All Posts by Snorf

Not surprising that a boring game like LOTRO gets hit hard when a new game comes out.

Of course many will come back and Moria will help also, but if lotro was thrilling as it should be they would not have left in such numbers at all.

When a game hooks you, you usually dont need to try another.

Snorf

Originally posted by Theocritus

         I view LOTRO as a short term game....What I mean by that is that it is fun but only for a short time.....I would not buy the lifetime membership for this game.......It gets the same ole same ole feel after awhile.....FOr some that may take a couple years but for me it lasted about 2 months before I got really bored and didnt feel like logging in anymore......Its also another in a long line of MMOs that are just too easy (WoW, EQ2, LOTRO, etc).....There is some challenging stuff in the game but overall its MMO lite and appeals more to the casual than the hardcore gamer.....IF youre looking for a game to hold you over for a month or 2 Id recommend it but if youre looking for a long term MMO home I wouldnt recommend LOTRO.

I agree with this post.

LOTRO had a couple of quick "free" add ons, which where a) very necessary, because it was so obvious how little the piece of software was at launch and b) probably where almost ready at launch anyway and held back to achieve just this impression: they dev quick.

In fact the rhythm between "free" add ons has slowed down remarkable, so has the ammount of content delivered in them.

Looking at LOTRO today with all the updates it had since release it is almost where i expect a modern MMO to launch at. This means its still not grown up.

What the past year showed tho is that Turbine is trivialising and more trivialising the little challenging content they ever had (laugh) to make it accessable for the core player base they have left. I think more than 50% of LOTRO players play less than 5 houers per week and thats why only a very few tight knitted kinships have established compared to other games.

However, this game has a future of course, there will always be Tolkien fans buying it for the title and being entertained by a 3D modell that has the name Gandalf over its head.

So while the doomsayers are all wrong, the truth is that from a gamers point of view LOTRO was, is and will be BORING.

Can you say Lord of the boRing Online?

Snorf

Originally posted by Tunango

EQ2 has no community, no body wants to help newbs or even talk to you, thats even if you see anyone.

LOTRO is much better in that department community matters.

LOTRO has the worst community i ever been part of. Bullying everybody out who dares to critisise their precious game.

Being unfriendly to forreigners or people asking simple questions. Ore Node stealing, named mob rushing, grief and what not.

And worst of all, everyone is stressing through their SOLO content without looking left or right, no interacting at all - Stuff is sold in the almost automated AH.

Try to hail someone on the greenpath in /say - even on a RP server you wont get a response for HOUERS, as everyone is just rushing to their next quest marker.

I usually avoid generalisations - the common believe is that WoW has the worst community /shrug, i did not notice much difference there, it heats up more because it has more PvP batlegrounds, thats all. Go to Etten's in LOTRO and you see the same premature yelling.

But if someone says LOTRO has a good or better community than EQ2 or any other game is just proof for their arrogance.

The LOTRO land mass is probably a little smaller than that of other MMO's at launch. Also the "fast travel" makes it feel smaller than it is sometimes destroying some of the immersion comming from traveling the wide scenery. On the other hand, after u've traveled a certain route 20 times its annoying too.

Anyway, if you look at the LOTR map and see what a small puzzle piece is only designed by now - you know how large it will grow over the next years.

In fact, if you like LOTRO, then land mass size should be your smallest concern.

Enjoy the game ;)

Snorf

Originally posted by WiccanCircle

 

Originally posted by Psi-Fyre

If some team pulled this off it'll be the next WoW killer.  AC ruled, it just got left behind do to advancements in graphics, not game play or style.

You know, I used to think that.  But I believe we are deluding ourselves.  Take a gander at the other games and the conversations that surround them.  Asheron's Call is what we all love, but I really don't think many of the MMO-children of today want an AC-Style game.

 

They want max level in a week so that they can do gank sessions without debt.

Yes but they are learning and looking for more - else LOTRO would have killed WoW already. A good portion of the Community is getting tired of being hand held through content without own choices.

They want very simple defind roles for each class.

They want sequential loot, changing colors as it goes up to some epic or something.

I dont think thats what players want, its all they get, so they consume it.

Basically they want a Nintendo game with multiple players.

Yes to solo through it from level 1 to max.

