Twenty Questions – Request for Player Submissions

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Can you be more specific on future plans for this year?

Are the Fangorn Forests and Isengard Ents content updates still slated for March?

We're getting revamps for Book 13, any plans to add new region content vs. just updating old regions?

What else is planned for end game players (I.E. Level 95, fully geared, and traited)?

Are we able to look forward to any more Big Battles in the near future?

Are there any plans to rebalance stats so we have more than just Vitality + Class Stat + Phys/Tac Mastery to build?

What new things are possible or planned now that we've had the class skill/trait revamp?

Will the Vanguard Line of the Big Battles be seeing a revamp since it's basically not useful right now?

Any plans to fix mitigations in the Ettenmoors?

With the aggro revamp a lot of items and skills that revolved around aggro are now either broken or gone. Any plans to tweak aggro management beyond just tanking classes?

Any plans to create newer and more difficult/complex content than what we've seen recently?

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Just to help with the duplicate questions, here's links to answered questions:

Q/A Hobbits to Isengard - Elendilmir

Questions in This Thread That Already Have Answers

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Questions from below summarized:

Are there plans for a kinship system revamp? (Dusken)

When will the icons for the HD release - I.E. Red emeralds - get updated to actually match what they are? (LethalLethality)

When can we start to expect new raid and instance content? (ilwing1)

Will any more of the older instances be scaled in the future? (Elrantiri)

We’ve heard a little bit of talk before on the RNG, any plans to make it less frustrating? (Bhoris_they_spider)

What updates does jinjaah have planned for the Ettenmoors? (Tirian-Hammerfist)

Any plans to improve the Instance Finder? (DanteIL)

Are there any planned changes for VIPs in terms of rewards or payment options? (Finranduil)

When will we be getting 95 First Age Legendaries? (AlmericITA)

Any chance Free/Premium players will be able to purchase PvMP access through the store? (AlmericITA)

Will there be additional leveling options 1-85 in the planned revamps? (Grapold)

What is being done to address zone FPS issues and Server/Routing Latency problems? (Zwiebellord)

Are there any planned changes to revamp legendary items? (Belnavar)

Will there be a new crafting instance for Helm’s Deep? (Belnavar)

Are there any plans to revamp zone connections / add better swift travel options throughout the world? (West-northwestook)

Are there plans for more group content? (Thoronthor)

Will there be more cosmetic items – staff or player made – added to the game? (catrean)

When can we expect new armor sets? (Wyvernclaw)

Are there any plans to revamp the daily cap limits from Hytbold? (Gagmuk)

Is there any way to improve the economy/auction hall? (Whitewinged7)

Are there plans to include additional class skills / trait points? (TheCrossbow)

Is anything being done towards revamping Virtues and Racial Traits? (TheCrossbow)

Are there any plans to improve the availability of Emerald Shards? (J_Howell)

Grouped by similar questions based from the first person to ask. Left out questions that have already been answered or were too specific.

What is the emote /airlute and how do we get it?

Is Palantir expected to close down like Mourlands is leaving us with a single test program?

Being as important as it sounds, and knowing this year we won't have a major expansion, why is that Turbine doesn't have plans on a new kinship system for LOTRO?

Thanks!

Are there currently any plans to (ever) create content for northern Mirkwood, Gladden Fields, the area south of Bree and other unused spaces that aren't close to the path of the Fellowship?

Do you have any plans to set up another 'Design a horse' contest, or similar fun contest which allows players to show their creativity?

It seems like the last couple of years have had a decrease in difficulty and complexity throughout the game, especially with the threat changes. Is this something the developers are doing intentionally, or are there other factors involved?

Couple of gameplay related Qs:

1. What is the expected timeframe for getting all of the classes balanced for PvE and PvP? A possible new class was hinted at in Kate Paiz's letter, so is it something you want completed before it's release?

2. When will we get updated icons for new items like crafting mats? We're on 12.2 and still don't have new icons for new items.



A question for curiosity's sake:

3. How often do you get to sit down and enjoy playing the game you make? Would you like to be able to play it more or does working on it all the time make you not want to play?

Do you have any plans to make the BB talent tiers more accessible, especially for solo/duo players? I found that it was somewhat depressing to level up to a point where, say, Engineer is fun, and by that time, I had all I needed for gear. Also, at that point, I generally switched to an alt, & started the process again. I'd enjoy them a lot more if I had more tools up front, given that class abilities don't have much impact.

END GAME! are you going to make us a multi raid end game content ever again 6+ bosses as the big battles are not end game since a 30min raid where u get the same rewards from doing it solo does not class as end game

During this year without an expansion, do you plan on revamping vanilla zones that are still in desperate need such as Trollshaws and Misty Mountains?

Are there any plans to add new zones that are not on the 'main' storyline to Mordor? e.g. South Farthing, Gladden Fields, Tharbad, etc.

Any new Raids, Battles, Instances or scaled content planned for 2014?

Will more instances be made scalable in the forseeable future? Carn Dum and Rift may not be possible due to nostalgia, but what about ToO, Roots of Fangorn, Lothlorien and/or Moria instances?

What about new scalable instances/skirmishes based on existing content? I'm more specifically thinking of "instances" like the Tomb of Elendil, Battle of Lorien, The Culling Pit in Dunland and/or Siege on Wulfs Cleft.

Will there be changes to Virtues, LI relics and LI titles to comply with the bloated stats at lvl 86 and upwards?

Will there be other choices for 'payout' from Gold and Platinum rewards (e.g. currency, medallions, seals) in BBs?

Captain: In Beta RockX hinted that Captain LI legacies could use some changes, are there any plans for such changes?

Are we going to see more Captain Hands of Healing (especially Might+tactical mastery) items in the near future?

PvMP: Any plans to make Fellwrought and Orc-craft damage be mitigated by physical/tactical mitigation?

any plans to start making a traditional instance cluster this year? any chance this might come to fruition before 2015?

cheers in advance.

edit: ps. if there's no current plans please would you comment on if and when this may be reviewed and why this has not been considered as part of your 2014 plans.

