Well Turbine in my opinion has released an expansion that clearly shows that a huge budget is not needed to put out a quality product. Mines of Moria is a great expansion.

Now this thread is not intended to try to sell people on LOTRO but to discuss that this shows that it does not have to take a budget of a small country to put out a good product in the MMO industry.

Im not here to put any company down but i believe that this does show its the dedication to the product in making a fun game first higher priority than if it will make tons of money. Not saying profit is not on the mind of these people and i know they want it to be a success by all means. But clearly shows they are asking " Is this fun?", first.

Other then what Turbine did to Asheron's Call 2 I think they are a very well run company that realy cares about what they are putting out . Asheron's Call was my first MMO and no other game has kept me playing it for as long as that (4 years  8 + hours 7 days without  a break) .Other than that the longest I have played  a game is 2 years and every game I play now I seem to get sick of it sooner . I only played AOC for 2 weeks.

Actually, the expansion Turbine released for AC2, Legions was top quality - even better than MoM. And we all know how little budget AC2 had ...

So, I agree with the OP

What's so good about it?

Am I the only person who thinks Turbine is a terrible company?  AC2 is not their only blunder.  While eventually it was an alright game, it was a mistake for them to make it in the first place, and they have admitted that.  They admitted competing with themselves for a player base was just bad marketing. 

Amazingly, when Turbine bought the license to AC from Microsoft and owned it 100%, that's when the original game started to go downhill.  They made a couple good decisions right off the bat, and then thinks just went to hell.  They made a series of horrible decisions which ultimately led to the life support the game is currently on.  All they care about now is big IPs, where instead they should be focused on the former creativity that they had.  DDO had potential to be much much more than it is, and IMO is just plain crap. And LotR online, while not horrible, is also not near the potential it had.

AC1 will always remain my favorite MMO of all time.  I have the best memories of any game I've played, in it.  But I loathe Turbine for running it into the ground with bad decision after bad decision.  It was their baby, and it proved that they were extremely innovative and creative.  But then they ditched innovation and creativity and replaced it with big name IPs.

Originally posted by telbar

Other then what Turbine did to Asheron's Call 2 I think they are a very well run company that realy cares about what they are putting out . Asheron's Call was my first MMO and no other game has kept me playing it for as long as that (4 years  8 + hours 7 days without  a break) .Other than that the longest I have played  a game is 2 years and every game I play now I seem to get sick of it sooner . I only played AOC for 2 weeks.

YOU havent played DDO obviously.

and how is turbine small budget?

Arenanet is even smaller and they are doing even better than Turbine, off course small devs can make good games and sell better thanmany of the high cost ones.

Originally posted by megafluxmega

Originally posted by Sheista

Am I the only person who thinks Turbine is a terrible company?  AC2 is not their only blunder.  While eventually it was an alright game, it was a mistake for them to make it in the first place, and they have admitted that.  They admitted competing with themselves for a player base was just bad marketing. 

Amazingly, when Turbine bought the license to AC from Microsoft and owned it 100%, that's when the original game started to go downhill.  They made a couple good decisions right off the bat, and then thinks just went to hell.  They made a series of horrible decisions which ultimately led to the life support the game is currently on.  All they care about now is big IPs, where instead they should be focused on the former creativity that they had.  DDO had potential to be much much more than it is, and IMO is just plain crap. And LotR online, while not horrible, is also not near the potential it had.

AC1 will always remain my favorite MMO of all time.  I have the best memories of any game I've played, in it.  But I loathe Turbine for running it into the ground with bad decision after bad decision.  It was their baby, and it proved that they were extremely innovative and creative.  But then they ditched innovation and creativity and replaced it with big name IPs.

 

{ Mod Delete }

MoM expansion is just crazy , the amount of work and polish the game world has now is better then anything on the market, a game with the look , a game with an actual game world , and mechanics that seems to grow.

MoM, blows anything I've played in the past 5 years away, in the mmorpg genre. Once I got inside and started to see the craftman ship of the world designers, it is just mind knumbing. Turbine is a gamers game company.

the game is not for everyone though, and people get out of it what they put, if your going to moan and grump around, you won't like it, this game is not for the emo.

