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LOTRO: Hero's Guide to Forochel
Codemasters have posted a Hero's guide to Forochel over on the European Lord of the Rings Online forum. Forochel was added to the game last year as part of book 13 of volume one and has content for players in their mid to late 40s. Although this zone has been around for a while now the changed leveling curve speeds up the rate at which players will encounter this content.The guide details the major locations of the zone, the beasts and quests available to the player and includes the book itself, Doom of the Last King, which brings Angmars's attention to Forochel.
New LotRO Book 13 developer diary video is released
If you feel you've missed out on some of the features from the recently-released Book 13: Doom of the Last-king for Lord of the Rings Online, where the heck have you been? Well, not to fret because we have a new developer diary in video form starring LotRO's Executive Producer Jeffrey Steefel. In it, he talks about their fifth major update since launch, and some of the new features that have been introduced.The details of their newest region is discussed a bit, including the new environmental effects and creatures you'll encounter there. Plus, now you'll know the proper way to pronounce Forochel without embarrassing yourself on voice chat! Fishing is also discussed, as is the new fellowship enhancements to the quest log and the mustering horn which is used to summon group members quickly. Be sure to check out this new video below for all the exciting information.
LotRO dev chat log gives more insight into Book 14 and Mines of Moria
The Stratics team is at it once again bringing us the most recent House of Commons dev chat log with the LotRO developers. In this one, we get some treats in regards to Book 14 information, and the highly-anticipated first true expansion to the game: Mines of Moria.So we're all busy people right? How about a quick summary of the topics in this log? An improved Monster Play login screen is in the works, with no definite timeframe yet. Since Book 13 focused so much on solo play, expect Book 14 to refocus on group play. Three new 6-man instances will be be introduced, as well as new deeds for the Urugarth, Carn Dum, Barad Gularan and Annuminas instances. Two new session instances will be introduced. These will not be at the level of the chicken play, but they do have plans for several more with MoM. One of the core focuses with MoM is character customization and improvements as far as traits and new features. The next Hobby is almost ready, with many more to come. Poison will not be introduced for the good guys, as it is restricted in Tolkien lore to evil use only. Check out the rest of this dev chat log for more information on each of these topics!
Lord of the Rings Online launches a welcome back weekend
We're sure you've heard the exciting news and most recent information on Lord of the Rings Online: Book 13 Doom of the Last King, which was released last month. You've probably also heard about the recently reduced pricing for the game, which was announced for the first anniversary of the game's launch. But we have some even better news for you.This upcoming weekend, from May 8th through the 12th, you'll get to experience everything Middle Earth has to offer for free in a special Welcome Back Weekend. You can fire up your old characters that you may have forgotten about or create some new characters to test the most current changes. During this time, the anniversary celebrations will continue, so you can participate in those as well!
New images of Lord of the Rings' Forochel, Age of Conan
It's been a big week in massively multiplayer games, and to keep things interesting we have a few brand new screenshots of two of the biggest games on the market. The folks at Turbine sent over a fresh batch of Lord of the Rings Online images, further showing off the fantastic new Forochel area that was added in Book 13. Check out the gallery below to see ice skaters, more Mammoths, and a bigger image of that fantastic clan halls shown above.Then head down to our Age of Conan gallery, and take a look at two of our new and exclusive screenshots sent over by Funcom. They highlight the game's fantastic architecture, and the sense of place that the designers have evoked in the world. Creepy crypts and aging ruins are the norm in Hyborea, and our screenshot gallery will take you everywhere in between. For details looks at the two new shots, click on down below the cut.%Gallery-18168%%Gallery-9836%
WRUP: Book 13 Edition
Given the answers to our weekly WRUP query lately, we've got a pretty good guess what you'll be doing online this weekend: it starts with "book" and ends with "13". Yes, the Lord of the Rings Online patch is out, and odds are that quite a few of you will be heading off into Middle-earth to survey the new content. But don't leave us too far behind -- Massively's got tons of great coverage for you to look over before you head out there.Are you rolling into LotRO? Is WoW more your style this weekend? (It's mine -- I'm still working on getting my Hunter to 70 -- 63 and climbing!). Are you trying to dip into a certain beta test that's becoming more and more open lately? It's Friday, and the weekend's here, so let us know: What aRe yoU Playing?%Gallery-18168%
Turbine announces Lord of the Rings Online anniversary events
All day we've been celebrating the release of Book 13, and the one year anniversary of Lord of the Rings Online's launch. In honor of those events, Turbine has announced a month of celebrations! If it's been a while since you trod upon the rich loam of Tolkien's world, you're going to be welcomed back with open arms. Starting on May 8th lapsed players will be able to return for a five day trial period, to get to know the game all over again. If you decide you like Middle-earth and want to jump back in, you're going to have a couple of pricing options. They've reopened the lifetime membership gates for $199. If that's too steep for you, reupping your account this month will lock you into a $9.99 pricing scheme ... just like back when the game first launched.It's not all just fun and games out here, though. For those of you on the inside of the gameworld looking out, there's plenty to celebrate. During the Lord of the Rings Online anniversary celebration, monsters throughout the land will drop 'rare items' when they're slain. Players can exchange these rare items for special gift boxes containing anniversary loot. These will apparently be one-of-kind items intended to 'aid [you in your] adventures in Middle-earth.'Sounds like it's a great month to jump back into the game. Good luck with the orcs!%Gallery-21063%
