So is it true that we may not see new content come 2014?

[radspakr]

So the rumour you're secretly a Murloc is just a rumour Sapience.
(I did just start the rumour would still like an honest answer)

[Kerin_Eldar]

Will the level cap increase with U11? I haven't been around for previous cap increases but I can't see why they'd create new epic quests and a new region for people to do them with no XP benefit

Enedwaith was just that: an entire zone and Epic book were level 65, and while they revamped the zone for 61-65 leveling they didn't bother changing the book so it's still all level 65.

[Neumi]

"may (not) happen" is true by definition.
Maybes are always true, except if one has proof that it can't be.

[Edrogar]

Regarding the renewal of the license, does anyone really think that a license would not be renewed for a popular MMO set in Middle-earth when there are two more Hobbit films to come out, not to mention extended editions of the films thereafter, which should see Tolkien fever right into 2015?

That would depend entirely on how much it will cost them to renew, if the cost outweighs the potential profit then it's in their best interest and that if the shareholders if they cut their losses. Not saying that will happen, but there's always a worst case scenario.

[Thorwyn99]

That would depend entirely on how much it will cost them to renew, if the cost outweighs the potential profit then it's in their best interest and that if the shareholders if they cut their losses. Not saying that will happen, but there's always a worst case scenario.

Yeah i guess such a risk always exists if money and especially shareholders are involved.
Look at that NC soft MMO, city of heroes i think ?

[Justanother]

Will the level cap increase with U11? I haven't been around for previous cap increases but I can't see why they'd create new epic quests and a new region for people to do them with no XP benefit

this question 4

[Faitha81]

Give me Hobbit capts and i'll buy the next expansion even if its as rubbish as this one !

[Rufus_T_Fyrfly]

I have heard rumors that if subscriptions don't pick up we won't be seeing Gondor/new content in 2014? I've not been playing that long but I do subscribe and have purchased expansions except for Rohan as I am not that high in level yet. I have to say that LOTRO is a great game and hope that what I hear/read is only a silly rumor...

I heard a rumor that Gamera is really neat and full of turtle meat. Can you confirm or deny the allegations?

[kidnova78]

That would depend entirely on how much it will cost them to renew, if the cost outweighs the potential profit then it's in their best interest and that if the shareholders if they cut their losses. Not saying that will happen, but there's always a worst case scenario.

^This. It's going to come down to economics, and while the Devs have done a good job of alleviating concerns with vague statements about rumors being rumors I've yet to see an official response in regards to exercising their option to extend the license. I'd say that signs are good that they will given the number of changes to the game that have been announced for this year as well as announced content updates, but until it's official there's no way to really know.

[Hippo99]

Yes. Wildermore and more of the Epic story are part of Update 11.

A quick word on rumors. They're called rumors not facts for a reason.

Great. Then it should be very easy for you to confirm that Turbine has picked up the option, or otherwise acquired the necessary rights to continue to produce new, Tolkein licensed content after 2014. In 2008, you were very happy to make such an announcement by press release. But I'd be very content to just see a confirming forum post.

Rumors can definitely be unreliable. How about giving us some facts to quash those rumors rather than just a vague statement about the nature of rumors? Licensed content in update 11 is great. How about after that? How about after 2014?

[Flagge69]

Thank you Sapience for coming by to quash yet another horrible rumor!

sorry to break it to you, but you only squash rumors with facts... since giving facts and turbine are two words you hardly can use inside the same sentence without using the words no and at all Sapience is like the holy grand engineer of all rumors ..

[Thorwyn99]

^This. It's going to come down to economics, and while the Devs have done a good job of alleviating concerns with vague statements about rumors being rumors I've yet to see an official response in regards to exercising their option to extend the license. I'd say that signs are good that they will given the number of changes to the game that have been announced for this year as well as announced content updates, but until it's official there's no way to really know.

I wonder what WB's policy is in that regard. I mean about denying or confirming.
Even if it's set in stone, confirming it out of turn could still cost someones job.

[Kerin_Eldar]

Great. Then it should be very easy for you to confirm that Turbine has picked up the option, or otherwise acquired the necessary rights to continue to produce new, Tolkein licensed content after 2014.

It's pretty obvious they haven't, otherwise they'd be trumpeting from Bree's roof-tops .. er, wait, they nerfed roof jumping, but hey, you know what I mean.

My guess is that it's probably still way too early for their negotiations to be completed, and they're not about to talk about the content those at all, for obvious reasons.

However, the fact they won't even say that talks have [or have not] started yet is simply typically uninformative of them; they trot out PR fluff when it suits them, they don't really care what we want to know, they know players won't punish them for this unhelpful customer relationship and their lack of respect for those who pay the bills is clear for all to see.

And before anyone suggests they can't even talk about talks taking place due to some fantastic (in the literal sense of the word) need for 'secrecy', since they told us in 2008 that they license was up for renewal next year it can hardly be a secret such talks will have to happen some time!

[Thorwyn99]

It's pretty obvious they haven't, otherwise they'd be trumpeting from Bree's roof-tops .. er, wait, they nerfed roof jumping, but hey, you know what I mean.

My guess is that it's probably still way too early for their negotiations to be completed, and they're not about to talk about the content those at all, for obvious reasons.

However, the fact they won't even say that talks have [or have not] started yet is simply typically uninformative of them; they trot out PR fluff when it suits them, they don't really care what we want to know, they know players won't punish them for this unhelpful customer relationship and their lack of respect for those who pay the bills is clear for all to see.

And before anyone suggests they can't even talk about talks taking place due to some fantastic (in the literal sense of the word) need for 'secrecy', since they told us in 2008 that they license was up for renewal next year it can hardly be a secret such talks will have to happen some time!

2008 was just turbine though, now WB is involved.
A new ownership can very well mean much different policies. Especially since there is a lawsuit going on about the tolkien rights in a whole.