Latest Epic

[Benegon]

I know others have started posts about the latest Epic book but I couldn't find any. I just couldn't go on without telling MoL how awesome it was. Unfortunately I found the last few books a bit boring. I think this had more to do with the fact of where the story was at and what we were doing didn't have much to do with what was actually going on in films and books. I figured I'd come back and play through not having super high expectations but this was almost as good as some of the Vol 1 and 2 stuff. I'm craving more lol. Way to go!

P.S. Is there any way we could have more Epic story? When you brought out expansions you would usually have 3 new books I remember. Rise of Isenguard had only 3 regions yet still had three books not to mention the fact that one of them had 20+ chapters.

Benegon

[Yula_the_Mighty]

Back in Rise of Isengard times Turbine had a lot more people working on Lotro. I think there have been three major staff reduction since that time. Smaller staff means smaller updates.

I worked on a number of software projects where there are too many requests for the available dollars and or staff. The question to you? What are you willing to give up to get more Epic content? The - What are you willing to give up? comes up a lot at the companies that I have worked at over the years.

[OldMadeOfLions]

Is there any way we could have more Epic story? When you brought out expansions you would usually have 3 new books I remember.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I usually try to divide up the amount of story we have to tell in a way that makes thematic sense; sometimes that's one book, sometimes it's more than one. The geographic distance we have to cover is usually what governs how many Epic Books I need to tell the story.

EDIT: Rise of Isengard is actually an interesting case, because I originally designed it as three Epic Books (Before, During, and After, if you've played it). But then I combined them all into a single Book, which is why it has thirty chapters. I felt that it told a single story and was stronger as a unit than it would have been as three separate Books.

MoL

[Yula_the_Mighty]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I usually try to divide up the amount of story we have to tell in a way that makes thematic sense; sometimes that's one book, sometimes it's more than one. The geographic distance we have to cover is usually what governs how many Epic Books I need to tell the story.

MoL

For me the Isengard book was a bit too long. You do not have to write books as long as George R. R. Martin does.

[Elven_soul]

For me the Isengard book was just perfect. MoL, please write books as long as your imagination stretches. I enjoy each and every story you tell. They are all brilliant. <3 <3 <3

[Warmutkan]

For me the Isengard book was a bit too long. You do not have to write books as long as George R. R. Martin does.

While MoL and GRRM both seem pretty jolly, I feel like MoL just doesn't have the butchering madness in him that George does. But who knows. Maybe Bingo gets disemboweled in Week 52.

[djheydt]

For me the Isengard book was a bit too long. You do not have to write books as long as George R. R. Martin does.

Particularly since MoL writes so much better than Martin does.

[Happybudgy]

... Maybe Bingo gets disemboweled in Week 52.

Almost spilled my tea at the thought of that!

Don't give MoL ideas.... can you imagine a hat stand with those body parts added? He has many weeks to alter the reward....

[Benegon]

Back in Rise of Isengard times Turbine had a lot more people working on Lotro. I think there have been three major staff reduction since that time. Smaller staff means smaller updates.

I worked on a number of software projects where there are too many requests for the available dollars and or staff. The question to you? What are you willing to give up to get more Epic content? The - What are you willing to give up? comes up a lot at the companies that I have worked at over the years.

When you put it that way its hard to think of something to put aside to develop more Epic quest. Personally I mostly just play the epic and then don't do much in between updates for the last year. I go play other games but obviously it wouldn't be fair for people who enjoy everything else like I used to.

MoL I didn't remember that RoI only had 1 book. I thought it had at least a couple but I remember the super long one. I understand that you can only come out with so much Epic per update though or else we will get to much "fetch this" or "bring food to him" ect. I guess its a hard balance to find but you guys are doing a great job.

[Lady_Lethargy]

Yeah, this has replaced the Isengard prisoner one as my new favorite storyline.
Nice job, MoL. Keep up the good work.