Interesting. LOTRO is definately a game to watch.

"Few details about specific customizations have been released but we can say that characters will soon be able to wear one piece of clothing for display purposes, and another piece for statistical purposes, which will complement LotRO’s equipment system nicely."

That is a great addition to any MMO.

Yea thats cool they have that on eq2.

One thing im thinking about though is will they have any new regions coming this year and if so when ?

I think it may be time to re-sub for me. I cancelled after levling my char and ran out of things to do. At that time, I had nothing left to do but Raids and it was hard to find a good raid group. Interested to see how the new chapters are.

I havent played in a while though I still keep an account active. 

I left lotr for the same reason I leave most MMO same ol rutt of  kill/level ,, idiot AIs ,, and lack of a perception of reality.  cookie cutter quests,,

that being said  I would still highly recomend LOTR as the launch was smooth and complete,,  complete being the operative word  to me it didnt feel like they were dumping a half done game onto a hungry comunity,, they treated the players with respect in this instance,   while I played I had seen MARKED inprovements to the game world like the removal of obviously artificial barriers. and monster design has improved and of course hobbit feet! also the atention to detail when it comes to layout of of the lotr  land makes things like the tolkin atlases be of added value in the universe something other MMOs lack is real world references.

as a point of the LOOK AHEAD  one thing I want LOTR to be very aware of is they need to address as a game gets older  the games become TOP HEAVY  and the "noob" zones become emptier and emptier, to the point that any new person coming into the game sees a very stark and empty starting area (a very negative thing) if they want to keep LOTRO from looking like EQ1  they should address this problem very early as it it much easier to add a few things each chapter than try to address it 5 years from now when there are only 1-2 players in all of bree.

what else would i like to see?   more resource nodes or a bit more yeald out of existing ones  got fustrated wasting all my time ore hunting,

puzzles and more terrain interaction  charactor customization,  collections and and research types of endevers     more things players can do that they dont have to micro manage, productive   things they can do while washing dishes  or waiting for a quest group to arive,  books and messages to decypher    merit badges to collect like for exploration or acomplishments.

Originally posted by brenth
make a world, not a game, we dont want another game.

I am quite happy with the world I live in, so why shouldn't I want a gameto have fun?

This article is just a compilation of well-known information. We would like to see some exclusive

Yeah, I have to agree with the last poster, you gave us bullet points from the devchat a few weeks ago.

This game is WoW or EQ2 with less options, you really have to be a huge JRR Tolkien fan to actually play it for more than a month. This book 12 info just reminds me that nothings gonna change and that this will continue to be a sterile, noninventive, uninteresting and totally dumbed down mmorpg.

I just wish that if your toon is from Rohan, you would start in Rohan, same for the others like Gondor and the dwarf places. It seems to me that LoTRO is getting there but the whole world of Tolkien is so big its gonna take a while. Except for housing, I think they have done a great job so far.

Originally posted by brenth

I havent played in a while though I still keep an account active. 

I left lotr for the same reason I leave most MMO same ol rutt of  kill/level ,, idiot AIs ,, and lack of a perception of reality.  cookie cutter quests,,

that being said  I would still highly recomend LOTR as the launch was smooth and complete,,  complete being the operative word  to me it didnt feel like they were dumping a half done game onto a hungry comunity,, they treated the players with respect in this instance,   while I played I had seen MARKED inprovements to the game world like the removal of obviously artificial barriers. and monster design has improved and of course hobbit feet! also the atention to detail when it comes to layout of of the lotr  land makes things like the tolkin atlases be of added value in the universe something other MMOs lack is real world references.

as a point of the LOOK AHEAD  one thing I want LOTR to be very aware of is they need to address as a game gets older  the games become TOP HEAVY  and the "noob" zones become emptier and emptier, to the point that any new person coming into the game sees a very stark and empty starting area (a very negative thing) if they want to keep LOTRO from looking like EQ1  they should address this problem very early as it it much easier to add a few things each chapter than try to address it 5 years from now when there are only 1-2 players in all of bree.

what else would i like to see?   more resource nodes or a bit more yeald out of existing ones  got fustrated wasting all my time ore hunting,

puzzles and more terrain interaction  charactor customization,  collections and and research types of endevers     more things players can do that they dont have to micro manage, productive   things they can do while washing dishes  or waiting for a quest group to arive,  books and messages to decypher    merit badges to collect like for exploration or acomplishments.

