[QUOTE][B][U]Announcing The Lord of the Rings Online's Move to Free-to-Play![/U][/B]
Today is an important day for LOTRO: we’ve announced that this fall, LOTRO will begin offering a Free-to-Play option! Players will be able to download the game and adventure in Middle-earth for free. With Free-to-Play comes the addition of the LOTRO Store, where players will have immediate in-game access to a wide variety of special items, account services, and convenience items.
The best part is – as existing subscribers you’re automatically enrolled in our VIP program! As a VIP you’ll continue to get unlimited access to the game and all of the content you already enjoy, in addition to some extra perks! We know you’re curious how all of this will work and what it all means for you personally, so here are some handy links to all of the details:
* Official LOTRO Free-to-Play Press Release
* A letter from Kate Paiz, Executive Producer LOTRO
* FAQ
* VIP Chart
Still have questions? Here’s a quick FAQ about the key points of LOTRO Free-to-Play:
Is this the same model you used with DDO?
It’s very similar in a large number of ways. The basic structure is the same with some changes made to support LOTRO’s different game world and wide-open environment. Customer levels, the LOTRO Store, and other aspects of LOTRO Free-to-Play are all very similar to those of Dungeons and Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™.
I already subscribe to LOTRO. Is there any benefit to staying a subscriber?
Of course! Once the game goes live you’ll keep all your current privileges, and also accrue 500 free Turbine Points per month to spend as you wish. We also have a set of Loyalty Reward Special Offers just for our veteran players – as long as you maintain your subscription in good standing you may be eligible for up to 3,000 points. If you stay active over the summer you will also earn an additional bonus of 500 Turbine Points per month until launch! For more details see the Loyalty Reward Special Offer Terms & Conditions for full details.
I have a lifetime subscription to LOTRO. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
As a lifetime subscriber to LOTRO, you will keep all of your membership privileges and are automatically upgraded to VIP status. You will receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month like the other VIPs, but you do not have to pay a monthly fee since you are a lifetime member. All you have to do is keep playing the game and visit the LOTRO Store to spend your free Turbine Points. Lifetime members may also qualify for a special one-time Loyalty Reward of 1,000 Turbine Points. See the Loyalty Reward Special Offer Terms & Conditions for full details.
I am a LOTRO Founder. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
As a LOTRO Founder, you automatically become a VIP and will keep all of your membership privileges as long as you pay your monthly fee. You will automatically receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month and you can spend them at your leisure in the LOTRO Store. Founding members may also qualify for a special one-time Loyalty Reward of 500 Turbine Points. See the Loyalty Reward Special Offer Terms & Conditions for full details.
Will there be a Free-to-Play Beta and when will it start?
Yes! The Beta will start in the very near future. We’ll begin accepting signups immediately at [url]www.lotro.com/betasignup[/url]!
I’m a new or returning player. How do I sign up for Beta?
Start by registering at [url]www.lotro.com/betasignup[/url]. We’ll select entrants from that list once beta starts.
I’m an existing customer. How do I sign up for the Beta?
Existing subscribers do not need to register to apply for the beta – we’ll randomly invite subscribers who have been active in the last 30 days and have an account in good standing throughout the beta. If you wish to register at [url]www.lotro.com/betasignup[/url] that will count as an extra entry and may increase your chance of being selected for participation.
Is there any way to increase my chance of getting into the beta?
Sure! Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook! We’ll give out special beta entry codes to our fans via social media - so give yourself the best chance of getting in and make sure to keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates.
Are we under NDA during the beta?
Yes. What happens in beta stays in beta! Once you receive your invitation and apply your beta key to your account, you will have access to the private beta forums. This is the only place to discuss anything you see or do in beta. Remember, the first rule of beta is you do not talk about beta!
What can I still talk about on the public forums?
Our NDA specifies that no materials related to the beta (including updates, gameplay or user interface) may be discussed or posted without Turbine's express permission. The NDA remains in effect whether you remain in the program, or the program ends.
When does LOTRO F2P go live?
Free-to-Play will go live when Volume 3, Book 2 releases this fall.
Is Free-to-Play the only thing to look forward to for Volume 3, Book2?
No! Volume 3, Book 2 will continue the Volume 3 Epic Story as the Rangers head south. An all new area, Enedwaith, will be available as well as some exciting new features and many updates to the game including DX11 support! We’ll have more information about Volume 3, Book 2 as we approach launch. Keep an eye out for Developer Diaries and other information throughout the summer!
I still have questions. Where can I ask them?
If you still have questions after reading the full FAQ, please use the LOTRO Free-to-Play discussion forum for questions and comments!
We’re very excited about LOTRO’s move to Free-to-Play and we can’t wait for you to see all the incredible changes the team has already made to the game. Make sure you read Executive Producer Kate Paiz’s letter to the community for some great information on where LOTRO is going![/QUOTE]
[URL=http://www.lotro.com/news/709-announcing-the-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-move-to-free-to-play]Source[/url]
So it's not free just yet, and won't until the end of year but after playing this in the past I think this will be great. It'll be like DDO and have special content for people who subscribe and a store to pay for items and such in. Until then you can always make an application for the free to play beta and be ready for when it goes live right [URL=http://www.lotro.com/betasignup/]here.[/url]
Wow. Popular MMOs need to make their games free sooner or later. Example: WoW is so popular that they got like 10000 dollars per week, or something like that! Making that game free won't hurt them, or anything.
