very popular... His characterisations and core ideas are often good enough, though his pacing and plotting is often terrible. I would have thought you could have presented a better example then this of your 'point'.
I strongly disagree with you:
First: You call LOTRO a sad statement of "modern gamming", and also in previus post your judgment tell us that Vanguard is a better game. im letting out the whole beta retail issue which btw i think is a ethic issue more than anything, i want to see Toyota selling Camrys without brakes... o wait we are working on it, wait for the 10th patch.
Im not a certified "expert" about gamming and digital arts but. Im working towards it (reading and researching), the gap quality betewn vanguard and LOTRO is just Huge, starting by Vanguard`s unidbody desgin.
Vanguard chars design is nothing but the same body diferent scales and same animations!!, the Wulan look just lame.. a dude with a Wolf head.. give me a break. not cool... (at least not cool as do it in vanguard). Theres a lot of thecnical, artistic and design issues about this game i wont go on them just because IT would take to long, and i think they are pretty much obvius for people with common sense.
A side note about Vanguard: Brad Mcquaid spend the last 5 years doing a game that was released 10 years ago, that "vision" - "core gammer" meaningfull travell bullshit... its just another way of saying i dont have a freaking idea of how the industry is evolving, what its the real purpose of my game other than beeing killing the same freaking mob over and over again. And what about the Vanguard "lore" if you can call it like that.. a high scholl studen in a writting workshop comes out with better ideas.
Let me put an example, what is a Core Gammer?... not one single Brad Mcquaid post have define that, i mean how do you produce a 10million dollars game with out knowing who is aimed for? .Most pople guess: it is for the "Hard core" player the one with the inhuman hability to stay 10 hrs in a row in an alienation state (grindding). neverthless mcquaid has concur in a major flip flop trying to define what he should define 5 years ago.
In the other hand LOTRO and WOW are very clear what they want, who they want and were they are going with the game. Example: regular barrens chat : " OMFG lotro dont have a wizzard class wtf freaking turbine noobs.. " Noobs? not really they know where to aim for, they have a presice market.
Your arrogance in every single post is lacking of the essential a point to ilustrate us.. How and Why is LOTRO so lame.. according to you. That give me the impression that you are just a Generic POSER.
Please let me know how vanguard offers a superior intellectual "challenge" over LOTRO or WOW? I think that WOW was a huge stepp in the right direction after everquest, and now i think that LOTRO is another stepp in the same way... people who call lotro a WOW clone are making a simplistic analisys.
I dont hear people saying F.E.A.R copy Half LIfe and Half life first copy Doom right? its because there are some game mechanics that just works, and is the best to respect that, inovation can come in a more sutile way, like the mere fact that you level up by questing, LOTRO grinding is useless. Blizzard realise that in BC and they reduced the grindding a lot, theres a lot of it i know but you can go from 60 to 70 with tons of quest, compared to original WoW 50 to 60. Those are small changes that means a lot.
About popular culture I do agree that most of the mainstrem is lacking of intellectual deep, nevertheless most of those plastic artist have a very professional team behind. In a technicall point of view they have outstanding production you cant denny that. Even the britney spirs dancers and coreographers.. you can hate them, dislike them... but you cant say they dont know what they are doing.
LotRO is number one on the list because enough people like it, to vote for it. Clearly more people like it than dislike it.
As to why they like it more, you won't get a single answer to that. People have all different reasons as to why they think this is a great game, just as the people who dislike it have different reasons for disliking it.
As to why I like it, (because that I do) it is because there are loads of things to do. Lots of interesting quests and stories to follow, lots of interesting sights to see, loots of roleplaying going on, and I am never bored when I play. I can always find something entertaining to do.
Game is number one because people are enjoying themselves, what a concept
still number 1 at EBgames too I notice
www.ebgames.com/default.asp
that in itself must be really hurting the feelings of some of a lot of people.
I miss DAoC