What makes you happy in Lotro?

[Urwendil]

My aurochs calf!

[Erennor]

Not my taste, but thank you for sharing. I prefer Caspar Reiff's interpretation this Tolkien text:

That is my all time favorite version ever since I first listened to it (and over the years I have found more than a few other covers of this lament). When it comes to Middle-earth, I was 'enchanted' of her voice from that very first moment I heard it start. For to me, that is how Galadriel from the books sounds to my mind when she sings this. Deep longing and much wisdom is somehow reflected in the voice of this singer, and just as it is described in the books, it is sad and yet sweet, mingled with a sense of melancholy. I cannot imagine another more fitting voice and music for Tolkien's Galadriel and this lament in the books.

I never grow tire of it, and it has inspired me more than a few times while working on LotRO projects as I have used it as background music.

A creation worthy of the magnificence and profoundness of Tolkien's work. Ai, Galadriel..

[Nymphonic]

The fact that the world builders did a top notch job in making this game look and feel like Middle Earth. And the story lines are just amazing. I love this game.

[Vexendynamus]

I very much enjoy myths, legends, and folktales from around the world. This game captures the feeling and spirit of those ancient writings far better than any other I have tried. When I was younger I hiked and biked constantly. Middle Earth reminds me of so many real, wild places I have seen, so many ruins, that playing pulls me back into happy memories.

The World Builders and Quest Writers did something else very right--they exercised restraint. In legend and folktale, most of the world remains completely mundane. Moments when the hero or heroine moves from the real world into the magical world occur rarely, and often pass rather quickly. Most of Middle Earth is open spaces and wild animals. Some of the wild animals tend to the fantastic, like worms and laethbears, but even in those cases, the World Builders used dinosaurs and ice age animals for inspiration, and the creatures, while strange, do not feel alien. The moments when we come face to face with real magic, when we transition from the mundane world to the magical world, happen rarely, and that is exactly as it should be.

I am so happy we do not have dragons, weird monsters, powerful magic spells, crazy mounts, skimpy female armor, and silly steam punk contraptions all over the place. Our heroines and heroes have legendary weapons, as they should, but they retain mundane proportions. I enjoy when areas 'go gray' allowing peaceful exploration or just sitting quietly in a secluded wilderness. Forced emotes and some cosmetic pets annoy me because they shatter the mirror, but in truth, the vast majority of players on Landroval respect the atmosphere.

Finally, I love that my avatars appear so beautiful, so serene, so legendary, without being comical or distorted or over sexualized. Yes, I know the graphics could be better, but all things considered, I enjoy them. They look right, the world looks right, the world is huge, and that brings me happiness.

[Dranoel_Dragon]

Killing orcs, mounted combat, killing orcs and... And.... Oh... yeah... Killing orcs.

[LegOverLass]

Being introduced to rp relations. Who thought any one other than a troll could have such fun under a bridge!

[fiorello]

while dying of lags -
to know how it could be
if the game would work as intended
and still waiting for that day
________ flatline

[Oldwiley]

When I was younger I hiked and biked constantly. Middle Earth reminds me of so many real, wild places I have seen, so many ruins, that playing pulls me back into happy memories.

Makes sense to me. Being Welsh is like growing up in Arnor.

http://www.castlewales.com/dryslwyn.html

Killing orcs, mounted combat, killing orcs and... And.... Oh... yeah... Killing orcs.

My poor reaver

Being introduced to rp relations. Who thought any one other than a troll could have such fun under a bridge!

>.<

while dying of lags -
to know how it could be
if the game would work as intended
and still waiting for that day
________ flatline

“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us. And the world will live as one.” - John Lennon.

[ShireDweller]

What makes me happy in LOTRO these days are the memories of all the fun I had over the years.

I really wish I could say the same about the newer Gondorian areas of the game, but for me they aren't the same, too many graphical/performance issues to keep me absorbed in the beautiful setting for hours the way I was in earlier areas. Now my level 100-ish gameplay is interrupted so often by various issues that when I do play, I stick to the lower-level areas on my alts. I still haven't made kindred with Minas Tirith and that's highly unusual for me.

But when I go to my house or visit my kinhouses, seeing all the items and remembering the fun I had acquiring them, that can still bring a smile to my face.

[Lothloriel]

Being able to escape to Middle Earth, 7 years of wonderful memories, the gorgeous scenery (especially The Shire), seeing iconic figures like Frodo, Bilbo, Aragorn and all, Festivals, Cosmetics, and collecting Mounts.

[schlumpfencowboyjoe]

When i log in and check my friendslist and see that i'm not the only one online (rare occasion nowadays).

[Oldwiley]

What makes me happy in LOTRO these days are the memories of all the fun I had over the years.

