Ouch. I just started playing LOTRO. I hope the game will be fine
Sorry for suggesting the Quad-pack... But if I wanna be honest, I think the doom'n'gloom on the forums is a bit rushed. Don't get me wrong, I feel for all the folks who lost their jobs... but as one commented in a sarcastic tone "is there anyone left at all for a layoff?", since Turbine had already, I don't know, two? three? layoffs since the early 2014.
And sure, it was clearly visible, cutting the costs, closing the servers, ditching the EU server move, letting go of the housing revamp, etc. But on the other hand they still managed to release a new Update every 6 months on schedule, adding a new pvp map, lots of smaller fixes and tweaks, and with the latest 18.2 a new raid and an extension of the housing system. (and DDO had their share of new stuff too)
We don't know what size of a team they will have after the layoffs, but even if you look at the worst case scenario, a skeleton crew on full maintenance mode - well, AC is still alive and kicking I think you'll be fine in the game for a while. Have fun with your warden
As for the "transition" and "re-focus", even if I'm not as strict as cheyane about mobile games, I do think it's an equally as dumb move as IC was. Not money-wise - I'm fairly certain they will make a nice profit on mobile - , but for everything else. Mobile is a whole different mindset, and I hope it won't affect LotRO or DDO. In a sense, if they truly want to re-focus on mobile, maybe it would be better if they simply just designate a maintenance crew for LotRO and leave it untouched
you can forget ME enterprises even allow for License renewal, as it's run by Tolkien's son and he is against everyone and everything when it comes with giving License rights. He is still pissed that his family lost the Movie rights and be glad for that, otherwise we would have never seen a single LOTR Movie nor the LOTRO game. If it was all up to him.
The tolkien estate has ZERO to do with the LOTR or Hobbit game licenses. You are confusing things I'm afraid. If the estate had the power there would have never been a single Hobbit/LOTR movie or game ever made. They can only step in if there is a violation of the original agreement his father made when selling the rights permanently
ME Enterprises is the saul zaents company and they have those rights. It's up to them on who gets licenses and it's not in their interest to not let anyone get the rights. But there's no reason to let Turbine retain the rights after 2017 - the game is dated and mostly crappy.
The Tolkien Family has ALL the rights to J.R.R Tolkien's work!
The only rights they no longer have are "movie" rights, as J.R.R. Tolkien sold them back in the 70's or so.
Please stop talking out of your anus.
"J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sold the film, stage and merchandising rights of those works to United Artists in 1968, who in turn sold them to The Saul Zaentz Company in 1976 which licenses them through Tolkien Enterprises."
Do some research. Because if you did you'd realize that Christopher Tolkien and the tolkien Estate would NEVER sell video game rights for any of Tolkiens work they have the rights to such as the silmarillion, lost tales ... That's why you've never seen any games based on those works but all kinds of crap, including pinball machines for the stuff JRR sold away in 1968.
We appreciate everyone's concerns for the team's well-being, and know that folks have seen and read your thoughts. We aren't able to comment specifically on personnel matters, especially when they come from business decision-making like this, but we would reiterate the part from yesterday's official statement that Lord of the Rings Online will continue to operate as it does now. Additionally, we'd like you to know that our development plans remain unchanged.
You'll notice that I'm posting this rather than Frelorn. Some of you may remember me from a few years ago when I did community work for LOTRO under Sapience, and filled in during the gap before Frelorn took over. I will be doing forum and community work for at least a while here, in addition to the work I do for Dungeons & Dragons Online. I'll chat more soon, and be available to answer whatever questions I can. In the meantime, if you are a streamer, fansite operator, podcaster, whatever, you can reach me through the forums here in addition to our typical LOTRO contact methods (Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
I don't understand this fascination with mobile devices. The few games I have on my phone or ipad are rarely used if ever. Even console is a far better experience. At present, mobile devices don't have the storage nor the bandwidth for even a half decent game.
I don't understand this fascination with mobile devices. The few games I have on my phone or ipad are rarely used if ever. Even console is a far better experience. At present, mobile devices don't have the storage nor the bandwidth for even a half decent game.
I don't "disagree" but they certainly cn have the storage - if a mobile device will take even a microSSD (so not an Apple product!) it can have more storage than many PCs. Bandwidth is another matter.
However as far as "popularity" goes it is not "popularity with end users" but "popularity with developers". Basically - the hope is - that as the numbers of devices / users is "very large" - much bigger than consoles and much, much bigger than PC users - then they will make a profit even if they only sell to a small percentage and an even smaller percentage spend money.
