Arbitrary gear checks to be lifted from LOTRO bosses
Huzzah! You no longer have to re-enact Frodo’s sissiest moments from the movies/books in Lord of the Rings Online! Executive producer Kate Paiz revealed in her December Producer’s Letter that the devs are finally giving players what they have been crying for: a fighting chance, by removing the Radiance-Gloom mechanic from the game.
Free Lord of the Rings Online updates revealed
A series of updates for Lord of the Rings Online will be landing between now and early next year, opening up Epic Quests from the game’s expansions to free-to-play accounts. The updates will also upgrade Legendary Items, add more raids and instances to the zones of Middle Earth and make high level raids accessible to more players. Read on for details.
New Lord of the Rings Online expansion announced, will be set in Isengard
The next Lord of the Rings Online expansion will be called Rise to Isengard, and will have players battling Saruman’s forces in Dunland in an effort to reach the legendary Tower of Orchanc. As well as the new lands, quests and skills, there will be a level cap hike and some updates to the Monster Play system. Read on for more details and a teaser trailer.
Star Trek Online could go free-to-play, Champions to get mission creator
Cryptic announced recently that Champions Online will be going free-to-play early next year, and many immediately wondered if their other MMO title, Star Trek Online would follow suit. Cryptic’s boss, Jack Emmert, has been speaking out in a recent interview about Star Trek Online’s chances of ditching the subscription fee, and about plans to introduce a City of Heroes style mission editor to Champions Online.
Lord of the Rings Online is finally free-to-play in Europe
After a long wait, Lord of the Rings is now free to download and play for players in Europe. Read on for how to sign up, and details on some of the new additions to the game. You’d be a fool of a Took not to try it.
Codies explain free European LOTRO delay as “contractual”
Lord of the Rings Online went free in the US, with massive success, but the European free to play release was delayed. Codemasters have released a statement explaining the situation.
Lord of the Rings Online doubles revenue in one month – by going free
At the GDC Online conference – which is not online, it’s in Texas – LoTRO developers Turbine revealed that making the game free has doubled the amount of money they make from it. The game now generates its cash from microtransactions, and optional subscriptions that provide a monthly income of Turbine Points to spend on in-game stuff. It means less money from the average player, but their number of players has exploded by over 400%.
Lord of the Rings Online is free, has funny video
Lord of the Rings Online is now free to play, with a cash shop and nifty benefits for subscribers just like they said. They’ve announced it with a humorous video. Look!
Lord of the Rings Online free to play beta today
Real estate values in the Shire have plummeted! Right about now you can pick up a cozy two-bedroom for literally nothing. That’s because today marks the launch of LOTRO’s free-to-play beta–where talk is free, and a shiny staff will run you a few hundred points.
Full details of LOTRO cash shop items revealed
I was just given access to the full list of cash shop items in the upcoming free-to-play version of Lord of the Rings Online. In addition to the usual cosmetic upgrades and XP boosts, LOTRO will be offering a few more unique purchases, such as unlocking additional auction house slots. Here are full details on three examples of cash shop items we saw during our E3 demo. Keep in mind that this is a beta and the prices are subject to change. (And that Josh is not a photographer by trade – Ed).
Lord of the Rings Online going to Isengard in 2011
The Hobbits are going to Isengard! I spoke to LOTRO’s Executive Producer Kate Paiz at E3, and he told me “We’re definitely planning to get players to Isengard next year”.
Lord of the Rings Online is free to play
Lord of the Rings Online will soon cost you nothing to play. The new Middle Earth will have a cash shop to monetize “expansions, quest packs, items, and account services,” and they’re offering a subscription service that’ll hook you up to everything for “one low price”. They’re also testing it in an open beta that you can sign up for here.