I really wish I could say the same about the newer Gondorian areas of the game, but for me they aren't the same, too many graphical/performance issues to keep me absorbed in the beautiful setting for hours the way I was in earlier areas. Now my level 100-ish gameplay is interrupted so often by various issues that when I do play, I stick to the lower-level areas on my alts. I still haven't made kindred with Minas Tirith and that's highly unusual for me.

But when I go to my house or visit my kinhouses, seeing all the items and remembering the fun I had acquiring them, that can still bring a smile to my face.

Being able to escape to Middle Earth, 7 years of wonderful memories, the gorgeous scenery (especially The Shire), seeing iconic figures like Frodo, Bilbo, Aragorn and all, Festivals, Cosmetics, and collecting Mounts.

When i log in and check my friendslist and see that i'm not the only one online (rare occasion nowadays).

Memories then



Did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

How I wish, how I wish you were here
We're just two lost souls
Swimming in a fish bowl
Year after year
Running over the same old ground
And how we found
The same old fears
Wish you were here

[Amorey]

Hobbits and chickens
And rainbows
In the sky

Dancing in the Shire
The Trollshaws
At night

Rivendell Elves
Lothlorien
In Spring

These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies
And Ents
In the wood

Picnics and parties
And cooking
Great food

Eagles that
Fly with the moon
On their wings

These are a few of my favorite things

Elves in white
Dresses with
Stars on their lashes

Dwarves and
Beards and
Mighty great axes

Forochel's winter
And fair
Evendim

These are a few of my favorite things

When the lag bites
When the game crash
When I'm feeling sad

I simply remember
My favorite things
And then I don't
Feel so bad

[Seeker]

With a special needs daughter and chaotic life both at home and work I look forward to my hour of Lotro late at night when everyone is finally asleep. My best moments include riding through the Shire. The jaunty music in the updated Tom Bombadil's house really lifts my spirits. When I really need to relax my hobbit goes to Rivendale for she, like the Bagginses has a fascination with the elves. I just got as far as the Misty Mountains but I'm told Forochel has amazing northern lights and I'm off there next. The view from the top of the statue in Evendim is amazing. With so many MMO games folding this year I am SO glad Lotro is still with us. We are so lucky to have this great game and I am glad to have met like minded and kind people to play with. See you all in game!

[The_Warg]

LotRO is one of my favorite things.
I've met many good people, including some of my best friends playing. Lots of interesting conversations and good laughs!
The music is great, too. I listen often to the soundtracks on Soundcloud.
The classes, gear, and weapons are all awesome as well. Not as many unrealistic pieces or just plain lame ones (though, there are many that could be better).
The instances are fun for the most part, and the quests can be wonderful!

And (probably the coolest part) we get to adventure and explore in Middle Earth. Along our heroes and heroines.

[Brandon_Blackbird]

The scenery, the music, the people, and the ability to step into the shoes of a character with their own story to tell.

[Oldwiley]

With a special needs daughter and chaotic life both at home and work I look forward to my hour of Lotro late at night when everyone is finally asleep. My best moments include riding through the Shire. The jaunty music in the updated Tom Bombadil's house really lifts my spirits. When I really need to relax my hobbit goes to Rivendale for she, like the Bagginses has a fascination with the elves. I just got as far as the Misty Mountains but I'm told Forochel has amazing northern lights and I'm off there next. The view from the top of the statue in Evendim is amazing. With so many MMO games folding this year I am SO glad Lotro is still with us. We are so lucky to have this great game and I am glad to have met like minded and kind people to play with. See you all in game!

Escapism aye. Its purest appeal methinks.

LotRO is one of my favorite things.
I've met many good people, including some of my best friends playing. Lots of interesting conversations and good laughs!
The music is great, too. I listen often to the soundtracks on Soundcloud.
The classes, gear, and weapons are all awesome as well. Not as many unrealistic pieces or just plain lame ones (though, there are many that could be better).
The instances are fun for the most part, and the quests can be wonderful!

And (probably the coolest part) we get to adventure and explore in Middle Earth. Along our heroes and heroines.

Enough fan to power turbine solo =) Cool dude.

The scenery, the music, the people, and the ability to step into the shoes of a character with their own story to tell.

Its pretty open world and thats a big plus.

[Sheaezra]

Lord of the Rings is the first epic story I ever read on my own. It was an incredible and fascinating journey. I relish every new yet familiar place I visit for the first time. Just made my way through Moria. Being able to stand on the edge of the broken bridge of Khazad Dum and knowing how it broke. And then riding into Lothlorien, knowing those white trees with golden leaves are called Mallorn trees. Simply fantastic.

[The_Jagannath]

Data breaches (especially of the non-disclosed variety) and the lawsuits which inevitably follow. ^.^

[Oldwiley]

Lord of the Rings is the first epic story I ever read on my own. It was an incredible and fascinating journey. I relish every new yet familiar place I visit for the first time. Just made my way through Moria. Being able to stand on the edge of the broken bridge of Khazad Dum and knowing how it broke. And then riding into Lothlorien, knowing those white trees with golden leaves are called Mallorn trees. Simply fantastic.