"vavle" = pure blizzard tard like sell out. Dave Newball said he would never make a game for the ps3, guess what L4D is coming out for Ps3. F valve, they ruined every great mod , mods that used to free, now lame suck tards pay 20 dollars for them which inturn makes the "we can make money off mods now , bitchen" mentallity stick. If you can trust Valve, you are just not informed about games, At All, or you just like "big sell out everyone is playing it" games.

I love Turbine, as from my experience they release quality products. And I also agree with the previous poster that ArenaNet is also an excellent company. Companies such as these can really teach other, larger companies a few lessons.

Originally posted by solareus

Originally posted by megafluxmega

Originally posted by Sheista

Am I the only person who thinks Turbine is a terrible company?  AC2 is not their only blunder.  While eventually it was an alright game, it was a mistake for them to make it in the first place, and they have admitted that.  They admitted competing with themselves for a player base was just bad marketing. 

Amazingly, when Turbine bought the license to AC from Microsoft and owned it 100%, that's when the original game started to go downhill.  They made a couple good decisions right off the bat, and then thinks just went to hell.  They made a series of horrible decisions which ultimately led to the life support the game is currently on.  All they care about now is big IPs, where instead they should be focused on the former creativity that they had.  DDO had potential to be much much more than it is, and IMO is just plain crap. And LotR online, while not horrible, is also not near the potential it had.

AC1 will always remain my favorite MMO of all time.  I have the best memories of any game I've played, in it.  But I loathe Turbine for running it into the ground with bad decision after bad decision.  It was their baby, and it proved that they were extremely innovative and creative.  But then they ditched innovation and creativity and replaced it with big name IPs.

{ Mod Delete }

 

MoM expansion is just crazy , the amount of work and polish the game world has now is better then anything on the market, a game with the look , a game with an actual game world , and mechanics that seems to grow.

MoM, blows anything I've played in the past 5 years away, in the mmorpg genre. Once I got inside and started to see the craftman ship of the world designers, it is just mind knumbing. Turbine is a gamers game company.

the game is not for everyone though, and people get out of it what they put, if your going to moan and grump around, you won't like it, this game is not for the emo.

 

"vavle" = pure blizzard tard like sell out. Dave Newball said he would never make a game for the ps3, guess what L4D is coming out for Ps3. F valve, they ruined every great mod , mods that used to free, now lame suck tards pay 20 dollars for them which inturn makes the "we can make money off mods now , bitchen" mentallity stick. If you can trust Valve, you are just not informed about games, At All, or you just like "big sell out everyone is playing it" games.

 

 

While I'm in no way supporting Valve like the poster after me, saying he just likes "big sell out everyone is playing it" games is like the pot calling the kettle black here.  Turbine is a company that's all about big IPs now.  They started with a ridiculous amount of creativity and innovation with their Asheron's Call original IP.  It was a hybrid linear/sandbox game, and the game itself was their own creation from top to bottom.  Storyline, creatures, quests.. everything was original and amazing.  LotRO is none of that.  It's not original.  It's a big name IP that they thought they could get rich on.  They had a chance to really do something.  They came from nowhere.. Microsoft gave them their start, by allowing them access to technology and resources they wouldn't have had otherwise.  Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

Originally posted by Sheista

Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

I'd rather a company who knows what they're doing do it right than a company who doesn't and ruins said IP's chances of a successful and fun MMO.

Originally posted by Lydon

Originally posted by Sheista

Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

I'd rather a company who knows what they're doing do it right than a company who doesn't and ruins said IP's chances of a successful and fun MMO.

wtf are you talking about?

are you talking about DDO? cause it SURE sounds like it.

Originally posted by Lydon

Originally posted by Sheista

Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

I'd rather a company who knows what they're doing do it right than a company who doesn't and ruins said IP's chances of a successful and fun MMO.

That's the problem though.  -I- don't trust them with those IPs.  LotR had potential to be an amazing game, and maybe it is to some.  But to me it's just another linear, strictly PvE game with nothing more.  That IP had potential to be an amazing hybrid of sorts, mixing sandbox features with traditional class-based systems and the like.  That's what Turbine got started with, was innovative features that just plain worked.  To me, the LotR IP was set up to be a sandbox.  Some games are meant to be linear, but this game in particular just screamed sandbox to me.

The Turbine you know, isn't the Turbine I knew from the start.  They don't have any of the same people behind the games anymore, and they've abandoned the sort of thing that originally made them a good company.  So to you, this game is great.  To me, it is a polished version of 'the same'.