I kid you not, the more I read these fora the more I realize that I am in a very tiny minority that wants a sandbox style game.  (I believe that most people that beagn their MMORPG gaming in AC also suffer from sandbox cravings, but we are only a few thousand out of the millions)

The masses do not miss what they do not know. It is amazing how often you read "such things are impossible" when suggesting game changes in modern MMO's while in the old days of AC and EQ it was very well possible. What happened? Technical drawbags? Was my Pentiom III with 350 MHz really so much more powerful than my quad core system with 8 gigabyte ram today??!

I think Asheron's Call was a once in a gaming lifetime experience.  There is no market for this anymore.

 I think the veterans should not stop pointing out how weak and cheap the modern game mechanics are compared to old days. It is Emberrassing with what shallow thin content poor games the market is flooded. It looks like dev teams have 1 coder for game mechanics 1 for content and 500 for graphics.

Originally posted by Plasuma!!!

*snip*

 ... but the game just seems to lose depth and color at the 20th level, and in fact I find it so plain that I can't even force myself to play.

*snip*

 ... With LOTRO, the post-level 20 content just seems too thin to even bother sampling; and I actually enjoyed it to begin with.

From my point of view you have 2 chances to "survive" its boredom:

1) You either ignore the lack of complexity that makes the RPG genre intresting and just live with the little thats there, starvingly waiting for the frequent updates of more thin content.

2) Or you dive into roleplaying - chit chat with your friends and suck the fun out of the integrated chat windows pushing the LOTRO buttons as a side activity.

Everything else you will probably run against the same walls left and right again and again and again like you have described leveling all those toons to 20some.

You may also think about taking LOTRO as your second MMO for casual relaxation and start looking for something more complex to entertain your brain.

Good luck

Snorf

Originally posted by DragonOak

Originally posted by Snorf

Originally posted by DragonOak

Originally posted by Snorf

Well, you make it look like you know me while you surely dont, i havent played a puller in EQ and hardly ever pulled except fun groups where i was with friends. So - stop telling the forum readers lies that you know me. And i am for sure not known as a "bully" rofl. Quite the opposite would be true.

 You have played a cleric for a very long time Snorf.  You may want to actually try and read what I post, I said you pulled a stunt or two.  Stunt is not a mob in EQ,  I guess you figure a stunt must be that elusive mob you have yet to see in EQ, maybe the guildies took you on a stunt hunt one night, and left you all alone for the whole night.  That is a pun on the country folk of snipe hunting.  So when someone said you pulled a stunt, it means you pulled an action, and noooooo and action is not a mob in EQ either.  Reread your posts and the continuelly sniping (not a mob in EQ either) of peoples posts putting them down for playing a "single player" MMO.  Try and put down your objections to the game without putting people down and I will leave you be.

 

That i played a cleric is no miracle, can be read in the web browsing my name i guess. As for your last sentense... maybe time for some self reflecting psychology. Why does it take you down if someone critisises the game you play as a single player MMO? I critisise the game, not the people who play it - whoever has fun in LOTRO - good for them.

So you had a summer course in psychology... not bad - maybe try another 10 semesters before writing such nonsense. Socially isolated is even a worse insult than socially limited. So by rephrasing your bullshit i actually did you a favor. Now you embarrassed yourself again.

Actually I have a Bachelors Degree of Science in Secondary education, with a major in history and a minor in four parts, economics, psychology, sociology and geography.  So try again.  You should read studies on the role personalities of extroversion versus introversion and then come back and call it nonsense, please.  So are you going to actually try and convince everyone that a gamer that plays at least 6 hours per day and more on weekends is actually extroverted?  That, my boy, is nonsense.   And because you have never read any studies of extroversion versus introversion of personalities, please continue to give us your expert opinion on the social dynamics of personality.  I am sure all the professors would gather around to hear your outstanding views on the subject, since you my sir have knowledge beyond the ages.

Hehe, i dont want to get too personal. But you studied all that for so long and still have the urge to disturb peoples critical discussions about a software product with your crusade posts? Who are you trying to fight for? you make no sense at all.

 

And what exactly does that have to do with the sleeper encounter? And i never said lotro sucks - i say its not what tolkines story deserved. An easy mode mainstream soap opera wannabe MMO with no depths.