Add in that nominally they are "cheaper and quicker to develop" this means you can have "more rolls of the dice" so to speak for the same investment.
The first problem - of course - is that mobile is "cheaper and quicker" for all developers. Small developers as well as large. And as multiple companies have found out getting a first hit title is hard; getting a second very difficult indeed. EA and Popcom; Rovio Angry Birds; Zynga Farmville etc.
The second problem is that whilst developers get "100% of PC revenue" after various costs etc. they only get a percentage of mobile revenue depending on the platform - and still have the costs. Hence Activision Blizzard's numbers for e.g. HotS increased but their revenue went down - and was falling up until they bought King. So many more mobile users but potentially not as profitable.
Will WarnerBros / Turbine manage it? Time will tell.
Now they have announced 25% off skill cash shop items...
Normal though I suggest. Sales are common.
Of course they are but at the same time as they lay off and announce they are going strictly mobile development team? Seems kinda desperate to me but it is not like i know a lot about game industry anyways.
Boobs are LIFE, Boobs are LOVE, Boobs are JUSTICE, Boobs are mankind's HOPES and DREAMS. People who complain about boobs have lost their humanity.
Sad news. I've had some good times on DDO, even if I haven't gone back to it for years now. =/
I should give LotRO another try, so that I can at least experience it while it still has people.
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
"Operate as they do now" probably means no new content, maybe some bug fix patches, but perhaps development is at an end there.
F2P mobile development studio...well, sad as it is to say, I can't blame them since that's the currently exploding market. Heck, just look at Pokemon Go. One game like that, they can make tons more.
Too bad I hate mobile gaming.
You might be a pessimistic there. Here is a quote from a dev on the DDO forums:
"As with previous business-related decision-making like this, we really can't comment on personnel changes. We would like to reiterate the part from yesterday's statement that DDO will continue operating as it is now. We'd add that no changes have been made to our development plans."
I should give LotRO another try, so that I can at least experience it while it still has people.
:waving: Azaron People will be there, no need to worry about that - now with only 1/3 of the servers remained it's quite crowded even. I think those who are still there after all these years, will stay until the end But yep, LotRO worths an another try, you'll feel right at home, now it has trait trees, just like TOR had
As to Eberron, I thought the original Eberron setting was fantastic (for 3.5 - WotC screwed up their own setting under 4e) and could have made a wonderful MMO setting - I would have been FAR less interested in FR or Greyhawk. However, Turbine didn't do the setting justice. I was also in the friends & family alpha for DDO - the worst thing Turbine did was ignore tester feedback and continually make DDO less like D&D. Once DDO released, I never played again until it went F2P.
I still occasionally play LotRO but not frequently. It just never grabbed me as hard as many other MMOs for some reason. It certainly had it's good bits *shrug*. I play for a bit early on and then started up occasionally again when it went F2P.
I seriously doubt I will play any new Turbine games as I don't do much mobile gaming.
Active: D&D Online (alpha,beta,&unlimited)
Retired: Anarchy Online, Archlord (beta), Auto Assault (beta), CoH/CoV, Dark Age of Camelot, Dungeon Runners, Elder Scrolls Online, Everquest, EVE, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online (beta,live), Pathfinder Online (beta), Rift (beta,live), Secret World (beta,live), Star Wars Old Republic, Vanguard (beta), Warhammer (beta,live), World of Warcraft
"Operate as they do now" probably means no new content, maybe some bug fix patches, but perhaps development is at an end there.
F2P mobile development studio...well, sad as it is to say, I can't blame them since that's the currently exploding market. Heck, just look at Pokemon Go. One game like that, they can make tons more.
Too bad I hate mobile gaming.
You might be a pessimistic there. Here is a quote from a dev on the DDO forums:
"As with previous business-related decision-making like this, we really can't comment on personnel changes. We would like to reiterate the part from yesterday's statement that DDO will continue operating as it is now. We'd add that no changes have been made to our development plans."
Except they haven't said what their development plans are. Even "continue operating as it is now" is vague and not defined.
We know the team is smaller and that will affect development no matter what they say. I've been playing the game for about 9 years and 5 months. Turbine has said a lot of gray stuff over the years.
They really should lay out what those plans are and if the license will be renewed or the game continued past 2017. They won't, but they should. I'm not paying any more into the game until I know.
"Operate as they do now" probably means no new content, maybe some bug fix patches, but perhaps development is at an end there.