@JWBarry

I have had the same jewellery platinum reward from BBs 4 times in a row now. I don't mind an element of RNG but it is highly frustrating to have to delete 3 platinum reward in a row making all my efforts effectively for nothing. Are you happy with the system or do you wish to change it to prevent such frustration? Could we at least barter unwanted rewards for something useful?

Will the in game mail program ever be updated to mail more than 1 item at a time?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bhoris_they_spider

@JWBarry

I have had the same jewellery platinum reward from BBs 4 times in a row now. I don't mind an element of RNG but it is highly frustrating to have to delete 3 platinum reward in a row making all my efforts effectively for nothing. Are you happy with the system or do you wish to change it to prevent such frustration? Could we at least barter unwanted rewards for something useful?

---

you can, but you need seals. RNG for solo players, seals grind and choice for raiders being the current implementation.

I may end up echoing some previously asked questions, but better to ask them just in case :)


Upcoming updates

When is update 13 and what can we expect to see in it?

Which areas are slated for revamps in 2014?

Sapience mentioned that there would be no raids/instances in 'the near future'. Does this mean that we won't be seeing new raids before the next expansion?

With no instances/raids planed in the near future, are there plans for new end game which does not take the form of a soloable region?


The Ettenmoors

Is the Ettenmoors scheduled for an extensive revamp/rebalancing in the near future (within the next two content updates)?

'Class items' in the Ettenmoors, such as the captain's shield or banner do not exist at level 95. Are there plans to introduce these with the second agers in update 13?

All Ettenmoors cloaks currently give fate and little else. Was this intentional, and if so, what merited this change in thinking?

Will it ever be possible to have a creep mail-service?

(Bit of a cheeky question incoming) Is the 'surprise' mentioned in the producer's letter a new creep class?


Miscellaneous

Gondor is a massive place. Is the intention to see the outlying areas of it, such as Morthond, Pelargir or Cair Andros, or simply to head for Minas Tirith/Osgiliath?

The producer's letter mentioned 'meaningful' changes in housing. Does this mean a significant change to the way it functions, or simply increasing the number of 'hooks'?

When inspecting someone, you can no longer see their traits. Will this be rectified in the future?

@JWBarry

In your Ost Dunhoth dev diary you said that you used the difficulty curve of the game Demon Souls to design content that punishes mistakes. Do you want to revisit such a philosophy and give players challenging group content that will take many weeks/months to master?

It has been hinted that content developers are still open to the idea of instances/raids in future expansions. Can you share some ideas you have as a content development team about where you would like to create a new instance/raid cluster so players who like to raid have something to possibly look forward to?

Any concrete plans to improve the Instance Finder to encourage people to use it for finding PUG groups in more flexible ways?

Also (but not unrelated): What happened to the plans to establish 'official' global /glff channels?

I know this is a very broad question, but could you be more specific with your current (*cough*non-secret*cough*) plans for the revamp?

Are there any plans to develop new classes? For example: Gauntlord/wights or dragon.

Will there be a new race (giants, valar, or something else to be unlocked by TP or something like that)?

Are there going to be some new instances acceseble to all (also F2P) players?

Is Turbine going to change the mail system so it will be possible to sent more items at the time?

Will it be possible to somehow exchange stuff from your creep player to your freep?

Is it somehow possible to get another (VIP) payment method something like Ideal? For it's hard in Europe to get VIP, because the creditcard is less accepted as in the USA.

• Do you think is possible to have in the foreseeable future something like Limlight Gorge (a region for group playing) ?
• Sapience, do you think that Player council is doing good? What can be improved in the PC?
• We all know that a huge revamp like the one just happened to classes need some time to be balanced. What we still need to achieve balance?
• We will get later First Age LI, but not trough Raids. Can you anticipate, at least a little, how we will obtain them?
• If not Kinship revamp, what kind of revamp can have a big impact on players? (mh, maybe that one sounds like an opinion with a question mark in the end)
• When you say in your official statements like "We’ve heard a lot of you suggest..." and "Players have expressed a desire to..". Where do player have suggested that kind of things? How is possible for me to express my desire ? :D
• Any chance to see the access to Ettenmoors possible buying some "Ettenmoors Pass" in the store and not only through VIP?
• Can you give us more information about the license renewal? When will it end? Is only for LOTRO or for any LOTR games for Turbine\WB?
• Turbine stated more than once that will not be server merges. It's because there's technical problems or because the state of the game don't require that kind of action (basically the question is, there's the possibility to merge server)?

There are currently multiple leveling paths for 0 to 75. From Rohan onwards things have become very linear and therefore repetitive!

Q. - Any plans to add additional/alternate lvl 75+ areas in the future?

Will we get any raids this year (or any challenging instances), or it will all just be about bug fixes and small quest packs?

1. Do you plan to update the graphics engine ?
2. Do you plan to decrease ingame and out of game loading times ?
3. Do you plan to fix the performance/freeze/client-crash whatever bugs *systematically* ? (sounds harsh, isn´t meant so ;-)

Can you give us another hint about the surprise coming later this year (which, from the Producer's Letter, I gather will be a new class)?

Can you tell us when we will get the first parts of the housing update?

Will you be making the Summer Festival a lot more interesting (it is currently the dullest of the lot, imo, due to being ignored while expansion development went on)?

Will the Paths of the Dead be landscape, Session Play, or just a few story instances as part of a Book Quest? Lore might suggest we shouldn't enter, but it is such an iconic location that I'd hate not to be able to fully immerse myself in it on my own character.

Will the first part of Gondor be a separate region or part of a single region update (for example, a sliver of Gondor as a sub-region)?

Can we expect any changes to the Legendary Item system this year (barring tweaks to legacies)?

Can we get a unified inventory bag (like the One Bag) with sorting options?

Can we expect any more Big Battles this year (even if they are expansions of existing ones to different sizes)?

Can we expect First Age weapons this year?

Can we expect new armour sets this year?

When can we expect the promised crafting instances?

Are there any plans to add non-Warband repeatable quests to let us get tokens for the West Rohan barters?

What one new addition to the game this year are you, Sapience, most excited about?

Is that enough questions?

