Studying the Release Schedule Timeline

[Eluros]

Greetings,

So, time for a history lesson. Let's look at some numbers... all sources can be cited upon request.

LOTRO Release Timeline, Research by Eluros

1. April 24, 2007: Shadows of Angmar, 1.1-1.8 released (Landmass)
2. June 14, 2007: 1.9, Evendim, released (Landmass)
3. August 21, 2007: 1.10 (No new Landmass, unless you count Annuminas)
4. October 24, 2007: 1.11, High Pass and Tal Bruinen (Landmass)
5. February 13, 2008: 1.12, Angmar Revammp (No new Landmass)
6. April 24, 2008: 1.13, Forochel (Landmass)
7. July 22, 2008: 1.14 (No new Landmass)
8. November 18, 2008: 1.15, Eregion (Landmass)
9. November 18, 2008: 2.1-2.6, Moria (Landmass)
10. March 17, 2009: 2.7, Lothlorien (Landmass)
11. June 23, 2009: 2.8, DN (No new Landmass)
12. December 1, 2009: 2.9, Siege of Mirkwood (Landmass)
13. March 1, 2010: 3.1, Oath of the Rangers (No new Landmass)

So, there have been 13 major content releases to date (we'll count numbers 8 and 9 as separate, even though they occurred on the same day, since both released different landmasses and one required payment). If you want to know the time between them...

Landmass Waiting Time
1. ~BASE~
2. 1M, 21D since last landmass
4. 4M, 10D since last landmass
6. 6M since last landmass
8-9: 6M, 25D since last landmass
10. 3M, 27D since last landmass
12. 8M, 14D since last landmass

Average Wait Time: Roughly 4 Months and 18 Days

Time from last landmass until today (May 9, 2010): 5 Months, 8 Days

Conclusion:
While this has not been the longest that we have had to wait for a landmass, it is slightly over average. If you ignore 1.9, however, we're about average. Additionally, considering that the median release date is around every 6 months, we're doing okay.

On the other hand, it is clear that the release schedule of landmasses has slowed over time. Lothlorien was the only release to actually be released sooner than the patch before it. It appears that the rate of production of landmass is slowing, and at the rate it's going I would not be surprised to see landmasses developed every 6-12 months.

Thoughts?

[Yula_the_Mighty]

The marketing and sales pitch for the November 18, 2008 was for three new regions - Eregion, Moria and Lothlorien. The delivery on March 17, 2009 is arrival of that which was promised on November 18, 2008.

Of course, Turbine claimed they were releasing Eregion on July 22, 2008.

[KouklaGirl]

Cotrary to what others may believe, development of LOTRO has slowed to a snails pace...for what reason(s), who knows.

And now we have lost another good developer to another project.

[Ruination44]

It's sad to see the floon has been moved to another project because one of the major high points in lotro,especially during all this downtime with Mirkwood,is that the art has been amazing.

Over time the content updates have been dwindling and spreading further and further apart. In the past I assumed that there were fewer updates because they working on something larger,but that ended up being Mirkwood. So yet again I'm going to assume that the reason we're not getting much of anything is because the expansion this year is going to be quite large. I'm still hoping for a new landmass this summer to keep us busy until then.

[Sovrath]

It's sad to see the floon has been moved to another project because one of the major high points in lotro,especially during all this downtime with Mirkwood,is that the art has been amazing.

Over time the content updates have been dwindling and spreading further and further apart. In the past I assumed that there were fewer updates because they working on something larger,but that ended up being Mirkwood. So yet again I'm going to assume that the reason we're not getting much of anything is because the expansion this year is going to be quite large. I'm still hoping for a new landmass this summer to keep us busy until then.

My guess is that now that WB has purchased them they will have a lot more money for development.

I remember when my last company was purchased we received a huge influx of cash to help "set us up".

[sirwillow]

It's "slowed" because all of the landmasses released between game release and Moria were at the very least partially developed, if not mostly, before the game itself was released. There was a lot less work to be done on them, so they were able to release several of them in a series.

Moria they brought on extra staffing to help specifically with it. Once Moria was done, those extras were let go.

Now everything they are doing they are doing from scratch. There isn't premade landmasses to work with like before Moria. There isn't extra staff to make new ones like with Moria. So it takes longer from start to finish- at least by our perception.

Nothing to worry about.

