Help Turbine help kids!
On October 20th, Team Turbine will be participating in Extra Life. A 24 hour gaming marathon to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
To F2P or not…
With the announcement of Bioware and EA’s joint project going to a hybrid subscription model what does that mean for the world of MMOs?
My first thought is nothing, I really believe that it is up to the developers and the MMO community to make that decision final. I mean as long as games like Rift and WOW are able to function with a subscription model that will still be the main goal for larger studios. After all they have to cover their budgets.
However smaller studios and those who don’t feel they need to be the only game you play will take the F2P or hybrid subscription model at inception.
Let’s talk free to play stigma and why it really shouldn’t be that way anymore.
Stigma part one if a game switches from a subscription to F2P they are a dying game and a last ditch effort to save themselves. I believe that this one mostly came from DDO making the switch because it was floundering. But games like Lord of the Rings Online did it completely to increase revenue. Mostly after seeing what the change did for DDO. Both of these game of course being published by Turbine.
I am sure that the swift manner in which Star Wars The Old Republic has decide to change most people are going to see this as a failure. I believe that in the eyes of the studios involved that may be the case. When your actual goal is to hit 13 million subscribers and take over the #1 spot anything less is a failure.
Next stigma if a game comes out as F2P it is low budget and not well made. Low budget maybe but not well made have you seen Firefall it is well polished, it still has some issues but it is in beta. Although most F2P games are Asian ports that don’t always translate well in the US and Canada doesn’t mean they are also bad games just that we aren’t the right audience for them.
With all that in mind are subscription MMOs dying? I don’t think so with WOW still running things. And games like Rift performing like it has. There is promise in a subscription based game. That being said it is going to take innovations like the ones in Rift and those that are being tried in games like The Secret World for that to remain true.
On the flip side games like Guild Wars 1&2, Firefall and LOTRO that are very solid MMOs. That you can play without spending a dime and they can and will continue to make the money needed to continue to develop content and turn a profit.
So what have we learned? That subscription or no there are all types of very strong MMOs out right now. So find one you might like or a couple and give them a try.
As always comment below, email Bor, or follow me on twitter @Th3B0rR3p0rt & @Bor_Jason and let me know what you think.
Lord of the Rings Online : Rise of Isengard : Tusks of the Boar
This is a battleground type instance that we tested during the closed beta remember this is in the beta and may be very subject to change or even removal.
Any comments or questions leave them below or email me at bor.nimrodel@gmail.com I’ll see you next time ~ Bor
Rise of Isengard™ Video Developer Diary : Dunland
Just released by Turbine the video dev-diary on Dunland : In this first Rise of Isengard™ Developer Diary, Senior World Designer Chris Pierson and Todd DeMelle, Director of Production and Concept Art, take you through the region of Dunland, introduce you to the diverse clans who dwell there, and talk about the inspirations and details that helped them to craft the region. Enjoy
Also with German andFrench Subtitles
(more…)
LOTRO Character Panel
Hey guys just a quick video showing the new character panel coming in the Echoes of the Dead update on the Bullroarer server coming “soon” to the live servers. Hope you enjoy it thanks for watching and I’ll see you in Middle-earth ~ Bor
You can read Tim “Raskolnikov” Lang’s new Developer diary here.
Turbine Store helpful links
Here are some helpful links for some information from the Turbine Stores including the Turbine Tuesday sales from the DDO and LOTRO Stores.
Dual Boxing Experiment
So the other Day I decided to try out Dual Boxing in LOTRO. After some trial and error I was able to get it working using the Lavish Software currently I am only running 2 accounts but I believe you can go as high as 5. You may ask why would you want to dual box? Well there are quite a few answers to this question but my answer is mostly to make it a different gaming experience. I am sure you have seen the videos on you tube of the guy running 5 RKs or Hunters with every key mapped so all 5 characters do the same moves at the same time. I have taken the approach of doing classes to support each other my first attempt is a Guardian and Rune-keeper combo. As of right now I am unsure whether this was a good choice or not but I’ll let you know. So far this has been quite fun although I am only at level 9 on my characters but so far I seem to be doing okay. I believe this may be the way I play from now one but we shall see I still have some more tweaking to do and a lot of experimenting I’ll post my thoughts and suggestions and answers to any questions you may have about this also thanks for reading and I’ll see you in Middle-earth ~ Bor.
Lord of the Rings Online Downtime
Turbine will be working on the game servers or sites.
Click the sign for more info.
Thanks for your patience, and we’ll see you back in the game soon!
Have fun and I will see you in Middle-earth ~ Bor
To Guardians
Recently I have received emails from Stratus of Crickhollow and Senseye of Evernight requesting some more information for Guardians I have chosen to answer them here. First there is a guide on the lorebook that is very involved you can find it here. Second as to virtues there are two very good resources the virtue finder at Mmorsel.com and the virtues tab at burgzerg.com. I have only used the one at burgzerg myself but try them out and see what you think.
