Fast Facts
Name:
Lord of the Rings Online
Acronym:
LotRO
Developer:
Turbine
Publisher:
Turbine
Release Date:
4/24/07
Country:
USA
Genre:
RPG
ESRB Rating:
Teen

Features

12 Nov 2009 12:00
Dev Chat Log

We had a chance to chat with the developers of Lord of the Rings Online. If you missed the chat, don't worry here is the transcript of it.

WarCry Icemasta: Will all items be available for a certain amount of skirmish marks or will there be a need for higher grade marks from 3-6-12 man skirmishes to get certain items? Will the skirmish barter system be similar to that of PvMP in which you can buy lowest item by just using the lowest marks and buy the best quality item using normal marks, and a combination of purple, blue and yellow marks?
jwbarry All items will be available for purchase for all players. Small Tokens come from and 3 man skirmishes. Large Tokens come from 6 and 12 man skirmishes. Some rewards require Small Tokens and some require Large Tokens, in addition to an amount of Skirmish Marks.

Read on to see what all the developers had to say.

3 Nov 2009 12:00
Previews

Jim Moreno delves into the dim forest of Mirkwood for a hands-on look at the upcoming Lord of the Rings Online expansion.

12 Jun 2009 12:00
Dev Chat Log

We would like to thank Turbine and Codemasters for taking time out of their busy schedule to chat with us. Here is the transcript from the developer chat if you missed it:

WarCry: Vetaro: Does it feel discouraging when players tend to only focus on bad things about new content a while after it went live? Critics always scream louder than happy players...
Orion: Not at all. In fact, criticism is excellent it lets us know where we need to improve. The only frustration that arises in when you cannot answer someone as honestly as you would like, due to the rules and regulations in place. Every time that we see something negative we look at the complaints objectively, go back into the game and see what the core of the issue is and see if we can find out what the loud voices are truly trying to say.
Orion: More often than not the screams can be addressed with something fairly minor. Sometimes, the negative highlights deep-seeded issues and we can make people feel better. I learned a long time ago that you need to have a thich skin in this industry. Keep on smiling and never let them see you sweat.

Also a German translation has been made available at http://www.buffed.de/forum/index.php?showforum=44

4 Jun 2009 12:00
Dev Chat Log

We had the chance to host a chat with some of the developers for Lord of the Rings Online!

Check out what the devs had to say to questions from players:

WarCry: MataTahu: Question for Fantus and the rest of the World Team: Any chance you could dangle a bite in front of us, of what areas of the map are due to be released "soon"? Soon meaning in the forseeable but indefinite future, of course!
Fantus: We are working hard on Mirkwood at the moment, as well as several instances. As far as when you will get them? Soon.
Fantus: We plan on going to new areas after that, but that is a bit too far in advance to fill you in on, just yet.

2 Jun 2009 12:00
Previews

John Funk tours the upcoming Lord of the Rings Online Book 8 and the celebrations of the Summer Festival.

11 May 2009 12:00
Editorials

In this installment, Jonathan Steinhauer looks at the last MMO class archetypes, the Healer, and why this role at least is solidly developed.

7 May 2009 12:00
Editorials

GamerZines files their next blog post in the series with How to create the perfect MMO - Part 6.

But here we go, the final thing that I think need to happen in the next-gen of MMOs is homogenisation.

5 May 2009 12:00
Editorials

Gamerzines' latest editorial series hits the interwebs today with How to make the perfect MMO - Part 5.

By ensuring that the MMO world is governed by rules that make sense, you create a world the player can believe in more, and offer more gameplay ideas.

30 Apr 2009 12:00
Editorials

GamerZines rolls out the next article in their series, How to make the perfect MMO - Part 3, with a closer look at craft skills.

Crafting is an idea that is arguable the only original gameplay idea to have appeared in MMOs over single player RPGs (discuss!).

29 Apr 2009 12:00
Editorials

The GamerZines blog starts the day off early with How to make the perfect MMO - Part 2, taking a look at two crucial gameplay elements.

The second development that I think will shape the next generation of MMOs is actual a combination of two, but both are required to work together: persistence and story.