Mines of Moria (expansion) webby up.

[Mrbloodworth]

Link?

NVM, i'm dumb.

[Stormwaltz]

While I appreciate the effort to explain how it's not magic, except it is magic, I think the argument just ended up defeating itself.

[Tarami]

While I appreciate the effort to explain how it's not magic, except it is magic, I think the argument just ended up defeating itself.

I don't really think they're de facto defending it (they likely know how... bad it is), they're just trying to avoid getting lynched by a mob of Tolkien purists. The debate (well, trolling...) is all over the official boards. Personally I don't really care, to be honest. They sound fun.

[Hutch]

The Tolkien purists might form a significant segment of their message board dwellers. I wonder how many people are actually playing that see the lack of "wizards" as a feature, rather than a deficiency.

It doesn't seem too risky to me. They're hoping that Moria will draw in more new subscriptions than they stand to lose by putting in a fireball-lobbing mage class. I think it's worthwhile. I think the tooth-gnashing will become a thing of the past once the expansion drops and everyone starts goggling at the visuals of Khazad-Dum.

Besides, my character already lobs fireballs. Dressing it up as a pinch of volatile chemicals, or whatever, doesn't change the effect. Anyone who's playing this game has already accepted fast travel, instanced housing, character resurrection, and other MMO staples, so using the power of rune stones to toss a lightning bolt isn't such a big stretch. I'd personally prefer to wave a wand or a staff around, but the stones show Turbine's willingness to bend over backwards on the lore thing.

[Tarami]

LMs got staffs as their class weapon, otherwise I'm guessing they would be the obvious choice - although that might have made them too similar to the pre-existing wizards and too strongly associated with them.

But aye, my beef with the Tolkien purists is just that - there's so much that's already "motivated" that being uptight about the RK is a bit hypocritical. I like that it's "not WoW" as they call it, but I think that's more because of the general direction than it being very true to LotR.

Actually the number of protestors has been small, but they've been VERY vocal about it. I'm guessing there are no more than 10 or 15 people who have been repeating the same arguments over and over, in every thread even tangentially relating to magic, Jeffrey Steefel (he does say some stupid shit now and then) or RKs. The real number of people who will quit is likely very small - and half of them are lifetime subscribers anyways. 

[Ingmar]

Wait, wait, wait. Why are we calling the idea of leveling up items innovative and not annoying? People *hated* it in DAOC.

[Tarami]

Wait, wait, wait. Why are we calling the idea of leveling up items innovative and not annoying? People *hated* it in DAOC.

LotRO isn't a PvP game, to begin with, which saves it from alot of embarrassing design flaws even today. Done right, it might be a cool feature rather than an obligatory grind. I see where you're coming from though - but the jury is out until I've tried it.

No, I don't sit here pressing F5 all day to defend LotRO against every notion of criticism. 

[Yegolev]

Already using magic.  Next argument, please.

I actually like hustling pies around from town to town, and I'm pretty excited about leveling weapons in a game that isn't Disgaea.

[Mrbloodworth]

This are the same discussions (on the OF) that happened with the lore master. Pay no heed.

[Mrbloodworth]

MoM Video!

[Tarami]

It's the same I posted a few days back, or? I couldn't notice any difference... it's available in hi-res here: I, too, am a link.

[Mrbloodworth]

My bad if it is.

[Tarami]

Not my intention to be snarky, sorry! Still worth watching if you haven't seen it.

[Mrbloodworth]

[Tarami]

LotRO always have had cool, nasty mobs. The one with no eyes creeps me out a little actually.

[Stormwaltz]

Some interesting stuff up on TenTonHammer today. First, the secret of Moria's roof:

"What we did to allow our technology to make these huge cavernous spaces was alter the technology so that the ground players are walking on is actually landscape terrain and the ceiling above the player is actually inverted terrain," Steefel noted. "We make two pieces of terrain and actually put the world between them. This allows us to treat everything in the world - walls, floors, ceilings - as landscape. It has physics. It has form. It's not skydome textures."

Second, in-game video of the flashback instance showing the release of Durin's Bane. Spoilers, obviously.

[Signe]

So they have some special running where you can return for the next several days and I was going to give it a go and then I started thinking about my ugly ass characters and how I would be running from one place to another and doze off from boredom waking up later standing around looking ugly ass and decided I just couldn't face it again. 

[Yegolev]

My hobbit is totally sexy.  Especially when she's smoking a pipe.

[Mrbloodworth]

My hobbit is totally sexy.  Especially when she's smoking a pipe.

True story, i have seen her.

[Tarami]

http://trailer.onlinewelten.com/videos,id4912,herr_ringe_online_minen_moria_preview_event.html

Long movie from a MoM presentation, it's slow to load (especially for Americans I can imagine) so start it and then pause to let it preload. It's definititly worth your time, lots of fly-throughs and a detailed explanation of the legendary items. Honestly, the environments are just blowing my mind.

[Yegolev]

I'm more interested in a release date.

[Stormwaltz]

I'm more interested in a release date.

Gamestop yesterday said November 11. But you know how reliable their release dates are.

[Yegolev]

I'm only level 16 so I am probably OK.

[Stormwaltz]

The Burglar, Lore-Master, and Hunter "beyond level 50."

[Stormwaltz]

Official release date: November 18.

[Tarami]

Dr. Zoidberg: Woop-woop-woop-woop!

[Yegolev]

Pre-ordering for an in-game title?  Yes.

[Yegolev]

Getting the "product key in use" error when attempting the upgrade.  Bleh.  Will try again tonight.

[Stormwaltz]

Pre-ordering for an in-game title?  Yes.

I hope the CE box has something similar, since I already preordered that...

[Yegolev]

I'm glad I didn't see the preorder box at Best Buy since the online upgrade is definitely the best deal if you are not worried about physical items... and I'm not.  I think there is some confusing information about what is in each one and when you get it that is possibly sorted out in the official forums.

What’s contained in the Collector’s Edition?
This limited edition of The Lord of the Rings Online includes unique items not available anywhere else, sure to be sought out as collectibles. The Collector's Edition contains everything you need to complete your move to Middle-earth in a special book packaging:

    * The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar
    * All content updates (Books 9-14)
    * The Mines of Moria expansion
    * Premium cloth map
    * Gold-plated replica of The One Ring
    * Exclusive art & music compilation
    * 3 in-game item tokens
    * A special Collector’s Badge to uniquely identify you on the LOTRO community forums
    * 30 days of free game time
    * An entry into The Treasures of Moria Instant Win and Sweepstakes* with prizes valued at $25,000!

Digital Upgrade

You'll instantly receive:

    * The Cloak of Sunset, a unique cloak emblazoned with an image of the Hollin Gate.
    * An exclusive in-game Moria title—“Moria Expeditionary”.
    * 3 in-game tokens, which allows you to choose any of 8 unique in-game items on launch day.
    * The Cloak of Durin’s Crown, a special cosmetic item available only to subscribers that upgrade digitally.
    * Access to special subscription pricing offers.
    * A code for entry into The Treasures of Moria Instant Win and Sweepstakes*.

One of the cloaks will not actually be available until release, but I cannot remember which.  The thread is up to sixteen pages so I'm just going to be surprised once I get it working.

[Yegolev]

Found it.

I just verified that The Cloak of Durin's Crown will be made available on the Mines of Moria launch day.

[Yegolev]