Ok, this last sentence helps me explain the bully part a little better.  So any one that plays LoTRO plays it easy mode because they have no skill? That is what you mean, right?  They play it as soap opera because they are unable to read any depth into the game play, that is what you imply right?  And because they play a wannabe MMO, they must not be good enough to play a real MMO because they lack skill, dedication, and group (what you consider extroversion) skills?  Correct me if I am wrong, but that is what I read into that last sentence alone, and therefor it is putting the people down that actually enjoy the game, thanks for proving my point.

Again, i critisise the product, not the people, why do you feel so hurt if i critisise the GAME you play?

Tolkiens story deserves more than LOTRO is what i say. That its enough for the 500k or 1.500k people who play it and enjoy it doesnt change the fact that i think LOTRO is underperforming for the license. Maybe you get it now? Guess not. BTW. I still dont get what all this has to do with the sleeper emcounter that you keep mentioning as a symbol of evil.

True i havent played much LOTRO but i watch my nieche playing it, she is 9 and has fun - totaly fine with me. I dont tell her "ooohooo this is a boring game" whats your point again?

Then please feel free to put into the footer of your critiques something to the essence of how you have not played LoTRO in some time, and you really are not aware of the changes that have been made.  But thanks for associating the game with 9 year olds, and thus insinuating that only people with the mentality of a nine year old can play this game.  Again it is just a manner of implying that people are less for enjoying something you don't.  It is just another form of emotional intimidation, that amounts to bullying.

Can you read? I am fully aware of the changes that happened since release, as i assist me niece to play LOTRO. Got it this time? Guess not.

Lol read the forums, whenever someone writes LOTRO is weak in this or that aspect you jump in and start a holy crusade to defend your precious game. The holy crusading bully here is you man.

Kylerian(sp?) and many others input negative critiques about the game, and I never come out with anything against them.  Do you want to know why?  It is because they do it without attacking the character of the people that play the game today.  Others come in and give their input as to why they do NOT like that game, again without saying that people that do play LoTRO have no skills, depth, or the mentality of a nine year old, and I actually value their input.  You on the other hand have a need to bash the quality of the game and indirectly the quality of the players that enjoy the game.  I can guarantee you that if you can write a critique without bashing the people that play, I will have no objections.  It just that you want to be a jerk and devalue the people that enjoy the game, try for once to be unbiased as you claim to be.

Once again, if you feel attacked in your character thats your own psychological problem. LOTRO is a game that holds your hand all the way to 50. FULLSTOP. It lacks gameplay depths that had been standard in dozens of older MMO's FULLSTOP. It introduced 2 new things: interactive story telling (those movie clips you get when following the epic quest line) and the music system.  thats it. Everything else is a dumbed down version of WoW or other games. I say Tolkien, who created a genre deserves a much more daring interpretation of his art. Got it this time? guess not.

Look, i have written down pro's and con's of LOTRO that i see. From an experienced point of view. To judge a product you need to find pro's and con's. Again, all you did was bashing my con's and writing an embarrassing onesided list of pro's which makes it clear you lack the neutral view but only see it as a fanboy.

And when was the last time you actually played again??  5 pros and about 20 cons with consistent negative attacks in each and every con.  Again let me write this down sllllllooooowwwwwllllllyyyyyy, stop attacking the people that enjoy the game and write your critiques all you want, I will NOT object.  Try to intimidate people for liking something you don't and I will be all over you so called "unbiased" critique.  You writing 20 negative attacks on the play style and in effect the people that enjoy the game only makes you look like an ASS, and thus the term you likewise do not have a neutral view but only can be seen as a "H8TR" .

My cons are my opinion, as i said i know how LOTRO developed - it became even easier than in the beginning and even more solo friendly. You have your housing now and i've seen a snow region that was not much more entertaining than permafrost was 9 years ago. I have not critisised the people who play, i critisise the product.

 This other hand is by 2/3rd people who either only know WoW or not any other MMO. These people would love pac-man online too if you write tolkien above it. 10 years ago i would have praised lotro as the breaktrhough in gaming. But with the knowledge that almost every other MMO out there has more gameplay depths, more teamplay and more complexity this makes LOTRO look like a wannabe game with good graphics. And there are many threads (you all know them, you crusade in them) where people wonder why LOTRO is no fun for them - and the answer is: because they are used to better gameplay and miss the thrill and intensity of games with deoths.