F2P mobile development studio...well, sad as it is to say, I can't blame them since that's the currently exploding market. Heck, just look at Pokemon Go. One game like that, they can make tons more.
Too bad I hate mobile gaming.
It does make sense but I don't think we will see an end to development just yet . My guess is the final patch of new content when it comes to lotro will be at the Black Gate where you are fighting alongside the fellowship in a last stand only to see the Tower of Sauron collapse in the distance .
I started in LOTRO in phase one beta, played almost a year before it launched and then all the way up to when it went free to play, had a great time in the game, made new friends that I still game with today, met the staff at pax east a great bunch.
The game has had a good run and still has some gas left in the tank, D&D Online was on it's deathbed, and Turbine pulled it out of what would have been the game going dark, both games I have fond memories of and had loads of fun with my friends. I wish them well with what ever their evil over lord WB has them do.
As a new DDO player (2 months), just leaving another game by another producer after 7 years, I find that I am so sorry I stuck with that other game for that amount of time. My loves are quests and dungeons. DDO suits me perfectly. I have quickly invested in expansion items and love the game. I find the DDO Store to have reasonable prices. I think there is more in this game and this world than I will ever have a chance to see. It is expansive, user friendly, creative, and just plan fun. So even if nothing new is added, I foresee that I will be there for a long, long time.
Sad news. I've had some good times on DDO, even if I haven't gone back to it for years now. =/
I should give LotRO another try, so that I can at least experience it while it still has people.
If you're in the US roll Crickhollow. It's a great server with a very diverse community.
Yep that is what I am playing on currently. Great community
I concur that Crickhollow is a very friendly server; haven't really played much on the others though - they could be great as well.
Haven't played the most recent content so my crafters can only make up to level 100 gear at the moment - all professions - but if you find yourself in need of something drop me a tell. (There were hundreds of "100s" using gear I had crafted!)
Turbine as an MMO maker is dead. Much like Mythic. The core group is all but gone and their promises for older games have evaporated into nothingness. Stick a fork in them.
Sad news. I've had some good times on DDO, even if I haven't gone back to it for years now. =/
I should give LotRO another try, so that I can at least experience it while it still has people.
If you're in the US roll Crickhollow. It's a great server with a very diverse community.
Yep that is what I am playing on currently. Great community
I concur that Crickhollow is a very friendly server; haven't really played much on the others though - they could be great as well.
While I mostly play on Eu, I too moved my few characters on US side from the closing servers to Fatty Bolger in Crickhollow Only festival and event-goer alts, in their twenties, haven't really played with them in the last couple months, just wanted to drop a hi to the fellow Crick residents
"Operate as they do now" probably means no new content, maybe some bug fix patches, but perhaps development is at an end there.
F2P mobile development studio...well, sad as it is to say, I can't blame them since that's the currently exploding market. Heck, just look at Pokemon Go. One game like that, they can make tons more.
Too bad I hate mobile gaming.
You might be a pessimistic there. Here is a quote from a dev on the DDO forums:
"As with previous business-related decision-making like this, we really can't comment on personnel changes. We would like to reiterate the part from yesterday's statement that DDO will continue operating as it is now. We'd add that no changes have been made to our development plans."
Except they haven't said what their development plans are. Even "continue operating as it is now" is vague and not defined.
We know the team is smaller and that will affect development no matter what they say. I've been playing the game for about 9 years and 5 months. Turbine has said a lot of gray stuff over the years.
They really should lay out what those plans are and if the license will be renewed or the game continued past 2017. They won't, but they should. I'm not paying any more into the game until I know.
So, yeah, there is a development plan, and a good part of it is even public.
First rule of business: "If your company is struggling, NEVER admit it. That is the path to certain failure".
I do not doubt for a second that Turbine will maintain the "business as usual" facade until 2 or 3 months before server shutdown. That is the accepted way to do it.
Publishing a 10-year development plan creates confidence in the product. It assures maximum sales over the 2-year period that you actually plan to run things...
If this three day old entry on thelayoff.com is something to go by, there really isn't much left of the old team - which wasn't really enormous to begin with.
This came from a friend of mine who used to work for Turbine and
still knows a few of the executives in the company: He was told by one
of those executives that one third of the Turbine employees had been
laid off and the programming staff has been cut down to three people on
LoTRO and three people on DDO. All the other programmers have been moved
over to the new mobile development stuff.
you can forget ME enterprises even allow for License renewal, as it's run by Tolkien's son and he is against everyone and everything when it comes with giving License rights. He is still pissed that his family lost the Movie rights and be glad for that, otherwise we would have never seen a single LOTR Movie nor the LOTRO game. If it was all up to him.