Why do people hate on company just because they choose to create games that doesnt cater to THEM. So just becaue you personally dont like the gameplay of for example LotrO you hate the company who make it?

This thread is about how a small indy company is able to release an expansion that is on par with what a huge gaming company like Activision-Blizzard (who are owned by one of the BIG media companies: Vivendi).

Turbine really took LotrO to the next level with Mines of Moria.. Its not like anything Ive ever seen before and the Legendary items system is just to awesome to describe! Its not just the "same old" like some other games are making ;)

Sierra On-Line first announced the development of a licensed Middle-earth MMORPG in 1998. Sierra had financial troubles in 1999 and replaced the staff working on the game. Sierra continued to confirm development of the MMORPG but did not release any development details.

Vivendi Universal Games, the parent company of Sierra, secured eight-year rights to produce computer and video games based on The Lord of the Rings books in 2001. Vivendi announced an agreement with Turbine in 2003 to produce Middle-earth Online (at that time expected to be released in 2004). In March 2005, Turbine announced that it bought the rights to make an MMORPG based on Tolkien's literature and that Turbine would publish The Lord of the Rings Online instead of Vivendi.

As you can see in the text above from Wiki, that this game was in development hell for over 10 years. I find it amazing that Tubine picked up the rights and made it such the great game it is. And consider all the FREE content that Turbine has made for this game! And then consider all the competiton that was pitted against it. I respect Turbine, and I really feel that they care about the IP and the gamers as well. MoM is a huge expansion, bigger than other expansions in any other MMO out there. This is my thoughts and opinions of course, and I also respect others thoughts and opinions as well. Thats why we have forums like this I reckon! Now if you have not played LOTRO since MoM was released, I think you should give it another go. Take care my friends!

Originally posted by Sheista

Originally posted by Lydon

Originally posted by Sheista

Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

I'd rather a company who knows what they're doing do it right than a company who doesn't and ruins said IP's chances of a successful and fun MMO.

 

That's the problem though.  -I- don't trust them with those IPs.  LotR had potential to be an amazing game, and maybe it is to some.  But to me it's just another linear, strictly PvE game with nothing more.  That IP had potential to be an amazing hybrid of sorts, mixing sandbox features with traditional class-based systems and the like.  That's what Turbine got started with, was innovative features that just plain worked.  To me, the LotR IP was set up to be a sandbox.  Some games are meant to be linear, but this game in particular just screamed sandbox to me.

The Turbine you know, isn't the Turbine I knew from the start.  They don't have any of the same people behind the games anymore, and they've abandoned the sort of thing that originally made them a good company.  So to you, this game is great.  To me, it is a polished version of 'the same'.

Quit making general statements. What game were you playing again oh thats right nothing.
 

What makes you think that just because you want Lotro to be a sandbox game that everyone else does? Some people like storys that the reason why people that sell books make more than people who sell blank paper.

The Darkfall forums are not here so please find them and tell yourself it will eventually come out. It will make you a better person drink the dam cool-aid and wait for Darkfall. Stop posting your sandbox wet dream everywhere it will not happen just wait for the dissapointment of darkfall.

Oh and do you have a link saying that Turbine has changed developers?

{ Mod Edit }

Sorry, but Lotro is far from a low budget game.

Originally posted by Sheista

Originally posted by Lydon

Originally posted by Sheista

Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

I'd rather a company who knows what they're doing do it right than a company who doesn't and ruins said IP's chances of a successful and fun MMO.

 

That's the problem though.  -I- don't trust them with those IPs.  LotR had potential to be an amazing game, and maybe it is to some.  But to me it's just another linear, strictly PvE game with nothing more.  That IP had potential to be an amazing hybrid of sorts, mixing sandbox features with traditional class-based systems and the like.  That's what Turbine got started with, was innovative features that just plain worked.  To me, the LotR IP was set up to be a sandbox.  Some games are meant to be linear, but this game in particular just screamed sandbox to me.

The Turbine you know, isn't the Turbine I knew from the start.  They don't have any of the same people behind the games anymore, and they've abandoned the sort of thing that originally made them a good company.  So to you, this game is great.  To me, it is a polished version of 'the same'.

