Archive for September, 2008

Codemasters quietly introduces GM support for player run events

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

I’m not sure that many people noticed but earlier this month (5th September) Codemasters announced that they would start to support player run events on the official EU forums. The are trialling this programme with running events at off-peak hours so that usual in-game support is not affected. All events will be held outside the peak play time window of 18.00 – 21.00 hours BST, (UK time).

The good news is that this comes with a sensible set of restrictions, so we won’t be seeing the Balrog in the Shire any time soon, nor can you request expensive rewards. But you can request a few waves of monsters appropriate to the area you are in, and the level of the participants.

((Thanks to Merecraft/Thorney for the tip))

Q+A With Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Can you take the new goat mounts out of Moria? You can get you own and take it out of Moria, but horses cannot be taken in.

Is there a mount reward for book 15? There has been no announcements about a mount reward for book 15.

Where will the next set of expansions add areas? Further expansions will grow Moria and outside of it.

Are you planning to introduce better kinship tools? They want to add lots of ideas, and have a design for a matchmaking system, but it might take some time to get it implemented.

Will there be better web access to the in game information soon? They are trying to figure out how to do it, but it’s a lot of work. But they know how important it is, it is hard because of the translation issues.

What’s happening with crafting?
There will be an extra tier and a lot more recipes, but no new professions. Master craftsmen will be able to take a crafting specialization, for certain types of things, this will give you a crafting hall, and a guild hall, with special quests, vendors and NPCs that will aid you in your specialization. Crafting is also tied to the item advancement, as master craftsmen will be able to craft some base legendary items.

Will there be an increase in the minimum PC specification? The engine was re-engineered to support this new level of detail, so the same spec of PC should be fine. Everything that you see is real, none of this texture, or sky dome, it’s a landscape. Basically two landscapes are used one above the other. Some other places should also be more efficient than it was before. The basic ideas were tried out in the ice cave in Forchel, and the big cavern in the Rift.

The lighting in Moria looks different, why? In some of the dark places the player has light emanating from you so you can see close by but not into the distance. Also there is much less ambient light, with most light coming from specific items. There will be torches, crystals and light reflectors.

Any changes to the housing areas? Nothing new for Moria.

Will we find anything in our bags that could already be epic weapons? It probably won’t be at the moment, but if you do a raid at level 50 once Moria comes out it will be deconstructable. The Balrog’s sword is not in particular is not deconstructable.

Are there different routes to max out same virtues to the cap? They didn’t know the answer to this one.

Are there taverns in Moria? There are social centres.

The Madhouse Tavern

Monday, September 29th, 2008

lordoftheringsonline.net is better known as the Madhouse Tavern and is probably the best known European fan site for LOTRO. The site is hosted by Nikki (Landlady) and Krispy (Landlord) both who regularly attend Codemasters’ events and post up their thoughts very quickly afterwards (they had posted a story on the recent preview event in London, a few hours before I even got home!). They also hold regular competitions, which in the past have included copies of the game as prizes and a specially hosted tour with Weta’s Swordsmith at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.

The site has recently had a major graphical redesign and now looks better than ever. It offers a good range of community forums, which are not tied to any Kinship. Whilst there are relatively few posts on the site, one of the regulars will normally respond to most posts within a few hours, making it a great resource for those just starting the game and not wanting to experience the frantic nature of the official forums.

There is an extensive gallery featuring images from throughout the game world as well as the forthcoming Mines of Moria areas. Lastly there is also a signature generator, so you can quickly make up a great image which contains details of your character to add to all your forum posts.

Highly recommended for all players, and a great starting point for new players who like a quiet life and supportive environment!

- Renkosi

Saddle sore…

Monday, September 29th, 2008

Well after a year and a bit last month I finally reached my 50th season, so I’m ready for the Mines to be opened up. Like Jimogo I’m on the EU-RP server Laurelin, unlike Jimogo I’m well established in a kin (Stout n Sturdy) and ready for Moria, I’m a Dwarf Champion and a Historian. Whilst I’ve reached the season (level) cap, I still have a lot to do, I have traits grind, I need to get myself to be a grand master scholar and I need to finish those epic books (I’m at the start of book 8). So if anybody wants to join up give me a shout.

I’m also (like many others) playing an alt, Evanna a Human Captain, should you want to join myself an Jimogo in the low level areas -we are in the Old Forest at the moment- give us a shout.

- Renkosi

New to the Rings?

Monday, September 29th, 2008

Not all of us out there will be entering into Moria straight away. The monsters are bigger and harder then anywhere else, so expect to have to be around lvl 50 to venture into the deeps. But the release of the new expansion is most definitely good news for those thinking of jumping into the game. Not only is this the first of what Jeffrey Steefel executive producer of LotRO said he was hoping would be an annual expansion to the game (so additional content is still coming out), but also lots of those people who have been playing for a while will be starting up new characters in the two new classes (so plenty of people in the starting areas to form fellowships with).

I’m pretty sure my level 15 Hobbit Minstrel won’t be getting to Moria any time soon (I’ve hardly adventured beyond the Shire!), but with free expansions planned for Moria I expect it to be even bigger and better when I do arrive. Incidentally, those Dwarfs better make good pie. Because with all the walking its going to take to get there; I’m going to be hungry.

-Jimogo