A Letter from Executive Producer Aaron Campbell

[Thiranigor]

My level of happiness with the game would go up substantially if the Dev's would address the play balance issue more heavily than they have recently. We have had tweaks to increase mob damage in all of the patches since HD release. By my reckoning, those tweaks were so minor as to be completely undetectable in actual game play. I am at a loss to understand why it should take so many tiny iterations to properly adjust game balance to restore some semblance of challenge to this game. I mean, are damage calculations not deterministic such that someone knowing the algorithms could punch them into a spreadsheet and run some iterations and see the results, and tweak until good? I know there's a wide range of content, player and monster levels, challenge levels, etc, but that still doesn't explain to me how you go 3 patches with no discernible change in difficulty - when you've expressly stated that increasing the difficulty is your intent!

How about in this coming patch we turn the knob up more than half a notch? Turn it up 5 notches - try to get people to come to the forums pleading for someone - anyone - to save them from Sauron's death-dealing minions!

[Mar-Evayave]

Until the meeting I literally just left, I would have said tomorrow (or at least a very large portion of it) because, as I mentioned elsewhere, we had been planning on going to Bullroarer this week. That's changed and we're now looking at sometime next week.

Don't tell me you spilled your coffee on Rowan's notes! :P

Kidding aside, now I'm dying for next week to come! ^_^ Like most (all?) non-xpac betas, U13 will be open access, correct? *muses* It takes so darn long to download on my bandwidth that I refuse to take BR off my computer. Maybe I should start patching it up in preparation...

[Sapience]

Don't tell me you spilled your coffee on Rowan's notes! :P

Kidding aside, now I'm dying for next week to come! ^_^ Like most (all?) non-xpac betas, U13 will be open access, correct? *muses* It takes so darn long to download on my bandwidth that I refuse to take BR off my computer. Maybe I should start patching it up in preparation...

Yes it will be.

[Stephen1981]

Yes it will be.

hold on sapience i thought the BR was opening this week for update 13

[Sapience]

hold on sapience i thought the BR was opening this week for update 13

You needed to scroll up about 3 more posts....

Until the meeting I literally just left, I would have said tomorrow (or at least a very large portion of it) because, as I mentioned elsewhere, we had been planning on going to Bullroarer this week. That's changed and we're now looking at sometime next week.

[Stephen1981]

You needed to scroll up about 3 more posts....

ok well that sucks oh well

[SlopranoDark]

I keep hearing negative things about Turbine or Lotro. What's the issue on this?

And, I'm really looking forward to Update 13! I guess it'll be the best year as of now for me

[watarun]

Good point

It's not an opinion. From a development time, and player accessibility standpoint they are contradictory. Group content would need to occupy spaces that need to be designed for it, and for it to be challenging requires a lot of time and effort and testing and revision of mechanics, likely that would need to be created from scratch. And what % of the player base would ever be able to see this story?

So they can spend a ton of time on a few bosses in an encounter that 90% of the players would never see, or they can spend that same time opening up multiple regions of the world and giving it story that 100% of the players would have relatively easy access too.

[Elrantiri]

It's not an opinion. From a development time, and player accessibility standpoint they are contradictory. Group content would need to occupy spaces that need to be designed for it, and for it to be challenging requires a lot of time and effort and testing and revision of mechanics, likely that would need to be created from scratch. And what % of the player base would ever be able to see this story?

So they can spend a ton of time on a few bosses in an encounter that 90% of the players would never see, or they can spend that same time opening up multiple regions of the world and giving it story that 100% of the players would have relatively easy access too.

And none of those arguments kept Turbine from putting in group content from 2007 to 2013.

[Irenmund]

"if we were to design and create new instanced content how many of you would be willing to pay for it and play it?" "how many people would re-sub if we announced a brand new moria/OD/RoI style raid cluster at the end of the year?"

^^ This.

In fact, I think the Draigoch raid was the first experiment along those lines. Albeit a minor one.