The tolkien estate has ZERO to do with the LOTR or Hobbit game licenses. You are confusing things I'm afraid. If the estate had the power there would have never been a single Hobbit/LOTR movie or game ever made. They can only step in if there is a violation of the original agreement his father made when selling the rights permanently
ME Enterprises is the saul zaents company and they have those rights. It's up to them on who gets licenses and it's not in their interest to not let anyone get the rights. But there's no reason to let Turbine retain the rights after 2017 - the game is dated and mostly crappy.
The Tolkien Family has ALL the rights to J.R.R Tolkien's work!
The only rights they no longer have are "movie" rights, as J.R.R. Tolkien sold them back in the 70's or so.
Actually they also have 'merchandising rights' although the extent and limitations on these rights has been challenged in a 2012 law suit, I have not heard of a settlement to that suit.
you can forget ME enterprises even allow for License renewal, as it's run by Tolkien's son and he is against everyone and everything when it comes with giving License rights. He is still pissed that his family lost the Movie rights and be glad for that, otherwise we would have never seen a single LOTR Movie nor the LOTRO game. If it was all up to him.
The tolkien estate has ZERO to do with the LOTR or Hobbit game licenses. You are confusing things I'm afraid. If the estate had the power there would have never been a single Hobbit/LOTR movie or game ever made. They can only step in if there is a violation of the original agreement his father made when selling the rights permanently
ME Enterprises is the saul zaents company and they have those rights. It's up to them on who gets licenses and it's not in their interest to not let anyone get the rights. But there's no reason to let Turbine retain the rights after 2017 - the game is dated and mostly crappy.
The Tolkien Family has ALL the rights to J.R.R Tolkien's work!
The only rights they no longer have are "movie" rights, as J.R.R. Tolkien sold them back in the 70's or so.
Please stop talking out of your anus.
"J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sold the film, stage and merchandising rights of those works to United Artists in 1968, who in turn sold them to The Saul Zaentz Company in 1976 which licenses them through Tolkien Enterprises."
Do some research. Because if you did you'd realize that Christopher Tolkien and the tolkien Estate would NEVER sell video game rights for any of Tolkiens work they have the rights to such as the silmarillion, lost tales ... That's why you've never seen any games based on those works but all kinds of crap, including pinball machines for the stuff JRR sold away in 1968.
PS: I'm putting you on ignore now as you're too belligerent and can't even take the time to verify what you claim.
See above. The question of whether or not the merchandising rights sold in 1968 does or does not include video games seems to be still undecided. His other works, however, as you state, are under the control of the estate and so long as the estate is under the effective control of Christopher Tolkien nothing is going to happen.
Comments
Sorry for suggesting the Quad-pack...
But if I wanna be honest, I think the doom'n'gloom on the forums is a bit rushed. Don't get me wrong, I feel for all the folks who lost their jobs... but as one commented in a sarcastic tone "is there anyone left at all for a layoff?", since Turbine had already, I don't know, two? three? layoffs since the early 2014.
And sure, it was clearly visible, cutting the costs, closing the servers, ditching the EU server move, letting go of the housing revamp, etc.
But on the other hand they still managed to release a new Update every 6 months on schedule, adding a new pvp map, lots of smaller fixes and tweaks, and with the latest 18.2 a new raid and an extension of the housing system. (and DDO had their share of new stuff too)
We don't know what size of a team they will have after the layoffs, but even if you look at the worst case scenario, a skeleton crew on full maintenance mode - well, AC is still alive and kicking
As for the "transition" and "re-focus", even if I'm not as strict as cheyane about mobile games, I do think it's an equally as dumb move as IC was.
Not money-wise - I'm fairly certain they will make a nice profit on mobile - , but for everything else. Mobile is a whole different mindset, and I hope it won't affect LotRO or DDO. In a sense, if they truly want to re-focus on mobile, maybe it would be better if they simply just designate a maintenance crew for LotRO and leave it untouched
"J. R. R. Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sold the film, stage and merchandising rights of those works to United Artists in 1968, who in turn sold them to The Saul Zaentz Company in 1976 which licenses them through Tolkien Enterprises."
Do some research. Because if you did you'd realize that Christopher Tolkien and the tolkien Estate would NEVER sell video game rights for any of Tolkiens work they have the rights to such as the silmarillion, lost tales ... That's why you've never seen any games based on those works but all kinds of crap, including pinball machines for the stuff JRR sold away in 1968.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle-earth_Enterprises
PS: I'm putting you on ignore now as you're too belligerent and can't even take the time to verify what you claim.
