Summer LOTRO Executive Producer’s Letter

[Grego28]

A new, improved and balanced PvP map would be a very good and wise move by your side, devs! That means a lot, esp for the PvP vets

I was happy to read this official statement of yours, much appreciated!

I hope all the PvP community helps you with the feed back

good luck with the hardworking, Vyvyanne

[HeirOfNumenor]

• New Servers and Datacenters: We spoke about this Turbine wide upgrade at the beginning of the year and had expected to have it done by now, but weather and other obstacles set us back. We finally have some progress and we can safely say that by the end of September of 2015 we should have the servers moved to our new datacenters with upgraded hardware and Operating Systems. The US servers will operate from our new datacenter in New Jersey while our EU servers will move back to Europe and reside in our new datacenter in Amsterdam.
• Transfer Systems and Server Merge: To support the move to the upgraded server hardware we will be implementing an improved server transfer service that will run from the game launcher rather than a website. Once implemented, server transfers can be account or character based so that all your account level items including marks, Mithril coins, etc. can be transferred. We are also adding functionality that will allow Kin leaders to disband their Kin on one world and then recreate it on another maintaining status and achievements earned by that Kin over its lifetime. More details and breakdowns on all of this to coming in the next few weeks as we move into final phases of development and testing.

You will have 3 months past the date of the launch of the new service in which to continue playing on the smaller worlds while planning and or making your move to a larger server. After that point your characters will always be available to be transferred to one of the remaining worlds, however you will only be able to log in to the remaining servers. More details on all of this as well as detailed instructions on how to move will be provided in email, in-game mail as well as website and forums in the months to come.

So are we to understand that by the end of September 2015 when the servers have moved to the new datacenters, that Turbine will then AT THAT TIME publicly announce the list of servers which are slated for closing?

[Aidus]

Very down-to-earth and beautifully said. Highlighted the importance of balance in the eyes of the devs and showed me exactly what problems that they were going to fix.

Thank you.

Just me... but IMHO they can keep the pretty packaging and make all the pretty in the content. Sizzle only carries a ###### steak so far.

[hobbit1968]

For the love of Zeus, fix the damn Housing or get rid of it. If you dont want to support it, use the areas for something that we can use.

[Brandon_Blackbird]

True, but it also said "After that point your characters will always be available to be transferred to one of the remaining worlds,..." This implies, to me, that the characters are not automatically/forcibly transferred to other servers. That the final choice will remain with the players, and that even afterward we can choose which server to move to. I think that is what Brandon was referring to.

Correct. They're not going to, say, take the entire of Imladris and shove it into Landroval.

[gildhur]

Any chance or re-purposing one of the old servers for open world PvMP? Not likely

That's a surprisingly indefinite answer. I didn't think there would ever be any chance of this ever happening ever 100% for sure never ever.

So are we to understand that by the end of September 2015 when the servers have moved to the new datacenters, that Turbine will then AT THAT TIME publicly announce the list of servers which are slated for closing?

No, Frelorn said earlier in the thread that they'll announce which servers are staying and which are going whenever they know, before the change comes.

[frost702]

That's a surprisingly indefinite answer. I didn't think there would ever be any chance of this ever happening ever 100% for sure never ever.

Russian + Chinese lotro did this and it was fine. English lotro won't do this because Turbine hates fun.

[Almagnus1]

Russian + Chinese lotro did this and it was fine. English lotro won't do this because Turbine hates fun.

My warg wants to eat hobbits, and I'd gladly migrate to an open world PvMP server.

[Snowlock]

It's more that it's coming off as QQ rather than constructive dissent.

your opinion of my opinion doesn't sound constructive to me. Perhaps you should consider imaginary arguments to find my opinion more positive before making your negative opinion, as you suggest I do?

No, it's cause you're doing a knee jerk reaction to crucify Turbine because they made an announcement.

Hardly. Your reaction to my reaction is knee jerk just because you see someone posting something negative you assume they always do.

I'm not denying that Turbine has balked (too) many times in the past, but what we don't know is if the new producer actually got this done, or if this is another empty promise that's going to string along players until they decide to stop stringing along the players.

Wow, you don't even know what my problem is, and you accuse me of having a knee jerk reaction?

[frost702]

your opinion of my opinion doesn't sound constructive to me. Perhaps you should consider imaginary arguments to find my opinion more positive before making your negative opinion, as you suggest I do?



Hardly. Your reaction to my reaction is knee jerk just because you see someone posting something negative you assume they always do.



Wow, you don't even know what my problem is, and you accuse me of having a knee jerk reaction?

Snowlock baby you're too pessimistic. LotrO is fine. All the bad in this game will be gone soon, they're releasing a new PvMP map.

Turbine will descend from the sky and plant a kiss on all of our foreheads. LotrO is saved. 12 million subs have started to pour in and that's just in the U.S. alone. All the other vets are reinstalling this very moment. Turbine now owns the entire PC gaming industry. Steam ceases to be used for anything except for LotrO. Leixy is finally right about anything he's ever said. All the other forum fanboys are welcomed into Valhalla for being so loyal during the dark times.

