LOTRO Developer Orion writes his latest blog entitled "Problems & Solutions #1", which discusses the issue surrounding the fact that the developers designed LOTRO to be a story-centric MMO, but that players are largely skipping the Epic Storyline content past Volume 1 Book 1.

The source of this issue is the fact that most of the player population is concentrated at the higher level range due to how long the game has been out, and that newer players are unable to find groups to tackle the epic storyline content, resulting in them having to skip what Turbine considers a focal point of their game.

So what's Turbine's proposed solution? The introduction of an "Inspired by Greatness" mode. The new mode would enable players to dig deep down inside themselves and find inspiration to accomplish great things. In game terms, players who select this mode will be given a significant boost to morale and power, in and out of combat morale and power regeneration, damage, and healing. 

"Inspired Greatness" will be available for all books starting from Volume 1 Book 2 with the release of Siege of Mirkwood on December 1st, 2009.

Read more at Orion's Blog: Problems & Solutions #1.

 On Vilya it was a chore to find a group for epic content shortly after launch, unless you belonged to a large guild.  Lots of lotro players only log in 1-2 times a week and skipped most of the epic line.  I'm one of them and am glad I can at least now go through the storyline.

You have to wonder what they were thinking when they made an MMO that is so story-centric and story-driven (especially given the wide familiarity of the story) combined with having parts of the map delivered over time and restricted to the highest levels.  It leads to a very linear progression that stratifies the playerbase.

I wonder if this solution will accomplish what it is intended too, or will it further dilute the 'community'.

Doing the story line up to about book 10 was never to much of a problem, but after that it became near impossible to find a group as the quests were dated and there was no real reward for doing them. They added in the white horse as a reward for the last book, and that sparked some interest, but not enough.

I think this is a good idea coming from over playing a year in LOTRO. The epic story isnt needed to progress your character through the game, it is more of a side set that you can do if you would like. This gives players the opportunity to see the great cut scenes and the well written story that Turbine put together without the need to find a group.

These were the last bits of group content in Lotro.

Originally posted by Thillian

These were the last bits of group content in Lotro.

No, it wasn't, and also, they are still there.

Its options they are giving people.

Why do you hate fun?

Originally posted by dhayes68

You have to wonder what they were thinking when they made an MMO that is so story-centric and story-driven (especially given the wide familiarity of the story) combined with having parts of the map delivered over time and restricted to the highest levels.  It leads to a very linear progression that stratifies the playerbase.

I wonder if this solution will accomplish what it is intended too, or will it further dilute the 'community'.

 

Every book is self contained and optional, you can leave this "path" and skip, complete, rejoin any time you want. You do not, and never have had to do them in order, ever.

And they were thinking they were going to make an awesome PVE MMO that was story based and episodic. They were right.

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian

These were the last bits of group content in Lotro.

 

No, it wasn't, and also, they are still there.

 

Its options they are giving people.

Why do you hate fun?

 

 

It was nearly impossible before to find a group to do these. Now it's gonna be fully impossible.

Group content is more fun than solo content.

Until they make a mentoring system or cross-server LFG for instances, there's still gonna be problem with finding a group in a game oriented for end-game.

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by dhayes68

You have to wonder what they were thinking when they made an MMO that is so story-centric and story-driven (especially given the wide familiarity of the story) combined with having parts of the map delivered over time and restricted to the highest levels.  It leads to a very linear progression that stratifies the playerbase.

I wonder if this solution will accomplish what it is intended too, or will it further dilute the 'community'.

 

Every book is self contained and optional, you can leave this "path" and skip, complete, rejoin any time you want. You do not, and never have had to do them in order, ever.

And they were thinking they were going to make an awesome PVE MMO that was story based and episodic. They were right.

 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

Originally posted by Thillian

These were the last bits of group content in Lotro.

No they were not, where do you come up with this garbage?

I have yet to read a post made by you that doesn't immediately call your character into question. You seem uninformed, and quick to jump on the band wagon when you hear or read something elsewhere. Then you try to present it as fact, when it is fiction nine out of ten times.

Your posting history speaks for itself.

