The population on Shadowfax is extremely weak even at peak

[TheProvenence]

Maybe you want to put in legendary section but considering there are 4 threads there and frankly zero activity almost i thought putting here will get more attention

i hope it improves i play on both but difference is just so notable already there is os mcuh more activity ,kinships, interest and even threads on legendary server, the chat is mostly desolate unless later on , i dont want sound so gloomy but this not a good sign. it would appear far more players are interested in much slowe r pace,experience and opening

What happens to Shadowfax is current state persists? i honest hope shadowfax does not end as ithil why im putting this because its almost extreme i have a feeling there are 5x more people there compared to Shadow.

[Strider5548]

Maybe you want to put in legendary section but considering there are 4 threads there and frankly zero activity almost i thought putting here will get more attention

i hope it improves i play on both but difference is just so notable already there is os mcuh more activity ,kinships, interest and even threads on legendary server, the chat is mostly desolate unless later on , i dont want sound so gloomy but this not a good sign. it would appear far more players are interested in much slowe r pace,experience and opening

What happens to Shadowfax is current state persists? i honest hope shadowfax does not end as ithil why im putting this because its almost extreme i have a feeling there are 5x more people there compared to Shadow.

I am not at all surprised, I predicted the server would have a very low population the moment it was announced. The timelines for Shadowfax are just too fast for any real full time players. My sense is that the majority of people on that server are just rushing for the titles, and potentially to try to steal their way into server first raid titles (though that will happen on Treebeard too). You'll probably see a big spike in players in a month or so when Moria comes out, then it'll die again, rinse repeat.

If you want a steady gaming experience with a consistent population then Treebeard is the way to go imo.

[TheProvenence]

I am not at all surprised, I predicted the server would have a very low population the moment it was announced. The timelines for Shadowfax are just too fast for any real full time players. My sense is that the majority of people on that server are just rushing for the titles, and potentially to try to steal their way into server first raid titles (though that will happen on Treebeard too). You'll probably see a big spike in players in a month or so when Moria comes out, then it'll die again, rinse repeat.

If you want a steady gaming experience with a consistent population then Treebeard is the way to go imo.

but why title holds so much importance to some its just becoming rush fest and competition purely , players may establish good friends connection there and then server shuts off everyone parts i hope it does not come to it ,yea you can see below 50 players there on Shadow , i would not make thread but it felt to extreme,

it makes sense for these players to shadow to titles and i agree with with consistency and full time players that other one is possibly better choice

[maartena]

Treebeard has 300-500 players on it almost every time I log on, so that is definitely the more popular server. With Shadowfax getting a level increase every 2 months, they will reach level 140 for Gundabad roughly around June 2023, so basically the server has a 2-year lifespan.

Treebeard on the other hand will get a level increase every 6 months, so it will not reach Gundabad level 140 till mid 2025, and I am assuming that by then we probably have another level increase to level 150 or so, so we're talking late 2025, maybe even early 2026 before Treebeard joins the other servers.

With that much of a difference in speed, we will know one thing for sure: If they decide to close Shadowfax because way too few people are interested in the "fast" version of a Legendary server, there will be NO transfers to Treebeard, you will probably have to transfer to another world. Shadowfax will get to level 60 in September, level 65 in November, and level 75 in January 2022 (More or less, no confirmed dates), while Treebeard won't see level 60 until December or so..... So with that in mind, as SOON as the level cap surpasses Treebeard, transfers TO Treebeard are no longer going to be possible. You cannot, after all, transfer in a bunch of level 75s to a server that is still capped at 60.

I do not think that they will close Shadowfax at all actually, I think they will just run out the 2 years till it catches up, and then close it and offer free transfers, while Treebeard is in it for the long haul.

Shadowfax and Treebeard were great ideas to see what the players prefer, and it would seem to me the players prefer the slower pace MUCH more than the fast pace...... so with that said, you as a player on Shadowfax have a decision to make:

1) Stay on Shadowfax for the long haul and help it remain successful,

2) Or.... give up, start anew on Treebeard and still experience the legendary level caps over the next few years.

3) Or.... give up, go back to the previous server you played on.


One final option that MIGHT be possible: After a number of rapid level increases every 2 months, they COULD merge Shadowfax with Anor, and then subsequently switch to the Anor speed of expansion.