Perhaps in Turbine's accounting analysis it was unsuccessful. But the skeptic in me has to wonder whether that was because the concept was flawed? Or;

The Draigoch raid was seriously bugged on release, and was never properly fixed. At the same time, that was coupled with changes to what in-game support could do. 12 people could waste 40 minutes to have the scripting bug at the end, and the response was "Sorry." But enough about Draigoch. Wouldn't want to dwell on that, was pointing out that it was an "add on, for money (or points)" end-game raid.

To me a lot of the "community" aspect of the game was lost with the de-focus on end-game and PvP. Perhaps financially it was the way to go, but the world of Lotro was a lot more fun to me, when you'd be grouping up at the entrance to the Rift, or the Watcher, along with three or four other groups on a Friday night (instance join killed that aspect). Or the great fun of almost EVERYONE on the server gathering in Rivendell for a hope chain turn-in regardless of what they were doing.

Just my 0.0000303 BTC.

PS: When can we buy Turbine Points with Bitcoin? Would likely be good free publicity for the game if such a thing were done.

[Egilric]

Group content would need to occupy spaces that need to be designed for it, and for it to be challenging requires a lot of time and effort and testing and revision of mechanics, likely that would need to be created from scratch.

Well, they did that with the open-world solo-content of HD and totally messed it up.

So why not have a pop and genuine group-content?

Who knows, they may even get it right.

It can't possibly be any worse than HD.

All The Best

[frickinmuck]

I understand for some people this game is very important to them and the things that have caused a lot of players to leave do not seem important to them, and cannot understand why they have stopped "supporting" the game, well you see we dont see the turbine/player relationship like they do, they see it as turbine is doing them a favour by letting them play in middle earth and feel they should almost donate money each month as a way of thankyou, we see it as a customer/business relationship, we can take our money anywhere and spend it and we can still see middle earth when we desire for free, and you have to impress us and fight for our money, and turbine are not doing that right now.

You are entirely wrong about that. I can only really speak for myself, but it seems to me that people who want to support the game are people who are here for LotRO, and not for generic "insert content type here." You can get what you want elsewhere? Awesome for you, knock yourself out, have a great time! I can't get what I want elsewhere, because what I want, what I love, what I am dedicated to is LotRO and this community.

Certain of those among you light up the forums with hate posts about how Turbine is denying you the content you desire, they are flouting your value, they are making poor business decisions. You don't know any of this. You are weaving a fictional narrative about what's happening, as a means of supporting your position using nothing but thin air and rage-filled speculation. As for the lack of x type of content, you act as though they have any choice in the matter. I don't think it's safe to assume so. The decisions about cash and resources that are the lifeblood of any organization, that enable them to get their broader projects completed, are made higher up the food chain these days, and that's a reality some people seem to gleefully ignore. Screaming and crying for content that is likely well outside their means to create is not unlike a kid throwing a tantrum at his minimum wage parents hoping they will get him some shiny thing or other. Good luck with that.

Unlike you guys, I trust the LotRO team to do their best with the resources they have, to satisfy as many of us as they possibly can, to build and enhance the game and by extension the community that I love. Full stop. And I am prepared to put my money where my mouth is and support this game. Any resources they get from me, they are free to spend however best they see fit in order to maintain the game and the community I know they care about as much as I do. SWTOR, Rift, WoW, GW2 - none of these games have anything to offer me. Why would I spend my money anywhere but where my heart lies?

To me a lot of the "community" aspect of the game was lost with the de-focus on end-game and PvP. Perhaps financially it was the way to go, but the world of Lotro was a lot more fun to me, when you'd be grouping up at the entrance to the Rift, or the Watcher, along with three or four other groups on a Friday night (instance join killed that aspect). Or the great fun of almost EVERYONE on the server gathering in Rivendell for a hope chain turn-in regardless of what they were doing.