[Avalon1000]

I do hope we have a land mass update coming soon. The game is getting very stale and many of our kin have left the game (or check in very infrequently). Hopefully the Warner purchase will bring the $$$ to hire more staff and bring us more updates. I would even pay for good ones....

[Golledhel]

Greetings,

So, time for a history lesson. Let's look at some numbers... all sources can be cited upon request.

LOTRO Release Timeline, Research by Eluros

1. April 24, 2007: Shadows of Angmar, 1.1-1.8 released (Landmass)
2. June 14, 2007: 1.9, Evendim, released (Landmass)
3. August 21, 2007: 1.10 (No new Landmass, unless you count Annuminas)
4. October 24, 2007: 1.11, High Pass and Tal Bruinen (Landmass)
5. February 13, 2008: 1.12, Angmar Revammp (No new Landmass)
6. April 24, 2008: 1.13, Forochel (Landmass)
7. July 22, 2008: 1.14 (No new Landmass)
8. November 18, 2008: 1.15, Eregion (Landmass)
9. November 18, 2008: 2.1-2.6, Moria (Landmass)
10. March 17, 2009: 2.7, Lothlorien (Landmass)
11. June 23, 2009: 2.8, DN (No new Landmass)
12. December 1, 2009: 2.9, Siege of Mirkwood (Landmass)
13. March 1, 2010: 3.1, Oath of the Rangers (No new Landmass)

So, there have been 13 major content releases to date (we'll count numbers 8 and 9 as separate, even though they occurred on the same day, since both released different landmasses and one required payment). If you want to know the time between them...

Landmass Waiting Time
1. ~BASE~
2. 1M, 21D since last landmass
4. 4M, 10D since last landmass
6. 6M since last landmass
8-9: 6M, 25D since last landmass
10. 3M, 27D since last landmass
12. 8M, 14D since last landmass

Average Wait Time: Roughly 4 Months and 18 Days

Time from last landmass until today (May 9, 2010): 5 Months, 8 Days

Conclusion:
While this has not been the longest that we have had to wait for a landmass, it is slightly over average. If you ignore 1.9, however, we're about average. Additionally, considering that the median release date is around every 6 months, we're doing okay.

On the other hand, it is clear that the release schedule of landmasses has slowed over time. Lothlorien was the only release to actually be released sooner than the patch before it. It appears that the rate of production of landmass is slowing, and at the rate it's going I would not be surprised to see landmasses developed every 6-12 months.

Thoughts?

The release schedule for patches overall decreased over time. Lothlorien was released so quick after Moria only because it was supposed to have been released with Moria in the first place.

[wyldcyde]

jury is out for me until the ~june content update.

if that update is significant then yeah all is well.

content comes in many shapes and forms. for example inspired greatness tech took some work but players generally don't consider that new content.

this is a challenge for turbine because they have to balance new content like landmass and instances, with long long list of polish issues and new tech they want to work on.

[KouklaGirl]

My guess is that now that WB has purchased them they will have a lot more money for development.

I remember when my last company was purchased we received a huge influx of cash to help "set us up".

Yeah, but looked what happened when Microsoft had a major stake in Asherons Call.

It's "slowed" because all of the landmasses released between game release and Moria were at the very least partially developed, if not mostly, before the game itself was released. There was a lot less work to be done on them, so they were able to release several of them in a series.

Forochel, Angmar re-vamp, the High Pass and Tal Bruinen were added later. They weren't developed before the game was released.

Now everything they are doing they are doing from scratch. There isn't premade landmasses to work with like before Moria. There isn't extra staff to make new ones like with Moria. So it takes longer from start to finish- at least by our perception.

Developers have stated many times, even post-Moria, that it takes about three months to create a new landmass, from initial concept to test phase.

Development has slowed.

[bigsix66]

Nothing to worry about.

Except for the fact that floon was moved to another project. I find that fact to be more troubling than any other information I've heard as far as how the game's future will be impacted.

Also, keep in mind that Orion was supposed to redo the North Downs in much the same way as he redid the Lone Lands. That project was "put on hold," and as far as I know the reason wasn't specified. A reasonable assumption is that he was assigned to a project that Turbine considers to be more important--hopefully something still involving LOTRO. Is Orion still working on LOTRO, or has he been moved to the same project as floon?

[Nymphonic]

I just log on and play. If I don't enjoy my self I play a single player game. I never really worry about release dates of games or features in games.