-Bel

Cheers to everyone :>

1) Are there any plans / revisions / perspectives concerning the PvP-part of the game?
2) Upcoming instances: Are they meant to be more challenging again?
3) Are there any changes concerning the virtues?


Regards!

1. Any plans to balance pve and pvp?
2. Are you ever going to scale creep traits/racials/skills?
3. Was it intended for freeps to be able to cap mitigations, cap bpe (ive seen this on ministrel), get high crit d, and get high resist without any real sacrifice to offensive stats?
4. Do you intend to make this game challenging in pve?

Will we ever see Northern Mirkwood, Erebor, New Dale, or the Rebuilt Esgaroth? There is war and battle in the north as well.

- Will the update to old zones be more cosmetic (a la Bree) or involving a streamlining of quests like with Evendim? Or a bit of both?
- Which zones will get dusted off?
- Will there ever be a connection between northern Wildermore and Limlight Gorge (even if the builders at the river were slain)?
- Will we get Tharbad or rather a connection between the both parts of the Greenway?
- What about instances involving mounted combat? Any plans for them?
- I want to take my chicken to Edoras and Caras Galadhon. How are my chances? Will we be able to cross from Dunland into Rohan?

1. When do you plan the next Instance Cluster and Raid? Not a new BB or skirm, but traditional group content.

2. Are you planning to fix the aggro management for tanks from where it is now?

The rest of my questions would be too class-specific and probably snarky, so I'll leave it at these. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gedrevn

What else is planned for end game players (I.E. Level 95, fully geared, and traited)?

---

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tirian-Hammerfist

Sapience mentioned that there would be no raids/instances in 'the near future'. Does this mean that we won't be seeing new raids before the next expansion?

---

These questions and also do you intend to revisit and refine game mechanics, such as the LI system and war-steeds? Both of these need a spit & polish IMO. LI especially as combining loads of relics is a gruelling process.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jewl_of_the_lake

Will we ever see Northern Mirkwood, Erebor, New Dale or the Rebuilt Esgaroth?

---

These areas fall under 'The Hobbit' license and we won't see them as the devs have previously stated

Is there any chance that classes that are "experts" at certain weapon types, i.e. wardens with spears, burglars with daggers, have that damage increased to match the racial damage bonuses so as to have more variety to weapon choice rather than hobbit = club, man = sword, elf = one handed sword/bow, dwarf = axe?

Is there any chance to add new expert weapon proficiencies to other classes, maybe hunters with axes or daggers, for example?

Thank you.

1. Will there be more group content?

2. Why wont there be more group content?

3. Will there be any update to the functionality of kinships?

4. Why has upgrading kinships been abandoned?

5. Why do you not think upgrading kinships is a priority?

6. Will you fix the anticlimactic ending to the Western Rohan epic arc? (we want to charge out with Theoden and Aragorn!)

7. Will you be bringing out more 3/6/12 man big battle versions?

8. Seriously...why don't you care about kinships?

9. Will there be a landmass expansion this year?

10. LIs are still grindy, boring and decidedly UNlegendary many years later, any plans?

11. Any plans for more MC content that isn't Warbands?

12. Will there be new landmass this year?

13. Are there less devs working on Lotro than a year ago?

14. Are you giving RockX a raise?

15. Kinships?


Al right, im out of ideas for now

Will there be more cosmetic dresses for festivals?

Can there be new deeds for monster players? A bird slayer deed :) or make that sleeping squirrel killable would really add to my enjoyment. Also adding a coney (bunny) slayer deed would be hilarious for reavers.

Will fishing get more deeds?

Will more hobbies be considered?

How is the housing update progressing?

Will the music system be given any love?

How do you determine wich instances get scaled to max level?

1: How are you going to make it up to the kinships who have lost many members due to your poorly thought out stance on challenging end game content?

2: Can we expect some armour sets for PvE any time soon?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Eldarian_Grace

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bhoris_they_spider

@JWBarry

I have had the same jewellery platinum reward from BBs 4 times in a row now. I don't mind an element of RNG but it is highly frustrating to have to delete 3 platinum reward in a row making all my efforts effectively for nothing. Are you happy with the system or do you wish to change it to prevent such frustration? Could we at least barter unwanted rewards for something useful?

---

you can, but you need seals. RNG for solo players, seals grind and choice for raiders being the current implementation.

---

Let Bhoris' question stand, it's a good one. Particularly applied to the gold drops. Can't buy those with seals, entirely at the mercy of the RNG.

I know I've sold probably 20+ teal-coloured Platinum rewards so far, with nary a gold-coloured drop. It's a great question.

1. Is there going to be a new class? how soon?
2. why cant dwarfs be wardens?
3. Is there going to be a turbine point refund again? when? last time I could not figure out where to put the coupon for it.
4. are you working on fixing the lotteries? what is the progress?
5. Is there any reason for heavy render lag? is it fixable?
6. Is V.I.P. going to change or improve? when? (there should be, I have wasted so much T.P. and so has everyone else)
7. Why did you decrease hunter D.P.S.? Can you increase it again please
8. Is it possible to trade gold for Turbine Points?
9. Are coupons going to become more valuable? when?
10. Are gold hobbit presents actually more valuable then silver hobbit presents?

1. Now that we are having scheduled events (Take the Hobbits to Isengard) will any thought be given to more official events perhaps for things like freeze tag games and raids?

2. Please can each server have Official Raid Leader titles/positions for each server's best raid leaders? Perhaps elected by server vote or formal job application/interview via Turbine. Their duties: to lead via voice chat a set number of *scheduled* raids per week. Their rewards: well, I don't know. Maybe the title alone is enough though personally I suggest free VIP while Raid Leader/free TPs. We all know who these people are. They are more valuable than mithril dust, and I suspect many have left following Helm's Deep (certainly they have on my server, Dwarrowdelf). And I know I for one want them back!! And I also know I'm not alone in wanting them back!

Since their is no expansion release in 2014, Is their any plans to properly address and fix the exploits for the rep/rebuild instances for hybolt so the loot in all of rohan can be properly restored? Killing mobs for no loot is wrong..