*snif* I remember those days fondly. Those truly were the days. I dislike instance join for that very reason. There is nothing like "being there", and seeing all the groups hanging around really used to add an aspect of realism to the game, and made the game much more social and exciting. The closest I've seen to that in recent years is when groups used to hang out in the Snowbourn tavern and spar and chat between raids.

This is the same reason I am FERVENTLY against crafting in housing instances, btw. It's going to add to that shrieking emptiness - even loneliness - of the community and the game. But it looks like, if the housing updates come at all, they will be adding crafting to housing. Short-sighted and depressing.

I am really concerned that there has been very little comment on the current state of balance from the devs.

Your post hurt my eyes.

Balance has been talked about a lot off and on. It's been stated that balance is something that they are constantly working on, something that is never really "done". It's been talked about a lot in the Hobbits to Isengard runs, and it seems clear it's not something they've forgotten, or are neglecting.

[Thiranigor]

Balance has been talked about a lot off and on. It's been stated that balance is something that they are constantly working on, something that is never really "done". It's been talked about a lot in the Hobbits to Isengard runs, and it seems clear it's not something they've forgotten, or are neglecting.

They have talked about balance a good deal, but unfortunately, it seems to me that they have been entirely ineffective in their efforts to improve the situation.

[frickinmuck]

They have talked about balance a good deal, but unfortunately, it seems to me that they have been entirely ineffective in their efforts to improve the situation.

I have definitely seen some improvement when playing lower level content, but I agree more work is needed in this area. Which it seems they will continue to do so I expect improvement in the near future.

[Valkrist]

You are entirely wrong about that. I can only really speak for myself, but it seems to me that people who want to support the game are people who are here for LotRO, and not for generic "insert content type here." You can get what you want elsewhere? Awesome for you, knock yourself out, have a great time! I can't get what I want elsewhere, because what I want, what I love, what I am dedicated to is LotRO and this community.

Certain of those among you light up the forums with hate posts about how Turbine is denying you the content you desire, they are flouting your value, they are making poor business decisions. You don't know any of this. You are weaving a fictional narrative about what's happening, as a means of supporting your position using nothing but thin air and rage-filled speculation. As for the lack of x type of content, you act as though they have any choice in the matter. I don't think it's safe to assume so. The decisions about cash and resources that are the lifeblood of any organization, that enable them to get their broader projects completed, are made higher up the food chain these days, and that's a reality some people seem to gleefully ignore. Screaming and crying for content that is likely well outside their means to create is not unlike a kid throwing a tantrum at his minimum wage parents hoping they will get him some shiny thing or other. Good luck with that.

Unlike you guys, I trust the LotRO team to do their best with the resources they have, to satisfy as many of us as they possibly can, to build and enhance the game and by extension the community that I love. Full stop. And I am prepared to put my money where my mouth is and support this game. Any resources they get from me, they are free to spend however best they see fit in order to maintain the game and the community I know they care about as much as I do. SWTOR, Rift, WoW, GW2 - none of these games have anything to offer me. Why would I spend my money anywhere but where my heart lies?

Are you sure? Are you truly sure?

As the debates went on about 'vocal minorities' and how polls are meaningless and whatnot, there was very strong insistence by those deciding what was coming that they knew what we, generally as a player base, wanted. We wanted the change to the trait trees, we wanted less raiding and instances and so on. And so Helm's Deep was released.

This is not meant to incite but only to cast a light on what has come, so we might go another direction in the future

Helm's Deep was filled with more exclusionary measures than any content ever released in these lands.

