Guess I'll be taking a break until March like I did with Mordor.
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Guess I'll be taking a break until March like I did with Mordor.
At 500 LP a month, prefect timing :)
Overpriced again, but at least the base version comes with the new race and character slot. Would be reasonable if they'd included 5k LP or something like they used to.
They haven't given LP in a long time. I remember making the same suggestion for the Mordor pre-order and was told then that this wasn't they wat they had been doing things.
I don't get the issue.
Maybe watch the interview. It has some funny moments, I promise.
Now that the first impression has settled a bit I'm acctually not sure what I will do. Usually I order the biggest edition without much doubt for my son and I. I usually get collectors edition of games when available, even if it's only for some real size helmet or some figurine to have in our book-shelf.
HOWEVER with this expansion, I don't like the cosmetics or mounts at all. Just like with the Mordor ones that my son or I haven't used at all from the Ultimate bundles i got us. I like cosmetics usually, just that these types of designs are not my style at all. Compared to RoI, RoR and HD cosmetics these are nowhere near that style or grace. These are screaming flashy, looks to over-designed and more like some masquerade outfits. The Valar to 120 will be useless for me unless can be used on a 120 character for the included bonuses, vxp etc (if there are any). I have no intention of playing the stout-axes to 120 as there is no new class, not even the warden class playable etc.
I also was not looking forward to a level cap raise, as I was just barely starting to catch up and had gotten to complete boss 3 in Anvil T2 (tonight we were planning on trying last boss before locks reset), but then tonight no one would run it anymore due to these release news. No one will bother to grind content that will reward gear that is outdated in a month for a new grind to start. So i guess I will never get to complet Anvil T2 I guess. Same with Thrang that I was looking forward to tomorrow. I had prepared 3 characters to be able to do it every day to get the 120 gold pocket items. I guess that will be pointless now and maybe even hard to find groups for after todays release news.
If this region also comes with LoE that will make all other older, classic etc, content useless as it does not drop LoE on gear (just like mordor did), it will makes end-game limited to only the instances that drop stuff with LoE. That also makes me not look forward to it.
The new aura thing looks hideous from the screenshots I've seen in these forums and not like some subtle classy weapon glow. Yes we only have one to chose from so far but it's like really bright baby blue and not subtle at all. Maybe more subtle colour will come in the future, or we could get neon greens and pinks etc. Who knows ???
Really at a loss as what to do ??? My gut feeling is that I might play through the quests on one character and then let the rest in storage until next expansion comes that do not have LoE (radiance 2.0). Just like I did with Mordor and then skipped all other characters and only did the areas after Mordor with all of them (iron hills and ered mithrin). That seem like really not worth the price of the expansion, as there is nothing for me but to play one character until it's through the area and hope we get a new expansion and leave the place.
Maybe in march when the instances and raids comes I have caved in and will participate in the gear rat-race again, but it feels like it's a losing battle and I doubt I will. I never did with Mordor, but i did with Ered Mithrin and Vales, but never get a chance to fully catch up before it's outdated. Had I not had many 120 alts to do weekly embers with I would never had even been close to catching up (unless I'd bought lootbox keys, which I won't, so I guess working as intended). It's like one has to live in the game 24/7 to keep up. Or buy lootbox keys and I'm not going down that route ever. I play a game to acctually play it and if I can't earn things in-game then I won't get it and if i don't enjoy it I won't play it either. I have no issue paying for my hobby and past time leisure (expansions etc) but only if it's fun.
I am in a variety of discord channels. Some Kin ones, some alliances, some other and the reception in there so far from people (not all as many says nothing at all) made me seem like the positive and optimistic one when the news hit. Most have the same concerns about a new gear rat-race, thats it's too soon and now no one will run T5's anymore (glimmer, cavers etc) or even Anvil T2, as there is no point anymore. Not heard anyone that likes the cosmetics and mounts so far. People seem indifferent to the stout-axes too as they come with no new class. Only one person said they would make a burglar. Only one person that liked a cloak. That is all. Some even talking of leaving the game after todays news.
I feel disheartened by others reactions. And my own feelings about it all as well after some thinking and reading others reactions. Maybe I'm the only one that gets affected that way by seeing gaming friends feel that way. Others might just shrug their shoulders and not care.
Oh well maybe tomorrow things will feel better. I dunno.
Could be worse, it's $190+ in Australian dollars (which is ridiculous). I'm still waiting to hear if the high elf earring and dead city earring XP bonuses both stack.Quote:
Originally Posted by salmonfire
anyone knows if we ll have more lvls on characters or/and LIs?????
hoping we dont!
My friend. I'm sure you are a very fast typist.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord.Funk
Just consider this. They are charging full price for the expansion, with an option to pay more than triple the price for people who are out of their minds. I repeated they are charging full price. It's not a f2p game until next March. And yet, they will monetize it according to the f2p model: impossible grind + loot boxes. Don't you feel like you are being charged twice for the same thing. It's like you order something online and you pay with your credit card, then they send it COD with a message that the price has doubled.
People used to know the difference between b2p and f2p.
New lvl cap is 130 confirmed. New legacy tiers? You bet your ###.Quote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
It says in the info 10 more levels, so yes 130 will be the new character cap. At least someone quoted it somewhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
Found it:
https://lotro.com/en/minasithil/
It's if You scroll down and read under one of the 6 images there.
As for LI's. Considering that already the 120 normal weapons (non li) have more dps than the LI's it would be hard to not add more levels to the LI's to add more dps to be on par with LvL 130 content.Quote:
Level Cap Increase
______
Reach character level 130 with the launch of the expansion!
Quote:
Originally Posted by NeebPlayer
lol I would absolutely LOVE to see a commercial for the new expansion made out of this phrase! :cool:
I guess I'm a whale ?
I went with the top-level pre-order. I'm not into cosmetics, I don't care about titles, but I can use some of the other doo-dads.
I've been a VIP for 12 years, but I've only bought LPs on top of my 500/month twice I think.
Yep, I'm fortunate that I can spend on average about $200 USD per year (VIP/expansions/occasional on-sale LPs), but it's something I use on average 4 or so days per week. I think it's a bargain. It's less than a lot of people spend on coffee at Dunkin Donuts each year, and it's much less than many folks spend on other types of entertainment.