Last year we were told about a housing update in the works, how is that coming? Can you give us any info on what will change?

Will anything be done in future to increase the difficulty in the PvE side of the game?

Living in hope, will there be any updates to PvP in the near future? (not just balancing stuff but proper content)

Will we ever see more than 15 ranks in PvP?

Will you fix the fog in Forochel?
Will you grant swift travel within the Trollshaws?
Will you add more solo quests in the Trollshaws that give Elves of Rivendell reputation?
Will you add Return to Esteldin as a earnable skill?
Will you enhance the questing in West Rohan to provide a less linear experience?
Will you add any new raids at any time during 2014?
Will you add more Mounted Combat quests?
Will you add more "follow the fellowship" quests in Eregion?
Will you allow low-level Scholars to use the Rivendell stable to travel back and forth to Bree?
What kinds of updates are you contemplating for enhanced housing? Will Mithril Coins be necessary for all these enhancements?
Have you found a way for Kin members to contribute Mithril Coins so that the leader can purchase additional storage?
Or, will you have an in-game method of acquiring and sharing Mithril Coins?
Will you enhance Dunland so that the Rangers appear a bit more effective?
Will we see the Four Riders again?

Thank you.

1. The Auction house system is very empty any plans to improve the economy?

2. Are there plans for more cosmetics regularly we need them.....bad.

3. Will you be giving us your content schedule so we may look forward to new things but, not necessarily hold you accountable if it is a little late.

4. Will there be any light on this new class myth?

Will we see classes become capable of dying or will be this OP from now on?

Will we see LI revamps?

Will we see revamped kinships?

Will we see in game money find more use and or will it be harder to get?

Will you continue to make easy content or will you add challenging content in the future?

Most of what I wanted to ask has already been touched upon in some form above. I'd just add :

Any plans to give being VIP more of a benefit than currently (e.g. additional trait tree slot, additional BB tree slot, more 'free to VIP' zones a la Great River, etc.)? As a level capped player it doesn't currently make sense for me to keep VIP (I don't need Lone Lands, Evendim, etc. anymore), but I'm not opposed to paying for benefits beyond TPs.

Now that the trait trees have been out for a couple months...

Do you have any plans to expand upon the trait trees in the near future? Do you have plans to introduce new skills as part of the trees that we don't already have?

Have you thought about adding a method by which characters can earn additional trait points in the lower levels a bit faster (other than completing deeds)?

Will any new regions introduced in the near future follow the "point per region" framework? Or, will there be other ways introduced to gain trait points?

And...

What plans do you have to revamp the Virtue and Racial traits?

Sorry in advance for so many questions... xD And also if I do give a little explanation for a few. I want to ensure that the team understands what my question is.

On Regions and Performance:

- Low-level zones run very smoothly, while later zones (Helm's Deep in particular, though also East Rohan and Wildermore) exhibit a lot of performance issues for many people. What type of updates can we expect to improve performance?
- In what ways, if any, are the revamps of the Shadows of Angmar content expected to reduce performance within those zones compared to their current situation?
- What swift travel routes in pre-Moria zones can we expect to receive? (ie: to and from Thorenhad in the Trollshaws; to and from Trestlebridge in the North Downs; etc)
- What revamps can we expect for former (and rather outdated) grindy content such as the Limlight Gorge, Hytbold, and Wildermore dailies?
- What kinds of new content will be included in the VIP subscription?
- What plans, if any, are there to introduce more paths to level-cap, rather than the strictly-linear progression we've had since Rise of Isengard?
- The Paths of the Dead simply are not for us. However, we've been a few steps behind the Fellowship the whole way. With the Dead pledging allegience to Aragorn, didn't they vacate the Paths? In short: What lore-friendly ways exist for us to bring our characters into the Paths of the Dead (ie: not via session plays)?
- Even if you can't say for sure which Shadows of Angmar regions will be revamped, can you say how many you (the team as a whole) hope to revamp in 2014?
- What is the expectations regarding PvE (past, present, and future content) and difficulty, be it solo or teamed up?

On Epic Battles:

- What can you say about the difficulty of solo/duo Epic Battles, particularly for players without a lot of points spent into their EB roles?
- In what ways (if any) will the difficulty of larger (3-man, 6-man, 12-man) Epic Battles be adjusted?
- What kind of improvements can we expect for solo/duo Epic Battles as a low-level characters in terms of scaling (I was flattened on my role-less lowbie - impossible comes to mind)?
- What plans, if any, are there for a Captain mounted companion (like the LM's wolf)?

On Casual Fun (festivals, etc):

- What improvements can we hope to see in regards to the music system, including new instruments or more sophisticated mechanics?
- Festivals should be fun, for the altaholics as much as for anyone else. What is being done, if anything, to make it less grindy for those with many alts?
- In terms of cosmetics and decor: What improvement can we see to the availability of these (more craftables)?

On Kinships, Housing, Storage, and Crafting:

- A question was asked about kinship improvements; what hope is there for the possibility of getting kinship vaults (space and currency bank, accessible from any vault-keeper)?
- We've seen some good revamps already to the crafting system (with particular note to processing recipes). What types of further updates are coming for the crafting system, including but not limited to: making the HD crafts have new icons, allowing craft mats to stack higher than 100, etc.?
- What can the team say on reductions to the costs for Housing storage (for everyone) and the methods that said storage can be obtained (particularly for kin houses)?
- What is the team's opinion on having just 1 bag? 45 slots (bags 1-3) free to all, another 45 (bags 4-6) via purchase, and further storage also for purchase? This would free up space on our UI (the following panels are not there: Hobbit Presents, Epic Battles, Reputation, War/PvMP, etc).

On Legendary Items:

- To my knowledge there are no new LI titles that came with the HD content; if so, when can we expect these? (ie: should I not bother waiting and just go back and get some from Snowbourn/Hytbold?)
- What is the team's opinion on introducing (in 2014) an update to IXP runes, turning them into raw points that can be spent at any amount and stored in the wallet/LI NPCs?