[Feadel]

Greetings,

So, time for a history lesson. Let's look at some numbers... all sources can be cited upon request.

LOTRO Release Timeline, Research by Eluros

1. April 24, 2007: Shadows of Angmar, 1.1-1.8 released (Landmass)
2. June 14, 2007: 1.9, Evendim, released (Landmass)
3. August 21, 2007: 1.10 (No new Landmass, unless you count Annuminas)
4. October 24, 2007: 1.11, High Pass and Tal Bruinen (Landmass)
5. February 13, 2008: 1.12, Angmar Revammp (No new Landmass)
6. April 24, 2008: 1.13, Forochel (Landmass)
7. July 22, 2008: 1.14 (No new Landmass)
8. November 18, 2008: 1.15, Eregion (Landmass)
9. November 18, 2008: 2.1-2.6, Moria (Landmass)
10. March 17, 2009: 2.7, Lothlorien (Landmass)
11. June 23, 2009: 2.8, DN (No new Landmass)
12. December 1, 2009: 2.9, Siege of Mirkwood (Landmass)
13. March 1, 2010: 3.1, Oath of the Rangers (No new Landmass)

So, there have been 13 major content releases to date (we'll count numbers 8 and 9 as separate, even though they occurred on the same day, since both released different landmasses and one required payment). If you want to know the time between them...
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[Thoughts?

Note that everything up to number 5 was updated to complete the game. It was all in development before the game released. When the game released, none of the classes were complete, no skills beyond level 30, Angmar wasn't complete, etc. So new development started with Forochel. If you compare to other games, the releases are pretty average and since a lot of it was free (compare to free updates from EQ or DAoC.) I'm quite happy with things as they are.

[xx19kilosoldier]

Except for the fact that floon was moved to another project. I find that fact to be more troubling than any other information I've heard as far as how the game's future will be impacted.

Also, keep in mind that Orion was supposed to redo the North Downs in much the same way as he redid the Lone Lands. That project was "put on hold," and as far as I know the reason wasn't specified. A reasonable assumption is that he was assigned to a project that Turbine considers to be more important--hopefully something still involving LOTRO. Is Orion still working on LOTRO, or has he been moved to the same project as floon?

These have always been my biggest fears. Usually get told to shut up by some on these forums every time someone brings it up. But things like this ring of LoTRO not being top priority inside Turbine's studio anymore.

[MadameNarf]

[Golledhel]

Note that everything up to number 5 was updated to complete the game. It was all in development before the game released. When the game released, none of the classes were complete, no skills beyond level 30, Angmar wasn't complete, etc. So new development started with Forochel. If you compare to other games, the releases are pretty average and since a lot of it was free (compare to free updates from EQ or DAoC.) I'm quite happy with things as they are.

The Month of X Class updates were done after looking at how each class fared in live. They cannot have had that content pre-developed because they didn't have the data necessary to go through with it.

MoL stated that

we had begun working on Volume I Book 9 by launch, but we had enough to do getting the shipped game ready that we didn't have the time to stockpile content for future updates beyond Book 9. Helegrod and Evendim were at various stages in development at launch, but that was as far ahead as we were when SOA released.

MoL

[duvelmoortgat]

Excellent list, I have noticed the timing wait has getting longer, not only for landmass but for content itself. Let me add some more notes of interest; (mine are in bold)

LOTRO Release Timeline, Research by Eluros

1. April 24, 2007: Shadows of Angmar, 1.1-1.8 released (Landmass)
2. June 14, 2007: 1.9, Evendim, released (Landmass) New Raid; Helegrod, BG instance.
3. August 21, 2007: 1.10 (Annuminas), Critter play, Season Play, Reputation dungeons, admittedly it looks like nothing but over new 100 quests makes up for it
4. October 24, 2007: 1.11, High Pass and Tal Bruinen (Landmass), Rift Raid
5. February 13, 2008: 1.12, Angmar Revamp (No new Landmass) Delving of Fror,
6. April 24, 2008: 1.13, Forochel (Landmass)
7. July 22, 2008: 1.14 (No new Landmass) World events with Amarthiel, battlegrounds
8. November 18, 2008: 1.15, Eregion (Landmass)
9. November 18, 2008: 2.1-2.6, Moria (Landmass)
10. March 17, 2009: 2.7, Lothlorien (Landmass) Turtle Raid
11. June 23, 2009: 2.8, DN (No new Landmass)
12. December 1, 2009: 2.9, Siege of Mirkwood (Landmass)
13. March 1, 2010: 3.1, Oath of the Rangers (No new Landmass)