As far as the October release date...yeah I doubt it. But I have only one character (who I'm not playing these days) close to that content anyway (lvl 116) so I don't care if it's late. And by the time I get there all of you will have worked out the bugs - thanks!
Yes, it is crazy over-priced for those of us with an unfavourable exchange rate, which is something we have absolutely zero control over. Would be far more reasonable to at least make the prices local currency. Yes, I am aware that Standing Stone are American, and want to get the same amount of USD per purchase, but given the realities of world economics this is a pretty unreasonable expectation. As it is, my hubby would probably divorce me if I spent almost $200 Australian dollars for a shiny set of armour (the rest if the ultimate pack is of no interest to me).Quote:
Originally Posted by Sovereign50
I'm sure the usual "you don't have to get the highest price one" responses will abound, but consider that there is a massive difference between $130 and $200 (give or take depending on the day) for just an expansion pack. I really like the new cosmetics, but not $200 like. The choice for me will once again be between the base pack, which isn't worth as much without the high-valued valar item, or just waiting it out until it is in the store, like I did with Mordor.
It's a shame, I really wanted to be able to justify spending my money this time around.
I have many issues with this announcement but as most were already voiced over by others I'll just comment that there is zero incentive to actually pre-order unless you are desperate to help SSG or perhaps want to show off new cosmetics before everyone else. Same as with Mordor. All bundles will still be available after release intact so why hurry?
I was never an early bird so I'll wait till release and then see if I want to pay and how much. While $130 and even $200 is not that much money by itself (though not everyone lives in the first world and even than may not have the luxury to spend that much at once) there a lot of competition where to put them :)
I think a lot of people could spend that money, but it's an insane price for something we doesnt even know the quality of. And if you look at prior releases like mordor it was released in a horrible state. I would gladly spend that money if I knew it was a quality product, I'm pretty sure that wont be the case. There is no way that we get any instances with the release if there is only 4 weeks beta.. also they will add p2w gearing system for a full priced expansion. Red flags are everywhere my friend.Quote:
Originally Posted by Occum
Years ago I would have bought an expac or any content pack if I hadn't been VP on blind faith, knowing that even if it came with bugs, the content would be ready to play. Play would reward all the gear, and no need for a double dip into the purse to get it.Quote:
Originally Posted by LotroVidz
Mordor taught me (and plenty of others) a valuable lesson though. All we know about Minas Morgul so far is what we will look like. We have no idea of what we will play like, what stats we will have, or need, we don't even know what things like Valar item will bring. That's the epitome of "blind faith", but I'm not that much of a believer since Mordor.
This thing needs to hit beta - and fast, but I'm sure they will give "blind faith" a bit of a run first, as it will potentially catch people that may not buy when they actually see what they are buying.
The fact that they haven't released even the slightest peep of this on BR for public feedback, is the first, but very loud alarm bell for me. It means the product has been tested and feedback has been provided by a small select group of players, and they probably do not vary widely wide enough to represent the whole IMO. I was already wary, now I'm a lot more ready to scrutinise fully, or wait until launch and watch the forums if that's not going to be a thing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bakenellan
Spot on. I wish to talk about money a bit. Certain human beings are unaware nor are wise enough to save the money for their favourite product,hobby in current case its the video game. Let us visualise a bit for a moment and approximately calculate the daily,weekly or even annual expenses, Impossible to accurately calculate indeed. People waste enormous amount of cash of non-essential stuff and they later on complain about virtual prices,If one has but average salary ,low income one has to choose ,as simple as it is. Quit or significantly reduce Booze,Junk Food,Caffeine intake, Stop smoking.
There are millions of people spending absurd amount of money by drinking and smoking solely,if you quit of these only its crazy to imagine how much you will save, it varies by county. Calculate,work hard,plan wisely.
130-200$ for your beloved game yearly is nothing. People in general spend far worse of the needless,unhealthy and dangerous items the ones I mentioned above, now they will oh but video games are not needed, no most of the human beings cannot have luxury to own and buy everything nor posses whenever they want, so ultimately make decision.
Shall I focus on gaming or enjoy drinking as an example. Now,now it will be those saying Oh But I do not smoke at all, I stay away from alcohol, I avoid caffeine, Junk food is unthinkable for me, I have no other hobbies to spent money, that is ridiculous statement and low typical excuse, you either have to me monk who lived in Tibet for 30 years and meditates 20 hours per day and lives on 2-3 foods.
I have not yet person who completely avoid drinking,smoking,junk food,caffeine and has no hobbies to spent cash except basic human needs I do not count primary essentials to survive,food,bills and so on.. Cut one the following only an you can save few dollars per day at least and that's all you need to do it, it's that simple, but its mentally. People are not psychologically prepared to get rid of the addictions.
Man, even if you save 50 Cents a day you can buy yourself an expansion. 15$ monthly is literally nothing, you can find them street daily if you a patient enough.There are so many ways to generate money these days and even if you have below average income you can perfectly enjoy gaming, all these excuses , most of them are not true. There are exceptions and poverty , I am sorry, nothing or little we can do about it, most of the people can ,they won't its easier to sit and whine. Move and do something for yourself.
thanks ............Quote:
Originally Posted by NeebPlayer
that is not good, not good at all
havent noticed at all that there are more things lower than the pursuase button..........Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord.Funk
i was really hoping that lvl cap will not go beyond 120!
It's not about having the money, or not having the money, or how affordable or not affordable the product may or may not be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanyaerunanethiel
It's about knowing what you're buying.
I think the pricing is a bit high if they wish to catch everyone, and that prices set a bit lower makes it more affordable - hence, more sales. The actual monetary amount for me, is not a problem at all, but the fact it's out there for sale, when we have no idea what's in it - yes, that is, especially since Mordor and more recently, the Vales. I'd like to see that the new area caters to the game play activities that I enjoy before I actually pay large amounts for it. I don't mind wasting $40 dollars on a base edition, but then, if I buy that, the likelihood of me ever buying the ultimate, goes down by about 95%. That's their loss - -not mine, so, be careful not to judge too much based on your assumptions that people just can't afford it.