Other:

- Any hint on Kate Paiz's surprise? PLEASE?!?! ^_^
- Since 12.2 is now released and Update 13 is already on the lips of some people (including Sapience in the recent Evernight event), what information (in general) can we have at this time on the updates for 2014?
- What kind of upgrades can we see for Virtues and Racial traits?
- What types of improvements can we hope for in terms of getting the window sizes for the Epic Battle and Trait panels to be smaller (especially important for those in windowed mode or smaller screens/resolutions)?
- These next few are all individual questions, but they all relate to the recent official discussions on player-requested revamps; also, they are more generalized, whereas other questions I've asked so far on these topics have been on specific things:
--- Housing - Based on the official thread, which ideas/suggestions have been receiving particular attention from the developing team?
--- Inventory/Bag Space - Based on the official thread, which ideas/suggestions have been receiving particular attention from the developing team?
--- Festivals/Events - Based on the official thread, which ideas/suggestions have been receiving particular attention from the developing team?
- The word is that we can't see Erebor, Dale, etc. Why not? I understand the whole Hobbit-rights, but how did we manage to get access to this stuff in the RoR IC, but can't go there in the landscape?
- What different "fix" for exploits can we hope to see, in order to counteract the decision to remove loot from certain instances (such as Hytbold's) or to make it possible again to complete quests while in combat? My understanding of the latter was that freeps used the festival quests to cheat their way out of the Moors. Now that festivals bestow a map instead of instantly porting them away, can we please complete quests in combat again?

Will you be adding a fellowship landscape area like Limlight Gorge in the next year?

The server lagg just getting worse and worse, any plan in the coming year to look into this?

Can a reasonable percentage be placed on whether we will see a new class or not?

Can a reasonable percentage be placed on whether we will be able to explore (meaning not just in an instance, but as part of the world) places mentioned in the LotR series of books, not visited yet, and NOT in between Isengard and Mordor (because those places are expected to be visited)? I'm wondering about Northern Mirkwood, Iron Hills, Rhun, Umbar, Southfarthing, Forlindon, Sarn Ford and Tharbad, Ered Mithrin, Andrast, Dol Amroth, stuff that fills in the maps that we've seen, but not been able to visit.

It seems to me that the level 75 Tower of Orthanc raid might have been more appropriate to visit later in our story. Would a pass ever be considered over the world map to relevel areas?

I'd also think a "glowing door" might be more appropriate for the Fords of Isen area to make it able to be visited in both a pre fall and post fall state. Why was the "messiness" of two versions that don't really meet (one when visiting from the Dunland side and one from the Rohan side) settled on?

Can we please have more information on the "big secret" that was hinted at in the producer's letter for this year?

When will the next new "traditional" instance be expected to release? Before the next expansion? With the next expansion? After? Never?

There have been skirmishes, mounted combat, epic battles...what's the next "tech" that is being developed? What is it specifically related to or where is it coming out of?

When will emerald shards become available in the skirmish camp?

When will westemnet draughts be added to the healer npcs? Or has 12.2 fixed that already? Seems like an obvious bug/oversight that's easily fixed, but I didn't see it in the 12.2 release notes.

When will level 95 armor sets become available, and how will they be earned?

Echoing many previous questions - what, if anything, will level 95 characters be able to do to entertain themselves between now and whenever the level cap increases again? Big Battles are ... not well regarded, let's say, and while I personally would happily run scaled instances all the time, enough people are burned out/bored by them that there's very little grouping activity even by the low standards of past level caps.

Are there any plans afoot to streamline or improve the server transfer process? Desirable features would be bulk discounts, and/or the ability to transfer all shared currency from server A to server B. Literally in my case - I'm waiting on emerald shards showing up in the skirmish camp so I can convert the marks/medallions I've built up on Arkenstone these last three years and turn them into gear (or just the emerald shards themselves) that I can carry with me to Brandywine. Not much I can do to carry other shared currency (LI shards, a few crafting ingredient packs, odds and ends of Moria tokens, Orthanc sigils, etc.) though.

• Will broken/inactive skills in epic session plays be looked at soon?
• Which areas are being revamped for update 13?
• Will Epic Battles be expanded to include more battles and/or size options?
• Will class + Epic Battle trait swap buttons/keybinds be added in the future?
• Will war-steed levels be adjusted according to player levels sometime?
• Are there any plans to add mounted FS/raid instances?
• Are there any plans to scale any of the current non-scaling instances?
• Are there any plans to make it possible to barter for additional housing items in Skirmish Camps?
• Are there any plans to add functionality to the kinship system?
• There is a lot of speculation that Kate Paiz's surprise is a new class. Is this too optimistic? :)

When is the first update this year supposed to take place?

Will we be seeing a new class in the future?

What are the current thoughts about future new festivals?

Will there ever be more options in character design? (IE: More hairstyles, possibly being able to design height and weight seprately)

Can you add more housing decorations/cosmetics to reputation factions that currently don't offer any? (IE: Dunlanding style clothing from Galtrev, A rohirric dress or two from the various rohan factions ect)

What is the likely-hood that the changes stated in the possible housing revamp will in fact take place?

Have you ever thought about using polls for the community to vote on what changes (be it large or details) they'd like to see?

When do you plan to fix Mac client, wich is crashing like hell?
How much time will it take to give us FINAL version of client?

While you were designing MOM-MIrkwood those many years ago, why did you choose to grow the game vertically rather than sideways ( I.E. make higher and higher leveling)? Seems that choice has brought untold problems with balance...

Some things are so obvious and/or promissed long time ago that i won't ask "if" but "when" so:
-When is kinship revamp coming?
-When will you introduce new PvP map?
-When can we expect a challenging instance cluster to be introduced?
By challenging i mean not such as instances as Sambrog which you can complete in 6 minutes but lets say ~30min 3-mans, ~45 min 6-mans and ~90min/90-120min raids?
-Are you planning to make game more challenging?
I found it annoying in RoR that we could do instances without any roles to be taken in fellowships (no need for tanks or heals). But now i do 6 mans solo on my cappy. Come on...
-When is housing revamp coming?
-When are you going to buy 21st century servers?
Seems even a small clash around TA, TR or Lug now causes everyone to lag.
-Are you planning to give something more to VIPs than they have now?
Cause its uber-funny that i have to pay for third trait trees after subscribing.
-Are you planning to introduce new VIP payment methods?
Credit cards are not really modern theese days. Now people like to keep thinks simple. One click, one transfer and you play. Without all those personal data inquiries.