I understand your point. If you make a good enough world the GAME will take care of itself. I THINK thats what your trying to say. If thats the case I agree. If not, I want a game.

Originally posted by vipjerry

This game is WoW or EQ2 with less options, you really have to be a huge JRR Tolkien fan to actually play it for more than a month. This book 12 info just reminds me that nothings gonna change and that this will continue to be a sterile, noninventive, uninteresting and totally dumbed down mmorpg.

Im not a huge Tolkien fan and i have a blast in LoTRO. This game has amazing graphics and jaw dropping landscapes

This article makes me happy to have the founder's lifetime account.  I was weary of the price early on, but I really think the game has a good hold on me.  There is some staunch competition out there for my time, in the name of WAR and AOC, but I think this will not get the uninstall for quite a while!

In fact I'm going to do some missions right now to get ready for book 12

Mostly I would like these things added:

1. More areas of Middle Earth!!!

2. More options to make you character unique within the class, that is some sort of talent/AA system. And a much better one than the sad one already in place.

3. More solo content.

Number 3 seems to be going to be fixed, hopefully number one as well.

Originally posted by OBK1

Mostly I would like these things added:

1. More areas of Middle Earth!!!

2. More options to make you character unique within the class, that is some sort of talent/AA system. And a much better one than the sad one already in place.

3. More solo content.

Number 3 seems to be going to be fixed, hopefully number one as well.

I think they will get to it though we just have to be patient.

LOTRO is definitely not bad game, but it is sadly quite simplified - which is not necessarily a bad thing but leveling feels like grinding at level 20 already because of that. I tried Burglar and Hunter which I both played past level 20, but felt solo progression slowed too much already at that point.

I really hope that fellowship moves(what were they called again) get revamped and solo play gets a GOOD long look at it.

my 2coppers.

Originally posted by Cpt.Stubbing

I just wish that if your toon is from Rohan, you would start in Rohan, same for the others like Gondor and the dwarf places. It seems to me that LoTRO is getting there but the whole world of Tolkien is so big its gonna take a while. Except for housing, I think they have done a great job so far.

I really wonder how they gonna do it later on. Whether all zones that will be added later will be like 50-60 zones and then 60-70 zones or something. That way it will be a bit weird tho. Imagine the zones that are now level (1-50) will become lowlevel later on. Mirkwood, white towers, gondor, rohan, far east, dale town, dead marches, anduin vales, Grey Havens, .... all those zones will be probably 50-80. Because I mostly can't imagine how they would implement them for levels 20-30. The game doesn't really need that unless they slower the leveling otherwise players would skip half of the content.

But that won't be very logical. Angmar is supposed to be as dangerous as Moria or Dead Marches or Harad. But then if those zones will be for higher levels then Angmar will be a walk in the park and most mobs will be grey. Or they want to keep the level cap at 50 all the time and really just add zones 20-50 all the time?

I'm really concerned about that.

All I can possibly imagine is to add different sides to the game. Playable orcs, goblins, trolls. Giving them zones for 1-50 that could be those zones I mentioned where the evil side would level up. That would also mean opening these zones to "good" side and that's were open PvP would take place. At the same time opening current zones to "dark" side to rampage. That could come as first payed expansion. I hope the chicken play they added already is a preparation for making such a move.

It wouldn't need to be just the dark side, if you played the old CCG Middle Earth, you know there was more sides in the conflict. Fallen Wizards and their own army and areas, Balrog side (Underground races), Harad, Easterlings ... etc

Originally posted by Thillian

 

Originally posted by Cpt.Stubbing

I just wish that if your toon is from Rohan, you would start in Rohan, same for the others like Gondor and the dwarf places. It seems to me that LoTRO is getting there but the whole world of Tolkien is so big its gonna take a while. Except for housing, I think they have done a great job so far.

That's a good point. I believe it's not possible to change it later on. It could be added at the beginning by giving different bonuses for different racial backgrounds. Imagine having a rohan human player bonus to vitality or a lothlorien elf bonus to power or something. It could have tons of options like this. They didn't even need to add the whole rohan for instance at the start. Just the first 1-2 introductory zone that would be a manifestation of rohan and then teleport you to town of archet or whatever. That would add depth to game and more character customization.