Ok let me rewrite the above paragraph so you can see what I mean about how you can critique without attacking the players or their play style, mmmkay?

Many people that I knew in LoTRO only played WoW or never played and MMO (Sorry I had to really reach on that one, because honestly that whole sentence is nothing more than an ASSumption).  Some people would love pac-man online too if you write tolkien above it. 10 years ago i would have praised lotro as the breaktrhough in gaming. But with the knowledge that almost every MMO I have experienced (it would probably be real good to point out exactely what you experience here because again the sentence is another ASSumption)  has more gameplay depths, more teamplay and more complexity this makes LOTRO look like a (again wannabe does not belong here, you can really do away with those words and actually write like an adult) game with only good graphics. And there are many threads (you all know them, you crusade them all)  maybe (and the reason we use the word maybe is because even most of them can not answer why, and sadly you are not an expert in the field of MMO's like you would have people beleive): because they are used to different game play and miss the thrill and intensity of games with deoths ( is this another elusive mob of EQ?).

so 2 covered insults... then you critises the word wannabe... well whats the right english word for "want to be but doesnt match?" I thought you knew me? Then you should know english is not my native language. No we dont have to use the word maybe, we have to read the long threads where people voice their frustration with this game and simply UNDERSTAND their concerns. Got it now? guess not.So keep trying to call me bully, its just rubbish. Keep crying like a baby everytime someone says LOTRO lacks this or that. Its your own forum reputation you ruin.

Once again you prove my point, lets explore the sentence "Keep crying like a baby every time someone says.........".  Do you get my point?  I bet not.  That is something a sibling says to a brother or sister in order to intimidate them into stopping an action that they do not like or approve.  It is just another process of intimidation, and therefore it is bullying.  Try to write like an adult and maybe I wont call you out on the bullshit.  And stop attacks like this that have no other design than to demoralize anyone that enjoys a game that you don't.

If it takes not more than some posts from me to demoralise you - then you really need help man. If you think you have to defend the weak forum readers from me - then its even URGENT to get help man. I talk to you like i do, because you leave no other option than showing everyone where you are comming from. Go love the game - leave people to their discussions. Got it now? Guess not.

And as far as my reputation, lets get real, this is a cyber world, I say what I think and I say what I feel, and I will be damned if I am going to tip toe to please your sorry ass.

And this is the exact definition of bully behaviour, disrespect before other people and their critical opinions. I have disrespect for LOTRO because its a boring disappointing piece of crap.  And Tolkien would turn in his grave if he had to play it - im sure. Thanks much for this last sentence because i caused some guild kicks for people who where this disrespectful towards other members. We called people with your attitude... guess what: BULLIES. Got it now? Guess not.

  Most, if not all, of these people I will never meet in real life.  Some I agree with, some I disagree, but I have the freedom to say what I feel.  And I will NOT be intimidated by the likes of haters like you that want try and make the people that enjoy this game to be less than a gamer than you.  They have the fortitude to play something they like, and you need to respect that.  And if I was to apply for a job (which I won't, I am a wood worker by trade) here or in the gaming field, then, just maybe then, I will be concerned with my precious reputation.  But until then I will call out people like you and tell you to back down.  If you want to critique, then fine CRITIQUE!  But do it without putting players down!

 I guess the two of us are through now, you take it personal if someone critisises the game you play - that is YOUR PERSONAL PROBLEM. Get help or get lost.

Snorf

 

 

 

Originally posted by DragonOak

Originally posted by Snorf

well just because you havent run into any bullies in LOTRO means there are none? I have yet to find a single PUG instance in Lotro where it doesnt happen.

Actually I see you as one of the bullies, and my time playing EQ I can remember a stunt or two you pulled there with those very same idealistic attitudes of how self important you are.  Perhaps since you left the LoTRO, and many of those of like mind left also, we don't see that bully attitude much anymore.  Some may even say that there is a correlation between the bullies and the exodus of Snorf and others?  You tend to portray those very same attitudes on these forums.  Anyone that enjoys this game in constantly belittled for playing "a dumbed down version of WoW" or a "single player" MMO as you like to say.  The point is these people enjoy the game, stop belittling them for actually having fun.  And stop taking it out on the game and the people that play it just because some minstrel ruined you day that one time, OMGZ!!