- There was no 'solo' endgame content, such as Hytbold, save for the solo/duo Epic Battles, which are not really balanced for solo players, particularly the more casual players that they were to attract.
- There was no 'group' endgame content, save for 1 3-person, 1 6-person, and 1 Raid Battle, all of which lack any sort of challenge that more group-oriented players had been hoping to see.
- Instead of taking time to create more content, new trait trees were introduced. These forced players to choose a role, making their effectiveness at that role and everything else they are able to do, far more about the system than the player. They also either eliminated or gated about half of the skills once available to the players at any given time, thereby reducing choice and one's ability to determine outcomes. They purposely restricted reactive and engaging play, in favor of a style with more predictable outcomes.
- These skill changes made choices regarding legendary items moot, as those choices are largely made for us now, since most of the legacies deal with gated skills.
- The skill changes made have created an imbalance that has existed for over 3 months, and is likely to continue to exist for a long while thereafter, taking more time that could have been used to create content. And this is no minor imbalance, but one that has removed all challenge from even the choices of play meant to be the most extreme: T2 Challenges, T3 Skirmishes and so on.
- Itemization has been simplified to the point where choice in what we wield or wear has virtually no ramifications, whatsoever. And most 'raiding/endgame items' are being given away for free in GLFF, as they are so easily come by.

Remember, these were all things we 'wanted', right? The vast majority of players were being served.

The result of this has been a portion of the team that brought us these things has been let go, and there has been a change of leadership at the Executive Producer level. There is just no way these things would have happened if these measures had been a resounding success or even a modest success, is there?

I support Lotro, and I support the team that brings it to us. But I still want to have a say (with my Bree-land currency) in where they are taking us. And I strongly believe that, going forward, there needs to be a return to a more inclusive approach. Adding tiers of difficulty to instances was a brilliant move, I thought. Why did we go away from that? Why was there so much choice taken away from we, the players, with this last expansion?

Mr. Campbell, I have the feeling you have been given a washcloth and asked to use it to blanket the whole of your playerbase. I doubt too many envy you that task. But I do hope you will see that, as much as you are able to lead us there, a more inclusive approach will be the best course taken.

[TheCrossbow]

Just to put these things in perspective to Rowan's letter...

It appears to several people that Rowan taking the reigns *may* signal a significant change in the leadership of the game... AND hopefully a shift in the game's direction.

So, we (those of us who enjoy some raids and group content) are hoping to re-emphasize that we would welcome some additional [new or scaled] stuff to keep us happy... just as I (can't speak for the rest) hope that Turbine would see the wisdom in throwing bones to other aspects of the game.

And, Rowan specifically referenced that this year will mirror the period between SOA and Moria (to some extent... I don't expect us to be getting Helegrod, Carn Dum, or whatever else type of content... but I do hope what we get is quality stuff).

And I would heavily disagree with most of those points, the only one I'd consider remotely valid is relating to the Auction House(and only for a select few types of items).

You're welcome to think raiders bring benefits to the game, on a limited basis I might agree with that. But don't try and twist this so that the 'incompetent soloers' are ruining the game while the 'kind and brave raiders' are doing their best to save it. That is the exact kind of egotism that people criticise raiders for.

There is no where in my post... or any of my other previous posts... where I suggest that soloers are incompetent. That is a complete and utter mis-characterization of what I said.

There are, however, some people who are clearly against any group content at all... to the point where they insist on sticking their noses in every thread anytime someone asks for "more group content" or for "the game to be a little bit harder"... these people know who they are. And, it is because of people like them that any real honest discussion of the game's direction often gets shut down. Clearly, while they may voice that "all play styles are welcome"... all play styles are not really welcome. And, their most frequent tactic is to mis-quote or twist words to make the "raiders" look bad... when it has been the "raiding community" who simply keeps asking for Turbine to put out good, quality content that ALL people can enjoy.

Again, the funny thing is... these "anti grouping" people really have no clue that their "campaign" to remove "grouping" content and/or force their way into the grouping content (but make it solo-friendly of course... so "we" can get that shiny without having to group)... this campaign has resulted in no one really getting what they want that makes them happy.

Additionally, I have yet to see anyone present evidence as to how the person who only solos (don't get me wrong... I like to solo sometimes too) contributes to the game (and the community) as much as "raiders" do.