I am quite happy with these changes my kin is very helpful but I wish that I could do more on my own I am now 33+ and am finding it tough to find smooth content I can run through on my own.  Its a frustrating stopper to what is a good game.  Flame me all you will but my experience is my own and yours is yours.

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian

These were the last bits of group content in Lotro.

 

No, it wasn't, and also, they are still there.

 

Its options they are giving people.

Why do you hate fun?

 

 

 

It was nearly impossible before to find a group to do these. Now it's gonna be fully impossible.

Group content is more fun than solo content.

Until they make a mentoring system or cross-server LFG for instances, there's still gonna be problem with finding a group in a game oriented for end-game.

They already mentioned adding a mentoring system (Mentioned, not promised). Also, skirmishes are for any group make up of level 30 - 65.

Stop trying to paint everything as dire, and doom. This addition is them listening DIRECTLY to the player-base. Simply put when you enter a encounter like this, you will be offered a solo option. that's it. They removed NOTHING.

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by dhayes68

You have to wonder what they were thinking when they made an MMO that is so story-centric and story-driven (especially given the wide familiarity of the story) combined with having parts of the map delivered over time and restricted to the highest levels.  It leads to a very linear progression that stratifies the playerbase.

I wonder if this solution will accomplish what it is intended too, or will it further dilute the 'community'.

 

Every book is self contained and optional, you can leave this "path" and skip, complete, rejoin any time you want. You do not, and never have had to do them in order, ever.

And they were thinking they were going to make an awesome PVE MMO that was story based and episodic. They were right. 

Read my post more clearly and you'll see I'm specifically talking about the story-driven dynamic COMBINED with the parcelling out of the map over time. A strange dynamic I think specific to LoTRO in that they didn't give a whole map, then added to it, but gave only part of a whole map that many are familiar with. And also my point was that the combination of the two would lead to a stratified playerbase.

I'm not knocking your precioussss game. I was addressing the problem that the devs, obviously, in introucing the proposed solution in the article are aware of as well.

Originally posted by Euphoryk

Originally posted by Thillian

These were the last bits of group content in Lotro.

No they were not, where do you come up with this garbage?

I have yet to read a post made by you that doesn't immediately call your character into question. You seem uninformed, and quick to jump on the band wagon when you hear or read something elsewhere. Then you try to present it as fact, when it is fiction nine out of ten times.

Your posting history speaks for itself.

Sure, there's a gating content, which obviously is group-based. But what the heck, that's optional too. Crafting sucks? Well skip it, it's optional. You've got mages riding goats all over the Middle Earth? What the hell, it's optional, just turn off the graphics.
 

Originally posted by Thillian 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

WTF are you talking about now? Have you played the game? You can skip all the books if you want to. Its IS optional, dont confuse that with your personal goals.

I would recommend everyone do them though, they are a great bit of fun and story.

Originally posted by dhayes68

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by dhayes68

You have to wonder what they were thinking when they made an MMO that is so story-centric and story-driven (especially given the wide familiarity of the story) combined with having parts of the map delivered over time and restricted to the highest levels.  It leads to a very linear progression that stratifies the playerbase.

I wonder if this solution will accomplish what it is intended too, or will it further dilute the 'community'.

 

Every book is self contained and optional, you can leave this "path" and skip, complete, rejoin any time you want. You do not, and never have had to do them in order, ever.

And they were thinking they were going to make an awesome PVE MMO that was story based and episodic. They were right. 

 

Read my post more clearly and you'll see I'm specifically talking about the story-driven dynamic COMBINED with the parcelling out of the map over time. A strange dynamic I think specific to LoTRO in that they didn't give a whole map, then added to it, but gave only part of a whole map that many are familiar with. And also my point was that the combination of the two would lead to a stratified playerbase.

I'm not knocking your precioussss game. I was addressing the problem that the devs, obviously, in introucing the proposed solution in the article are aware of as well.

 

 

Middle earth is a big place, they are simply working their way west.... How else would they do it?

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

 

WTF are you talking about now? Have you played the game? You can skip all the books if you want to. Its IS optional, dont confuse that with your personal goals.

I would recommend everyone do them though, they are a great bit of fun and story.

Ok following your logic, give me an example of something being non optional.
 

