Content Flood (10$ game box, Level Cap +, 2 new zones this year, Skirmish Sys )

[Mrbloodworth]

In a nutshell, the LvL cap is going up, how much is not said. They are indeed going to expand into southern Mirkwood this year. They are adding Dol Guldor this year.

Notable is a bit about the "Skirmish System," some detail is given in this Massive article (second quote of this post).


Turbine Talks the Future of LOTRO on the Eve of Its Second Anniversary


LotRO two-year anniversary: Book 8 details announced



All I can say is, holy fucking shit, Turbine "The content gods". That's 3 entire zones and about 4 new features just this year (Not including the expansion).

[sigil]

Plus, we were teased with a bit of exciting information regarding customizable soldiers that you can train and bring into these skirmishes. Unfortunately, that's all we got on that.).

So something akin to guild wars style heroes?

Edit to fix me from looking like a retard as Yeg points out. :)

[Yegolev]

Why would you quote all that just to ask a short question?  I'm not made of mouse wheels.

[tazelbain]

Spoilers, people, Spoilers.

[Mrbloodworth]

Why would you quote all that just to ask a short question?  I'm not made of mouse wheels.

Seriously....

But to answer his question, i found out a bit more. But exact details are not out there, just overview stuff, no nerd rage required yet.

-Skirmishes.
Participate in battles across middle earth.
Past or in the Future...
You all get to go into instances and depending on the size of the group, the instance will change, it is dynamic. Changes with size of group, many different challenges which could change.
Experience them in different ways.
Customize soldiers. Create, trait soldiers, even if your solo or small group. To create a more epic feel, a feeling of War

[Yegolev]

We will not be getting a UI update for a while, I think.

[sigil]

That's because I got interrupted and forgot to edit.  I screwed up. Fixed.

[Reg]

So, can that 10 dollar deal be used to add the Moria expansion to my existing account?

[Mrbloodworth]

So, can that 10 dollar deal be used to add the Moria expansion to my existing account?

Yes, or rather, i don't see why not. Take note, that its the Digital download.

[Reg]

Yes, I was being lazy so I went and checked. $9.99 upgraded me to Moria and there was nothing to download. I guess that huge patch I had to get when I first reactivated my account included it.

I don't think I got the free month that a new subscription gets but I can live with that.

[Mrbloodworth]

I guess that huge patch I had to get when I first reactivated my account included it.

Yep.

[Reg]

So which of the prizes is the most useful? I'm leaning towards the +10 radiance dwarf horn.

[Mrbloodworth]

So which of the prizes is the most useful? I'm leaning towards the +10 radiance dwarf horn.

Your talking about the coins from buying the expansion, not the rare drops off mobs for the anniversary?

Are you two in guild yet? 

[Reg]

Right. I'm talking about the two expansion coins. The tokens you get for monster killing I know about, that was going on last year when I first subscribed.

I'm not on the same server as you guys. I think I'll see how long I last before burning out before I pay to transfer.

[Mrbloodworth]

I'm not on the same server as you guys. I think I'll see how long I last before burning out before I pay to transfer.

 

[sigil]

Are you two in guild yet? 

I have one in, but I need to add the rune master that I actually like playing. I'll ask next time I'm on.

[Yegolev]

I'm not on the same server as you guys. I think I'll see how long I last before burning out before I pay to transfer.

Just roll up a new guy.  We will deliver pies together!  Pies!

[Tarami]

My guess is that they'll bump the level cap in the last book before the paid expansion, then have the expansion be almost solely endgame content. In my opinion, that makes much more sense then having the other way around which is the norm now. Maybe bump it 5 levels at a time, 5 levels in book 10 (or whatever) and another 5 when the expansion arrives. I don't think that so much content in the expansion packs have to be levelling content benefits the pacing of the game. The average player may then sorta seamlessly keep levelling like they've been doing the months leading up to the paid expansion.

[schild]

Downloading client. Will join Brandywine.

[Mrbloodworth]

Downloading client. Will join Brandywine.

 

[Yegolev]

zomg

[Trippy]

WTH?

[sigil]

He said he'd get in if it was ten bucks...

[Soln]

I'm full already.  Haven't even finished all my epix. 


Let me know if ya'll need a 19 Grd in the Kin -- I can port him over from Elendilmir to scrum.

[schild]

Irony of ironies, the day I decide to try LOTRO, my roommates bring me 1701 AD from work. If this sucks me in, my 3 hours in LOTRO will be the shortest time I've ever spent in an MMORPG before. And it would have nothing to do with LOTRO.

WE'LL SEE. DUN DUN DUUUUUUUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN.

[Ard]

Welp, so much for getting this undenned.   

[Yegolev]

Welp, so much for getting this undenned.   

Ha, it would take quite a bit more than a three hour tour for that.  Personally, I'm kind of inclined to keep LotRO buried until they implement a really-customizable UI.  Hello, McTurbine! *knock knock*

I pretend I have powers.

[Ard]

Oh I wasn't expecting miracles.  I still fully expect Schild to hate the game.  It getting moved is at best a pipe dream, and at worst a reality that would confuse the hell out of me for weeks where I'm still looking for the link down in the graveyard.

[Yegolev]

I, for one, would love to see a tale of schild helping Holly Hornblower appear in the Radicalthon.

[schild]

Welp, so much for getting this undenned.   

Under what reasoning did you think this would get moved because I was playing?

[Ard]

Under what reasoning did you think this would get moved because I was playing?

Because I'm pretty clearly not sane?

[Mrbloodworth]

Also of note from the article:

"On the "free addition" front, Turbine is targeting June for the release of Book 8, the next part of the epic storyline. Book 8 will add new instances, new locations, and new bosses based on a return to Moria.

Later plans include new skirmishes to show that the escalating war of the Ring. Previously secure areas like Buckland and Weathertop will have instance-based battles aimed at players of multiple levels. "Skirmishes are a way for the players to become more front and center," Steefel explains. "In a war, you need people to lead, so there's a layer of customizable soldiers you can utilize."

The team that recently reworked the early areas of the game, specifically the dwarven and elven starting lands, is now moving on to do their tweaking magic in the Lone Lands and North Downs. There are also plans to raise the level cap later this year, but it's not clear how or whether this is related to Mirkwood."

[rattran]

I, for one, would love to see a tale of schild helping Holly Hornblower appear in the Radicalthon.

He was playing a prissy elf, not a lumpy hobbit.

[Hindenburg]

Unless I missed something, shouldn't that US$ 10,00 deal for the game be up by now? Turbine store is still charging $20. Far too steep.
---

found a direct link to it.

[Tannhauser]

Just got back from Best Buy, and they are still selling MoM for $50! 
edit to add spoiler <edit> to fix spoiler