I apologize if I am one who keeps derailing the thread... but I do believe that Turbine should be supporting ALL aspects of the game... not just the soloers, RPers, raiders, or PVPers... but ALL of them. And, I am hoping that Rowan will be, at least, more willing to allow room for ALL play styles into the game just as the game did before.
And, don't get me wrong... I am not one who expects even the best person to whip up all new instances over night. But, I don't think it would hurt to make sure that those of us who like raiding have something new (heck even scaled) as part of the vision for somewhere down the road. I would even welcome the developers taking time to go back and fix up/tweak what we already have (such as adjusting the loot system so that it isn't just RNG style).

[Frisco]

And none of those arguments kept Turbine from putting in group content from 2007 to 2013.

To be fair, the raiding population was far higher before they made a few missteps in Mirkwood times. Radiance, which was fun in the beginning, got to the point where it was annoying (having to have completed previous raids to get into BG, or swapped into purple, lower quality gear if you hadn't). Also, the 16-month break between BG (which was not their best effort) and OD caused a lot of people to wander off. OD started people coming back, and RoI saw the re-emergence of the raiding community, but it apparently didn't re-grow the community quickly enough, as evidenced by the buggy, rushed, uninspired instances of RoR. That, combined with the loot debacle of gold class items and ultra-rare Horse-Lords recipes quickly alienated whatever raid community remained.

One can hardly blame them for not releasing raid content with HD--since they weren't capable of doing it well, it would've been a huge money sink.

On the other hand, all it would take to restore the same well-rounded game that existed until mid-2010 would be accepting that there would be a rebuilding period where there might be a great raid that got less play than it deserved (a la OD), and create quality group content to rebuild Turbine's reputation.

If you build it, they will come. I agree with the above poster--I don't care of we reach Mordor, if the journey to get there is rushed and 1-dimensional, and not focused on creating fellowship within the game. If I want to watch the journey through cut scenes, I'll watch the movie. I want to be a *part* of the journey--not just killing boars, cleaning latrines, and watching it unfold.

[Engsturm]

In terms of using your money to get what you want, there is always the option of a kickstarter campaign that might help to quantify how much the community wants certain features and changes.
As for the timeline, I think it's important to remember this is not a modern game engine. From the point of view of WB, of course they would like to have a "finished product" at some point, and three years from now, not only will an extension of the license be at issue again, the look and feel of video games available at that time will make LotRO look a lot like Runescape or Pac Man to new gamers looking for an MMO to play. It's also obviously not compatible with consoles, so I think a lot of credit is due the guys we got left at Turbine for somehow convincing the WB suits we are worth any investment at all.
One thing is for certain: If you want clear communication from Aaron Campbell and Sapience and the devs, you're going to have to do better, as a community, at clearly communicating. 21 pages of hollering and fighting, though entertaining to a degree if one is willing to read through it all, isn't a very good investment of time for the guy you all want to be making the game better instead of spending hours pouring over this silly stuff.

[Angadan]

...I don't care of we reach Mordor, if the journey to get there is rushed and 1-dimensional, and not focused on creating fellowship within the game. If I want to watch the journey through cut scenes, I'll watch the movie. I want to be a *part* of the journey--not just killing boars, cleaning latrines, and watching it unfold.

I hear you, Frisco, I do. The journey has got to be memorable in and of itself. But there is a quality, an undefinable joy, at simply standing before an iconic location in Middle-earth, in game, looking up at it and then around at the lands about it, that is simply inspirational to me. This was true the first time I saw the Prancing Pony...it was true when I came over the crest of the mountain path and beheld Rivendell...it was true when I first set foot into the Shire...it was true when I saw Edoras and Meduseld for the first time...it was true climbing Weathertop...and it will be shiveringly true, I'm sure, on the plains of Pelennor looking up at the seven tiers of Minas Tirith...or at the ruined city of Osgiliath on the Anduin, or looking up the twisting Morgul Vale toward Minas Morgul and Cirith Ungol.

The Journey is important. So are the destinations.

[frickinmuck]

Are you sure? Are you truly sure?

Not clear on what the question is. I am sure that I stand behind what I said.