The best part? Server merges. World hunger instantly disappears. AIDS disappears. Ebola is eradicated. The power of this update will be felt universally.

And all of that is exactly why Turbine will be indefinitely postponing that PvMP map....or something along those lines. The excuse might be worded a little differently. But the outcome will be the same as the rest of the past PvMP promises.

[Thurallor]

Good news overall but I have a question I haven't been able to find a answer to anywhere. I have all my character slots filled everywhere. While a couple of worlds-mostly rp and foreign language based- I don't play much, the others I like to drop in on off and on and play for variety.

Wow. You have all your character slots filled on every server? What is that, 493 characters? How on Earth do you find time to play them all?

[danielbrown1969]

Wow. You have all your character slots filled on every server? What is that, 493 characters? How on Earth do you find time to play them all?

I was thinking that exact same thing when I read this player's post. I do suspect however that they aren't VIP so that means, what .. 2 characters per server? That's still an aweful lot. Interesting question. I suspect the answer will not make the poster happy however, as I would speculate that there would be a choice to be made to keep "this or that" but not both.

[greatlord365]

Frelorn, So my question to you guys is will the original servers stay and the newer ones go ? i mean some of the oldest server have low population but have the strongest groups / kins

[Hayden102]

It will be very interesting on how many servers they keep open and which ones, I'd like to know, very curious. Turbine your doing alot of good things lately ty.

[Emere]

Any word on what is going to happen with the player music system and when or if anything is going to be done?

[Eirika]

PvPers cry for years for a new map, and cry every time Turbine hinted they might make one and didn't, and now they are crying they are getting one.

Please, please, please do not confuse Snowlock with PvP communities. Many PvP players I know will be excited and happy about this development. So please don't tar everyone with the perpetually unsatisfied brush! :-)

Lothhil, BW

[Eirika]

Ohhhh how exciting! I am really looking forward to seeing how this all shakes out. Thanks Frelorn and the Turbine team. The information is much appreciated and as always - please try and remember that outside of the vocal complainers there are many quieter folks who are happy to receive news like this!

Lothil, BW

[Thorgrum]

Oz map is a go huh. After all the years of killing a pvp system that would've limped along on its own, you had to go and put the final nail in the coffin on it to appease a few PC members who can't win at PVP without Turbine's help. LOTRO is about to get one map smaller, what a lousy thing to do to its remaining fans. No wonder everyone quit this game. Well, you deserve what's coming. Enjoy.

You know you are one of the only people left on these forums even remotely entertaining.

[BBChild]

[*]New PvMP Map: It is true, we are currently working on a new PvMP map which will take place in a version of Osgiliath. We are designing this space now and it should be going through its first round of feedback with the Player’s Council in the near future. It will also be getting extensive Beta feedback on Bullroarer when ready and released this summer.

A new map with old problems. Great idea. C:

[Nymphonic]

Wow. You have all your character slots filled on every server? What is that, 493 characters? How on Earth do you find time to play them all?

Even I don't have that many lol. I might have somewhere in the area of 50.

[Dragonetti]

Please make sure that there's a plan to preserve the server-specific Bounder's Bounty statue recognition details.

[Almagnus1]

Snowlock baby you're too pessimistic. LotrO is fine. All the bad in this game will be gone soon, they're releasing a new PvMP map.

Turbine will descend from the sky and plant a kiss on all of our foreheads. LotrO is saved. 12 million subs have started to pour in and that's just in the U.S. alone. All the other vets are reinstalling this very moment. Turbine now owns the entire PC gaming industry. Steam ceases to be used for anything except for LotrO. Leixy is finally right about anything he's ever said. All the other forum fanboys are welcomed into Valhalla for being so loyal during the dark times.

The best part? Server merges. World hunger instantly disappears. AIDS disappears. Ebola is eradicated. The power of this update will be felt universally.

And all of that is exactly why Turbine will be indefinitely postponing that PvMP map....or something along those lines. The excuse might be worded a little differently. But the outcome will be the same as the rest of the past PvMP promises.

Can I have whatever you're smoking?

It must be high quality stuff to be that far off of reality....

[nailspine]

How about you making the current t2s doable. Not even playing lotro till they make it so I do t have to spend 7hr I a 3man t2 and not be able to Complete it

They are doable. Sounds like you need gear (may require some research on what essences to slot). If you have gear and still can't do them, work on your skills as a player (may require some research on party builds, personal tactics, character builds, etc).

If you want easy mode, then do T1.

[bucko39]

I'm struggling to take this "letter" seriously.

An official release from Turbine that spells Minas Tirith wrong and refers to our kinships as guilds.

Do we honestly need further proof that these people don't actually play the game they are currently developing?

No mention of crafting tiers (promised "post Update 16"), further loot itemization, or music system improvements.

But...we are getting a new Store upgrade. Which benefits no one but Turbine.

Talk about not knowing your audience....

/sigh

[Grimdi]

• New Store: At the end of the month of June we will be transitioning to a completely new store that features more payment options, one click buys and a cleaner interface.

That is definitely the thing most people have been waiting for.