Position of the Lotro Forum

[Arantha]

Hello
I'd like to talk with you about the position of this forum for Lotro, the player base and others...
In my eyes, a forum is a communication wheel and tool for

• player to player
• Devs with player
• interested people coming in and see some hints
• official messages from SSG/Lotro Team

But in my eyes it is mutating to a complain (and sometimes bashing) forum without any reactions from the Devs and Officials. But the idea of the forum shouldn't get corrupted because of hate and a attitude of demand/claim. Everybody who is claiming something should do this in love and sorrow for the future of lotro.
But the Devs and Managers imho should be way more active, explain a ton of issues and calm down some reactions in this way. I hope the forum gets back this wheel function between all parts of participents.
Thanks

[Arantha]

What do you think?

[TesalionLortus]

But in my eyes it is mutating to a complain (and sometimes bashing) forum without any reactions from the Devs and Officials. But the idea of the forum shouldn't get corrupted because of hate and a attitude of demand/claim. Everybody who is claiming something should do this in love and sorrow for the future of lotro.

Hey... this is exactly how this forum worked for the last 7 years or maybe longer... Nothing new to see here... "This game is dead" or "this game is in maintenance mode" thousands of times, lots of claims about Turbine/SSG being toxic unprofessional and uncaring, anger and moral drama about every little (even more so if not so little...) change to the game or abandonment of older systems. Not to mention bizarre completely unfeasible demands and proposals. Not saying being angry/critical isn't justified sometimes (wink wink everyone knows what happened recently and how it was handled) but even then 90% if it is raw anger/bashing as you say so not a feasible, realistic approach to the matter discussed and when SSG does something they clearly have their reasons even if most wouldn't agree with those reasons (morally or otherwise)

Actually, this is part of why I became a bit more active after years of mostly inactivity. To contribute a bit more creative effort/useful ideas and offer well-balanced POV in the sea of immediate negativity and bashing. Also to show love for the appreciated parts of the game and share some fascination about the world with those who actually do that here (rather than discuss about stats and end game 24 hours a day).

But the Devs and Managers imho should be way more active, explain a ton of issues and calm down some reactions in this way. I hope the forum gets back this wheel function between all parts of participents.
Thanks

Kind of agree but then again, they have a lot on their plate probably and my only hope, no matter which controversial decisions they make, is that they see *useful* *well-articulated* feedback/critique/worries and *feasible* ideas, taking them to heart and perhaps turning those into reality. That's all I *really* need.

[Brinswith]

"the game is dying" has been around since Eregion launched the game is still going 15 years later. In the beginning though Turbine and now SSG used to interact with us a lot more. They shared the players enthusiasm for the lore and the game and actively sought our opinions and feedback. Which we shared gladly. Many of those conversations are now lost sadly. Over the years though the communication has eroded constantly year after year. We're now at a point where a major issue such as the removal of the rep tomes is met with absolute silence.

[WeirdJedi]

Have you ever tried visiting other gaming forums? What about the Discussions page for Steam games. Just for fun, I went over to a new game that came out in Early Access a couple days ago. The forum was filled with people that were, you guessed it, complaining. Some wanted the game to come out faster. Others hated the fact that multiplayer wasn't incorporated in the game yet. A couple were asking for 4k or mod support. A few said the game wasn't worth paying for.

What do you expect a developer to say? He responds in maybe three of the hundred threads pointing out the Early Access notification on the front page where it mentions the state of the game and things like multiplayer will be made available before launch.

[alwaysbroke]

So LOTRO is like a game that's perpetually in Early Access. It all makes sense now.

[TesalionLortus]

So LOTRO is like a game that's perpetually in Early Access. It all makes sense now.

No, the opposite. Perpetually in Early Access means the devs need to satisfy the majority of their early access playerbase (only source of cash) which usually means perfectionists obsessed with numbers, mechanics, difficulty, complexities and other underlying mechanisms. The result is mostly unfun game devoid of immersion and music without any sort of narrative behind it... with just 'numbers' that change constantly under the hood and the game will never be finished (well, maybe in 100+ years if development lasts that long...). That's NOT Lotro. Thankfully

[Arantha]

Have you ever tried visiting other gaming forums? What about the Discussions page for Steam games. Just for fun, I went over to a new game that came out in Early Access a couple days ago. The forum was filled with people that were, you guessed it, complaining. Some wanted the game to come out faster. Others hated the fact that multiplayer wasn't incorporated in the game yet. A couple were asking for 4k or mod support. A few said the game wasn't worth paying for.

What do you expect a developer to say? He responds in maybe three of the hundred threads pointing out the Early Access notification on the front page where it mentions the state of the game and things like multiplayer will be made available before launch.

That is no argument for me. We should not compare with others, but give a better example.

[Neinda]

That is no argument for me. We should not compare with others, but give a better example.

Completely agree. This game could strive to set the standards other games only wish they could meet. It will require the powers that be to interact with the player base a bit more. The recent change and the resulting comments are a symptom of a bigger problem that needs to be addressed. The player base wants to know where the future of this game is headed and the devs need to communicate their vision. Some of us will love the future of the game and others will move on. The fact that so many of us long time players are here complaining shows that we really want to see lotro succeed in the future and we are frustrated at the moment. It might be because of lag, some of the changes, the store, lack of communication or whatever. Talk to us devs. Tell us your timetable to address the performance issues. Give us help desk updates on a regular schedule, even if the update is still waiting. Explain the currency caps and why they are important. Explain the not so less grindy new legendary weapon system. Explain the push toward loot box keys, etc. Some of us will make a few statements about why you are wrong and more than likely move on. Others will consider it a great idea and be a bit more supportive. You can't lose by being honest and talking to the player base unless your long term goal is dishonest and you want to keep it hidden. The player base is trying to understand where the game is being directed and very frustrated at the lack of information.

[Halphast]

communication has eroded constantly year after year. We're now at a point where a major issue such as the removal of the rep tomes is met with absolute silence.

While rep tomes are an issue, they're not a "major issue" since it doesn't affect everyone. A recent major issue would be something like universal lag, or the disappearing Runekeeper pouches that shut down the game for a while. Those DID get a response- and a response is probably coming about the rep tomes, too.

[Brinswith]

While rep tomes are an issue, they're not a "major issue" since it doesn't affect everyone. A recent major issue would be something like universal lag, or the disappearing Runekeeper pouches that shut down the game for a while. Those DID get a response- and a response is probably coming about the rep tomes, too.

That of course is your opinion and you are entitled to it just as much as I am mine. I think the removal of rep tomes is a significant issue as has been proven by the thread in General Discussion and by the panic around the skirmish camps in the short time we had before the change went live. It raises the question of "what next?" and it really isn't a huge jump to see that Essence Reclamation Scrolls would be the next step. Despite what you say about rep tomes not affecting everyone the Reclamation Scrolls absolutely do. All people are asking for is some acknowledgement from the SSG team around the issue. If SSG team members are seen to be active in other parts of LOTRO's forum and the same members also active in our sister game forums. Why is it beyond the realms of expectation to receive even a "yes we are aware people are unhappy". Surely that's the very least we can expect of a community manager and Eru knows we've had a few over the years.

[Bothketbog]

Hello
I'd like to talk with you about the position of this forum for Lotro, the player base and others...
...
Thanks

This being a public forum, anyone who registers can post whatever they like. Think of it as if it was Twitter; everyone in the world gets to share their ####ty opinion with everyone else. My new philosophy is I either ignore the flamers and move on. Yes, it's annoying, but remember the simple rule; don't feed the trolls.

[Arantha]

I want to thank @SSG_orion for the good communication, like we discussed here...