Level 130 offhand weapons are 90% likely to be stronger than a currently maxed imbued LI. There you have it, the likelihood that LI power will increase, is more of a definite than a likelihood.Quote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanyaerunanethiel
"Buy the Expansion, It's less dangerous to you than drinking and smoking." Another GREAT add campaign I'd love to see. :cool:
Incidentally, I never used to drink heavily. Until I started being forced by the Devs to grind endlessly for LIs. Then... :rolleyes:
anyone already bought it can say if outfits are dyable?
YESQuote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
Are we gonna be able to pre-order via Steam ?
Me either at first took em a few visits to notice that. :PQuote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
Me too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
I also suspect we will get LoE as a must in the area, as it's Mordor and that makes it even worse. All classic instances even if scalable will be useless to run again (like during mordor), so we will be left with the new ones only worth running to get 130 gear with LoE I guess. Possibly old Mordor like CoS will be worth it if scale to 130 unles the LoE on that gear will be too low in new area. Don't know, but the rest of the game worthless until we leave LoE areas again.
Doing Thrang during the encore that starts later today will be kind of pointles to now, as the pockets will be 120 but in a month it's 130 that will be the cap. I was so looking forward to Thrang and maybe get those end-game gold pockets, but oh well.
Why do you say "If everyone thinks as you do and all players only gets expantions and other stiff with LP". You are assuming I'm buying it for LP which I'm not. I'm buying the Base Edition and waiting for a sale to buy the Collectors/Ultimate if I deem it worthy in the future. I suggest everyone do the same. And don't pre-order since there's no point in doing so tbh.Quote:
Originally Posted by Zalena1976
As for the solution, it's quite simple. I suggested something similar when I said they should have Account-wide Mounts. Instead of having a 120€ edition that 10% of the playerbase will buy on release. Have the "Ultimate" (120€) Pack cost 70€ instead, and maybe 30% of the playerbase will buy it, or more. Go with the Android approach instead of the Apple one. Sell for less, but sell to more people.
I'm not their finances guy but maybe they don't even have one and they have to directly haggle with Daybreak for prices, which is just sad. So yes I don't know their numbers but I've heard most of World chat on my server and the people on this thread complaining about the price and saying they won't pay 120€ for what is offered.
Their development path is so safe and unsurprising...
For so many people there is nothing to do outside of instances, beyond the tedium of the grind which the instances necessitate.
How great it would have been to hear about an expansion that perhaps gave us difficult fellowship quests, an exciting landscape, new skills which are gated behind something difficult, new mounts which are obtainable with gold, a rise in housing costs making housing an actual mini-game, new legendary traits that are actively earned instead of passively, a crafting overhaul making that a mini-game as well, etc. etc. But there is nothing to do but level and do instances. God what a boring game you have made, in middle earth of all places. WHERE is the adventure?
So many options SSG has and they trod the same path they always have, giving us an expansion that is nothing more than a re-skin of every other expansion.
Looking for something new plz, will check back around in a couple years I guess.
If they create something new, most of players complain and ignore it. They give difficult fellowership quests in last updates (In Vales of Anduin), most of players just don't care about them. And how new mounts obitainable with gold, or rise in housing costs can make game more fun?Quote:
Originally Posted by BadJuju
That's because their implementation was dreadful... there was no greater reward for doing the fellowship quests, utterly defeating the purpose in the first place.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elmagor
Gating mounts and housing behind wealth fundamentally changes the game by adding a new and persistent mini-game, which is wealth accruement. Of course they would first have to stop inventing new barter currencies every few months, but then they wouldn't be able to time-gate players, which seems to be the only way they know how to retain a playerbase.
Nothing feels like it has value in lotro because everything is either Bind on Acquire or gated by a weird barter currency that is also bind-on-acquire. Commerce is funamental to an immersive world. It would add so much to the game if those wanting some kind of challenge actually had a reason to play more than 2 months out of the year, which is how long a typical raiding season lasts. Then they leave because there's literally nothing stimulating to do.
I think I wait.. with 4 VIP accounts that's 500 bucks and the cosmetics ain't worth it.
With Rime of Anvil costing 250+ gold, no one consider 6 gold for horse as "mini-game". Economic don't works in MMO, and never works in Lotro. Getting gold never been "challenge" in Lotro since 2008Quote:
Originally Posted by BadJuju
So i guess "Besieged Mordor" means something like "flooded Isengard", so we are getting the whole Mordor Maps again ?
I was always willing to buy the biggest edition. With the start of Mordor and the way to expensive pricing of this i waited untill it hits the store. I only bouhg tit for my wife, because she was actively playing the game, i not.
So, i'm playing GW2 again, and it seems that i don't order a big edition again. AT LEAST you could put approx 3000 Points in the Ultimate edition. That would be a more reasonable pricing for this.
Not sure if i will buy the standard edition fpr money or wait till march.
SSG, sometimes you doing things simply wrong.
Price is way too high for Ultimate.
I'll get that one, but only after it's gone on sale.
Which if Mordor is any guide will be a long long LONG time from now.
Which is fine since the first delay in getting a sale put me WAY behind anyway.
It's nearly R2000 (South African Rand) for me, my own problem for being stuck in a rubbish third world country, but I don't know of any other MMO or game that has such an expensive tier without physical items being included.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sovereign50
I don't know If anybody or you care but, I just wanted you guys to know that this ridiculous sales strategy is the sole reason of me leaving everything behind about this game as of now.Quote:
Originally Posted by SSG_RedPanda
Months ago there was an LP sale, the double for the half price thing, so I bought some points to buy all my missing zones, got a Valar to create a new alt and save some for the expansion aaaaand here we go. Well played.
You mean anniversary sales? No one force you to buy Valar and create new alt. And talks about Minas Morgul will be next expansion set starts in 2018. We already know what Minas Morgul come out around the fall 2019 for many monthsQuote:
Originally Posted by Sophisticate
Exactly my point.........Quote:
Originally Posted by Elmagor
Almost every other MMO disagrees with you, Lol. Try EVE, Black Desert, Guild Wars, WOW, Elite Dangerous, Archeage... the list goes on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elmagor
No idea what you're talking about.