PS. I really like HD changes (trait trees and BBs i mean) so last 2 questions:
-When will we get more Big Battles?
-Will the current BBs have their sizing adjusted to more options?
I mean at least one more 3-man (maybe Hornbug?) and one more 6-man (Deeping Wall?)

A lot of my questions are similar to ones already posted. Slight edits to account for what questions Sapience answered in the Hobbit-to-Isengard chats!


-Deleting bound, platinum rewards from big battles because of RNG is fairly common-- any possibility of being able to turn these bound rewards into something useful in the future? ((basically what Bhoris said))

-Housing revamp: how much is going into revamping and expanding decorating, or is more emphasis going into other platforms?

-Kinship revamp: Any plans?

-Chat channels: Any plans to make passworded, private channels have more admin abilities?

-Chat channels: Will we ever be able to have more than 4 user chat channels per character?

-Music system: Any plans for a new instrument like a fiddle? ((I know Sapience did not know, but perhaps someone else has plans! =) ))

-More character avatar customization options: any plans, big (tons of new options everywhere!) or small (NPC hair styles available via barber)?

-Instances: Any plans for a challenging, multi-wing raid this year? We do have a Black Numenorean still lingering in Rohan... =)

-Zone revamps: Will we be seeing anymore graphical revamps of older areas and their interiors, perhaps Rivendell? (insert obligatory mention of Prancing Pony interior here)

-Zone revamps: Which zones are slated to be content-revamped this year?

-New areas: Will we be seeing any new areas *not* on the path of the War of the Ring to Mordor, such as the Tower Hills (gap between Shire/Ered Luin), South Farthing (of the Shire), or Minhiriath (the gap between Andrath and Enedwaith where the road leads)? ((explanatory parts for those not as acquainted with Middle-earth :) ))

-Cosmetics: Any chance of us getting to wear more NPC outfits... like those dresses? :P

-HD item Icons: Any plans to update these so they don't look exactly like RoR's item icons?

What is being done to solve the server-side lag in the Ettenmoors (persistent rubber banding, skill lock, broken legs/deaths for no reason)?

When will you have a translation in Spanish and shows of "The Lord of the Rings Online"?

Will you be putting daily quests in places without reputation items like you did in Lothlorien, or maybe add reputation items in those places?

• Which regions are being revamped?

• Will we ever see new freep race?

• Will there be any new additions to housing or just improvements?

• What will come with update 13? Housing update, old regions revamp, new region or something else?
  What is highest on the devs's list?

• Is improving the look of our characters on the list too?

Eöl, called the Dark Elf, devised Galvorn, a black metal of great strength and malleability, which he fashioned into armour and two great black swords. The swords seemed to have held a certain level of sentient awareness, poured into it from Eöl.

My question, will we see Galvorn weaponry or armour as an addition or replacement for legendary items?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RosieCotton

2. Please can each server have Official Raid Leader titles/positions for each server's best raid leaders? Perhaps elected by server vote or formal job application/interview via Turbine. Their duties: to lead via voice chat a set number of *scheduled* raids per week. Their rewards: well, I don't know. Maybe the title alone is enough though personally I suggest free VIP while Raid Leader/free TPs. We all know who these people are. They are more valuable than mithril dust, and I suspect many have left following Helm's Deep (certainly they have on my server, Dwarrowdelf). And I know I for one want them back!! And I also know I'm not alone in wanting them back!

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I take it you don't have a raid leader in your kin then... That's where our raids take place, and we learn them as a kin - the thought of an outside raid leader player with a form of control over the server gives me the shivers... Plus, if any new raid content is brought out, part of the fun is the competition with other kins to get there first.

What made Turbine decide to give up on new challenging end game content such as raids, instances, and improved pvp for the foreseeable future?

What are the intended aims and purposes for a kinship revamp?

Do the questions occasionally asked by NPC's have any meaningful impact on the storyline? I'm thinking here, in particular, of the soothsayers "what is your adventuring profession?" Answer is either assertive, modest or null( perhaps burglars have a fourth 'bare faced lie' option? ).
I *am* curious about this, but not so curious as to answer each of the options with different alts, just to check it out.

If there IS going to be a change in the initial line up ( new race. new class, whatever ) will it also come bundled with a +1 increase to the maximum number of characters per server, so that I can have a place to put the new beastie without having to move over servers or delete an existing alt.

Any plans to shut up the 'what about the raiders/pvpers?' crowd by making it quite clear to them that it is up to them - and nobody else - to ensure that at least half of their servers population can cope with any new such content introduced by their ever-open beaks. Or they will never be seeing any more worms again.

Any plans to enable sucessor's to promote members to officers in kinships?

Any plans to restore mylotro.com so sites like guildlaunch.com etc can update rosters?

Are we gonna see a winner of the "show us your lotro" competition?

Any new areas for 75+ that have no mounted combat?

Any new areas coming to quest in for lvl25-50?

How many uruk-hai does it take to change a lightbulb?

Will there be any new content for Mounted Combat and Epic Battle in near future?

I've thought of another question. So...

3. Can we please have some new evil races to play PvE? Personally I particularly want to be dragonkind...

I long for the sea... Will we ever get to see it?

May we have more cosmetic/housing items added to the factions who don't offer them or in addition to what they have please?

In no particular order:

When can we expect to see group content that utilises our class roles (other than DPS) in 2014?

Is the LI system/UI going to be revamped in 2014?

Can we please move away from RNG rewards? A little random is OK but I've had double figures Platinum pockets, and not single ring on my Main for example.

Will Carn Dum et al (not the Rift I know about that), ToO be scaled in near future (2014/15)?

Can you please take a major look at scaled instances, specifically creature morale pools, mitigations, and the low damage dealt by creatures?