 

I really wonder how they gonna do it later on. Whether all zones that will be added later will be like 50-60 zones and then 60-70 zones or something. That way it will be a bit weird tho. Imagine the zones that are now level (1-50) will become lowlevel later on. Mirkwood, white towers, gondor, rohan, far east, dale town, dead marches, anduin vales, Grey Havens, .... all those zones will be probably 50-80. Because I mostly can't imagine how they would implement them for levels 20-30. The game doesn't really need that unless they slower the leveling otherwise players would skip half of the content.

But that won't be very logical. Angmar is supposed to be as dangerous as Moria or Dead Marches or Harad. But then if those zones will be for higher levels then Angmar will be a walk in the park and most mobs will be grey. Or they want to keep the level cap at 50 all the time and really just add zones 20-50 all the time?

I'm really concerned about that.

All I can possibly imagine is to add different sides to the game. Playable orcs, goblins, trolls. Giving them zones for 1-50 that could be those zones I mentioned where the evil side would level up. That would also mean opening these zones to "good" side and that's were open PvP would take place. At the same time opening current zones to "dark" side to rampage. That could come as first payed expansion. I hope the chicken play they added already is a preparation for making such a move.

It wouldn't need to be just the dark side, if you played the old CCG Middle Earth, you know there was more sides in the conflict. Fallen Wizards and their own army and areas, Balrog side (Underground races), Harad, Easterlings ... etc

They could do it like they do for the Hobbits, start you off in an instanced zone that doesnt exist after you finish the intro quests, or rather exists but at a higher level, so that you actually start out in Archet still. (This was alot clearer sounding in my head)  I just got the LoTR books for Christmas and so far it seems like they have followed it along pretty well, but still there is much more they could do so that gives me hope. Although I think they might have done well to set the game in the time Gandalf was gone finding out about the ring. It might have been cool to be a wood elf tracking down Gollum lol.

Originally posted by vipjerry

This game is WoW or EQ2 with less options, you really have to be a huge JRR Tolkien fan to actually play it for more than a month. This book 12 info just reminds me that nothings gonna change and that this will continue to be a sterile, noninventive, uninteresting and totally dumbed down mmorpg.

Actually the battles system is much better and the quests are much more entertaining to me. The also take as much advantage of a smaller area as possible so you don't have to travel forever to complete one quest. Also there is a lot less kill x amount quests. I love the look and style and the traditional feel of the game. (Which I believe you called noninventive.) The community is very helpful and friendly and mature for the most part.

Furthermore you do not have to be a huge JRR Tolkien fan to play the game as I am not, nor have I even read the books... so in conclusion what you failed to mention is that what you wrote was your opinion and less factual than you made it sound.

Seems Turbine is copying not just WoW the game, but the entire WoW Vision, right down to the focus on solo play and endgame content.  Too bad.

I play MULTIPLAYER games because I want to group  with other players.  Players are not willing to group if it is just as easy (or easier) to level up alone.  What they should be focusing on is adding incentives to grouping (right now, there are NO incentives).  If people see grouping as a chore, Turbine needs to modify and enhance its grouping tools, not throw out the baby with the bathwater by encouraging more solo play.

I am really getting tired of MMOGs being multiplayer in name only.

Originally posted by Hexxeity

Seems Turbine is copying not just WoW the game, but the entire WoW Vision, right down to the focus on solo play and endgame content.  Too bad.

I play MULTIPLAYER games because I want to group  with other players.  Players are not willing to group if it is just as easy (or easier) to level up alone.  What they should be focusing on is adding incentives to grouping (right now, there are NO incentives).  If people see grouping as a chore, Turbine needs to modify and enhance its grouping tools, not throw out the baby with the bathwater by encouraging more solo play.

I am really getting tired of MMOGs being multiplayer in name only.

They are responding to what many in the player base are asking for. Myself included. MMO's are mulit player. But that can manifest itself in many ways. I for one like having other people around and some interaction. But at times I want to be able to sign on, do some things and sign off. Looking for a group takes too long and it can even be a bad group.

grouping is not the only way that people can interact in an online game.

Good game no doubt, definitly needs more content, I might even venture back in if they added more. Suprise suprise, solo content on the way, all the cries from the fanbots saying this is an MMO and there is not suppose to be solo content. Big suprise this was one of the points hit on this discussion with Jeff. Allot of people like myself left because it was just crazy to sit for hours on in trying to get group after group to level another character. I guess it is safe to say now that more solo content is needed and the devs finally see that. To bad those loud voices on the forums there and even here still say "ITS AN MMO ! THERE IS NO SINGLE PLAYER!" lol, listen up folks. MMO's are persistent worlds that bring people togather, however when a game forces your hand in what you do and when and how you do it , most will bail ship and wait for a new title that does not.