No, I am talking about the "Expansion comes out at the end of the October but you can buy it via LOTRO Store in March" thing. I am asking about what will happen to the people who have saved and bought Lotro points beforehand or who are already life-timers and have tons of LPs to spend. This is literally a "buzz off!" to the people who have been paying and playing regularly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elmagor
I play Archeage, economic was chaotic. Always depends on updates, amount of players on server and pure luck. They even have 1 auction server wide per 3 servers, that means people create characters on different servers to craft things for their main characters on other server. Also you can lose all resources if you broke your items with craft, or forget to pay for your house... bad for economic. Same as Lotro - some items goes +200% price after update, some items lose 100% price. If you like Economic, don't play MMOQuote:
Originally Posted by BadJuju
Something that's bothered me for a while, but most especially the last couple of expansions with these $130USD price points on the upper end.
When I buy a collector's edition for games by a certain other company, I pay ~$100 to get:
- A nice, sturdy collector's box
- An art book that easily would go for $30
- A soundtrack that would go for at least $15
- a mouse pad with a nice pic on it
- digital goodies for that game and other games that company makes.
The soundtrack and the art book alone are enough for me to justify shelling out a little bit more, and the box is always a nice decorative piece as well. The mousepad and digital goodies at that point are just icing on the cake.
Now I get it, Turbine/SSG decided a long time ago that digital was the way to go, and fine, that's their call. But that savings has not exactly translated to the pricing for the expansions, and without those physical goodies, it's hard (for me at least) to justify even the $80 that the top end used to be. Eventually, all of our characters will sail West to make way for the next age of MMOs, and I personally would like to have something that's going to be around long after the forges of the Dwarves have gone cold, the Elves have all faded, and Gondor and Arnor are in memory as distant as Numenor is today.
I would love to look at these packages and decide that I want to give SSG my money, and I get there are plenty of people who just love all the little cosmetic things and all these in-game items, but would it really be so hard to get a digital code for a download of the soundtrack at the very least? Something that when all this is gone, we can listen to/look at and reminisce about the good times we had? I mean, they are still producing new music, aren't they? It's not just all recycled from the original game? Or maybe it is?
I don't expect a statue, I don't expect a(nother) One Ring, or the Shards of Narsil, or a Sting letter opener, but there's got to be something digital that can be added to sweeten the pot for those of us who aren't enthusiastic about a bunch of items that are going to either sit in our banks until the servers shut down or be used and disappear from "existence".
I mean, at least a digital copy of the soundtrack would be tempting. But that's just one man's opinion.
They haven’t released DLC through Steam for years, so probably not.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rothdpol
Mordor was the first expansion in the history of the game that I didn't go all-in on, because of the price points vs. values of the bundles.
Now these are virtually identical. That's disappointing.
YET, I am seriously considering a higher tier than standard this time. I think I'm just in a more comfortable place in life now vs. 2 years ago...
Something souring me is that 1) Mordor is still the same price as it always was. (Helms Deep JUST got its first price cut.... ridiculous), and there's still no upgrade option to add the perks of a higher option to the lower options after the fact, not even for the same cumulative price.
Deliberate customer inconvenience is not good business.
I just think they’re missing a trick here.
1. New expansion should have something exclusive for PRE-ordering. Otherwise why would you bother?
2. Price is daft for the more expensive versions considering the content included. Like others have said, if they lowered it by 25-30% more people would be inclined to buy and they’d probably make more money in the long run.
3. The Aria should be included in the base edition. If you do that, then it means not only that existing players can take advantage of it for alts, but that newer players can get straight into the action and join the busy 120-130 community with one purchase. I know some would say that is bad as you would get unskilled players at endgame who don’t know the game, but I just think it would be a way to attract perhaps seasoned MMO a players who CBA with starting completely from scratch on a new game.
4. At the same time, launch a reasonably-priced bundle that includes all previous expansions, or grant all expansions free to those who buy a full year of VIP upfront. Something to make it more attractive to get into. Maybe release in Steam too, as this would hit a big market of players and show them that the game IS alive and there IS additional content available and still being made.
I am currently introducing a friend to the game, and he is enjoying it so far, up to level 30ish. But the prospect of all the necessary purchases is daunting. If people PLAY the game, they are more likely to spend more money on it. If they don’t, they never will. I love the game and didn’t mind working out my game-plan for earning all the content, but not all players want to do that. For most, of it is difficult to buy a game, they’ll just go elsewhere. That is where we are missing a trick here, as this game has so much potential to be one of the greats, especially given the strength of the IP and the great job they’ve done with the world and the story-telling.
I have no interest in Mordor, besieged or otherwise. This is another no-buy for me.
It's closer to $209 after tax.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sovereign50
I will confess that I DID buy the Ultimate Bundle, however - it should come with at LEAST
3 months VIP
2000+ Turbine Points
100+ Mithril Coins to open up trait lines
etc.
The price-tag on this item is WAY too high for what you get.
Did you know any expansion set what give you so much Turbine Points? Or 3 months VIP?Quote:
Originally Posted by Xanovaria
Helms Deep Premium pre-order had 2000 TPs on highest tier (which was $80 I believe). I don't think VIP or MCs were ever included.Quote:
Originally Posted by Elmagor
I bought the ultimate edition again and do not regret it given all the time I spend on LOTRO.
I note that it does not include even a month of VIP time as Mordor did.
I note that the xp earing does *not* stack with the Mordor earing so it is totally useless until level 106 for anyone that bought the Mordor ultimate package.
I prefer emphasizing the positives but people deciding what to do should know these things.
Exactly, I started playing around 9 years ago when it became Free To Play, I enjoyed the game and saw a benefit in subscribing to get the perks of it, It was worth it to subscribe to unlock the extra bags, gold cap and areas I could not enter unless subscribed or payed outright for them. After several years of being a paying VIP I managed to buy all areas wit the accumulated TP/LP, At no time did WB/Turbine/SSG put out content that exceeded my yearly fees, so they all made money off my subscribing. In the earlier years I also payed cash for some of the expansions as I did not have enough TP to buy them with. In the first few years subscribing provided me with benefits, after that I still subbed to support the game and payed ahead for the future updates by saving the LP. I also added 2 additional VIP accounts in this time ( never enough storage space )Quote:
Originally Posted by Sophisticate
Then Mordor cam out, and wow were the prices high for no real benefits. So I decided on getting the lowest price base unit. But SSG did a major game changer by making it not available for LP unless you waited like 5 months, the first time in Lotro's FTP existence that such a thing has happened. As a yearly subscriber I felt snubbed, like my $100 a year meant nothing to them. So I waited in the penalty box for it to become available for LP. End result was I let all my VIP subs run out since SSG no longer valued their VIP subscribers. If I did not have enough LP in the store, I would have paid the $40 cash for the expansion.