There is just no way these things would have happened if these measures had been a resounding success or even a modest success, is there?

No idea. We aren't privy to the inner operations of the company, and really don't have any information on why team changes are made. I don't think it's at all safe to assume that the things you don't like about the game lost a bunch of people their jobs. That seems a bit narcissistic to me. This goes back to what I was saying before, about people posting speculation as though it's fact. We simply don't know.

There are, however, some people who are clearly against any group content at all.

I haven't seen anyone advocating against there being any group content. Where are these mythical beings?

Additionally, I have yet to see anyone present evidence as to how the person who only solos (don't get me wrong... I like to solo sometimes too) contributes to the game (and the community) as much as "raiders" do.

It's sentiments like this that fracture and polarize the community. Why position different groups against each other, as though they are opposed? They are not. There is a place for all of us at the table, and acting as though anyone is better or more valid than anyone else doesn't contribute to the community. Quite the contrary. In that sense there's a huge irony to your statement. You're saying that you as a raider contribute more to the community, and in doing so damage the sense of community here.

[Angadan]

...If you want clear communication from Aaron Campbell and Sapience and the devs, you're going to have to do better, as a community, at clearly communicating. 21 pages....

Heh, you don't ask a pig to write concert music, you don't tell a ballerina to pull a plow, and you don't ask a collection of independent individuals to be succinct in a forum where all get a say. There are some things you just should not expect. This is one of them.

[k3nn3th]

It's sentiments like this that fracture and polarize the community. Why position different groups against each other, as though they are opposed? They are not. There is a place for all of us at the table, and acting as though anyone is better or more valid than anyone else doesn't contribute to the community. Quite the contrary. In that sense there's a huge irony to your statement. You're saying that you as a raider contribute more to the community, and in doing so damage the sense of community here.

Sentiments like what, like Nyrions post that says nothing but "You're a minority demographic. Period." which was intended to do... what?

Get players asking for balance/raids/instances to be compliant and silent?

[Ithrien]

It's sentiments like this that fracture and polarize the community. Why position different groups against each other, as though they are opposed? They are not. There is a place for all of us at the table, and acting as though anyone is better or more valid than anyone else doesn't contribute to the community. Quite the contrary. In that sense there's a huge irony to your statement. You're saying that you as a raider contribute more to the community, and in doing so damage the sense of community here.

You are not some incredibly important demographic of the game, to the point where it would fall flat if you all left. Period. Granted it's not just groupers/raiders that think this, any minority believes themselves to be that 'critical resource' that the game depends on for survival. It's all nonsense.

I'm sure people are sick of the 'c word' by now, but casuals are where the money is, and that's who Turbine has been catering to. That's not going to change unless the greater MMO demographics change, and I find that possibility very unlikely.

Alright.

Every aspect of the game is important, and built for every player to enjoy, including the parts you choose not to play. Why bother to talk about "money" when Turbine will never give us details about money or lack thereof anyway?

And for the record, everybody is just as important to the game's success. Everybody is a consumer, and LOTRO needs to be consumed. There is no reason to vouch for "none for them, this is fine for me, GO TURBINE" attitude that many posts come off as having. I'm less important because I play the parts of LOTRO others don't? That should be respected, if not appreciated.... never a basis for me to stop asking for what I want or to pretend I offer less to the game and community. Nah, I give away tons of teals... dropped from instances. I teach people the mechanics of instances in addition to telling them how to craft, where x nodes are easy to find, etc etc etc. Without any need to classify a "type of player", a player who plays more, does more, is willing to share their experiences with other players whether by running with them or explaining to them or offering them tools they need to succeed - that player DOES offer more to the community than someone who simply plays by themselves the majority of the time happily running alt number 200 through the Lone-Lands. Does it matter? No it doesn't, because each are doing what they like. But the player who experiences more or all the content, DOES give more to the general communities - at least CERTAINLY those communities which 200 and his alts doesn't participate in - than the player like alt number 200.