[TheProvenence]

Treebeard has 300-500 players on it almost every time I log on, so that is definitely the more popular server. With Shadowfax getting a level increase every 2 months, they will reach level 140 for Gundabad roughly around June 2023, so basically the server has a 2-year lifespan.

Treebeard on the other hand will get a level increase every 6 months, so it will not reach Gundabad level 140 till mid 2025, and I am assuming that by then we probably have another level increase to level 150 or so, so we're talking late 2025, maybe even early 2026 before Treebeard joins the other servers.

With that much of a difference in speed, we will know one thing for sure: If they decide to close Shadowfax because way too few people are interested in the "fast" version of a Legendary server, there will be NO transfers to Treebeard, you will probably have to transfer to another world. Shadowfax will get to level 60 in September, level 65 in November, and level 75 in January 2022 (More or less, no confirmed dates), while Treebeard won't see level 60 until December or so..... So with that in mind, as SOON as the level cap surpasses Treebeard, transfers TO Treebeard are no longer going to be possible. You cannot, after all, transfer in a bunch of level 75s to a server that is still capped at 60.

I do not think that they will close Shadowfax at all actually, I think they will just run out the 2 years till it catches up, and then close it and offer free transfers, while Treebeard is in it for the long haul.

Shadowfax and Treebeard were great ideas to see what the players prefer, and it would seem to me the players prefer the slower pace MUCH more than the fast pace...... so with that said, you as a player on Shadowfax have a decision to make:

1) Stay on Shadowfax for the long haul and help it remain successful,

2) Or.... give up, start anew on Treebeard and still experience the legendary level caps over the next few years.

3) Or.... give up, go back to the previous server you played on.


One final option that MIGHT be possible: After a number of rapid level increases every 2 months, they COULD merge Shadowfax with Anor, and then subsequently switch to the Anor speed of expansion.

excellent in depth post, i will comment more later why i love communtiy when you have someone putting thought and breaking it into details ,a lot of it makes sense here if said about numbers that are 300-500 then Shadowfax is really really low, about at least 4 or 5 less which is staggering difference , in US west or East dead hour 60 sometimes 50 too lowest i seen was 46 entries non anonymous players

[Starbuck1771]

but why title holds so much importance to some its just becoming rush fest and competition purely , players may establish good friends connection there and then server shuts off everyone parts i hope it does not come to it ,yea you can see below 50 players there on Shadow , i would not make thread but it felt to extreme,

it makes sense for these players to shadow to titles and i agree with with consistency and full time players that other one is possibly better choice

Because holding that server first title is the same as making history as you will have that title as long as the server exists.

[Sovereign50]

The intention was to make them "permanent live servers" according to Raninia. This should still be the case regardless of their lifespan or population, as "live" could mean they become free or premium servers, not just VIP (though they could remain such). The other bonus is that if they do make these servers permanent, they are part of the new breed of permanent servers, beyond Anor, that are compatible with both US and EU live servers (though it's one way). There's probably other optimisations that could make these servers worthwhile as 'permanent'.

Hopefully Raninia can comment and put the fears of Shadowfaxians everywhere to bed.

Source:
https://massivelyop.com/2021/06/24/l...aunch-june-30/
https://massivelyop.com/2021/06/21/l...y-item-revamp/

[Raninia]

The only plans we have for Shadowfax are what we've previously stated. Can't speak for everyone internally, but I wasn't shocked that Treebeard was more popular. That said, we're still planning to increase the level cap and open the next sequential expansion on the timetable we previously mentioned, for both Shadowfax and Treebeard. Neither server is going anywhere any time soon.

[Laurelinarien]

Regardless of the intention (since we can't control nor predict SSG's side), I think people should've learned from our experience on Anor/Ithil. Some folks come to these servers willing to make them their home base.. and that's great. But speaking for people who went to Shadowfax as a diversion, like me & some kinnies, we're there for the titles and to play together some older content we have exhausted on our home server. Personally, I do prefer smaller servers.. but Gladden is healthy-small (400-600 players) while Shadowfax, Ithil, Anor, in my opinion, aren't healthy - just small, and that lowers their potential of becoming permanent. Not because SSG wants to close them, but because other players don't want to settle there.

Not to mention at least on Shadowfax there are a lot of Anor refugees... having all the same rewards + difficulty landscape effectively killed Anor. It's just a matter of time.

