Gaming Unscripted – There and Back Again a LOTRO Tale - MMORPG.com

SBFord · May 2019

Gaming Unscripted – There and Back Again a LOTRO Tale - MMORPG.com

Where do we begin? Where else other than the beginning. Lord of the Rings Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game that takes you to the world of Middle-Earth. It originally launched in April of 2007 during a time where you already had games like Star Wars Galaxies and World of Warcraft. It is based on the book sources and it gives you a much purer sense of what Tolkien’s stories were about. Turbine took the reins of the game and here we are 12 years later celebrating the world we love to visit.

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Amathe · May 2019

Good article.

Scot · May 2019

An insightful potted history of the game.

I was a founder myself only one of two games I have ever pre-ordered, though I never take part in betas. For me my Lotro experience lasted seven years then another year on and off.

It had the best roleplaying server I have played on, bearing in mind it came out when roleplaying was dying out in MMORPG's. In many ways it was a last hurrah for a type of MMO that relied on expansions not cash shop transactions, created a big gaming world, looked after role players and was not easy mode from day one. Not surprising then it pips DAOC and is my favourite MMORPG.

The graphics have stood the test of time more than any other MMO launched 12 years ago I know of. But three big changes mean it is not the game it once was. First the introduction of a cash shop that was considered so good that it got its own name "The Turbine model", but by no longer than a year after that was indistinguishable from all the other cash shops. Secondly they totally changed the combat system in terms of what power/skills you used, I have never spoken to anyone who thought the new system was better, to me it was much poorer. Finally the move to easy mode, I did group but mostly soloed to top level with some raids and small group content. But you were always on alert, a single wrong pull could kill you. Now you can just waltz around and take on anything.

But it is very rare for MMOs now to not have a dodgy cash shop and be beyond easy mode, so Lotro still stands out as one of the best MMORPG's out there in spite of that.

Amathe · May 2019

Scot said:

only one of two games I have ever pre-ordered

You can't just put that out there and not say what the other one was! C'mon man.

Grats on Legendary btw.

Sovrath · May 2019

This is, essentially my main mmorpg.

Unlike more modern games, it feels like a world.

Thawolf1 · May 2019

Scot said:

An insightful potted history of the game.

I was a founder myself only one of two games I have ever pre-ordered, though I never take part in betas. For me my Lotro experience lasted seven years then another year on and off.

It had the best roleplaying server I have played on, bearing in mind it came out when roleplaying was dying out in MMORPG's. In many ways it was a last hurrah for a type of MMO that relied on expansions not cash shop transactions, created a big gaming world, looked after role players and was not easy mode from day one. Not surprising then it pips DAOC and is my favourite MMORPG.

The graphics have stood the test of time more than any other MMO launched 12 years ago I know of. But three big changes mean it is not the game it once was. First the introduction of a cash shop that was considered so good that it got its own name "The Turbine model", but by no longer than a year after that was indistinguishable from all the other cash shops. Secondly they totally changed the combat system in terms of what power/skills you used, I have never spoken to anyone who thought the new system was better, to me it was much pooper. Finally the move to easy mode, I did group but mostly soloed to top level with some raids and small group content. But you were always on alert, a single wrong pull could kill you. Now you can just waltz around and take on anything.

But it is very rare for MMOs now to not have a dodgy cash shop and be beyond easy mode, so Lotro still stands out as one of the best MMORPG's out there in spite of that.

Yea I didn't go much into the cash shop or anything like that in my article. As far as Easy mode is concerned, having played the game since beta I definitely have seen the change from a challenging game to a bit easier on the solo side. Before I started recording (I failed lol) I was in a cave troll killing elites and they could get me down to 1/4 health before they died. They are a little stronger than my character at this point too. I also have leveled so many characters that it isn't funny. I felt for Anor I would go with the Hunter to endgame because it was one character I never really played. I have always been a Captain, or a Warden myself. Thanks for your input on this. I like this kind of positive responses and discussion about games.

Scot · May 2019

Amathe said:

Scot said:

only one of two games I have ever pre-ordered

You can't just put that out there and not say what the other one was! C'mon man.

Grats on Legendary btw.

The other was ESO, it was down to having a lot of people I knew who were playing from launch. That still happens but that was an aberration from letting them test the game for me before I decided.

Yes someone was foolish enough to promote me to Orange, it is not automatic you know, I guess I got it for all my positivity and cheer leading of mobile gaming.

Thawolf1 · May 2019

Sovrath said:

This is, essentially my main mmorpg.

Unlike more modern games, it feels like a world.

Exactly, it is a huge open world that only has small loading screens for going into areas like caves and stuff. It what I would want for an single player RPG world wise.

Amathe · May 2019

Scot said:

I guess I got it for all my positivity and cheer leading of mobile gaming.

I am more picturing a scene from Animal house. "Need the dues!"

Viper482 · May 2019

Everyone who loves MMOs should support this wonderful game at least one month per year.

Viper482 · May 2019

Deyirn said:

As I'm getting mentally prepared to jump into WoW Classic, I figured I should yet again try to get into LOTRO and maybe buy some story packs to keep me engaged until WoW Classic comes.