[QUOTE=Neo222;22371791]Wow. Popular MMOs need to make their games free sooner or later. Example: WoW is so popular that they got like 10000 dollars per week, or something like that! Making that game free won't hurt them, or anything.[/QUOTE]
Well the case with wow is that they're making millions with the current pay system, so i don't really see a reason why they would make it free.
I expect an incoming rage of subscribers because of the item shop
[QUOTE=cheezey;22375388]I expect an incoming rage of subscribers because of the item shop[/QUOTE]
You are fucking right! This is total bullshit!
[editline]08:38PM[/editline]
Just re-read it and noticed that existing subscribers are rolled in the VIP which is good.
item shop
lol
I'm a subscriber, tried to post a question thread in the discussion forum for it and it got locked because I implied that Turbine is dragging their customer's through the mud without so much has "how do you do" and some faggot locked it.
It was decent in the trial, should be good
Sounds awesome, I tried the beta and it was pretty fun.
[QUOTE=Petrussen;22377860]item shop
lol[/QUOTE]
Not items. You can't buy armours/weapons and the like. It's more in the style of cosmetics and maybe even housing.
I'm guessing this game has items that you can show over as an appearance, like Everquest. I'm guessing that is what might be in the "item shop".
Haha, Oh fucking wow, this is great! VERY GREAT! an excellent MMORPG! with decent people and a roleplaying base.
COuld someone tell me about this? how does it play? what Classes and Races?
I'm lazy to read a wiki for this.
[QUOTE=ZuXer;22392020]COuld someone tell me about this? how does it play? what Classes and Races?
I'm lazy to read a wiki for this.[/QUOTE]
You're too lazy to deserve somebody to explain it to you then.
I was just thinking I should get this game the other day when I finished re-reading LOTR, this is awesome news!
[QUOTE=Neo222;22371791]Wow. Popular MMOs need to make their games free sooner or later. Example: WoW is so popular that they got like 10000 dollars per week, or something like that! Making that game free won't hurt them, or anything.[/QUOTE]
On the other hand they make shitload of money so why stop. Also maintaining all the servers for the game might suck some part of the sum.
[QUOTE=ZuXer;22392020]COuld someone tell me about this? how does it play? what Classes and Races?
I'm lazy to read a wiki for this.[/QUOTE]
Look up some videos, one or two will help you out.
So basically they make it like DDO. Except DDO sucked, because everything was instanced and shit.
However, DDO became "DDO: Eberron Unlimited" in US territories. In Europe, it's published by Codemasters, it is still known as "DDO: Stormreach" and a subscription is required to play.
Codemasters also publish LotRO in Europe. I'm afraid there' won't be any free to play LotRO in the Old World.
[QUOTE=zugu;22437172]So basically they make it like DDO. Except DDO sucked, because everything was instanced and shit.
However, DDO became "DDO: Eberron Unlimited" in US territories. In Europe, it's published by Codemasters, it is still known as "DDO: Stormreach" and a subscription is required to play.
Codemasters also publish LotRO in Europe. I'm afraid there' won't be any free to play LotRO in the Old World.[/QUOTE]
im afraid there will be because im in europe and play ddo for free
/your post
[QUOTE=Anteep1;22437269]im afraid there will be because im in europe and play ddo for free
/your post[/QUOTE]Last time I tried to make an account from Europe they wouldn't let me.
well i am not from mainland europe, i am in the UK, sometimes we are not referred to as europe
How's the item variety in this game? How important are items?
This is great, I might actually start playing again.
I heard that it's not really FREE. Only to a certain level.
I could be wrong, but this sounds like something you'd do to get more players and then smack a price tag on the product.
[QUOTE=Keyblockor;22391398]Haha, Oh fucking wow, this is great! VERY GREAT! an excellent MMORPG! with decent people and a roleplaying base.[/QUOTE]
We might have seen the last of the mature, respectable role-playing community when it goes free...
Lets hope not though :3
[QUOTE=Hullu V3;22482468]I heard that it's not really FREE. Only to a certain level.
I could be wrong, but this sounds like something you'd do to get more players and then smack a price tag on the product.[/QUOTE]
As far as I know it's free until 50. Max level is only 65 normally though so it's not actually that bad. Better than nothing I guess? Besides, I find it quite difficult to level :ohdear: I think quite a few people do ^^ It's just like playing without the expansions except free ;D
Maplestory?
I tried to get back into it but I forgot my friggin login stuff, I can't even remember what e-mail account it was bound to. (yes I have several)
The recovery thing is retarded, so fuck this game.
I'm going to get back into it before F2P comes out so that I can join in on the ant-F2P player elitism when it's released :smug:
[QUOTE=Dashiel;22519534]I'm going to get back into it before F2P comes out so that I can join in on the ant-F2P player elitism when it's released :smug:[/QUOTE]
I'm thinking of doing this too.
I'm willing to try out this game because of it.
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