Content/Book waiting times;
1. ~BASE~
2. 1M, 21D since last Book
3. 2M, 7D since last Book
4. 2M, 3D since last Book
5. 3M 20D since last Book *
6. 2M 11D since last Book
7. 2M 28D since last Book
8-9. 3M 25D since last Book.
10. 3M, 27D since last Book.
11. 3M, 6D since last Book **
12. 5M, 7D since last Book
13. 3M since last Book.

Average Wait Time: 3 Months 3 days.
Pre-Moria (including Moria); 2 Months 20 days.

Angmar revamp, I find it justified that it didn't have much contents but Delving of Fror, and the need for improvement in Angmar questlines made it worthwhile. Book 14 was also exciting mainly because of World Events and battlegrounds. The only book so far apart from 3.1 that had lacklustre content was book 11, 3 instances and a raid which may kept us busy for a bit but the wait between 2.8 and 2.9 was too long to warrant its content worthwhile. Book 3.1 didn't have any much of content thus was the worse book release so far.

So landmass isn't really important to me as long the book contents warrants it. New instances, raids, or plenty of additional quests.

I would like it if Turbine release books with contents more regularly at average of under 3 months not including expansions. Lets say a good timetable would be something like;
October/November expansion, end January/February Book update, April, Minor Book Update (small one for anniversary, little content like 3.1) June Book Update, August Minor Book update (to prepare for expansion release). Lets assume expansion will have 6 books, so there should be 4 books released before next expansions to have 10 books in each volume.

But to be honest, i rather Turbine abandon its promise of releasing expansion yearly, this promise puts pressure on the time schedule and therefore we get less regularly updates per year. The gaming experience would be enriched if we get to have expansion, then a book update every 3 months, and after 4 books a new expansion regardless of Oct/Nov deadline, this new timetable would have 1 year of books and expansion, so we can expect an expansion every 1 year 3 months or longer if a certain volume need to have more books (Volume 1).

[jedijsn]

I honestly am starting to think we are seeing the beginning of the end.. WoW is heavily showcasing or "leaking" Cataclysm pics and videos and we sit here waiting on Content news and or breaking down the Turbine release rate of all of this.

Devs are getting put onto other projects and with the purchase by WB I just dont think the future is bright. I want to be wrong but its starting to feel that way more each day. Im hoping Im wrong and something big is coming soon.

[Drifter25]

Development/staffing may have been impacted by the poor economy to some extent over the last 2 years, at least I'm sure it didn't help.

I seem to have more than enough to occupy me for the moment. Every game goes through what I like to call the "Doldrums" where there is little to no communication for a time.

If anything, I highly doubt Lotro is in any trouble. The Warner Brother acquisition preludes the hype that will be building for the Hobbit movies, I expect more and more interest in the game.

That may mean an overhaul is in the works, or some way for us to experience some Hobbit related content at some point. No way to tell.

On another note, they maybe are unable to release any info with the Warner Brothers thing going on. Its only been a few weeks, so the release of information is probably on hold for a bit until all is settled with the deal. Probably something will happen soon, or when the anniversary event is over info wise.

I'd keep hope in your hearts, for we'll need it when we face the darkness that lies ahead....

Cheers!

[LagunaD]

I honestly am starting to think we are seeing the beginning of the end.. WoW is heavily showcasing or "leaking" Cataclysm pics and videos and we sit here waiting on Content news and or breaking down the Turbine release rate of all of this.

Devs are getting put onto other projects and with the purchase by WB I just dont think the future is bright. I want to be wrong but its starting to feel that way more each day. Im hoping Im wrong and something big is coming soon.

Sums up my view of things perfectly.

Development/staffing may have been impacted by the poor economy to some extent over the last 2 years, at least I'm sure it didn't help.

I'm not so sure. Orion claimed a month or two ago that LotRO had gained subscribers over the past year. So revenue is up, and the poor economy should be keeping labor costs down.

This apparent contradiction dissolves if you consider that perhaps LotRO revenue is being fed into other projects like DDO, while leaving a bare minimum of staff to crank out festivals, lotteries, cosmetic gear, jewelry icons, new mounts and other fluff instead of actual content.