What possible reason could anyone have to not encourage Turbine to do whatever they can within reason to provide all aspects of the game sufficient "love" so that as many people as possible will find enjoyment, will play - WILL PAY - and LOTRO will NOT have to rush to Mordor with landscape-only quests and shut down?

[TheCrossbow]

I haven't seen anyone advocating against there being any group content. Where are these mythical beings?

I would love to name names... however, we both know that would probably be considered (and reported as) personally attacking those people... even if I was to go back and quote them. If you are genuinely interested, you can PM me and I will give you some examples. (Plus, don't really wish to derail the thread into this.)

It's sentiments like this that fracture and polarize the community. Why position different groups against each other, as though they are opposed? They are not. There is a place for all of us at the table, and acting as though anyone is better or more valid than anyone else doesn't contribute to the community. Quite the contrary. In that sense there's a huge irony to your statement. You're saying that you as a raider contribute more to the community, and in doing so damage the sense of community here.

There is no attempt to polarize anything on my part. I am simply making statements that have basis in facts. I have gone to length laying out the various ways in which "raiders" make tangible contributions to the rest of the community. I won't re-type it all. You can find it posted (and re-posted) here in this thread.

The most common response from the "anti group" people whenever any discussion of group content comes up is... "as long as I am not forced to do it." They don't want any bit of grouping or challenge to interfere with how *they* want to play the game. But, there are several times in the game where we are indeed forced to... roleplay, solo, and other non-grouping stuff... in order to advance our characters through the game. There seems to be very little complaint until the idea of having to do "group" content comes up... then, look out! Here comes a certain corner of the population to decry that they are *forced* to go use the dreadful LFF/GLFF channels... and... SHOCK... ask for help... have to "interact" with other people... the horror!
But, none of them seem to have any trouble with all these forced solo quests... forcing you to break up your fellowship with a friend.

Therefore, while - in theory - everyone should be welcome at the table... the only people who don't seem to be welcome are the people who [factually] contribute the most toward actually supporting the multi-player parts of the game... and are the people who genuinely want to see quality stuff to do all over the game.

> They want to see the housing feature be a great thing... so it can be genuinely enjoyed by everyone... especially those who like a lot of roleplaying.

> They want to see continued support for a good music system. I'd be willing to be quite a few people who thoroughly enjoy raiding also make a point of showing up for Weatherstock and support it wholeheartedly.

In fact, those who might find themselves as part of the "raiders" would also find themselves belonging to multiple "play style groups"... depending on what they enjoy doing. Most of the "raiders" I encounter are not one-trick ponies. They love the entire game because it brings Tolkien's world to life.

And, you are right about... if another game is offering X better than LOTRO... then go enjoy what the other game offers that you enjoy. I am sure many people do so... have done so. I, myself, enjoy various other games for what they offer. After all, I probably wouldn't expect LOTRO to introduce Battlemechs anytime soon.
But, LOTRO used to be better about including some decent castles and dungeons to go into with other people (many of whom might eventually become "friends"). And, as I recall, had a nice balance of solo and group stuff... I just want to see LOTRO return to the balance they previously had...

[MATEOS-1]

Personally I would buy with hard cash any IC / Raid they could "fit in" anywhere in the game.

They should try to sell it cash only for like 1 month Then add it to the store. that way it pay for itself If not then and only then I would agree that catering to soloer was a good move.

I would be willing to pay 50$ for an IC and 20$ for a single instance.

Lets do some math:

Let say it take 5 Dev 6 months to develop a raid (Full time working on it)
Each Dev cost about 60k $ per year for a total of 150k $ add some extra for let say test and ballance for around 200k $ total.
If they sell it for 50$ they need 4000 buyout to reach even.

They could even wait for enough buyout before throwing it in the store so you have to buy it if you want to see it when it release.

P.S. for those that think 5 skilled Dev with 6 months schedule cant do it you are wrong. thats 4800 hour person thats a lot of time.
P.P.S English is not my primary language sry If I made mistake