Well, you make it look like you know me while you surely dont, i havent played a puller in EQ and hardly ever pulled except fun groups where i was with friends. So - stop telling the forum readers lies that you know me. And i am for sure not known as a "bully" rofl. Quite the opposite would be true.

 

And that MMO players are mostly introverted, socially limited individuals is just your own strange reality. Probably taken from yourself /shrug.

Ok, just a little review of psychology.  There are two types of people, extroverted and introverted.  Do you know what those terms mean?  Since this definition of personalities only has two types, it is not calling either better or worse than the other.  And again you use the term socially limited, which is NOT the term I used.  Socially isolated is the term is used.  So back to the review, introverted individuals tend to be shy, less outgoing, and less involved in typical social encounter, and thus making them socially isolated.  On the flip side of the personality type of the extroverted, we find a person that actually seeks out social interaction, which is mainly focused on face to face encounters, not gaming.  Now if you would like I would be happy to find a study or two that indicate most gamers are of the introverted personality.  So therefore, it is not about my "own strange reality" it is about reality.  Your denial of even the most basic terms of personality studies in the field of psychology just go to show your own personal lacking in the expertise of social exchanges among groups, thus implying you are a bully.

So you had a summer course in psychology... not bad - maybe try another 10 semesters before writing such nonsense. Socially isolated is even a worse insult than socially limited. So by rephrasing your bullshit i actually did you a favor. Now you embarrassed yourself again.

The garbage about the sleeper i never got your point in that. What exactly is your problem with the sleeper encounter? its just an encounter. Which i never played since my guild never focused on him.

My problem is that if a game, albeit EQ or LoTRO, does NOT fit your vision it must suck.  And to continually point out that anyone that enjoys any game outside of your vision must be lacking in skill, aptitude, or knowledge is your failing, not mine.

And what exactly does that have to do with the sleeper encounter? And i never said lotro sucks - i say its not what tolkines story deserved. An easy mode mainstream soap opera wannabe MMO with no depths.

Reading this forum i see alot of very mature discussions going on, where LOTRO failed expectations and where it scored.

Except for you continual chiding of anyone that actually enjoys a game that you do NOT play or have NOT played in some time.

True i havent played much LOTRO but i watch my nieche playing it, she is 9 and has fun - totaly fine with me. I dont tell her "ooohooo this is a boring game" whats your point again?

Why you so sensitive about your game being critisised is beyond me.

I am sensitive about anyone that attempts to derail a consumers enjoyment of a product based on intimidations and focus on negative remarks towards the product and the consumer that enjoys said product.  Again implying that you are a bully.

Lol read the forums, whenever someone writes LOTRO is weak in this or that aspect you jump in and start a holy crusade to defend your precious game. The holy crusading bully here is you man.

 

Do you enjoy embarassing yourself as a fanboy?

Just because I enjoy something you don't makes me embarrassing myself as a fanboy?  So I guess it would be more relevant if I spent my time on the EQ boards bashing that game in order to legitimize my enjoyment of LoTRO?  But then again that would just make me a "hater" wouldn't it?  So in turn, do you enjoy embarrASSing yourself as a HATER?

Look, i have written down pro's and con's of LOTRO that i see. From an experienced point of view. To judge a product you need to find pro's and con's. Again, all you did was bashing my con's and writing an embarrassing onesided list of pro's which makes it clear you lack the neutral view but only see it as a fanboy.

This game has disappointed alot of players who demanded it to be more than just the other MMOs out there. Of course these people want to discuss why - so why dont you let them?

On the other hand it has pleased a LOT (number 2 in the US market) of players that are tired of the same ole same ole grind of those other "more demanding" MMO's out there.  And for people that want to discuss their disappointment in the game, I have no objections in the slightest as long as they do it without putting down the players that DO enjoy the game.  And that is why I tend to call out certain Jack Asses on these boards, because it is NOT about discussing it is about criticizing those that do enjoy something they do not.