The Lord of the Rings Online: The epic quest line told in pictures
It's been one full year since Turbine released The Lord of the Rings Online to the public. The game has seen four large content updates since April 24, 2007 which have increased the amount in land available in the game by over 50% and added everything from new raid instances to the ability to play as a chicken.There has also been a huge advancement in the ongoing storyline of the game, which is separated into different "Books." These Books give the player a way to leave their mark on Middle-earth without interfering with the story already set by J. R. R. Tolkien, whose works the game is based off of. Here is a look back at the storyline that has progressed in the past year.Click on the first image in the gallery below to experience each epic storyline including appearances by fan favorites such as Gandalf, Elrond and the Fellowship of the Ring. %Gallery-21290%
The Lord of the Rings Online's one-year anniversary: A look back
In releasing Book 13 on its one-year anniversary, the Lord of the Rings Online finishes off its first year with five large content updates, known as Books. In addition to new epic storylines, the lore progressed significantly this past year as new Books were added. Let's take a look at all the changes made since April 24, 2007.The game began with eight questing zones and one player-versus-monster-player zone as well as seven classes and 10 crafting professions. It also launched many promises from the developers for much-demanded features such as player-owned houses and Fishing. At this point it was very difficult to reach the level cap of 50 due to a lack of significant content in the level 30-50 range, which Turbine promised to address. And that promise materialized with the first free content patch. Find out what Book 9 brought to the game ===>>
Massively's LotRO 1 year anniversary giveaway
Lord of the Rings Online celebrates its one-year anniversary today with special offers, in-game events and the release of Book 13. We at Massively felt the good times should extend beyond the Shire's Party Tree and are giving away a 60-day gametime card to five randomly selected readers who leave a comment below (and meet the legal requirements.) To enter, leave a comment on this post before 10am ET on Friday, April 25, 2008. You may enter once. Five winners will be selected in a random drawing and each will receive The Lord of the Rings Shadows of Angmar Prepaid 60-Day Game Time Card (valued at $30). Click Here for complete Official Rules.EDIT: Contest is over. Winners will be contacted shortly. Thanks to everyone who participated!
Lord of the Rings Book 13 wrap-up
Today's the day! The gates to Middle-earth are temporarily shut as the icy realm of Forochel coalesces in the North. Lord of the Rings Online's Book 13 patch will soon be live, and hopefully you've already started in on the download (it's a big one). While you're waiting for the servers to come back up, we have a bevy of content for you to page through. Where should you start? Our recommendation would be with our walkthrough gallery, or the walkthrough video we took. They'll give you a high level overview of the patch's contents in neatly digestible bits. If you want to drill down a bit you're going to have a hard time knowing where to start. We've got the addition of the fishing hobby, and the awesome new fishing trophies for housing. The LFF and group questing mechanisms have been improved, and monster players have the all-new Orc Defiler to look forward to. For some of this news straight from the source, make sure to check out our interview with Jeffrey Steefel from back at the end of March. And If none of that is enough, you can also read through the official patch notes. They'll keep you busy for a good, long time. If you're still not satisfied, take a breath. Don't worry ... Book 14 is already on the way. %Gallery-21063%
Official patch notes for LOTRO Book 13: Doom of the Last King
It seems like just yesterday Lord of the Rings Online Book 12 was being pushed out to the live servers. In reality it was more like two months, and here we are again on patch day. That means it's time for one of my favorite parts of being an MMO player: patch notes! The official patch notes are now available, and they're Massive. Here are just a few of the highlights: The epic quest continues with an 11 quest arc. An entirely new region to explore, the icy realm of Forochel. It's got 100 quests and a brand new faction to ally yourself with. Monster play fans gain an entirely new class, the Orc Defiler. The first PC hobby has been added, the Fishing hobby. Massive changes to the Annúminas area, tweaking CTF play and adding repeatable side quests. A number of changes to monster trophies, including the phase-out of many of the currently available ones. Much more, including enemies that now disarm, longer lasting diseases, tweaks to a number of player classes, and numerous improvements to PvMP. Be sure to check out the full notes to get all the data you need, and don't let the frostbite get you!%Gallery-18168%
Book 13 downloadable patch comes alive
For those Lord of the Rings Online players whose client is currently up to date, Turbine is offering yet another downloadable patch for your convenience. The download is currently offered in torrent-form, which should make it pretty easy to obtain; even at a hefty 635mb file size.Did we mention that Book 13 is huge? Yeah, it's big.The obvious benefit here is that players who download this update can apply it ahead of time and be ready to jump right into LotRO the moment servers go back up on patch day. It's always nice when a developer minimizes player downtime as much as possible, so we can all get into Forochel as soon as possible.