After playing LOTRO for an hour and only reaching level 5, I uninstalled the game. The game is so clunky, the combat is stiff and unresponsive, there seems to be some input delays, sounds of skills and auto-attack desyncs all the time, I can run game with over 150 FPS on Max so that's not a problem for me, on Lowest I get over 300 FPS so PC specs is not the problem here.

The story of the game may be really engaging, but I'm afraid I will never get to experience it, because the game feels fundamentally unpolished. With risking to sound entitled and arrogant, I wonder how can Standing Stone (and Turbine before them) ask money for such a poorly made game.

Vanilla WoW (from 2004, which is still used for private servers and I played last in January 2019) feels so much more responsive and snappy/fluid when it comes to input responsiveness, camera movement, skill usage, sound sync, etc. Even WoW's old graphics have aged gracefully, while LOTRO (while I like old school graphics) just looks painfully outdated.

Just go back to WoW, you are better suited for it....and it for you.

Sovrath · May 2019

Deyirn said:

As I'm getting mentally prepared to jump into WoW Classic, I figured I should yet again try to get into LOTRO and maybe buy some story packs to keep me engaged until WoW Classic comes.

After playing LOTRO for an hour and only reaching level 5, I uninstalled the game. The game is so clunky, the combat is stiff and unresponsive, there seems to be some input delays, sounds of skills and auto-attack desyncs all the time, I can run game with over 150 FPS on Max so that's not a problem for me, on Lowest I get over 300 FPS so PC specs is not the problem here.

The story of the game may be really engaging, but I'm afraid I will never get to experience it, because the game feels fundamentally unpolished. With risking to sound entitled and arrogant, I wonder how can Standing Stone (and Turbine before them) ask money for such a poorly made game.

Vanilla WoW (from 2004, which is still used for private servers and I played last in January 2019) feels so much more responsive and snappy/fluid when it comes to input responsiveness, camera movement, skill usage, sound sync, etc. Even WoW's old graphics have aged gracefully, while LOTRO (while I like old school graphics) just looks painfully outdated.

Aren't the graphics calculated/processed on your computer but "delays" more dependent on your connection?

I can say that the Warhorse system is very laggy, that would be true. But the combat is responsive. Not beautiful and with some very stilted animations, but responsive. Unless of course the connection has issues.

I'm more than happy to call out Lord of the Rings Online for what I think its shortcomings are (bad art design, stilted animations, some very bad Story decisions in the main quests, etc) but the combat is responsive. Maybe world of warcraft is "more" responsive? That's a possibility.

perrin82 · May 2019

Scot said:

An insightful potted history of the game.

I was a founder myself only one of two games I have ever pre-ordered, though I never take part in betas. For me my Lotro experience lasted seven years then another year on and off.

It had the best roleplaying server I have played on, bearing in mind it came out when roleplaying was dying out in MMORPG's. In many ways it was a last hurrah for a type of MMO that relied on expansions not cash shop transactions, created a big gaming world, looked after role players and was not easy mode from day one. Not surprising then it pips DAOC and is my favourite MMORPG.

The graphics have stood the test of time more than any other MMO launched 12 years ago I know of. But three big changes mean it is not the game it once was. First the introduction of a cash shop that was considered so good that it got its own name "The Turbine model", but by no longer than a year after that was indistinguishable from all the other cash shops. Secondly they totally changed the combat system in terms of what power/skills you used, I have never spoken to anyone who thought the new system was better, to me it was much poorer. Finally the move to easy mode, I did group but mostly soloed to top level with some raids and small group content. But you were always on alert, a single wrong pull could kill you. Now you can just waltz around and take on anything.

But it is very rare for MMOs now to not have a dodgy cash shop and be beyond easy mode, so Lotro still stands out as one of the best MMORPG's out there in spite of that.

Also a founder and played in closed beta. Fully agree with the assessment above. Had some good times, but due to some changes I didn't understand I couldn't continue to play. My LoreMaster is retired, drinking some mead in the Prancing Pony in Bree.

azarhal · May 2019

Unlike the author of the article, I did not buy a LOTRO VIP membership and I regret it. I would probably return more often to the game if I did.

[Deleted User] · May 2019

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Gutlard · May 2019

LOTRO is my home I think. I tried WoW as my first MMORPG experience, and WoTLK was fun at the time, but when I tried LOTRO soon after, I fell in love with the genre. I jumped on the Lifetime sub and have never looked back.

I wish they gave the game the right kind of love that players actually want, though. Some of the changes had me thinking if they listened to us at all. There are a lot of passionate players with great ideas, but they mostly seem to be ignored. PvMP could def use some love/changes too.

I also hated the cash shop, and when they said it would never have P2W items in it at the beginning I didn't believe it then either...

If ever another Middle-Earth RPG/MMORPG comes out I hope the games get the love they deserve.

I could totally play LOTRO 2.0, just on new systems, for another 12 years. Or the Middle Earth Online I think this was originally supposed to be.

Gut Out!

