Ohoh... LOTRO free to play...

[GoNzOTW]

http://www.lotro.com/news/709

Haven't even read the release yet, but if this means a cash shop is coming to LOTRO, I'm likely gone soon.

[hugorune]

I think they know what they are doing.

I still enjoy the game, and I don't see that changing, so I will keep on playing, although I am not without reservations. It may even be refreshing if there is a large influx of new blood.

With that said, I expect the forums will be unusable for the purpose of meaningful conversation over the next few weeks

[CoranisDoJ]

Yep a lotro store as well first paragraph

Today is an important day for LOTRO: we’ve announced that this fall, LOTRO will begin offering a Free-to-Play option! Players will be able to download the game and adventure in Middle-earth for free. With Free-to-Play comes the addition of the LOTRO Store, where players will have immediate in-game access to a wide variety of special items, account services, and convenience items.

[Blackadar]

http://www.lotro.com/news/709

Haven't even read the release yet, but if this means a cash shop is coming to LOTRO, I'm likely gone soon.

I read it. While I'm vehemently against micro-transactions, it doesn't appear much changes if you're already a subscriber and it appears we get "priority" logins for those of us on busy servers.

The biggest change I see is that they're only giving VIPs 5 character slots. What the heck happens with those of us who already have more than 5 characters? Do we now suddenly lose access to our characters?

[GoNzOTW]

Basically, if there's a single item released on the cash shop that ads an in game benefit, I'm gone.

That includes buying items to not have to farm them.

I really should finish reading the article now.

[Graythandor]

Wow. I gotta admit, I'm a little stunned. I know a lot of people thought it might happen, but I didn't think it would be so soon or so sudden. :\ Not sure how I feel about it, I guess I'll try to reserve judgement until I see it in action. But my first gut reaction isn't good. My instinct says this is going to drive away what few of the original lotro crowd is still left, and Turbine will be just fine with that as long as they're replaced by tens-of-thousands of uber-casual visitors willing to drop $5 on this and $7.50 on that.

p.s. what the hell is "premium classes"?? Apparently they're "purchasable". Does that mean we can pay $10 to play a Death Knight? lol

[Ayrolen]

http://www.lotro.com/news/709

Haven't even read the release yet, but if this means a cash shop is coming to LOTRO, I'm likely gone soon.

Uh, well wow. Kinda snuck that in there this morning, didn't they? Not sure what I think yet. I have to wonder just how far those free 500 points/month will actually go.

And confirmation of Enedwaith/V3, B2 this Fall. Guess that means a bunch of people will be leaving this Summer. Oh well. Lifetime sub FTW!

[Sapience]

it doesn't appear much changes if you're already a subscriber.

Right! If you continue to subscribe or you're a lifetimer, things stay pretty much the same for you. Except there will be more players to group with and you'll also receive a number of Turbine points each month as part of your sub.

[carlosjuero]

I can honestly say that while I dreaded this would happen, I didn't see it coming.

F2P has been good for DDO - they have received a huge increase in revenue for that game since going to their hybrid F2P model; it was only a matter of time, I guess, before it hit us here as well.

It makes me a bit sad really - though I know it may be good in the long run; DDO was literally dying - F2P injected it w/ new blood it needed. LotRO is nowhere in the condition DDO was in - its a money move.

I hope it works out for Turbine, and I won't "take my toys and go home" but I will be watching things warily.

[CoranisDoJ]

Ugh saw this to...

Free-to-Play will go live when Volume 3, Book 2 releases this fall.

The fall?!?!?!

[miketna27]

Oh great! The more money you have the better you are at LOTRO! I love this new model!

What a terrible idea. We paid $50 for this game and a monthly fee for a reason. Don't completely change it on us.

[Eluros]

This read almost point-for-point as an April Fools joke; anyone else get confused and look at the calendar?

[Fortinobrand]

Don't care -- still awaiting some indication that there will be a worthwhile playable content release, not just this and omgdx11lolz. I hope the product steering team remembers that it's playable content which retains players.

The Store offers a wide selection of consumables like health potions...

I guess we can add scholars to those put out of work by the new economy.

[GoNzOTW]

What kinda of things will be in the store? Just cosmetic stuff, or other items?

[Raath]

Sorry Turbine, this just reeks of greed.

DDO needed to go F2P in order to survive......is LOTRO really in that bad of shape??

I just returned to the game from a break, and I've been having a great time. Now I'm disgusted and am tempted to cancel my lifetime subscription. Since when did Kate Paiz become Executive Producer of the game????

[carlosjuero]

This read almost point-for-point as an April Fools joke; anyone else get confused and look at the calendar?

Yes actually - I saw the tweet about it and thought "This has gotta be some joke"... then I read the announcement closely.

[Leyt]

It's a tad disappointing, but I can't really judge that yet--I've only read a small bit about it. I hope nothing too huge will be able to be purchased, though I can't specifically outline items I'd like to stay out of the shop. If it changes things in a way I really dislike, I might find leaving to be the best option. I'd hate for it to come to that, as LOTRO is by far my favorite MMO in years.

[GoNzOTW]

This read almost point-for-point as an April Fools joke; anyone else get confused and look at the calendar?

The first thing that crossed my mind when the XFire window opened up with Turbine's twitter was somebody was phishing and trying to get me to click a bad link. Then I realized it really was Turbine's twitter and I died a little inside.

[Magus_Rune]

I don't mean to sound like an alarmist, but this quite possibly the worst idea you could introduce to a group of Tolkien fans.

[Jeffor]

Ugh saw this to...

Free-to-Play will go live when Volume 3, Book 2 releases this fall.

The fall?!?!?!

No doubt.

This feels like it's going to chase away good players and then bring in a bunch of rude, free-loading hooligans that are just killing time trying out a free game. I hope it works out but I don't have a good feeling about this.

[Solien]

Ugh saw this to...

Free-to-Play will go live when Volume 3, Book 2 releases this fall.

The fall?!?!?!

Whew, I was wondering when I was going to fit in those 324582034752039 SG runs I was planning. Now there's time this summer.

[hugorune]

It's a tad disappointing, but I can't really judge that yet--I've only read a small bit about it. I hope nothing too huge will be able to be purchased, though I can't specifically outline items I'd like to stay out of the shop. If it changes things in a way I really dislike, I might find leaving to be the best option. I'd hate for it to come to that, as LOTRO is by far my favorite MMO in years.

The way I read it, the model is here to allow people to come in, experience the game for free, and unlock the content selectively as they want to, including the enhancements to build their character up with traits etc. It's to expand the market, not to change it.

OTOH, if I see Symbols of Celebrimbor going up for 1000 points each, I'll be very disillusioned. Probably not enough to quit, but I won't be happy. But we don't know that's gonna happen yet.

[webrender]

wow.... took me by surprise...I'm not sure what to think. I will need to think about this for a while.

[Raath]

No doubt.

This feels like it's going to chase away good players and then bring in a bunch of rude, free-loading hooligans that are just killing time trying out a free game. I hope it works out but I don't have a good feeling about this.

Go play DDO for a bit to confirm your thoughts.


Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

[Lhathein]

Okay. I'm going to try not to jump the gun and be incredibly angry about this, however as someone who just recently (last six months) dropped $600 on three lifetime subscriptions, my first reaction is to feel extremely cheated.