 This other hand is by 2/3rd people who either only know WoW or not any other MMO. These people would love pac-man online too if you write tolkien above it. 10 years ago i would have praised lotro as the breaktrhough in gaming. But with the knowledge that almost every other MMO out there has more gameplay depths, more teamplay and more complexity this makes LOTRO look like a wannabe game with good graphics. And there are many threads (you all know them, you crusade in them) where people wonder why LOTRO is no fun for them - and the answer is: because they are used to better gameplay and miss the thrill and intensity of games with deoths.

So keep trying to call me bully, its just rubbish. Keep crying like a baby everytime someone says LOTRO lacks this or that. Its your own forum reputation you ruin.

snorf

 

well just because you havent run into any bullies in LOTRO means there are none? I have yet to find a single PUG instance in Lotro where it doesnt happen.

And that MMO players are mostly introverted, socially limited individuals is just your own strange reality. Probably taken from yourself /shrug.

The garbage about the sleeper i never got your point in that. What exactly is your problem with the sleeper encounter? its just an encounter. Which i never played since my guild never focused on him.

Reading this forum i see alot of very mature discussions going on, where LOTRO failed expectations and where it scored. Why you so sensitive about your game being critisised is beyond me. Do you enjoy embarassing yourself as a fanboy? This game has disappointed alot of players who demanded it to be more than just the other MMOs out there. Of course these people want to discuss why - so why dont you let them?

snorf

What DragonOak describes is a completely different phenomenon and happens in every game. In LOTRO it seems even worse to meet the bullies who know it all better than you, because so many people loose their temper over people that dont know thei chars group ability that they try to step forward and lead the damn fellowship to get the job done.

This was usually easy to avoid as the so called bullies or elitists have just been avoided or, if they where good at what they did, gathered a bunch of players around them to start a raiding guild with the focus on beating whatever the game has on the plate.

Yet it has nothing to do with the minstrel who had not grouped in 40 levels and 5 people suddenly depend on his group skills. It is not BECAUSE he is an idiot it is because the game allowed him to get this far without training his group abilities.

The end result is the same. Frustrated fellowships. -> more solo players -> less group skills in the community.

And wether someone plays golf or an MMO is their own business, i cant follow the fanboy there at all. Are you saying MMO players are social incompetent isolists per definition, or what did you try to say with that pile of crap above? 

Snorf

When WoW came out it was the most solo friendly and fastest fantasy MMO on the shelves.

It seems that Turbine knots some of the success WoW had to this architecture.

So they made again the most solo friendly and fastest MMO on the shelves and wait for the success.

In LOTRO you dont have to group up to 40+ even there its alot of solo content now with new books released.

The funny part is that more solo content causes more people who dont have a clue about their group skills, ruining PUG fellowships regularly and causing the victims there to demand more solo content again because in PUG's they find so many idiots who dont know their class'es group abilities. So people suffering from this effect become soloers often. Joining the club in the long run.

 Actually LOTRO isnt a MMO but a MSO. (Massive Singleplayer Onlinegame)

Snorf

Originally posted by madjimbob

Hi propably the most ask question on the froums.  I'm playing Eve online atm and loving it, but I wouldn't mind a game that was a little faster pased and a fantacy setting just to brake up the quiet times in Eve.

Like WoW but got board as it was only about improving your character, there wasn't much more to it than that.  Which has always been a proplem with blizzard RPG's Diablo was the same and the same simptom is seen in WoW. 

Like DnD online but hated the Eberon setting, it should have been The Forgotten Realms setting. The PvP sucked along with the clostrapoic feel of the game world lots of quests but again not much more to do than just improve your character.

Loved Neocron but don't think it's running anymore, and if it was must be very dated.

Loved Star Wars Galexcies till they messed it up by making Jedi a starter class and balancing it with other classes. Loved the idea of building your own settlements and equipment production etc. but  all the grinding to lvl got a little boaring after a while.

Basicly I want more from a game than just trying to make the biggest, hardest, character I can, to then go fighting in arena style battles. That gets lame very quickly and games like WoW, DnD, Guild Wars when boilded down ammount to that.

So with a bit of background on what I liked and didn't like would I like LoTR online.

From the very little info you give us its almost impossible to answer your initial question.

LOTRO might work for you, as its alot faster than EVE. In LOTRO you progress your character too more or less - its a