SSG announcement regarding COVID-19

[Narthalion]

A kind decision.

I hope it causes many players who may have left, to enter the world of Middle-Earth once again.

[NTFRemco]

I don't often post a message on this forum, but in this case:

KUDOS TO SSG FOR MAKING THIS GESTURE

They often get sour grapes from players, but this positive news deserves a bunch of credits they are due.

[Khalis_Laurelin]

Well done SSG for taking the lead here and setting a great example.

[LabadalofDorlomin]

I mean I am speechless, this is a great deed you do... It made me think of this passage from the two towers and Sam monologue, this is something that will stay in the mind of folks because it is a good and decent thing to do.

"The brave things in the old tales and songs, Mr. Frodo, adventures, as I used to call them. I used to think that they were things the wonderful folk of the stories went out and looked for, because they wanted them, because they were exciting and life was a bit dull, a kind of a sport, as you might say. But that’s not the way of it with the tales that really mattered, or the ones that stay in the mind. Folk seem to have been just landed in them, usually their paths were laid that way, as you put it. But I expect they had lots of chances, like us, of turning back, only they didn’t. And if they had, we shouldn’t know, because they’d have been forgotten. We hear about those as just went on, and not all to a good end, mind you; at least not to what folk inside a story and not outside it call a good end. You know, coming home, and finding things all right, though not quite the same; like old Mr Bilbo. But those aren’t always the best tales to hear, though they may be the best tales to get landed in! I wonder what sort of a tale we’ve fallen into?"

Sam Gamgee

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Also Haldir quote:

"The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair"

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But the last word always has to be with our Sam and remember when he was full of despair in the tower of Cirith Ungol thinking this was his end?

"In western lands beneath the Sun
the flowers may rise in Spring,
the trees may bud, the waters run,
the merry finches sing.
Or there maybe 'tis cloudless night
and swaying beeches bear
the Elven-stars as jewels white
amid their branching hair.

Though here at journey's end I lie
in darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high,
beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun
and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
nor bid the Stars farewell."

[Linathrial]

Lotro has always been one of my favourite games of all time.

A lot of that has to do with not just the game itself, but the community and the folks at SSG.

Much love guys. Be well.

[Erionor]

This is awesome! My son is buzzing! He’s at level 74, with 42 days of free content. That’s only 1.333 levels per day to get to cap ... come on mate, you can do it!

[Tiadrop]

I'm sorry to ask this as I'm not entirely sure I'm understanding correctly, (shush I'm getting old lol).

Just to be clear is SSG saying that we can play every expansion pack there is going, without having to purchase it if we haven't already?
Does that include all new content as well?
Do we still need to pay a monthly subscription fee to access everything, or does this include free players too?

If it's all totally free then flipping heck that is one hell of an offer and given what is going on in the world, would be a very very welcome distraction.

[SSG_RedPanda]

I'm sorry to ask this as I'm not entirely sure I'm understanding correctly, (shush I'm getting old lol).

Just to be clear is SSG saying that we can play every expansion pack there is going, without having to purchase it if we haven't already?
Does that include all new content as well?
Do we still need to pay a monthly subscription fee to access everything, or does this include free players too?

If it's all totally free then flipping heck that is one hell of an offer and given what is going on in the world, would be a very very welcome distraction.

So, say you don't have the current expansion, Minas Morgul. Right now if you log in you can play the quests in Minas Morgul without having to pay for it. This is available to everyone until April 30th.

Hope that clarifies things. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

[Fegefeuer]

I always complain about the grinds, but this time you are doing a really nice thing. I won't say that with this I am even up to buy black keys to support you because I won't, but almost. I would buy a Rohan house with real money instead of my current lps if there was any stately. Until then, all I can say is... when you release something I am really interested and I feel like my money is well spent, I'll spend money instead of lps. And I say this as a person with around 35k Lps, and all the content unlocked.

Very well done SSG, respect. And sharing it in facebook to see if I can get a friend to play.

[Druidsfire]

So, say you don't have the current expansion, Minas Morgul. Right now if you log in you can play the quests in Minas Morgul without having to pay for it. This is available to everyone until April 30th.

Hope that clarifies things. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Are RoR, RoI, MoM, and HD *supposed* to be visible in the store? All other xpacs and quest packs are invisible, as they'd normally be if they'd been purchased - I'm logged into a completely F2P account with zero purchases on it.