I am sure I am not the only one who stopped subscribing over this, SSG lost a steady stream of income from me and others because they became greedy.
Now the next expansion is going to be the same way., I still have plenty of LP from several years of subscribing, so I will just wait once again in the penalty box to be able to buy for LP. I'm sure there will be a large base of ex VIP's in the same boat and we will all start the new area in March 2020.
Why not have the expansion available for pre-order for 4000LP and discounted in March 2020 for 2495LP? ( yea, I know, there are sales on LP and people used to buy during this time to save on future updates, but that all ended when SSG took over. )
Only SSG knows the true impact of this new model they instituted.
Lifers still had to purchase Mines of Moria and Siege of Mirkwood back when those titles were originally released (prior to Free-to-Play). Lifetime was "Lifetime Subscription" which does not include expansions, as per the original agreement of buying a lifetime account.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sophisticate
Mordor does not differ from this.
The game cannot survive on using hoarded LP as SSG does need to make money to operate (and when revenue can't come from expansion sales, they are then required to nickel and dime through other means). Not to mention the inflation of Store prices thanks to lifer hoards.
How nice blaming lifetimers for SSG's problems. Many lifetimers buy points so dont even go there on blaming them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hallandil
It is good to see the word "Official" was removed from this thread's title. The person who made this thread does not work for SSG and in no way can claim anything they say is Official.
I was about to contact the CM about this and saw the word "Official" was removed. To who ever pointed this out to SSG, you have my thanks.
I only really care if it matters, but it seemed to matter in this case due to the interest in a thread to discuss the expansion in general.Quote:
Originally Posted by sapienze
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapienze
Really?
All a person has to do is read the OPs first comments and realize it wasn't coming from any "official" bluename. It seems the only thing the OP was guilty of was a little hyperbole in order to get some attention.
But, on behalf of an eternally grateful LOTRO playerbase, thank YOU, for being willing to save us from this great source of evil. :rolleyes:
For the first time in our 12 year history with Lotro my wife and I will not be buying the pre-order expansion, maybe not even the expansion at all. Neither of us raid or do group instances so if game play beyond Erebor is any example of the new expansion then it has nothing to offer us. They have trashed crafting and made outfitting a character so confusing and daunting that we both have numerous lvl 120 characters parked unplayed. Most of our game play is devoted to leveling alts now.
We will be voting with our wallets on this one.
Mordor Ultimate had a Month of VIP as well.
Blame's got nothing to do with it. It is what it is.Quote:
Originally Posted by peachykins
This, coupled with a server like Gladden, drove my bf & me away from group content and into the "Legendary Servers". Another reason not to fret about this expansion: we group and level up there, only coming back to Gladden to quest and explore new landscape.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ltngstrike
Except when it's not. I know plenty of lifetimers who spend real cash, myself included. Just sounds like sour grapes to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by Moondog548
I'd be more likely to blame the folks who say "I'm not spending another dime on this game until they give me X! That'll show 'em!" but still keep playing the game. Well, to be honest, if they gave everyone their "X", what kind of a hot mess would that be?
I agree! Since I gave up raiding/min-max/the grind, and just focus on quests and stuff I find fun, it's been a refreshingly fun time! Looking forward to the new areas, but I'll be taking my time and enjoying the fun bits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Laurelinarien
I was going to buy the Ultimate Edition until you guys knocked some sense into me. We haven't even seen the expansion on beta yet! Also I reevaluated what you get in the Ultimate and realized that it's absolutely not worth the $$. I'll likely be getting the standard version, but I'd much rather spend LPs on it. It's quite disappointing that it won't be avaliable for LPs until March; I mean at least make it like December or even January. By the time March comes around people will have already done all the content potentially.
I hope they take a look at this thread and make some changes, but I doubt it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapienze
Said person do believe in his is own twisted eyes to be the official voice of the player base..
Golod to see it removed
I have high hopes for this update.. keep going ssg!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ltngstrike
Yeah, I still havent even decided yet. That is not usual for me. Money itsef is not the issue when I like something and find it worth it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Starliteyes
It's still that no matter if I have the money I want to pay for something I like.
- I didn't want a cap raise already.
- I do play instances and even sometimes raid, but this was way too quickly and I'm not even done and fully geared with Anvil T2 gear yet or T5 gold stuff. I have a few pieces but not all. Same for many of my friends.
- I can't keep up with this rat-race anymore as I refuse to buy lootbox keys. I do have a life outside this game. It's how I can afford to pay and play, but still won't buy and support lootboxes to gear up. I'll gladly pay for expansions and sub on multiple accounts when I'm enjoying what I do with my son and friends.
- Friends are talking about leaving on various discord channels as they are finally fed up with this rat race of chasing gear in instances and raids, universal solvents and essences and it all. Which too soon after are all outdated again anyway, if they even get as far as get fully equipped. Many don't but just a few pieces before LvL cap raised again. It's just too much. Already lost many friends with Mordor and now it seems more I know will leave. Most that stayed through Mordor and just suffered trough it, then did acctually like Iron Hills, Ered Mithrin and Vales. Now they simply can not stand another year (or more) of Mordor style content all over again.
- Don't want to go back to Mordor if it involves LoE/Radiance 2.0 again (not sure yet if it does, but seems likely).
- Do not like the included cosmetics. Compared to RoI, RoR and HD big packs cosmetics they are hideous in my taste. Can't even turn off the screamingly flashy glow on the outfit and steed. Looks like some anime masquerade/cosplay more or less. I play LoTRO as I tried GW2 an other MMO RPG's and can't stand that look. Yes I know that is just my taste. Son and friends agree though.
- See no point with the stout-axes as no new class, not even warden playable.