Forochel a Point of Interest just ahead of Book 13
The Lord of the Rings Online website has a new "Point of Interest", and we're treated to a look at the unreleased area of Forochel, due in Book 13. As this region was not heavily fleshed out by Tolkien, the designers at Turbine had a lot of freedom in creating it. Although it's undoubtedly very cold in Forochel, we learn that it is still home to many animals, and the Lossoth faction of Men who live off of some of this wildlife. We're also told a bit about Arvedui (seen in a few of the Book 13 screenshots) and his mysterious past -- he'll definitely be worth keeping an eye out for. Perhaps he will play a part in the continuation of the epic quest line?
Massively hands-on with LotRO's Book 13 gallery
Before the Lord of the Rings Online team rolls out their first expansion, there are still two more free content patches coming down the pike. The first one of those two is Book 13, Doom of the Last King being released later this week. It introduces not only a new part of Middle-earth, Forochel, but also a healing class to Player vs Monster Play, the Orc Defiler, and the first Hobby in the game, Fishing.Click on the first image below to join us for a walkthrough of Forochel, meet the ice people of the area, the Lossoth and get a look at the new features and monsters coming to the game. And after you're done, don't miss the video of our tour we posted a few days back. %Gallery-21063%
Massively goes hands-on with LotRO Book 13 video
We could write reams of text that describe in loving detail all the features that await you in Lord of the Rings Online's Book 13 content patch. We could lay out screenshot after screenshot that could perfectly capture the chilly northlands that are being introduced, the eerie agent of Angmar who is tearing apart the land or the monstrous beasts that roam the wintry tundra.Or you can just click after the jump and watch a video that sums it up in less than 5 minutes. Plus, glimpses of Fishing, new trophies and new environmental effects.Don't worry you lovers of words and pictures, a write up is coming your way in the next day or two complete with a gallery of shiny shots to accompany the purple prose.
Introducing the Orc Defiler
Many Lord of the Rings Online players are looking forward to getting their hands on the new PvMP class, and with the Book 13 patch looming, the details of the Orc Defiler have been spilled in a developer diary. Opening with a little tale designed to set the Defiler mood, and a bit of a serve from the Creep hero Akulhún ("Mordírith's grown tired of you whining wretches and sent us Defilers!"), the diary goes on to explain the abilities that the fungus-and-slime-loving Orc will employ.Defilers will start out with two heal-over-time spells, one ("Fertile Slime") being an instant cast that gives a light heal every 10 seconds with a 1 minute duration, and a stronger one ("Fungal Bloom") with a 2-second cast time, 5 second tick and 30 second duration. Spending some destiny points can earn them a targeted revival spell to resurrect allies, and at ranks 3 and 5 some stronger heals become available.
LotRO Book 13 hits test servers, reveals fish trophies
Lord of the Rings Online's Book 13 update has hit the test server today and we've got a rundown on the laundry list of updates, changes and additions coming to the game. Turbine is knocking it out of the park with Book 13: Doom of the Last-King and they've got the patch notes to prove it. Everything from the new zone, Forochel, to the also-new fishing mechanic -- including an awesome image of the tiniest fish trophy you'll ever see.
Teach a man to fish ...
A new preview for the Lord of the Rings Online Fishing hobby has been posted to the official site. When Book 13 goes live, players will be able to begin their angling education by visiting one of the four new Hobby Masters. After you've received a fishing pole, simply head to any body of water and cast your line -- there won't be skill requirements stopping you from fishing anywhere, but there will be fish that can only be found in certain locations. You'll be able to purchase bait from fishing suppliers to entice fish on to your waiting hook as well.Undoubtedly, this will be a fun little endeavor, but there are some tangible incentives to cast the line too. Some fish will be used in Cooking recipes, and others will be able to be brought to the Fishing Taxidermist and turned into house trophies to show off your angling prowess. There will also be fishing quests and deeds, and even titles to earn. To find out a wee bit more about LotRO's first Hobby, check out the most recent dev chat, in which fishing and other Book 13 features are discussed in detail.
Will we ever be able to fly in Middle Earth?
The ability to fly is one thing players ask for in practically every online game! But not all games feature soaring superheroes, so most gamers turn to the next best thing: flying mounts. The ability to mount up on a fire-breathing dragon and fly as far and high as one can has been the dream of almost every child (and adult) who has read a fantasy novel ... so why not allow flying in the MMORPG adaption of the greatest fantasy novel of all time?One of Turbine's greatest strengths in developing Lord of the Rings Online is their adherence to the novels of J. R. R. Tolkien. This is partially because they must run any large game changes past Tolkien Enterprises to make sure they reasonably fit within the lore that Tolkien created, and also because the developers themselves are quite dedicated to the source material. Therefore, there would have to be either justification in the lore for allowing regular players to fly mounts, or enough silence on the issue so that Turbine could implement them without technically breaking any lore.So what mounts would be possible in Tolkien's lore? Obviously there would need to be a creature or machine big enough to carry a fat hobbit, hefty dwarf, muscular man or freakishly-tall elf. This narrows it down quite a bit.