I think this is a GREAT idea.  Anytime a game offers more options on how to play, its a good thing in my eyes.  I've had to skip a few books here and there because I was stuck and I play at odd hours sometimes.  Now, I can go back and complete those books on my own. 

Every time I hear about something new they are bringing into SoM, I get excited.  I'm just loving the mount changes, the skirmishes sounds delicious, and now this.....All Hail Turbine.

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

 

WTF are you talking about now? Have you played the game? You can skip all the books if you want to. Its IS optional, dont confuse that with your personal goals.

I would recommend everyone do them though, they are a great bit of fun and story.

Ok following your logic, give me an example of something being non optional.
 

Apparently, reading your inane LOTRO bashing posts that usually have zero base in reality.

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

 

WTF are you talking about now? Have you played the game? You can skip all the books if you want to. Its IS optional, dont confuse that with your personal goals.

I would recommend everyone do them though, they are a great bit of fun and story.

Ok following your logic, give me an example of something being non optional.
 

Apparently, reading your inane LOTRO bashing posts that usually have zero base in reality.

 

No, seriously tell me. You said epic books in Lotro are optional. I said, of course everything is optional, but you paid for the content. You paid for the man hours, you expect to enjoy it fully. Skipping epic quest line is like skipping 100 hours in the game and thousands of man hours spent during development for it.

So I'm asking you again, give me an example of something being non-optional.

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

 

WTF are you talking about now? Have you played the game? You can skip all the books if you want to. Its IS optional, dont confuse that with your personal goals.

I would recommend everyone do them though, they are a great bit of fun and story.

Ok following your logic, give me an example of something being non optional.
 

Me ignoring you is non-optional, now...

Playing this game is optional.  To me, the more options you have in a game makes it more playable.  What is wrong with options?

He hates options.

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian

Originally posted by Mrbloodworth

Originally posted by Thillian 

Now you're talking like Donnie Brasco.
 

Of course everything is optional in your definition. You can stay level 1 and make a fool of yourself in Archet, because obviously leveling is optional.

If you paid for a game,you hope its content gonna suit you. You paid for those man hours to play it, not to skip it. Being something optional is simply not an argument in a mmorpg.

 

WTF are you talking about now? Have you played the game? You can skip all the books if you want to. Its IS optional, dont confuse that with your personal goals.

I would recommend everyone do them though, they are a great bit of fun and story.

Ok following your logic, give me an example of something being non optional.
 

Apparently, reading your inane LOTRO bashing posts that usually have zero base in reality.

 

 

No, seriously tell me. You said epic books in Lotro are optional. I said, of course everything is optional, but you paid for the content. You paid for the man hours, you expect to enjoy it fully. Skipping epic quest line is like skipping 100 hours in the game and thousands of man hours spent during development for it.

So I'm asking you again, give me an example of something being non-optional.

To take this full circle, if you were skipping them before due to time requirements to make a group. Now you do not have to.

Sup?

Dooom?

Hard to find a group for this and that? Well don't play it's optional. Don't like the crafting? Don't craft, it's optional. Don't like the gating system which forces you to grind to see the content? Well, skip it then, it's optional. Don't like the leveling system? Avoid it, roll a PvMP, because well leveling is optional. Don't like the combat? Don't worry, just ignore it, stay level 1 and dance in the Bree auction hall. Don't like to see mages raiding on goats all around Middle Earth? What's the problem man? Just turn off the graphics, because graphics are optional. Don't like the classes? Don't play any. Just stay on the login window, because logging in, is well .. optional.

Originally posted by Thillian

Hard to find a group for this and that? Well don't play it's optional. Don't like the crafting? Don't craft, it's optional. Don't like the gating system which forces you to grind to see the content? Well, skip it then, it's optional. Don't like the leveling system? Avoid it, roll a PvMP, because well leveling is optional. Don't like the combat? Don't worry, just ignore it, stay level 1 and dance in the Bree auction hall. Don't like to see mages raiding on goats all around Middle Earth? What's the problem man? Just turn off the graphics, because graphics are optional. Don't like the classes? Don't play any. Just stay on the login window, because logging in, is well .. optional.

Hyperbole, And missing the point.