Did you jump?

Data breaches (especially of the non-disclosed variety) and the lawsuits which inevitably follow. ^.^

[Oldwiley]

Playing lotro in 3d vision rivendell is nice.

I'd imagine the rest would look pretty good in 3d too =)

Another vote for the scenery then ^.^

[OicheSidhe]

When I wonder what the future of books will be, I often think about horses. Before automobiles existed, everyone had a horse. Then cars became available, and their convenience, compared to horses, was undeniable - Susan Orlean

With great care, a car will absolutely outlast the life expectancy of a horse. CANTER places the cost of owning a horse at about $3600 a year (without a stable, or initial price), way more than a car. And horses don't come with AC or heat, they're relatively slower by far, and that whole sleeping/resting thing. Parallel parking with a horse is a breeze, though.

I own over a score of books over 100 years old, a few over 200, the oldest printed in 1776 (that's 240yrs old, for those math impaired).
It's going to be centuries before they can make an e-reader last that long, or be price-equivalent to a book. Any change in the future of books will be far in the future.

I'd be far more worried about myself being replaced by a robot or computer, than worried about the future of books. It's easier to replace something living with something mechanical, not so easy to replace something already mechanical (and perfected) with something else mechanical. It takes a huge paradigm shift to re-invent the wheel, I don't think we're quite over paper and ink books just yet.
-----------------------------

Back on topic: I love the northern lights in Forochel, the little bird that hangs out at adso's camp, Trollshaws when it thunderstorms, cosmetic weapons, fishing in the Shire while listening to the breeze, the moths around streetlamps, shield-bashing, the new white squirrel pet, playing tag with the children in Bree, how Moria is huuuuuuuge (the waterworks...my gods!), Blizzards in the Mistys, the water (anywhere, seriously the water graphics are sweet), that wind-chime sound in western Ered Luin, the fact that much of ME looks just like Tolkien's own illustrations, listening to random bands hanging out in south Bree, and a whole ton of other stuff.

[Oldwiley]

I own over a score of books over 100 years old, a few over 200, the oldest printed in 1776 (that's 240yrs old, for those math impaired).
It's going to be centuries before they can make an e-reader last that long, or be price-equivalent to a book. Any change in the future of books will be far in the future.

Lets hope so, I'm a fan of books.

Then again: as with a light bulb that can last effectively forever, what they could do and what they want to make are slightly different things. It would be well within our capabilities to make an e-book that could last 300 years. Its just there is little point or economic sense to it. That said, at the rate technology moves... The amount of electronic information and records stored will probably leave book held information behind as a small percentage of written work in the not too distant future.

-----------------------------

Back on topic: I love the northern lights in Forochel, the little bird that hangs out at adso's camp, Trollshaws when it thunderstorms, cosmetic weapons, fishing in the Shire while listening to the breeze, the moths around streetlamps, shield-bashing, the new white squirrel pet, playing tag with the children in Bree, how Moria is huuuuuuuge (the waterworks...my gods!), Blizzards in the Mistys, the water (anywhere, seriously the water graphics are sweet), that wind-chime sound in western Ered Luin, the fact that much of ME looks just like Tolkien's own illustrations, listening to random bands hanging out in south Bree, and a whole ton of other stuff.

Aye when people talk about the scenery its easy to not mention the atmospherics that form part of that.

[whitering]

Yes, I like running around this world, or sometimes walking, which is why, in Everswim yesterday it felt like I was taking a very long time to swim, like the olden days, got back onto the land, and realized I had been walking before I got into the water because I do that sometimes.

It's not as fun walking in this game as it is in Swotor with female body 4 though lol but there I am not looking at the scenery.

I mean, just running around Bree is fun, it's a well fleshed out NPC city.

[OicheSidhe]

Lets hope so, I'm a fan of books.

Then again: as with a light bulb that can last effectively forever, what they could do and what they want to make are slightly different things. It would be well within our capabilities to make an e-book that could last 300 years. Its just there is little point or economic sense to it. That said, at the rate technology moves... The amount of electronic information and records stored will probably leave book held information behind as a small percentage of written work in the not too distant future.

On the plus side, teh internets has given me unparalleled access to rare books that I would never be able to own or even read in person, like The Liber Arcanorum Cancerorum.

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Last week I was able to see Slayer, front row center FTW, and surprise, surprise, there were a ton of Slayer fans there. With no more movies coming, LOTRO is now the only place I can think of where I will find tons of LOTR fans. Another reason I love this game, is the love shown not only by the creators of the game, but by the players as well. I can chat with players about Earendil slaying Ancalagon and the (literal) fall of Thangorodrim, and actually hear a mini play an original song written just about that battle, in game. I love most of the players here as well as the game.