- No point with the 120 valar unless it can be used on a 120 character for the other bonuses, as I'm not making a new charactrer due to no new classes.
- 20 Empowerement Scrolls is like doing the MT dailes on 2 alts once, so that's not going to change my mind.
If at least the cosmetics were anything like RoI, RoR and HD it would at least be something, but they're not. Neither was Mordor cosmetics. That was something LoTRO used to do well up until Gondor. I'm at a loss and not sure what to do at all yet.
I would even rather pay this price for the biggest packs of RoR and HD again with those cosmetics included for more alt accounts than to buy this expansion.
It's just how i feel atm. It might change. Don't know. Just seeing and reading friends reactions on discord last night got me down. How I felt at start of Mordor did not change and I did not start to feel good about the game again until we were out of it and finally in Iron Hills. Me and my friends have been enjoying Iron Hills, Ered Mithrin and Vales alot. Mordor none of us liked but suffered through. The rest left.
For me, my BIGGEST issue with every lotro expansion/update since 105 has been.
Level increase.
Pure and simple. SSG doesn't bring to us enough end-game content at each level cap to keep the player base active and enticed. With each level cap they leave in its wake a host of dead instances and dead content that will never be done again. I really FAIL to see the thought process here, I really do. It wouldn't matter if all instances and raids were scaled appropriately and dropped appropriate level gear, but they do not.
My ideal option going forward would be to axe the level cap increase and require us to use Light of Earendil again, considering we're going back to Mordor anyway - thus requiring people to farm a whole new set of gear anyway, BUT at the same time, NOT creating dead content.
So... Minas Morgul out in March, huh?
Seems like it will be the same lame way like for Mordor:
buy for money and exploit or come later and be annoyed by no loot anywhere
at least, some bugs will be fixed within that half year... its just a bit sad, that most of my toons will likely be near levelcap or at levelcap when entering the new zones, which will give me a 'wrong' feeling about the intended challenge those quests are supposed to have. I'd have preferred entering Minas Morgul with a lvl120 toon, but with half a year time passing, I doubt many of my toons will stay there.
I see no mention of Deeds in any promotion for the expansion.
There are no Deeds?
There was an oversight making the expansion promotion?
My wife and I are VIPs, and we pay annually for the game, but that may be coming to an end soon.
I just don't understand the value of the Ultimate Tier at all. I remember back in the day you could spend $70 for a "Collector's Edition" and receive an Art Book, a Soundtrack, a well-printed box set, and other digital perks for other games. Today, it's all digital. There's no physical anything. There's no insight into the artwork, no soundtracks, nothing to put on the "collector's" shelf. I understand optical media is a thing of the past, but if you're going to sell a digital package, at least throw your subscribers a bone, and use the value to build in new subscribers to extend the life of the game.
How is there no VIP incentive built in to any of this? There's no hook here to come in as a subscriber. There's no LOTRO points. The best value of all the tiers is the basic one. You at least get the expansion content, an extra character slot, and the stout-axe dwarf race. The other two are simply lacking in any value to match the dollars asked for. I had been waiting anxiously for the Minas Morgul announcement, and I have to say, I'm completely underwhelmed. The 0:45 trailer on YouTube did not get me excited for the content, and I'm disappointed that as a longtime player, supporter and subscriber, I must wait until March of next year (4 months after release) to play the new content, unless I want to shell out more money than I already do. After spending hundreds of dollars over the last 8 years and having an active VIP subscription, I'm locked out of any new content unless I'm willing to squeeze out more cash until next year. It's preposterous.
I love Tolkien. I have loved LOTRO. I've been faithful, but I'm losing interest guys. I turned off auto-renewal for my VIP subscription. You need to do a better job of keeping your subscribers happy and eager to come back. I'm not saying that $130 is too much to ask; I'm saying what you're asking from subscribers to pay for new content who already pay you every single month is outrageous and unrealistic. Please rethink your future strategies and perhaps I'll come take another look later on.
I'm 120 and finished with Vales of Anduin. I don't raid. I was only logging in while waiting for Minas Morgul landscape, but this announcement fell completely flat for me.
Tell me just few things.. You sad it's still too early? Early for what m8? Raid is out for like one year? 8 months? And u saying you dont have gear? It's not our problem.. What? You need like 4 years old raid to have all gear? Comeone.. stop complaining... Throne of Dread Terror is out for like 2-3 years and people still dont know how to play? What shoudl WoW player say? They getting new raid every few months..Quote:
Originally Posted by Lord.Funk
Conclusion: If you are not hard core player its ok to not get all best gears.. but tbh I am playing for like 2-3h 4 days in week and I got full geared my toon (all raid gear, all essences, all golden items)..
I never said it was Your problem. Did I say that ??? I acctually said the opposite that it is a problem for me (as well as friends and other people I have read both here as well as in various discord channels). That is why I am not decided if I even want to buy this pack or play the new area. Definetly not Your problem. Never ever suggested it was. In the long run it can be SSG's problem if many feel like me and stop buying or playing. I know I'm not the only one who feels like this. Only time will tell.Quote:
Originally Posted by Itachi1337
I even know people who do play instances all the time and like to raid often that are geared and still think this has become too much. In fact people like that who went "Oh noo, not a cap raise again and the whole gear grind all over" when they read the news yesterday and even expressed that they might leave. People who's goal it is to gear up and do end-game stuff.
Besides that was only some of the issues as to why I'm not decided, I'm sorry if I stepped on Your toes by having that opinion. There are other reasons to that I mentioned.
That's a whataboutism. If you're buying points, then why not buy the expansion?Quote:
Originally Posted by peachykins
Not everything is some salty attack on lifers. I'm fully aware that many of LOTRO's problems stem from SSG and actions by past management.
That doesn't change the fact that there is a large pool of accounts sitting in storage that still gain premium currency. Many being traded/sold by hackers and 3rd party websites.
It mattered. it did to me anyway. Glad it got noticed.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cordovan
Thank you Standing Stone for taking care of my problem!
Truly appreciated!