Gondor Awaits Podcast
Greetings all,
Just a quick post to let you guys know that the Podcast is archived over at Mordor or Bust. For those who use Itunes and Zune to subscribe I do not believe the RSS feed will work anymore we are trying to tackle that problem but you can listen direct from the MoB site. I do not know how long I am going to be gone from the game but I will continue to answer any questions that I can get you an answer for. As to the emails I have outstanding I will get you the answers you want. Thanks you for your support and I’ll see you in Middle-earth ~ Bor
Downtime 9/27/2010
This Monday 9/27 the LOTRO game servers will be down for the first patch since F2P launch please check out the release notes as to the changes. Until later see you in Middle-earth ~Bor
Original post by Sapience
The LOTRO Game Servers will be brought down on Monday, September 27 from 6:00AM – 10:00AM Eastern (-5 GMT) for an update to the game. (Click here) to read about the changes. Bullroarer will remain up and available during the downtime. Thanks for your patience, and we’ll see you back in the game soon!
Captains lets finish this 61-65 for now
Captains are armoured melee fighters and masters of buffing; skills that enhance allies. They may summon a Herald companion to fight by their side, ensuring they always have an ally to buff. They can also Mark foes, giving benefits to all who attack them. In fellowships, a Captain supports his allies with healing and buffs, while still dealing respectable damage. The Captains of Middle-earth hold the future in their hands. By their own strength of arms and the inspiration they instill in others, they must lead the Free Peoples to victory. With this in mind let us move on into Mirkwood or soon into Enedwaith. You may want to wait to level 62 to head into Enedwaith but that is entirely up to you.
Hunters lets finish this 61-65 for now
Hunters are masters of field and forest, unmatched in their dexterity with the bow. They use their survival skills to guide companions and lay traps for enemies. The coming of the Enemy has forced them to adapt these skills to use against new prey. With this in mind let us move on into Mirkwood or soon into Enedwaith. You may want to wait to level 62 to head into Enedwaith but that is entirely up to you. (more…)
Guardians lets finish this 61-65 for now.
A doughty fighter and protector of the weak, a skilled Guardian can face even the toughest foes and survive. The Guardian is one of the few classes willing and able to try to draw more blows onto themselves, so they can retaliate with devastating maneuvers in response. and with this in mind let us move on into Mirkwood or soon into Enedwaith. You may want to wait to level 62 to head into Enedwaith but that is entirely up to you.
Captain's leveling guide 51-60
This week we cover the areas for leveling from 51-60 and the skills you will attain from them.
Having reached level 50 and finishing your level 50 class quest we can finish up in Eregion and move into Moria which is like nothing you have ever seen. Gaining access to Moria requires the purchase of the Moria expansion and the completion of Volume 2 Book 1 of the epic quest line, so we are going to operate on the assumption that you have both of these taken care of. After entering Moria you will first notice that it is huge with multiple quest hubs. The first few are levels 50-56 and then the lower levels are 55-60.
Another option once you are in the level 55-56 range is to quest in the outer Moria pre-Lothlorien areas for reputation with the Elves of Lothlorien which will grant you access to the Lothlorien areas. There are two Factions of Dwarves in Moria for reputation the Miners and the Guards both of them have decent
rewards. The Guards have a book for a legendary trait 
Master of Oaths from The Master of the Charge. The Miners have a Nimble Goat for you to purchase for 6
24
and of course for both rewards you need to be Kindred with both factions.
Contest for persons on Landroval
Middle-earth Chronicles is having a screen-shot contest for in game gold and Items head on over and check it out. Click the picture for more information.
Hunter's leveling guide 51-60
This week we cover the areas for leveling from 51-60 and the skills you will attain from them.
Having reached level 50 and finishing your level 50 class quest we can finish up in Eregion and move into Moria which is like nothing you have ever seen. Gaining access to Moria requires #1 the purchase of the Moria expansion and the completion of volume 2 book 1 of the epic quest line. so we are going to operate on the assumption that you have both of these taken care of. After entering Moria you will notice first that it is huge with multiple quest hubs the first few are level 50-56 and then the lower levels are 55-60. Another option once you are in the level 55,56 range is to quest in the outer Moria pre-Lothlorien areas for reputation with the Elves of Lothlorien which will grant you access to the Lothlorien areas. A few things of note there are two Factions of Dwarves in Moria for reputation the Miners and the Guards both of them have decent
rewards the Guards have a book for a legendary trait 
Improved Fleet Stance from The Jolly Hunter. The Miners have a Nimble Goat for you to purchase for 6 24 and of course for both rewards you have to be Kindred with both factions.
Guardian's leveling guide 51-60
This week we cover the areas for leveling from 51-60 and the skills you will attain from them.
Downtime Monday 8/30/2010
The LOTRO Game Servers and http://myaccount.turbine.com will be offline for maintenance on Monday, August 30 from 6:00AM to 2:00PM Eastern (-4 GMT). The forums and wikis will remain up, but players may not be able to log in. Click Sign for link to post by Sapience.
Captains………….It is time to become Legendary
Now it is time to cover The Noblest Path is Service your level 50 class quest that you can pick up from your class trainer.
Hunters………………………………..It is time to become Legendary!!
It is time for your level 50 class quest but first you’ll have to go to your local hunter trainer and he will guide you on your way. Your trainer will bestow the quest The Swiftest Arrow is Learning.
Guardians……………………It is time to become Legendary
This week we are going to cover the steps required to finish your level fifty class quests. nThe first thing you will notice when you go to your class trainer at level 45 they will have a quest for you The Bravest Deed is Selfless.
Th3 B0r R3p0rt 