We want to game with our friends and make new ones, but we never wanted to be forced to be your friend, for all I know your a jerk in RL just like you are in the fantasy world huh?

Actually the battles system is much better and the quests are much more entertaining to me. The also take as much advantage of a smaller area as possible so you don't have to travel forever to complete one quest. Also there is a lot less kill x amount quests. I love the look and style and the traditional feel of the game. (Which I believe you called noninventive.) The community is very helpful and friendly and mature for the most part.

Originally posted by Hexxeity

Seems Turbine is copying not just WoW the game, but the entire WoW Vision, right down to the focus on solo play and endgame content.  Too bad.

I play MULTIPLAYER games because I want to group  with other players.  Players are not willing to group if it is just as easy (or easier) to level up alone.  What they should be focusing on is adding incentives to grouping (right now, there are NO incentives).  If people see grouping as a chore, Turbine needs to modify and enhance its grouping tools, not throw out the baby with the bathwater by encouraging more solo play.

I am really getting tired of MMOGs being multiplayer in name only.

I can't believe people like that still exist.

Nah Microsoft did AC2 and failed miserably, Turbine just put few last nails into the coffin.

To be honest, I can't think of many successful systems the world has stolen from WOW....  Maybe something in the class balance system (like renaming a pally or shaman)

Aside from that, I can name about 30 things that WOW has "incorporated" into their game through patches AFTER another mmo has released it as it's unique content.

To be honest, I think any mmo that is dedicated to it's fanbase has to have it's eyes open to all new ideas, and implement the best one's into it's game as quickly as possible.  It's just good business sense to keep your product competitive, and if it means adding a mission difficulty scalar, then so be it.  I think blizzard is a great company for stripping one dimensional games of their one twinkle of uniqeness in an otherwise boring game.

I don't think any radical idea will topple wow, I think it will have to be a professionally developed game with depth, content, and some new ideas and new technology that older games just can't match.  frankly if a company shows up with less than that, then they deserve to have better games adapt to their one advantage.  But enough of the intellectual property issue...  I think Lotro has some of the initial components to be a game that can make it in the market today.

A dedicated content addition policy is key to a game's success.  I think that it is possibly the most important issue out side of game mechanics that determine the longevity of a game.

Originally posted by vipjerry

Nah Microsoft did AC2 and failed miserably, Turbine just put few last nails into the coffin.

No

Turbine made Asheron's call 1&2 as developer and Microsoft did the publishing. At the year 2003 Turbine bought license from Microsoft and got SoE as a publisher for Asheron's Call 2 payed Expansion. The whole AC2 was a game FULL OF SOLO content spammed with tons of quests, with no xp death penalty, simple crafting ... etc. It was a bit bugged WoW nevertheless it was Turbine's Vision many years earlier than was WoW released.

Originally posted by vipjerry

 

... i dont like this attitude "we want do it cos book says this or that" comon its just silly.

 

 

I must argue against that. Being a very long time Tolkien fan, I feel that they NEED to stick with the books and the lore.  They should regard it as holy writ and waiver not at all if they are able.

Mistreating the Tolkien license would be a far more grave mistake.  A more righteous and rabid group of fans you will not find. Peter Jackson treated it with great respect and only strayed where he absolutely must. Even as little as he did (and it was only a little, though the importance of his transgressions are widely debated), he found how vocal the fan base could be.

We can all compare the game with <insert game you've played the most>... and find it wanting. It is the lot of the entire MMOG industry to constantly be compared with other platforms and other "visions".

Personally I choose to accept it for what it is.  A good game with decent mechanics in a beautifully rendered game world with lore to rival any game.  Warcraft has a lot of lore, but nowhere near what LOTR has.  Warhammer may be the next greatest lore-supported game on our hands. Mechanics-wise, I enjoyed DAoC more than anything I've mentioned so far. But I try not to focus on the little things and step back to view the entire fresco.

The story is immense and wonderful to immerse yourself in.  The PVP leaves a lot to be desired (fighting back and forth across a bridge is not terribly fun after the first 10 minutes). Sure it's a level grind, I challenge anyone to name a level or skill based MMOG that can not be called a grind.  Even EvE is a grind of sorts, though it's a grind of real-time.

