It has been one full year since I've beta tested LotrO , hard to believe how fast time is flying a long.
From the first time I set foot into Lord of the Rings online I was not impressed, the world was linear in many ways and the character felt constricted to a set path laid for them. As the beta went on further and further and patches and updates came in a furious and in a precise response to beta-players feed back, the game truly started to take shape. The beta was by far one of the best relationships I've seen between the testers and a developer.
After the 1st phase of testing was completed I really didn't think I would be back in phase 2, but low and behold, I did decide to give a try after I was invited to Vangaurd beta only to be crushed by the sheer disappointment of that game, so I said "might as well give LotRO part duo a go." Being a semi "in the know" about different developing areas, I don't mind testing games, anyway I loaded up the last phase of CB and to my surprised, the entire control and movement was revamped, it felt like a open world mmo now. It was like night and day between the 2 phases and can honestly say I am glad i gave it it another go. The game just felt brand new, it was amazing.
To the Present day, I am still playing LotrO and still loving the game, I have not even made it through all of the content yet and still trying to level my first character from opening day. I haven't even started on any of the other races or even focused on my deeds book yet. I haven't burned myself out on this game either, you can play it at what ever pace and get a good bit done soloing , and when the time arises you can still find groups.
Just want to say Cheers to anyone else who has made it this far along side me . Lord of the Rings Online is in for the long hall, that is for sure.