Can we have the promised currency consolidation (Festival currencies), and can you please start to consolidate the regional barter currencies?

Are VIP perks slated for an overhaul - for example free respecs, bonus trait tree, more fluff - to make it more attractive?

Would the team consider bringing back locks and readjusting seal payouts accordingly?

Would you consider an areana style PvMP area, say in the Delving of Fror?

Could we have a more detailed roadmap for 2014/15 please?


Thank you for listening.

Any talks/plans/debates on merging servers?

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Originally Posted by Sapience

We’re putting together our next 20 Questions feature! Post your LOTRO question here before noon eastern time on Monday, January 28. We’ll select at least 20 of the most frequently asked questions and answer them in our next 20 Questions feature.

We do have a few requirements.

• Keep your questions brief and to the point. We don’t need a lot of back story or editorial, just ask the question.
• Please do not ask compound or multi-part questions.
• Make sure you are asking a question. Lengthy opinions that end in a question mark aren’t questions.
• Questions that have been asked and answered in the past won’t be chosen again, so please make your question count!

You have until noon eastern time on Monday, January 28 to ask your questions. Then we’ll compile them, answer them, and post them for everyone to read as quickly as we can.


français
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How many questions are we allowed to ask? Thanks.

1. When *exactly* (date) will the housing update occur, and what *exactly* (list of features) will it entail?
2. When (date) will there be a new classic multi-boss raid added to the game?
3. Will the kinship revamp proposal be implemented or not--yes/no?

Why are you guys no longer making traditional instance clusters/raids?

whats going on with the loot bags
is leveling going to be easier?
and in take the hobbits to isengard Sapience said something about raising the difficulty in some areas

why are you alienating the 2 biggest groups that play mmo's by discontinuing the production of raids and pvp content?
is there any chance of you reversing your decision of not making anymore traditional raids or new pvp regions?

Will the Paths of the Dead be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will Osgiliath be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will Cirith Ungol be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will Minas Morgul be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will the Black Gate be an instance cluster and/or raid?

Can we expect to see an existing cluster scaled during this year of "no new instances/raids"?

Which areas are we likely to see scaled next?

before, when examining the stats on the character panel, armor value was added in whole to the overall common mitigations.
now when you scroll over it, the top bullet states that the armor value decreases the damage you take, as well as having a second bullet that still says that the value is added to the mits.
So my question is, does each bullet represent a different effect of the armor value, and if it does, exactly how does the armor value work into the damage you take?

How is MadeofLions coming along in helping to get the charge of the Rohirrim to conclude the Helm's Deep story?
Like above, how goes progress into getting the vignette's complete for each of the new Epic Book chapters?
Are the Paths of the Dead an actual plan for Turbine to take us through?

What are your plans for end-game content given the reception of Big Battles?

How do you feel the big battles were received by the player base in general? (Specifically, those who play group content or raid regularly.)

I feel the minstrel was ignored for the most part in 12.2, are there any plans to address the issues we have raised in the minstrel forum?

I'd love to see the Isengard cluster scaled, any chance we'll be seeing that this year?

Are you planning a major Ettenmoors update during 2014?

1. First of all: Will "We can not get out" ever get fixed?
   
2. Will there ever be a character model revamp? Especially for elves?
   
3. Will we get more hairstyles?
   
4. Will there ever be real red or light blonde hair for elves?
   
5. Will there ever be cosmetic (and other - I'm thinking of heavy armour chestplates here) wear that looks good on female characters too, apart from dresses?
   
6. Will tailors get cosmetics recipes?
   
7. Will armour/cosmetics ever be dyable with two colours?
   
8. Will there be a revamp of the slayer deeds - especially the ones where there ain't a camp or something of the needed mobs (creepers in the Trollshaws, anyone?)?
   
9. Will there be a revamp of the class deeds? (placing traps as a hunter when you're bowmaster for nothing just sucks...)
   
10. Will the housing areas ever not be in the middle of nowhere or at least get a proper travel hub?
    
11. Will the bags ever have an auto-sort function like the vault?
    
12. Will the drop rate of useful recipes ever get up (more bows, crossbows, swords, daggers and axes instead of exotic instruments and clubs)?
    
13. Will there ever be a chance to do something about the "lost" former Codemaster accounts?

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Originally Posted by Crell_1

Is Palantir expected to close down like Mourlands is leaving us with a single test program?

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Slightly off-topic (sorry Sapience), but Kehleyr posted yesterday in the Palantir discussion thread about a new wave of invites that just went out. I doubt they would expand the program if they were expecting to close it.

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Originally Posted by dusken

Being as important as it sounds, and knowing this year we won't have a major expansion, why is that Turbine doesn't have plans on a new kinship system for LOTRO?

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Originally Posted by AlmericITA

If not Kinship revamp, what kind of revamp can have a big impact on players?

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Originally Posted by Thoronthor

Why has upgrading kinships been abandoned?
5. Why do you not think upgrading kinships is a priority?
8. Seriously...why don't you care about kinships?
15. Kinships?

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Originally Posted by sakisman

Will we see revamped kinships?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mar-Evayave

A question was asked about kinship improvements; are kinship vaults (space and currency bank, accessible from any vault-keeper) a possibility?

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Originally Posted by JulianPL

When is kinship revamp coming?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laire

Kinship revamp: Any plans?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by wachkussen

What are the intended aims and purposes for a kinship revamp?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Whart

3. Will the kinship revamp proposal be implemented or not--yes/no?

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Originally Posted by BangoTwinkletoes

7. Is there any assessment being undertaken to implement the proposed Kin Revamp - see thread https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthr...evamp-Proposal.

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Originally Posted by PKCrichton

Is there any hope of a Kinship Revamp sometime this year? This system has been requested for years to be worked on. A couple of features we all really want are 1. More Member Ranks within the kin. 2. Customizable permissions of kinship commands based on member rank. 3. Ability to designate 3 different sections of the Kin Chest to different kinship member ranks. 4. The ability to customize the member rank titles beyond the racial defaults that the kin was founded under.