Idk about Treebeard.. I made my toons but it's not the right time for me.

[Harvain]

SSG is doing things, trying to get newer stuff in place, etc. It's gonna be a bumpy road and there are more bumps farther down the road with upcoming changes like the LI Revamp, Gundabad Expansion, Brawler Class, various other things coming like some stuff for PvMP, etc here in 2021.

Just wait and see, yes Shadowfax has a lower pop but pretty much anyone who pays attention to how the average player who comments would have known that Treebeard with its slower pace would have the better player draw as some people may not want to group with each other but seeing other characters running around far more compared to any of the live servers gives the feeling the game is "alive and doing well".

Hopefully things keep overall trending positively but SSG both from a company standpoint and game development standpoint still has a lot they can improve and many things which are more minor and easier to improve than others.

[TheProvenence]

record low today i mean these are just allarming numbers 41 of 41 entries last time i saw that was on dying servers before great merge was even introduced

[Sovereign50]

record low today i mean these are just allarming numbers 41 of 41 entries last time i saw that was on dying servers before great merge was even introduced

"Dying" doesn't mean much to a LOTRO player. Many of us have heard it before in many contexts, most of which don't come to pass. Most.

[TheProvenence]

"Dying" doesn't mean much to a LOTRO player. Many of us have heard it before in many contexts, most of which don't come to pass. Most.

which in that case and i was referring to Gilrain that is closed now. it mean now more than ever after almost 15 years. do not underestimate this really The Extremely low population.

[Sovereign50]

which in that case and i was referring to Gilrain that is closed now. it mean now more than ever after almost 15 years. do not underestimate this really The Extremely low population.

"Dying" is hyperbole, as we don't know SSG's ultimate plans. Sure, there is some precedence in Ithil that Legendary Servers are vulnerable to closure, but the context was also different in that Ithil was a knee-jerk reaction to Anor's initial success (as it was never planned).

[Sovereign50]

I would love for them to open up transfers between Shadowfax and Treebeard just before Shadowfax rolls into the first expansion. Maybe a week or two before. Unpaid, of course. I don't think, at 2 months, that this would do any lasting damage to the economy. Obviously once these two servers are separated not by experience speed but by expansions that future transfers would not be possible.

[TheProvenence]

I would love for them to open up transfers between Shadowfax and Treebeard just before Shadowfax rolls into the first expansion. Maybe a week or two before. Unpaid, of course. I don't think, at 2 months, that this would do any lasting damage to the economy. Obviously once these two servers are separated not by experience speed but by expansions that future transfers would not be possible.

i argued they should but they defended it its because of different pace and XP gain it would not make sense yet logically why is that if players on tree rush and there are many boosts that negate any -xp there , unpaid him i remember anor ithil free transfers ppl were bounced off and on whenever they wanted at wish it was bit chaotic

[Harvain]

i argued they should but they defended it its because of different pace and XP gain it would not make sense yet logically why is that if players on tree rush and there are many boosts that negate any -xp there , unpaid him i remember anor ithil free transfers ppl were bounced off and on whenever they wanted at wish it was bit chaotic

End of the day, SSG isn't going to close Anor and Shadowfax. Until otherwise stated by SSG, both servers will continue regardless of what player numbers an individual reports seeing for Non-Anonymous Numbers.

[maartena]

record low today i mean these are just allarming numbers 41 of 41 entries last time i saw that was on dying servers before great merge was even introduced

351 non-anon players on Treebeard at this very moment.

Look, I feel for you, but there is not going to be any transfers. You have choices to make:

1) Accept low numbers and continue on Shadowfax.

2) Create a new character on Treebeard, you have 5 months of level 50 content still so PLENTY of time to catch up.

3) Forget Legendary servers and go back to one of the other 10, wherever your characters were....


Which option are you leaning towards?

[TheProvenence]

351 non-anon players on Treebeard at this very moment.

Look, I feel for you, but there is not going to be any transfers. You have choices to make:

1) Accept low numbers and continue on Shadowfax.

2) Create a new character on Treebeard, you have 5 months of level 50 content still so PLENTY of time to catch up.

3) Forget Legendary servers and go back to one of the other 10, wherever your characters were....


Which option are you leaning towards?