[DavidmeetHal]

I'm lifetime and have everything, so this really doesn't affect me, but I there are a TON of players that will benefit from this, and I think SSG did a big solid on generosity. Good job!

[Tiadrop]

So, say you don't have the current expansion, Minas Morgul. Right now if you log in you can play the quests in Minas Morgul without having to pay for it. This is available to everyone until April 30th.

Hope that clarifies things. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Goodness me, if it wasn't for the fact that I am on the games forum, I'd be thinking this was a scam as it's too good to be true. But it is true and since I'm stuck at home for the next 12 weeks, I may as well come back and join in the fun. I must admit, I've been curious to see what I've been missing out on, as I've been without a computer for months now. So new computer and a game to return to, this really is sticking the middle finger up to coronovirus. Thank you very much for this brilliant offer, it really is very kind of you.

[Dolamrothdame]

thank you for continously dropping the worth of my subscription
and because i do not want to hustle to the new official fanboy thank you thread:
thank you for taking the time to fix particular cosmetic displays of a particular class of a particular race whilst claiming you lack the ressources/time/manpower to fix gameplay, loot and balancing issues - priorities are priorities

I'm VIP too and I don't look at it that way. I'm hoping it lures some dear friends back to play with me and increases the health of the game-which will benefit everyone.

[Elmagor]

thank you for continously dropping the worth of my subscription
and because i do not want to hustle to the new official fanboy thank you thread:
thank you for taking the time to fix particular cosmetic displays of a particular class of a particular race whilst claiming you lack the ressources/time/manpower to fix gameplay, loot and balancing issues - priorities are priorities

Such egoistical view. Think about players who don't have VIP, or don't buy locations, they can back into game or play with their friends. Even if you have VIP, you are nothing without Lotro Community.

[SSG_RedPanda]

Are RoR, RoI, MoM, and HD *supposed* to be visible in the store? All other xpacs and quest packs are invisible, as they'd normally be if they'd been purchased - I'm logged into a completely F2P account with zero purchases on it.

We're looking into this, thanks!

[SSG_RedPanda]

These offers also include things that are not temporarily free, they will still be visible.

EDIT- welp, caught that RoI actually doesn't give stuff that's not already temporarily free so that shouldn't show.

[SophieTheEnchantress]

Darth Severlin, thank you and your entire team for making this very classy and gracious donation.

[Amberjack]

thank you for continously dropping the worth of my subscription

SSG,

Thank you for continually increasing the worth of my subscription.

I am delighted to be paying for a VIP membership for a game that has this sort of concern and care for its players during this difficult time.

I am delighted to continue paying for my VIP membership through the "free" months, so I can continue to support the game I love, and by extension, the other people playing it.

Thank you for your efforts on our behalf.

[Moondog548]

Very cool gesture, AND very business savvy!

[arrogantbookworm]

12 years ago I made the decision to go with LOTRO instead of the other MMO's out there. Even with the ups and downs through the years, I have stayed and never looked at another MMO. The community here is the best. Today I logged in
and saw the generous announcement and gift that has been given everyone. It's not what everyone might want, but it is a lot more than anyone could have expected. SSG did not have to do anything. Instead they did something. Kudos to them, and we all should be appreciative. I have lifetime accounts, with all the expansions, but I also have f2p and premium accts also. This enables me to work on those accts while I am stuck at home with nothing to do. So, SSG, ignore the idiots that complain and listen to the ones like me that are saying THANK YOU for doing this. THANK YOU.

[Nouri]

Wow! What a wonderful, generous gesture. That kinda blows me away!......./bow

[ShireDweller]

A generous gesture for trying times. Thanks to all who came up with this!

[Arnenna]

Kudos where kudos are due . . . and then some.

This is a fantastic thing to do for the players stuck in their homes. Well done!

[Shelwen]

I think this is an awesome gesture and I will remember that when the chips were down and folks were stuck in their homes with money tight, SSG stepped up to the plate to make their lives a little better.

This^^^^. What a classy move! Although I am a lifer, my heartfelt thanks.

Best wishes to all as we try to cope in a difficult time.

[JH15547]

Kudos where kudos are due . . . and then some.

This is a fantastic thing to do for the players stuck in their homes. Well done!

Have to give them credit on this one. It's an unconventional move for them, but a good one I think in many ways.