Thus is the nature of our hobby. All the implementations are merely differing flavors and all of us have differing tastes.

With this particular license, they need to stay true to the lore. Mess with the game mechanics, argue about the game mechanics, debate the finer intricacies of the implementation of the game mechanics as compared with your preferred game...

But stray not from the lore.

Originally posted by dj-wedge

 

Originally posted by vipjerry

 

... i dont like this attitude "we want do it cos book says this or that" comon its just silly.

 

 

 

I must argue against that. Being a very long time Tolkien fan, I feel that they NEED to stick with the books and the lore.  They should regard it as holy writ and waiver not at all if they are able.

Mistreating the Tolkien license would be a far more grave mistake.  A more righteous and rabid group of fans you will not find. Peter Jackson treated it with great respect and only strayed where he absolutely must. Even as little as he did (and it was only a little, though the importance of his transgressions are widely debated), he found how vocal the fan base could be.

We can all compare the game with <insert game you've played the most>... and find it wanting. It is the lot of the entire MMOG industry to constantly be compared with other platforms and other "visions".

Personally I choose to accept it for what it is.  A good game with decent mechanics in a beautifully rendered game world with lore to rival any game.  Warcraft has a lot of lore, but nowhere near what LOTR has.  Warhammer may be the next greatest lore-supported game on our hands. Mechanics-wise, I enjoyed DAoC more than anything I've mentioned so far. But I try not to focus on the little things and step back to view the entire fresco.

The story is immense and wonderful to immerse yourself in.  The PVP leaves a lot to be desired (fighting back and forth across a bridge is not terribly fun after the first 10 minutes). Sure it's a level grind, I challenge anyone to name a level or skill based MMOG that can not be called a grind.  Even EvE is a grind of sorts, though it's a grind of real-time.

Thus is the nature of our hobby. All the implementations are merely differing flavors and all of us have differing tastes.

With this particular license, they need to stay true to the lore. Mess with the game mechanics, argue about the game mechanics, debate the finer intricacies of the implementation of the game mechanics as compared with your preferred game...

But stray not from the lore.

Agreed. The whole genre is popular BECAUSE of Tolkien. Where do they think Dungeons and Dragons comes from? Thats not to say that without Tolkien it would NOT have become popular (the genre of fantasy) someone would have made it so. But sticking to the book should be the first priority. Add other stuff when you run out of book. Besides it give those who don't have time to read all the books experience it without taking the time to read. It might even encourage reading.

Valid point guys i like Tolkien to but i hate Hobbits and Dwarfs as much as i hate Elfs i just cant stand this creatures and i would like to have an option to kill them. Didnt Borimir tryed to kill Frodo and take his ring. I would like to have an option to slay Hobitt and loot his corpse. I think its perfectly allright with LOTR lore.

My friend come to the game, level a normal toon to 10 even call him hobbitkiller.  Then for the rest of your time play as a level 50 monstor killing as many hobbits in a day as you can possibly handle.

Try to do it in a group though ^^

Originally posted by vipjerry

Valid point guys i like Tolkien to but i hate Hobbits and Dwarfs as much as i hate Elfs i just cant stand this creatures and i would like to have an option to kill them. Didnt Borimir tryed to kill Frodo and take his ring. I would like to have an option to slay Hobitt and loot his corpse. I think its perfectly allright with LOTR lore.

LOLOLOL. Im personally SICK of Fantasy MMOs too. However, I give LoTRO a chance because it is Lord of the Rings. Your right though, it might be cool to be a Ring-Wraith.

I played this game since beta on and off and to be honest it does have pretty graphics and all that. But personally it's just not fun for me. Oh and to the guy who wants to start in his homeland (Rohan or Gondor), those zone are not slated to be added till around 2009 (maybe) 2010.. So good luck..

Originally posted by rawgutts

I played this game since beta on and off and to be honest it does have pretty graphics and all that. But personally it's just not fun for me. Oh and to the guy who wants to start in his homeland (Rohan or Gondor), those zone are not slated to be added till around 2009 (maybe) 2010.. So good luck..

From what I heard the first major expansion was due out this year and it was rumored to include Rohan as a new area and mounted combat as well.

Originally posted by mindw0rk

This article is just a compilation of well-known information. We would like to see some exclusive

Exactly

Waiting for Moria, Rohan Gondor and so on since beta. No moria, no more sub.

Originally posted by JagerMichael

From what I heard the first major expansion was due out this year and it was rumored to include Rohan as a new area and mounted combat as well.