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A lot of love for kinships :)

My questions:
1) Can we expect a kinship revamp anytime in the near future? (I know it has been answered a year or so ago that Turbine would like to revamp the system, but it was not set in stone back then)
2) What plans do Turbine have for a kinship revamp? (if answer to question 1 is yes)
3) Will we see anymore developments in the Lua API? or perhaps, is there any dev still working on the Lua API?
4) What can we expect in the updates to player housing?
5) What is the surprise mentioned in the producer's letter?
6) When will applications open for this years Player's Council?
7) Which regions are scheduled for a revamp this coming year?
8) What are Turbine's development plans for end-game group content this year? If no more instances/raids then perhaps a new group region (similar to Limlight Gorge)?
9) What are Turbine's long-term plans for the game beyond 2014?
10) Would it be possible to see more dev interaction with the community going forward?
11) We now have level scaling tech introduced with Big Battles, what are Turbine's plans to expand on this tech? Mentoring perhaps? or on-level instances?

Can we have pre-trait tree servers?

1. Considering the lack of an expansion this year, revamps to old areas, the dramatic change of easing game play, and a potential new class do you now consider alting the "endgame?"

2. If not, then why has specific class mechanics been rendered mute in the face of content that doesn't utilize traditional roles?

3. Speaking of class roles, the stated reason for the trait trees being implemented was to allow for the development of challenging content that requires players to make thoughtful and important choices. What happened to such content? Will it ever be developed? Will we continue to see content that fails to utilize a class specific role?

4. Many have expressed a desire for traditional instances and raids of a moderate difficulty. Considering the popularity of such content do you think you may reconsider the current path of development? Are your hands tied from developing such content due to financial constraints or other obligations?

5. Considering PvP is one of the primary benefits of a subscription, do you plan on addressing balance and content within the Moors in a year that is heavily focused on VIP perks?

6. Many long time players have dropped their VIP in the wake of Helms Deep, including myself. Are you concerned with addressing the issues that caused them to leave or drop their sub? Do you want them to become excited about LOTRO again? If so, the answers to the questions i posed here, as well as numerous others within this thread, will be a good way to show them you value their input and contributions.

7. Has your primary focus shifted to solo and new player interests?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jilraen

Will the Paths of the Dead be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will Osgiliath be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will Cirith Ungol be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will Minas Morgul be an instance cluster and/or raid?
Will the Black Gate be an instance cluster and/or raid?

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Was about to ask similar ones and this one:

Are the currently scaled instances and raids going to be made harder and more challenging than they are now?

When will Infinite Crisis launch and will there be a reallocation of resources after that has happened?

Will PvP ever be addressed with some love or are we just doomed because in your own words we're a minority?

Will you guys ever make this a MMORPG again or is Lotro going to be a facebook app that you can list your likes and show to your "friends" in facebook?

Why did you do all those classes changes, which are meant to do more group content, when the group content is complete garbage and even my late grandma could probably solo a 6man instance as they're now?

Do you care at all about your veterans and the gamers that loved and supported your game, or are you too busy preparing a livestream event where you run around bree picking potatoes?


Yeah I know I'm being rude, but guess what, it destroys me seeing how much this game has fallen.

Below is what I would like to see added to the 20 questions. Apologies if some of these appear duplicated but I want to keep them in for added emphasis:

1. Epic Battles aside, can you please outline your overall strategy and content roadmap for delivering new instances and raids, and in particular highlighting whether LOTRO will ever see a new multi-boss progression raid at lvl cap.

2. It was good to see landscape group content reintroduced with HD that was not tied to warbands. The question of difficulty aside, what is the overall intention regarding landscape content that focusses on groups? Will the game see again areas akin to Thors Comb, Limlight Gorge, Dol Dinen, Outside Fornost and so forth.

3. Do you have any plans to reinvigorate the use of the instance finder?

4. Are there plans in place to address the use of class quests, deeds and the HD quests as a means to obtain trait points?

5. What are your plans for working Virtues and Class Traits into the new trait system? As virtue levels increase in the future, is the intent to keep the system and the means to aquire them as it current is?

6. As the lvl cap is now 95 and no doubt future expacs will see that go up beyond lvl 100, what plans do you have to make lvl cap and end-game appear achievable for new players? In particular, what views do you have for LOTRO providing multiple & viable paths to lvl cap?

7. Is there any assessment being undertaken to implement the proposed Kin Revamp - see thread https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthr...evamp-Proposal

8. What do you, Turbine consider to be the critical success factors for this game?

Thank you.

May there please an official FEMALE dwarf character option? Please?

A few regarding quests.

1) For the past few expansions/updates the quests appear to have gotten more and more linear in design. For example : levels aside, you can not start quests in Beaconwatch before doing quests in Aldburg. Will this trend continue, or are the devs open to making quest lines more web-like?

2) Will we ever have multiple options for completing a quest/quest line? For example : currently if Thane Evil McBackstabber sends you out to 'rescue' the widow of the dead Thane of the next town over and bring her back to him for 'protection', you have two options - "sounds legit, I'll be right back with her", or never complete the quest at all (and get locked out of the rest of the line due to my question 1 above). Will we ever see a quest where we have the option to complete the quest in different ways? This could also be something like giving you the option of sneaking into an enemy camp as stealthily as possible to gather intel for a follow up attack by soldiers in a near by town, or charge in on your own and hope for the best.

3) Trying not to sound judgmental or negative, but ... many players have expressed concern over the seemingly large number of "go clean up those dishes, wouldja, luv?"-type quests our heroes are given throughout all of HD. Never mind any "it's justified, because the city is evacuating/they don't know you're a hero/slayer quests are boring/the dishes are really REALLY dirty", and accepting that it IS desirable and fun to have the occasional break from the "go save the world from those 24 Orcs! (again)"-type quests, has the concern about those quests in HD been heard by the Dev team, are they receptive to that feedback, and can we have hope that the frequency of those quests will see a sharp drop off going forward?

- Will there ever be any revamp of the character creation system (new models, more hair styles, more faces...)?

- Will we ever see some content from the Silmarillion, in session-play or any other way?

- Can you please simplify the LI, making a 3rd age LI always weaker than a 2nd age one than a 1st age one?