The LotRO IP was set up as a story and that's how they are playing it out. I suppose every non-sandbox game that comes out will be slaughtered by you people on this site. Get real...LotRO is a good game and it's just not your flavor. Go somewhere else and whine about your small niche group not getting everything you want and ask for.

Originally posted by Lamarak

 Well Turbine in my opinion has released an expansion that clearly shows that a huge budget is not needed to put out a quality product. Mines of Moria is a great expansion.

Now this thread is not intended to try to sell people on LOTRO but to discuss that this shows that it does not have to take a budget of a small country to put out a good product in the MMO industry.

Im not here to put any company down but i believe that this does show its the dedication to the product in making a fun game first higher priority than if it will make tons of money. Not saying profit is not on the mind of these people and i know they want it to be a success by all means. But clearly shows they are asking " Is this fun?", first.

 

I do not dispute the fact that Mines of Moria is a good expansion even if I have no personal experience on that, but saying that Turbine, holding 2 MAJOR licenses like Dungeons & Dragons and Lord of the Rings Online is LOW BUDGET is just plain wrong.

They are mantaining 3 MMOs at the same time, low budget how exactly??

Originally posted by Sheista

Originally posted by solareus

Originally posted by megafluxmega

Originally posted by Sheista

Am I the only person who thinks Turbine is a terrible company?  AC2 is not their only blunder.  While eventually it was an alright game, it was a mistake for them to make it in the first place, and they have admitted that.  They admitted competing with themselves for a player base was just bad marketing. 

Amazingly, when Turbine bought the license to AC from Microsoft and owned it 100%, that's when the original game started to go downhill.  They made a couple good decisions right off the bat, and then thinks just went to hell.  They made a series of horrible decisions which ultimately led to the life support the game is currently on.  All they care about now is big IPs, where instead they should be focused on the former creativity that they had.  DDO had potential to be much much more than it is, and IMO is just plain crap. And LotR online, while not horrible, is also not near the potential it had.

AC1 will always remain my favorite MMO of all time.  I have the best memories of any game I've played, in it.  But I loathe Turbine for running it into the ground with bad decision after bad decision.  It was their baby, and it proved that they were extremely innovative and creative.  But then they ditched innovation and creativity and replaced it with big name IPs.

{ Mod Delete }

 

MoM expansion is just crazy , the amount of work and polish the game world has now is better then anything on the market, a game with the look , a game with an actual game world , and mechanics that seems to grow.

MoM, blows anything I've played in the past 5 years away, in the mmorpg genre. Once I got inside and started to see the craftman ship of the world designers, it is just mind knumbing. Turbine is a gamers game company.

the game is not for everyone though, and people get out of it what they put, if your going to moan and grump around, you won't like it, this game is not for the emo.

 

"vavle" = pure blizzard tard like sell out. Dave Newball said he would never make a game for the ps3, guess what L4D is coming out for Ps3. F valve, they ruined every great mod , mods that used to free, now lame suck tards pay 20 dollars for them which inturn makes the "we can make money off mods now , bitchen" mentallity stick. If you can trust Valve, you are just not informed about games, At All, or you just like "big sell out everyone is playing it" games.

 

 

 

While I'm in no way supporting Valve like the poster after me, saying he just likes "big sell out everyone is playing it" games is like the pot calling the kettle black here.  Turbine is a company that's all about big IPs now.  They started with a ridiculous amount of creativity and innovation with their Asheron's Call original IP.  It was a hybrid linear/sandbox game, and the game itself was their own creation from top to bottom.  Storyline, creatures, quests.. everything was original and amazing.  LotRO is none of that.  It's not original.  It's a big name IP that they thought they could get rich on.  They had a chance to really do something.  They came from nowhere.. Microsoft gave them their start, by allowing them access to technology and resources they wouldn't have had otherwise.  Instead of staying the course, -they- sold out to 'big names' that people could recognize.  DDO and LotRO.

I disagree, DDO is not a sell out IP, only a small fraction of Nerds know anything about D&D. Same thing with Lord of the Rings, yes the movies did well, but look at who was in the movies. Lord of the Rings is a nerd "thing" and far from a major sell out as respect to the lore , before the movies. The Movies is what pushed LotR franchise to a hightened sense of sell out.

We can expect the same thing to happen with "The Hobbit" to be released in 2010 or later.

THese guys would never sell a movie !