The Lord of the Rings Online
| The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio |
Turbine (formerly) Standing Stone Games (current) |
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| Publisher | Turbine, Inc. Midway Games Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (2010–2016) Daybreak Game Company (2016–) |
||
| Senior Developer | Cardell Kerr (Design Director) | ||
| Erstveröffent- lichung |
 April 24, 2007 April 24, 2007 September 26, 2008 September 30, 2009 October 23, 2009    |
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| platform | Microsoft Windows | ||
| genre | MMORPG | ||
| Subject | Fantasy ( Tolkien's World ) | ||
| Game mode | Multiplayer | ||
| control | mouse | ||
| system advantages preconditions |
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| medium | digital distribution | ||
| language | including German and English | ||
| Age rating |
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The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar , also The Lord of the Rings Online , LOTRO for short (English original title: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar , also The Lord of the Rings Online , LotRO for short) is a massively Multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). The action takes place in JRR Tolkien's fantasy world Middle-earth , at the time of his novel The Lord of the Rings .
That the American development studio Turbine, Inc. developed game was in April 2007 for Windows - PCs released and was initially charged. A first expansion entitled The Mines of Moria was released on November 18, 2008. On December 3, 2009, the next paid expansion called The Siege of Mirkwood in Europe was released. The third expansion, The Rise of Isengard , was released on September 27, 2011. The fourth, The Riders of Rohan , started on October 15, 2012. This was followed by Helms Klamm in 2013 and on August 2, 2017 the current expansion Mordor .
The online game became free on September 10, 2010 in the USA and on November 2, 2010 in Germany.
development
Based on the novels of JRR Tolkien , the game environment Middle-earth was created during the third age, in which the player can experience his own adventures. The game includes areas like Eriador with the Shire , Rivendell and Bree, as well as a few other locations. With the paid expansion The Mines of Moria , Eregion , Moria and Lothlórien were added. The second expansion The Siege of Mirkwood enabled access to Mirkwood including the Dol Guldur Fortress . After the release of the third expansion, The Rise of Isengard , the regions of Dunland, the Gate of Rohan as well as the fortress of Isengard and Nan Cúrunir are accessible. The information for this was taken from the books The Lord of the Rings and The Little Hobbit , but not from the Silmarillion , for which Turbine did not acquire a license. The project also is not based on the films of Peter Jackson , for the company Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment has the game license. As a result, no music from the films is used in the game.
Before developing an online role-playing game in Tolkien's Middle-earth, Vivendi Universal Games acquired the licenses for the books The Little Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings . MEO - Middle Earth Online was chosen as the working title . After the project started in 2001, the development process was slow. That is why the license was transferred to Turbine Entertainment in 2005 . Together with Tolkien Enterprises, this company wanted to realize the game as quickly as possible in line with the model. Due to various problems, the release date has been postponed several times since 2004. Under the title LotRO (Lord of the Rings Online) or in the German localization LOTRO (Lord of the Rings Online), the final sales start was only realized in April 2007.
distribution
The company Codemasters online gaming had until 31 May 2011 for sales and service in Europe responsible. The game was available for purchase through retail and mail order companies as well as through Codemasters' own online platform. After the purchase, there were additional costs for subscriptions that were valid for different periods of time. After switching to a free version, the subscriptions were still available as options. These run from one month to the entire duration of the game (life-time subscription). Initially, the “life-time subscription” was a time-limited offer that was also only available to owners of the pre-order package. Since June 2007 it has been available to future buyers at a much higher price. This offer no longer exists since the switch to the free version.
The distribution of the Moria Mines Extension is operated / coordinated in North America by Warner Bros.
In June 2010 it was announced that the game would be switched to a free-to-play version in autumn 2010, the premium content of which will remain chargeable. After some delay, the game became free in late November 2010.
The free version is based on a shop system and different types of player accounts.
- Free players (Free2Play): Severely curtailed user account. Only 2 character slots available, tasks outside of the starting areas must be bought in the shop, gold limit and various other restrictions
- Premium player: 5 character slots, a slightly higher gold limit, various other minor restrictions
- VIP: full access to all content (still expandable through the shop)
The currency "Turbine Points" is used in the shop. These can be acquired for real money or through various actions within the game.
