Wait, wut? LoTRO F2P. Yes... Lord of the Rings Online goes Free-to-Play

[simonizor]

It is better than nothing for people wanting to play for free but may invite a bot problem or gold spamming problem to the game...

The same company (Turbine) owns Dungeons and Dragons Online, a very similar MMO set in the D&D universe. They did the same thing with D&D Online a while ago, and it's worked out fine. It doesn't have any problems with bots and the like.

 

[lupi]

I mentioned before in a previous MMO thread that I had hope seeing all the "relative" failures since WoW hit it big, that the newer releases should take to a lower per month subscription cost instead of just playing follow the dog. To some degree this is a way of doing that, and the company at one point had LOTRO as the 2nd most played MMO in NA, but that was surpasses by DDO after it went FTP. If LOTRO manages to take 2nd or 3rd after it's FTP releases, I don't think there is a clearer message that people aren't going to wildly toss out $$$ on several MMOs each month and many won't pay for more than one.


Also for those interested in playing in the current retail, Gogamer has the initial release on sale for like $3, a pretty cheap way to try it for a month.

 

[ViviTheMage]

haha, I got in the beta of F2P. It's, uhh, interesting.

 

[spirit120]

One free beta key available. Let's make a quick contest out of it. Tell me why you want it, real or fictional story, I don't care. I will judge/decide tonight.

OMG PLEASE GIVE IT TO ME!!! I PLAYED THE, sorry for caps. I played the trial and it was the greatest experience ever!! i really need this! i dont think i can wait till fall
i will give u a cookie too. that was the real story, but if i should make a fake one to increase my chances i will be more than happy to!

 

[SunnyD]

OMG PLEASE GIVE IT TO ME!!! I PLAYED THE, sorry for caps. I played the trial and it was the greatest experience ever!! i really need this! i dont think i can wait till fall
i will give u a cookie too. that was the real story, but if i should make a fake one to increase my chances i will be more than happy to!

7-11-2010 - No more key.

Right in the OP dude.

 

[flexy]

This is all BS...without reading the article, i am 99,9% positive that "free to play" means you want/need to buy extensions/gear with real money. Most MMORPGs tend to go that route now. Blizzard made millions PER HOUR recently because everyone bought those hideous "sparkle ponies" from their store. G****t mount i have ever seen in WoW, but that's just me.

 

[simonizor]

This is all BS...without reading the article, i am 99,9% positive that "free to play" means you want/need to buy extensions/gear with real money. Most MMORPGs tend to go that route now. Blizzard made millions PER HOUR recently because everyone bought those hideous "sparkle ponies" from their store. G****t mount i have ever seen in WoW, but that's just me.

This is not BS. They have the same model in their other MMO, Dungeons and Dragons Online. Anything that you can buy in the store can be found in game. You can even find points to use to buy stuff in the store in game!

Please have at lease some clue of what you're talking about before you post next time.

 

[heat901]

Eh been playing, got into the beta, at like lvl 10 not really feeling it though....seems like every other fantasy mmo.

 

[lupi]

LOTRO Free to Play Launch Date Announced
Aug 18, 2010 04:00 EST WESTWOOD, MA – August 18, 2010 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today that Turbine’s The Lord of the Rings Online™ (LOTRO) will introduce its innovative new pricing model, allowing players to download the game and play for free and purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new LOTRO Store starting September 10, 2010. Read the full Press Release for more information about the launch of LOTRO Free to Play.

 

[lupi]

ALERT: If you currently have active crafting consignment quests, please cancel or complete these quests before server maintenance begins on Tuesday, Sept 7. These quests (available in Overhill, Silverdeep Mine, Combe Lumber Camp, or Duillond) will no longer be available once Volume III, Book 2 goes live.



anyone know why for the above?

 

[Synesthesia]

Man, I would sign up for this just because of the LOTR connection. What are the general impressions about this game? I've only ever played runescape in terms of MMORPGs, so looking to find another solid, FREE MMORPG. Free as in not fenced out of 80% of the map.

Hang on, you need to buy this before playing?

 

[lupi]

if you want to play now since it doesn't go free for about another week.

 

[ElFenix]

i think there's a free trial, it's a week or two

 

[bactiman]

It would be cheaper to buy MOM from the store now as opposed to buying it from turbine once F2P goes in effect. ~$8 vs ~$25

The expansion comes with 30 days worth of playtime (VIP), even if you go back to F2P after 30 days you would still retain some of the benefits of being VIP.

http://www.amazon.com/Lord-Rings-Min...6&sr=8-2-spell

http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=347917

 

[*kjm]

F2P goes live Sep 8th for people already paying and it will go live Sep 10th for everyone else.

 

[Kalmah]

Been playing this. Enjoying it thoroughly.

 

[ElFenix]

seems they've gotten the initial kinks worked out and breechat isn't as stupid as people thought it might be. lots of newbs around which makes leveling alts a bit more fun