The logic is backwards here. They made the calculation to gouge $130 out of people crazy enough, or with enough spare change to put down on 0's and 1's. THEN they came up with the exclusive carrots to dangle. It's not like a rare baseball card that there are only 100 of in the world, there are as many of these items available as there are people willing to spend that crazy price on them. And apparently there were enough of them for the Mordor expansion to justify doing it again. Not me. I went for the middle version last time, but only the standard this time. The mounts, pets, and cosmetic items are the only extras that I care about. 10 scrolls of empowerment I can get in one run of dailies. Other that that, keep it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanyaerunanethiel
Pre-Order Collector Founder Lifer here. Since the store, I've spent 100.00+ per year to compensate for a subscription since my return. Many times double that for two characters. The alt remains at 105 now. We as Lifers have the task of buying expansions. No issue there. But I have already allocated the monies for this year for my character and will not be purchasing this expansion. Not really due to the inflated price but mainly due to I have no excitement for what it's turned out to be. Leveling and gearing up is a mainstay but since Mordor, I'm disheartened. I seriously want to believe these designs are not coming from SSG even though they put floating rocks in game. :p
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ariwen55
most likely the card's anti-fraud protections are blocking you
Hey all.... not had time to read all posts as only back for a few hours before away again with work.... so apologies if this has been asked and answered...
So this is the base bundle for 39.99 US
Minas Morgul Expansion Base Edition
Over 250 New Quests
7 New Instances*
Updated Crafting Guilds
Black Book of Mordor Storyline**
New Shelob Raid and more!*
Stout-axe Dwarf Race
Extra Character Slot
Expedition Supplies†
100% XP Boost Scrolls (1hr) x5
Reputation Supply Boost x5
Then for an extra $40 you get the Collectors edition at $79.99 and receive these as extra for your $40
Collectors edition
A Character Level Boost to 120†
Cosmetics of the Great Alliance
Exclusive armour and cloak
Shepherd dog pet
Mount of the Great Alliance
Exclusive Titles "Hero, Past and Present" "Heroine, Past and Present"
10 Scrolls of Empowerment
Then you get the Ultimate fan bundle for another $50 on top of the Collectors edition at $129.99 you get these for your $50 extra paid
Ultimate fan
Cosmetics of the Dead City
Exclusive armor and cloak
Harnessed shepherd dog pet
Mount of the Dead City
New: Cosmetic Weapon Aura
Aura of the Dead City
Exclusive Title "Ablâkhul"
Equippable XP Accelerator for all characters
Exclusive Housing Teleport for all characters
Three Relics for all characters
5000 Virtue XP
20 Scrolls of Empowerment
If this is correct.... then it seems that folks will pay a lot for cosmetics. If you are not a MASSIVE fan of cosmetics with bottomless money pit in your garden... then you are paying +$40 for a level 120 boost and some scrolls...and then on ultimate another +$90 for the same 120 boost along with a house port, a xp accelerator and a few extra scrolls.
This cannot be correct can it?
False statement. In each case there is a dangerous factor common who is called addiction with potentially all different negative effect that this implies.Quote:
Originally Posted by Narthalion
It can be and is, sadly. As per a post from one of the other Minas Morgul threads:Quote:
Originally Posted by LabadalofDorlomin
I picture the dev team popping some champagne open in the office when they read comments like that.Quote:
Not any worse than Mordor pricing.
I bought that - saying it was overpriced. And I bought this. People like me that are irrationally loyal to the game keep them in business and justify the pricing.
I don't see it as popping the cork at all.... They need folks to buy the higher tier models for the game to progress but when we are talking about adding items that don't cost thema single penny because they are already designed and can be added therefore seemingly for no cost... it is mad to not offer the two higher tiers to anyone who isn't that mad on cosmetics...Quote:
Originally Posted by Aelbryht
Why not add 1x of each of the valars bound to account for tier 2 and x2 of each for the tier 3 ultimate edition?
Why not x50 scrolls for t2 and x100 scrolls for t3 .... bound to account.
Why not add mount pick box x2 for tier2 and x4 for tier3?
To be honest, I would possibly buy the ultimate tier if it had all the ingredients to make and level up an imbued weapon and imbued class item to level 120 level ready to use with the level 120 boost.
As it is, again you will use the level 120 boost and be without a weapon and have to grind months to get it to max and to me that negates any use of any of the valars whatsoever and therefore offering boosts is pathetic as indeed is this current expansion price to offering effort.
Incorrect,False,Wrong taken to the extremes. Of course one will posses the weapon nor she/he is required to grind endlessly. The will boost their character to coop up with latest expansion,experience story content much more rapidly plus it offers access to gigantic amount of content , to mention entering any zone,class tomes and other goodies.Quote:
Originally Posted by LabadalofDorlomin
It's not all about weapon and grind, Those focused on story content,lore ,exploration and caring not for instances do not more than 3rd age weapon. Landscape progression is ultra easy. You cannot limit yourself to grind only. Boosts have and always will have their uses. So according to your logic let's never buy a boost if it does offer half or fully maxed 2nd or 1st age Legendary weapon or 50 crystals and 200+ scrolls of emp? Maybe you want an Ultimate Aria of Valar which will cost 20,000 and them to handle everything amp-ed without you invest effort at all. Sigh.
It saddens me how many players focus on sole aspect, "there is no balance", "the grind is horrendous", "one skill is bad", "no new PvMP zone" bugs,performance problems and immediately everything else must collapse. Typical.
no no no nothing should colapse but yes the grind is horrible!!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Vanyaerunanethiel
i used to have 5-6 raid ready alts on lvl 75 and now i have none cos i hate grinding every 5 lvls!
they promised that LIs will lvl with us but they introdused the scrolls and the star lyts !
if you ask me the PvP is unbalanced yes, creeps should drop like flies, the correct thing is 10 creeps needed to kill a freep with basic landscape armor!
skills are not that bad and i never had really big issues with the bugs!
when i m paying for something i expect to have the full package with not extra payments for things that should be included, i dont have a prob to pay for a store only item tho.
yes i love lore and at the moment i m focused on it, i wont raid cos of the grind!
yes i agree with the Labadaofdorlomin above, there should be more things for those prices!!!
my suggestion is a package where the client would be able to sellect what things want to buy!
i dont care for the glowing outfit or horse, i dont care for the stout "race", i dont care for the XP!
i might need the lvl 120 boost item in case i want to speed lvl a toon and i really want the scrolls to reduse a bit my grind!
why should i pay for things i dont need??????