In April 2011 it was announced that Turbine Inc. would take over the European service of Lord of the Rings Online on June 1, 2011, so that a so-called "Global Service" would arise. This was also implemented as planned from May 31, 2011 to June 2, 2011.
Versions
The Shadows of Angmar (main game)
The main game has been published in six different editions, and it can also be purchased as a download. The dispute arose when the Special and Collector's Editions did not appear in the volume announced before publication. However, some of the originally planned components could be requested retrospectively by the buyers.
- In addition to the game DVD and the manual, the Standard Edition includes 30 days of game time and a voucher for a 7-day demo that can be used to invite another person into the game.
- The Special Edition contains 45 days of game time, a bound manual instead of the normal manual, as well as a map of Angmar, a figure from Mithril Miniatures and a making-of DVD. The characters created with the Special Edition receive the peacekeeper cloak.
- The Collector's Edition comes in book form, limited to 5,000 pieces and numbered. It already includes a lifetime membership that eliminates the monthly fees for playing. In addition to the contents of the special edition, there is a letter from Jeffrey Steefel and a CD with the game soundtrack in the box. The cloak of calm thoughts is included as an exclusive in-game item.
- The Gold Edition , which was released later, contains 45 days of game time and 4 in-game items: the Bree horse, the horseshoe of fate, five candles of hope and a doormat for the players' accommodation.
- The Anniversary Edition contains all content updates up to Book 13 and otherwise has the same content as the Gold Edition.
- The " Mithril Edition " is the last version of the main game to be released on DVD and contains the steed of the horse masters and the quests for the path of the companions as a bonus.
The Mines of Moria (Expansion)
With the expansion "The Mines of Moria" the maximum level has been increased from level 50 to 60. In addition, two new classes have been made available: The Guardian and the Rune Keeper.
The mines of Moria appeared in Germany on November 18, 2008 in three versions:
- The Standard Edition contains the expansion DVD and a bonus game item.
- In addition to the expansion, the Compendium Edition also includes the main game, 30 days of free game time and two bonus items.
- In addition to the expansion, the Special Edition also contains the main game, as well as 60 days of free playing time, an elven brooch, a ring, the soundtrack of the expansion on CD, a map of Moria and three bonus game items.
Since April 30, 2009, the expansion has also been available in conjunction with a 60-day game time card at a lower price than buying mines from Moria and Gametimecard individually.
New since The Mines of Moria :
- Maximum level increased to 60.
- New area The mines of Moria and Lothlórien .
- Introduction of legendary items.
- Lots of new tasks.
- New instances (in Moria)
- Two new classes: rune keeper and keeper
The Siege of Mirkwood (Expansion)
The second expansion, The Siege of Mirkwood , was released in Europe on December 3, 2009 as a paid download and is not available in retail stores. Two versions are available for this extension.
- The Standard Edition contains all the content of the extension.
- The Special Edition contains all the contents of the expansion as well as the adventurer's bundle (two additional character fields and a common storage room for all characters of a player on the same server).
Also available is the so-called LOTRO three-pack , which is also available in two versions. In addition to the same content as the two versions of the normal expansion, these also contain the base game The Shadows of Angmar and the first expansion, The Mines of Moria .
New since Siege of Mirkwood :
- New area The southern Mirkwood
- The maximum level is increased by 5 levels to 65.
- New instances for 3, 6 and 12 players.
- Fight against Khamul, Lieutenant of Dol Guldur and mighty Ringwraith.
- Repeatable skirmishes in instances in which each player has a henchman who can be upgraded in appearance, skills and level.
The rise of Isengard (expansion)
As the third expansion, The Rise of Isengard is the first part of the game, which is only developed and operated by Turbine.
The extension was published on September 27, 2011 and is only available as a download extension. The new features of The Rise of Isengard include:
- Level up to level 75
- new areas with a total of over 400 quests (divided into 3 quest packs)
- Increased the maximum level for traits to level 12
- Revision of the crafting system, which now extends to level 7
One of the highlights of this expansion is represented by the Gate of Rohan, which the player can enter.
On March 12, 2012, Update 6 (free for VIPs) called “Banks of the Great River” was released. Here the epic story is advanced and a new area south of Lothlorien was added.
The Riders of Rohan (Expansion)
The fourth expansion is The Riders of Rohan , which, like The Rise of Isengard , is managed by Turbine.