Asheram · May 2019

Not neccessarily on topic but not far off it, who is going to watch Tolkien this friday?

[Deleted User] · May 2019

The user and all related content has been deleted.

Revy106 · May 2019

I had VIP life time from day one to but sadly when I moved to Japan I missed my email about the company transfering over and they deleted my original VIP account, after sending the original keys pictures of the boxes and the keys (Even the original 10 day early access key) they said they couldnt do anything so it ended my return to this game

SirAgravaine · May 2019

It's pretty sad when a 12 year old game has better animations that ESO.

shetlandslarsen · May 2019

Still a good game and in general an exellent community.

cameltosis · May 2019

LotRO was my home for five years, played pretty much solidly from launch with only a short break to try out WAR. Many of my favourite gaming moments came from LotRO and in my opinion it had the best combat system of any MMO I've played.

What I loved most was the depth of the combat mechanics.

First, resource management. I thought this was just standard but every MMO I've played since doesn't have it. Your power/mana pool refils in a couple of seconds in modern games, removing all talent.

Second, group and situational skills! My captain had a fairly short rotation (7 skills iirc) but about 25 situational abilities. This meant that success in combat always came down good decision making, rather than stats/gear or twitch reflexes. for me, this made the combat in LotRO way more intellectually engaging and thus much more enjoyable. It took me about 4 months to master my first class (captain), compared to something like SWTOR which took about 1 week.

Beyond the combat being deeper and more engaging than all other MMOs I've played, LotRO had a great open world and a fantastic community. It was a real pleasure to explore the world and I'm still friends with some of the people I met in LotRO all those years ago.

There were a number of things that drove me away from the game:

1) Solo / Easy Mode.
I don't know how many people will remember, but LotRO was heavily group focused at launch. You got your first group mission within the first 30 minutes of logging in and they never stopped. It was impossible to reach lvl50 without doing lots of the group content because there simply wasn't enough solo content in the game. If you skipped the solo content, you had to grind mobs for hours instead. THIS IS WHY THE COMMUNITY WAS GREAT! The game conditioned every single player to get used to grouping, so we all did it all the way to cap. Pugs were common, successful and a lot of fun. When players hit the level cap, they knew how to play their class properly. We learnt to play the game together and this created the awesome community.

However, turbine changed their minds very early. Even before Moria, they started revamping leveling zones to remove group content. Moria itself had virtually no group content until endgame, same with Mirkwood. Further revamps took what little challenging solo content there was and dumbed it down.

I also hated the quest indicator. Originally, you had to actually read the quest text to figure out where to go and what to do. This forced all players to genuinely connect with the quest and the world. When they introduced the quest indictator, that all went out the window.

2) F2P
First, there was the hit on the community. The F2P players were not as friendly as the original players and the community suffered a lot. With the changes to making the game so solo, this new breed of F2P player sucked big time. Whilst the LotRO community did remain better than other MMOs, the F2P community was only about half as good as the pre-f2p community.

then, there was the effect on the content. it dried up and the quality dropped a lot.

finally, the monetisation. it sounded great to begin with, but it wasn't long until they started adding items that were verging on p2w. The scrolls that permanently raised your stats became a requirement. luckily my free points from my sub were enough to get them all, but those items shouldn't have been there in the first place.

3) Lack of endgame content.

Turbine never got a handle on PvP. There was a sweet spot during SoA when the PvP was amazing for about 3 months (after they released delving of fror) but after that it wasn't great.

Moria had some nice 6 mans but launched with just 1 single-boss raid. Got better later on but took a while.

Mirkwood was the worst. For over a year all we had was 1 6man dungeon and 1 3boss raid. The raid they added later on was, luckily, really good but we had a year of shit.

Isenguard, cant remember what dungeons they had but launched with only 1 1boss raid. don't get me wrong, Draigoch looked cool and the tactics were fun, but it wasn't difficult. I then left before the next raid came out.

I think I'm lucky with quitting when I did. All my friends that stuck around for Rohan said it sucked. Then came the massive class revamps, so even though the game had been moving towards easymode, turbine revamped everythign to make it super-easy mode. Then came big battles, with Turbine removing raids altogether.

TL;DR - LotRO was amazing at launch but followed the same route as every other MMO - slowly getting easier, dumber, quicker and generally less interesting over time. If all you care about is story and interesting vistas, the game is still worth playing. If you value gameplay, then probably give it a miss.

flizzer · May 2019

I find LOTRO a much better looking game than WoW and having a better story and lore than WoW. Obviously there is a wide range of opinions on this issue.

Sovrath · May 2019

cameltosis said:

TL;DR - LotRO was amazing at launch but followed the same route as every other MMO - slowly getting easier, dumber, quicker and generally less interesting over time. If all you care about is story and interesting vistas, the game is still worth playing. If you value gameplay, then probably give it a miss.

It had more group content but it came and went. I recall having to group for a quest and then once done there was no need for the group.

I agree that one used to have to read the quest text to figure out where you had to go. So pissed that they added quests to a quest tracker.

Elder Scrolls Online has the same problem. "Search the area ... " but in reality go to where the ^ is.

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