Cordovan
Boobs are LIFE, Boobs are LOVE, Boobs are JUSTICE, Boobs are mankind's HOPES and DREAMS. People who complain about boobs have lost their humanity.
However as far as "popularity" goes it is not "popularity with end users" but "popularity with developers". Basically - the hope is - that as the numbers of devices / users is "very large" - much bigger than consoles and much, much bigger than PC users - then they will make a profit even if they only sell to a small percentage and an even smaller percentage spend money.
Add in that nominally they are "cheaper and quicker to develop" this means you can have "more rolls of the dice" so to speak for the same investment.
The first problem - of course - is that mobile is "cheaper and quicker" for all developers. Small developers as well as large. And as multiple companies have found out getting a first hit title is hard; getting a second very difficult indeed. EA and Popcom; Rovio Angry Birds; Zynga Farmville etc.
The second problem is that whilst developers get "100% of PC revenue" after various costs etc. they only get a percentage of mobile revenue depending on the platform - and still have the costs. Hence Activision Blizzard's numbers for e.g. HotS increased but their revenue went down - and was falling up until they bought King. So many more mobile users but potentially not as profitable.
Will WarnerBros / Turbine manage it? Time will tell.
Boobs are LIFE, Boobs are LOVE, Boobs are JUSTICE, Boobs are mankind's HOPES and DREAMS. People who complain about boobs have lost their humanity.
I should give LotRO another try, so that I can at least experience it while it still has people.
My SWTOR referral link for those wanting to give the game a try. (Newbies get a welcome package while returning players get a few account upgrades to help with their preferred status.)
https://www.ashesofcreation.com/ref/Callaron/
You might be a pessimistic there. Here is a quote from a dev on the DDO forums:
"As with previous business-related decision-making like this, we really can't comment on personnel changes. We would like to reiterate the part from yesterday's statement that DDO will continue operating as it is now. We'd add that no changes have been made to our development plans."
People will be there, no need to worry about that - now with only 1/3 of the servers remained it's quite crowded even. I think those who are still there after all these years, will stay until the end
But yep, LotRO worths an another try, you'll feel right at home, now it has trait trees, just like TOR had
거북이는 목을 내밀 때 안 움직입니다
I still occasionally play LotRO but not frequently. It just never grabbed me as hard as many other MMOs for some reason. It certainly had it's good bits *shrug*. I play for a bit early on and then started up occasionally again when it went F2P.
I seriously doubt I will play any new Turbine games as I don't do much mobile gaming.
Active: D&D Online (alpha,beta,&unlimited)
Retired: Anarchy Online, Archlord (beta), Auto Assault (beta), CoH/CoV, Dark Age of Camelot, Dungeon Runners, Elder Scrolls Online, Everquest, EVE, Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online (beta,live), Pathfinder Online (beta), Rift (beta,live), Secret World (beta,live), Star Wars Old Republic, Vanguard (beta), Warhammer (beta,live), World of Warcraft
So, yeah, there is a development plan, and a good part of it is even public.
It does make sense but I don't think we will see an end to development just yet . My guess is the final patch of new content when it comes to lotro will be at the Black Gate where you are fighting alongside the fellowship in a last stand only to see the Tower of Sauron collapse in the distance .
That is about all we will see of Mordor .
>^*^<
거북이는 목을 내밀 때 안 움직입니다
I concur that Crickhollow is a very friendly server; haven't really played much on the others though - they could be great as well.
Haven't played the most recent content so my crafters can only make up to level 100 gear at the moment - all professions - but if you find yourself in need of something drop me a tell. (There were hundreds of "100s" using gear I had crafted!)
I do not doubt for a second that Turbine will maintain the "business as usual" facade until 2 or 3 months before server shutdown. That is the accepted way to do it.
Publishing a 10-year development plan creates confidence in the product. It assures maximum sales over the 2-year period that you actually plan to run things...
This came from a friend of mine who used to work for Turbine and still knows a few of the executives in the company: He was told by one of those executives that one third of the Turbine employees had been laid off and the programming staff has been cut down to three people on LoTRO and three people on DDO. All the other programmers have been moved over to the new mobile development stuff.
https://www.thelayoff.com/t/IiCSA08
His other works, however, as you state, are under the control of the estate and so long as the estate is under the effective control of Christopher Tolkien nothing is going to happen.