If you break it down using LP, and I'm going to round up the numbers, the $130 saves quite a bit of money spent in the store:Quote:
Originally Posted by Celebrawn
Minas Morgul Xpac: 2500 LP value (when it hits the store)
Stout-axe Race: 1000 LP
Aria of the Valar: 6700 LP value (Based on the 105 boost price. I haven't seen the 120 boost price yet)
Steeds: 4000 LP value (2 account-wide steeds w/WS cosmetics included, each typically go for 2000-2500 LP in the store. Going to use the lower value here.)
Scrolls of Empowerment: 6000 LP value (20 scrolls at 300 LP each, based on the LP value and NOT the MC value)
+100% Exp Boosts: 600 LP (based on the discounted bundle of 5)
Cosmetic gear: 3000 LP value (2 complete sets, based on the 1500 LP Recovered Armour of Barad Guldur bundle price, which is lower overall. Other 6-piece sets with individually purchased pieces runs roughly 2100 LP)
Before you assign value to the other things like the rep boosts, virtue exp, relics, etc., you're already dancing around 23800 LP. And the cheapest LP package that almost covers that is the $200 one. That's a savings of roughly $70.
I did some math first to see what it actually saves in the long run prior to purchasing anything and these were the numbers, within a reasonable margin of error, that I used.
Whether or not it's worth it? That's up to the player to decide.
btw, does anyone knows what the "Ablâkhul" title means?
is it in Khzuzdul? looks like ......
I'm not sure why you keep quoting my posts... I must be in your head...... and that is a scary thought :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Vanyaerunanethiel
You have just said that I focus on a sole aspect when you yourself do exactly the same thing. Go figure [confused face]
It is undeniable that the offerings are for folks who love the dressing up game.... but there is little for anyone else, not at least in the terms of paying another 90 bucks.
I like the idea just above of being able to choose what you want.... here is 100 credits... here is a cost list... when you purchase you can spend your credits and receive your own choice. Job done... more ultimate versions sold
Cost to SSG? Very little in terms of item sales lost from the store because I can only speak in my small circle, but I do not buy scrolls from the store but certainly would use my credits from a expac sale to go for scrolls over a new hauberk or boots.
I heard on chat someone say "Strong Ruler" but I have no idea beyond that hearsay...Quote:
Originally Posted by Valakircka
Good point.Quote:
Originally Posted by LabadalofDorlomin
I see 2 problems with this. 1 is the fact that you're building the argument on already inflated prices and 2. is the fact that some people don't want a lot of things in this bundle and others are just pure filler or worthless.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathrien_Estelenlaer
Best example I get from reading your post is the Scrolls of Empowerment. Doing a daily set of Minas Tirith dailies can give you 6.5 scrolls for only about 30 minutes of your time. So it would take you 3 days to get those 20 scrolls or roughly 1.5 hours of your time. 6000 LP is about 60$. This means you are paying 60$!!! for something you can get by playing the game CASUALLY for 30 minutes every day for just 3 days! I can manage it even when I'm busy with work.
Then you have other filler items that they always give, these are just like the pens and pencils you get at some rally to promote a company or something. I can't speak for others but most people already have inventories full of these, when they don't even use them. Not to mention the 5k Virtue LP which MUST be a joke. When you can get this again just by doing some dailies for a couple minutes.
I could also mention how some people don't want to valar characters, don't care about cosmetics or don't care about the new race. I get that those are personal choices and this is a bundle, but I would prefer to see these things seperately sold as well. For example, I myself have an interest in the cosmetics. I don't want a "60$" Valar and "60$" Bundle of Scrolls of Empowerement inflating the price of something I want.
All through your breakdown you use the term value when what you actually mean is cost. Value is subjective and this is why some people feel the packs are over-priced. They obviously feel some or all of the individual items are over-priced or of no (zero) actual value to them at all - cosmetics, for example.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nathrien_Estelenlaer
Not disputing your price breakdown. I'm sure the figures are correct.
Look at it this way. If the tiers are basically the same as they were for Mordor a couple years ago, they must have been enough of a financial success for SSG to offer their equivalents again for the MM expac. It is entertaining to read all the complainers in this thread though. I guess with an expac coming out the usual doom and gloom of the game ending, failing, blah blah blah can't work, so complaining about getting ripped off for something you don't have to pay is the next, best gripe?
Problem solvedQuote:
Originally Posted by oldsneakers
Thank you Standing Stone for taking care of my problem!
Truly appreciated!
The anonymous owner and the publisher Daybreak maybe, but the dev team- no way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Aelbryht
The dev team is busy with their heads down trying desperately to get the expansion content workable and out the door on time and trying not to think about the constant threat of layoffs.
Why is Ultimate and Premium advertising 3 x exclusive titles and 2 x exclusive titles?
Hero of . . . .
Heroine of . . .
That's just one title, depending on the character gender.
there are hundreds of posts in this thread so my answer might be in them. But i cannot bring myself to read them all. I see the Expansion drops at the end of October but buying it with points is not available til March of next year. Why do those of us who are VIP or Lifers have to wait to use our points? Its easier for me on a limited budget to use points *lifetime sub here* thats it just curious.
PS if what I read is incorrect I apologize
Pre and post op. Coming to the store soon. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnenna
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From the twitch stream:
Valar 120 seems not to be auto completing a load of old quests and deeds thankfully but the concept of giving you an already Imbued LI seem odd. How about if you have 10 slots taken up already? Other benefits might make it a viable advancement to use up to 119, not least VXP and promotion points.
If I'm making an ILI I'll have the legacy scrolls I want already harvested for replacement before the imbue process.
However you look at it an ILI is a huge investment and to have it start with random legacies is a non starter. Without resources it can be worse than the pre imbue. Will they have delving and remembrance included?
Fixing it to suit your game play will be 50 MC per legacy so will they come with 7 open slots to assign and a bunch of IXP to make it better than a non-imbue?
You get them on all your characters. You can choose which one to use.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arnenna
Quote:
Originally Posted by SSG_RedPanda
Well now... that's just totally going to trigger a certain demographic.
:D
Roll over Tolkien. Is my titles page going to increase substantially?Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxFire