General Discussion

Managing Editor Jon Wood recently had the chance to sit down with Jeff Anderson, the President and CEO of Turbine Inc. In this, the second part of a two part interview, Jon and Jeff discuss the Monster Play feature in the upcoming game, Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar.

Last week, we brought you the first half of Jon Wood's interview with Jeff Anderson, the CEO and President of Turbine Inc. about the process of turning the well-loved classic Lord of the Rings novel trilogy into an MMORPG. Today, we bring you part two of Jon's interview. In part two, Jeff talks about the game's unique Monster Play system.

One of the major complaints that we heard about Lord of the Rings Online when details first started to be released was that there would be no evil races available for play and because of this, the game would not have PvP. You see, many fans of Tolkien's books are as much a fan of the utterly evil races as they are the bright and shiny hero races. Lord of the Rings was, for me growing up, the ultimate story of good vs. evil.

Personally, I am not a huge fan of PvP, but it really felt to me as though there was a missed opportunity here. When I asked Jeff Anderson, the President and CEO of Turbine, about this, I was relieved to find that while it was true that Turbine would not be including Orcs in their list of playable races, there was still a system in place that would allow players to get into the evil mindset and actually get our hands on some of Sauron's minions. Monster Play, I was told, would solve this problem.

You can read the rest of the article here.

I am not a huge pvp'er but monster play certainly has me intrigued. It is nice to see an original take on pvp and one that could easilly be expanded on if it proves popular. I am looking forward to trying it out.

I would like to predict that this one feature is going to vault LoTRO to a very lofty position in MMORPG history.  It may not dethrone WoW, but it is sure going to put the gimp on all the others still in the field.

Just my feelings.  But a combination of the old EQ1 Monster Play + DAoC RvR +  Level Advancement + Meaningful PvP + Optional ?  I think they have a real winner here. 

Let's hope the get it right !

As a huge fan of pvp and a tester for LOTRO since alpha, I can say that monster play is perhaps some of the most fun I've ever had in a game. It's great to just rush in and create a fun monster, and start the slaughter! There were always several raids going on the human fortresses and people shouting out about the PCs running around the zone. It sorta felt like alot of the fun stuff from WoW world pvp (attacking outposts/towns/fortresses, PCs defending) were incorporated with some good game mechanics (Rewards for killing Free People generals, leaders, not just PCs).

I would also say that the high ranking NPC leaders were on par with some raid bosses O.o

Originally posted by Argent
EQ tried this (kinda) and it was fun, even though you started out as a lowly level one critter in a noobie zone.  But still, sneaking up and scaring noobs was loads of fun.   I am wondering if player monsters can leave the Ettenmoors zone and terrorize the outside world?  And, is your monster character persisant or does it get deleted when you log?  

Great stuff !   My guy is up to level 7 in BETA, hopefully have him to level 10 soon to try out the monster play.  The idea is great and makes alot of sense. Innovative?  Sure why not, , the system itself is and I believe new MMORPGS will copy this idea.  

Overall, LOTRO has alot to offer. PVE, Quests, Monster Play, Crafting, Exploring a world true to its Lore (books / movies) and a great community.

Can't wait for open BETA !

I hope monster play isnt like pvp in many other games... an after-thought.  That is actually what it was in LOTR.  It could be great.. I don't know I havent played it.  But, I doubt monsterplay will have the epic feel of pvp in DAoC or EVE.  Even WAR and AoC seem to have built thier PVP system into the game instead of just stapled it on as an after-thought.

Monsterplay sounds like a great idea. I was wondering whether or not to try the game at all, but this article about monsterplay has inspired me, and I'm actually looking forward to the game coming out now.