I hope your right. Where did you hear this though? Gotta link maybe?

I was told that by a person that keeps up with the dev chats here on MMORPG and a few of the other popular MMO sites. I don't have a link though, sorry.

Here is something for you to check out for lotro..

http://www.visionsofthering.com/expac_timeline.shtml

Pretty cool map. I'd be shocked if they waited another two years before adding some of the most popular areas of lore though.

Originally posted by Thillian

 

Originally posted by vipjerry

Nah Microsoft did AC2 and failed miserably, Turbine just put few last nails into the coffin.

No

 

Turbine made Asheron's call 1&2 as developer and Microsoft did the publishing. At the year 2003 Turbine bought license from Microsoft and got SoE as a publisher for Asheron's Call 2 payed Expansion. The whole AC2 was a game FULL OF SOLO content spammed with tons of quests, with no xp death penalty, simple crafting ... etc. It was a bit bugged WoW nevertheless it was Turbine's Vision many years earlier than was WoW released.

Apart from the solo-friendliness, WoW has absolutely nothing in common with AC.  LOTRO copies FAR more than that from WoW, in a million ways that are not at all like AC.

Yeah I found that a few weeks ago for my buddies that are still playing.. I have no doubt they will be adding a crap load of content in the coming months, but if they were going to add Gondor or Rohan, one would think they would be advertising the hell out of that. But hey it's turbine, you never know what's rolling around. :P

Originally posted by Sovrath

 

Originally posted by Hexxeity

Seems Turbine is copying not just WoW the game, but the entire WoW Vision, right down to the focus on solo play and endgame content.  Too bad.

I play MULTIPLAYER games because I want to group  with other players.  Players are not willing to group if it is just as easy (or easier) to level up alone.  What they should be focusing on is adding incentives to grouping (right now, there are NO incentives).  If people see grouping as a chore, Turbine needs to modify and enhance its grouping tools, not throw out the baby with the bathwater by encouraging more solo play.

I am really getting tired of MMOGs being multiplayer in name only.

 

They are responding to what many in the player base are asking for. Myself included. MMO's are mulit player. But that can manifest itself in many ways. I for one like having other people around and some interaction. But at times I want to be able to sign on, do some things and sign off. Looking for a group takes too long and it can even be a bad group.

grouping is not the only way that people can interact in an online game.

Right now, you can play exactly as you want in LotRO.  There is plenty to do as a solo player.

I, on the other hand, have a really hard time playing the game as a group-oriented player.

I am not asking them to take away solo content ... I am asking for them to enhance group play.

Most important is your statement that "looking for a group takes too long."  It does not have to be that way.  There are games (CoH) where grouping is fast, fun, and easy.  If LotRO made it easier, maybe people like you wouldn't hate it so much.

My guess would be that Gondor and Rohan would be the first expansion pack. I could see that being maybe an end of the year thing with a preview at a game show like E3(or whatever its called now) over the summer.

That's actually a really good site all around. Thanks.

Originally posted by Hexxeity

Originally posted by Thillian

 

Originally posted by vipjerry

Nah Microsoft did AC2 and failed miserably, Turbine just put few last nails into the coffin.

No

 

Turbine made Asheron's call 1&2 as developer and Microsoft did the publishing. At the year 2003 Turbine bought license from Microsoft and got SoE as a publisher for Asheron's Call 2 payed Expansion. The whole AC2 was a game FULL OF SOLO content spammed with tons of quests, with no xp death penalty, simple crafting ... etc. It was a bit bugged WoW nevertheless it was Turbine's Vision many years earlier than was WoW released.

Apart from the solo-friendliness, WoW has absolutely nothing in common with AC.  LOTRO copies FAR more than that from WoW, in a million ways that are not at all like AC.

I WAS talking about Asheron's Call 2 not 1. AC2 was the first MMORPG game heavily focused on solo content with thousands of solo quests. Zones divided by levels. Simple crafting. No xp death penalty. Lotro is actually an Asheron's Call 2 with Tolkien's License. It's the same engine, same interface as AC2. If you have a feeling LOTRO copied WoW interface, then you should check some Asheron's Call 2 screenshots. Because I'm 100% sure you never played it.

Originally posted by JagerMichael

I was told that by a person that keeps up with the dev chats here on MMORPG and a few of the other popular MMO sites. I don't have a link though, sorry.

Thats cool, I cant wait!