I dont like you attitude anymore, you first post was great and has a lot of details thought,but you sound here you are giving me an ultimatum and you know exactly something is not going to happen etc,

1 i accepted its not about low numbers primarily, i was simple wanting to have transfers or slight extension nothing else,
2 i dont like treebeard slow pace and community there yes there is time to catch and i wont start again since i have 2 level 50s on shadow going to through again even fast is tiresome
3 lol what? yea i could do what but thats not the option

4 i think i will just ignore you and leaning to it to leave community forums for good will be best for me right now , goodbye

[SniperCT]

One final option that MIGHT be possible: After a number of rapid level increases every 2 months, they COULD merge Shadowfax with Anor, and then subsequently switch to the Anor speed of expansion.

If they were ever gonna do a server merge they would have merged Ithil into Anor, I think.

[maartena]

I dont like you attitude anymore, you first post was great and has a lot of details thought,but you sound here you are giving me an ultimatum and you know exactly something is not going to happen etc,

1 i accepted its not about low numbers primarily, i was simple wanting to have transfers or slight extension nothing else,
2 i dont like treebeard slow pace and community there yes there is time to catch and i wont start again since i have 2 level 50s on shadow going to through again even fast is tiresome
3 lol what? yea i could do what but thats not the option

4 i think i will just ignore you and leaning to it to leave community forums for good will be best for me right now , goodbye

I'm sorry you feel that way. But I don't think it has anything to do with my attitude, but you just not liking what you are seeing. You want transfers and they aren't going to happen, so I gave you all realistic options that are left. I am not the type of player that goes dreaming of what might have been, SSG has stated what their plans are with these servers, and it is up to you what your next steps are.

I have seen plenty of things I have not liked, but once a decision is made I am not moping about it anymore, I accept what is, man up, and move on. My post was maybe a little TOO pushy in suggesting to move on and make a choice and for that I apologize. But that does not change the facts and the choices you have.

[Harvain]

I'm sorry you feel that way. But I don't think it has anything to do with my attitude, but you just not liking what you are seeing. You want transfers and they aren't going to happen, so I gave you all realistic options that are left. I am not the type of player that goes dreaming of what might have been, SSG has stated what their plans are with these servers, and it is up to you what your next steps are.

I have seen plenty of things I have not liked, but once a decision is made I am not moping about it anymore, I accept what is, man up, and move on. My post was maybe a little TOO pushy in suggesting to move on and make a choice and for that I apologize. But that does not change the facts and the choices you have.

Overall your post wasn't too pushy.

Said forum user also was brand new from July 2021 and overall had a mostly negative amount of posts for their at the time of this message 33 total posts. Which their last post stated they are done with the forum, apparently.

They didn't seem to be a English speaker as a lot of things they typed made no sense or at times even contradicted what they had said earlier in the same post(s).

[Braer]

The two servers are only the consequence of Ithil and Armor players voicing opinions on the speed they moved onto higher caps. Plus the calls for more challenging landscape. But the premise was for slow progression and players grouping so don't know what the exp buff was about. Those who wanted faster didn't need more bonus exp.

Unless you are coming to these servers with a group of friends who are already playing together then it's tough to find others with similar play times that don't have you all at different questing objectives and a general exp buff along with varying exp bonus items in play only further hampers staying together. Much easier to accomplish back in 2007 and on an equal footing and equally new to it all. Even how long the guys you're are questing with take to read the quest dialog can have a bearing, too quick for you to take in the atmosphere or too slow and just wasting your valuable time...

[Nonde]

I would love for them to open up transfers between Shadowfax and Treebeard just before Shadowfax rolls into the first expansion. Maybe a week or two before. Unpaid, of course. I don't think, at 2 months, that this would do any lasting damage to the economy. Obviously once these two servers are separated not by experience speed but by expansions that future transfers would not be possible.

Might do damage as it was the day 2 50s on Anor that destroyed the economy for those who went to level slowly.

[Harvain]

Might do damage as it was the day 2 50s on Anor that destroyed the economy for those who went to level slowly.

Well bad economies would arrive eventually regardless of transfers which SSG for now is standing pat with there: Anor, Shadowfax and Treebeard will be servers going forward.

Until SSG would otherwise announce something different it's best not to over worry about any server and just have fun.

And if anyone is not having fun, that should be the real question they should ask themselves and answer to move forward and have fun again.