I'm afraid LotRO may fall victim to an obsolete business model. If every dollar invested in DDO returns $2, and every dollar invested in LotRO returns $1.25, it doesn't take an MBA to figure out where their resources will be going.

As Wyldcyde says, the next few months will give us a pretty clear read on whether the game will be coming back strong or going out with a whimper.

[Drifter25]

Sums up my view of things perfectly.



I'm not so sure. Orion claimed a month or two ago that LotRO had gained subscribers over the past year. So revenue is up, and the poor economy should be keeping labor costs down.

This apparent contradiction dissolves if you consider that perhaps LotRO revenue is being fed into other projects like DDO, while leaving a bare minimum of staff to crank out festivals, lotteries, cosmetic gear, jewelry icons, new mounts and other fluff instead of actual content.

I'm afraid LotRO may fall victim to an obsolete business model. If every dollar invested in DDO returns $2, and every dollar invested in LotRO returns $1.25, it doesn't take an MBA to figure out where their resources will be going.

As Wyldcyde says, the next few months will give us a pretty clear read on whether the game will be coming back strong or going out with a whimper.

That may very well be, and a good point. I'm no expert on such matters, just a general observation. Interestingly enough, electronic gaming seems to actually be doing quite well in an economy where other things took a hit.

Time will tell. I've played all the other big MMOs out there, none have had the pull and quality this one has. The community is rather strong, and good for Lotro as well, I think that's a positive in its favor (WoW does NOT have that in its favor in my opinion, not anymore). Mirkwood finished the Moria story, though the level cap rise to 65 boggles me (in preparation for the future expansion??), it looks like we are moving on.

I think things are ready to take off in a new direction/adventure and they certainly seem to set it up in Book 1 of volume 3. Even when you get to the part where you talk with Arwen, something is certainly going on!

I just hope they do a good mix of new content and do not put everything into skirmishes, which is my only real worry (well there are 2 other things that worry me but I'll not bring them up in this thread).

[SaintBass]

As Wyldcyde says, the next few months will give us a pretty clear read on whether the game will be coming back strong or going out with a whimper.

Lets be clear on the implications of this statement. If the game is allowed to wither and die, the PR backlash and damage to the IP would be horrendous. We all know that the LOTR IP is one of the strongest and as such, any failure to make and market a successful game based on LOTR does not stem from any weakness in the IP but in the developers and marketers to produce and market a decent product.

[xx19kilosoldier]

Lets be clear on the implications of this statement. If the game is allowed to wither and die, the PR backlash and damage to the IP would be horrendous. We all know that the LOTR IP is one of the strongest and as such, any failure to make and market a successful game based on LOTR does not stem from any weakness in the IP but in the developers and marketers to produce and market a decent product.

I am def not comparing STO to LOTRO, there really is no comparison in quality, but what Cryptic has done to Star Trek online is great example of your statement. I believe that no longer can a MMO developer "count" on any IP to carry a game, they must deliver and MAINTAIN a quality product to be successful regardless of how big the IP the game is based on.

[Grindl]

Except for the fact that floon was moved to another project. I find that fact to be more troubling than any other information I've heard as far as how the game's future will be impacted.

Also, keep in mind that Orion was supposed to redo the North Downs in much the same way as he redid the Lone Lands. That project was "put on hold," and as far as I know the reason wasn't specified. A reasonable assumption is that he was assigned to a project that Turbine considers to be more important--hopefully something still involving LOTRO. Is Orion still working on LOTRO, or has he been moved to the same project as floon?

The reason that the ND revamp was put on hold was so Orion could complete the Book 1 revamp, making it more solo-accessible. Also IMO, North Downs really doesn't need a revamp like LL did.

[SaintBass]

Ultimately, as much as I wanted to like STO, when I heard who was making it, I knew I wasn't going to actually pay any money for it. Now, three months after release, they are trying to win back customers and court new ones. Which ultimately, could be a good idea, but if you are trying to recover subscribers that soon after release, then something tells me that your game is severely lacking content, polish or both. IDK though, I may download the demo and play it a bit, but it does not seem like the demo contains much content... unlike the AoC demo which is almost half decent... unfortunately, Funcom is another company that won't see a dime from me.

Point being, I really hope that Turbine isn't cannibalizing LOTRO for some other project.