The extension should be available from September 5, 2012, but was due to
"Ensuring our qualitative standards"
postponed to October 15, 2012.
The following innovations are included:
- Level up to 85
- new companion: the war horse (increases through experience points up to level 50)
- Fight on horseback (now you can fight from the horse of your new companion)
- new areas: The plains of Rohan (consisting of the steppe, the Ostwall, the Entwassertal, the Norhofen and the Suthofen)
- Revision of the crafting system, which now extends to level 8
- In 2013 there was the Snow of the Wildermark Update, it brought the area "The Wildermark" as well as quests and another epic book in the area.
Helm's Deep (expansion)
In April 2013, the fifth expansion Helms Klamm ( Helm's Deep ) was announced, which was released on November 20, 2013.
The following innovations are included:
- Level up to 95
- Introduction of a new skill system
- Battle for Helm's Deep
- new / updated skills (conventional and mounted)
- new area: West Rohan
- Continuation of the epic story
- Revision of the crafting system, which now extends to level 9
Mordor (expansion)
The sixth expansion Mordor was released on August 2nd, 2017 .
Minas Morgul (extension)
The seventh expansion Minas Morgul with Update 25 was released on November 5th, 2019.
The following content is included:
- 2 new areas: "The Morgul Valley" and the "Besieged Mordor"
- Increase the maximum level to 130
- New Race: Stark Ax Dwarfs
- The craft guilds have been revised
- New Shelter Raid
- 7 new instances
The game
technology
The game client, which was previously only available for Microsoft Windows and is based on a proprietary 3D engine from 'Turbine', has also been available for download for Mac OS since November 2012. The engine requires at least a DirectX 9.0c capable graphics card. The engine was expanded to DirectX 10 in a later update, and in 2010 new water effects were added with the support of DirectX 11. The user interface is customizable, the scriptable Lua interface (which is also used in World of Warcraft ) was implemented in autumn 2010.
Gameplay
As is usual in most MMORPGs , the point of the game is to explore the virtual world with a character (the avatar ) you create yourself at the beginning of the game , while accepting and completing orders from non-player characters . Through these activities and victorious battles, the character receives experience points. With a certain amount of experience points the character moves up to the next level . With every second level up new combat skills are unlocked for the character. In addition to reaching the maximum level, collecting items , exploring the game world, forming player associations (so-called clans ), learning professions and buying and setting up player houses are other possible game goals. In addition to various collecting quests, a main quest (the epic quests) leads through the entire game. Above all, it enables the player to experience the journey of the companions to Lothlorien - and then on to Rohan.
Races
The following races can be played: Hobbits , Elves , Humans , Dwarfs , Beornings and, since the Mordor update, also High Elves . These are the peoples of Middle-earth who fight side by side against the dark forces of Sauron in the Tolkien universe . Because the game is linked to the original book (at least in essential areas), starting areas, appearance and characteristics of the races are selected differently. So start the hobbits and the people in the area around the city of Bree and the dwarves in a mountainous landscape at Thorin's gate . The elves also begin in the area around Thorin's gate , but the paths of the dwarves and elves, like those of the hobbits and humans, share in the further course of the game.
Classes
At the beginning the player can choose between the following classes:
- Rogue - a secret sneak who attacks his enemies from behind the scenes, weakens the enemy through attacks and can also trigger companion maneuvers.
- Hunter - a typical ranged fighter who has mastered the handling of a bow and crossbow.
- Armorer - a class that can deal tremendous melee damage and wears heavy armor.
- Guardian - he attracts the attention of opponents and withstands them with heavy armor and large shield so that his more armored companions take less damage.
- Knowledgeable - supports the companions with all kinds of useful skills such as buffs , weakening spells against enemies and healing; can also talk to animals who will willingly follow him into battle.
- Bard - one of the healing classes in the game, which can also be played as a damage class.
- Captain - he supports the group by encouraging the companions and worsening the resistances of the opponents.
- Guardian - a class that wears medium armor and shields, attracts the attention of enemies and protects the group, and uses javelins. Guardians use powerful attack combinations in close combat, so-called "gambits", which are combined from the three basic attacks of the guardian.
- Rune keeper - a class that uses the forces of nature to heal companions or damage enemies with nature spells.
- Beorninger - a class that can fight as a human and as a bear and weaken enemies or heal and support their companions.
The choice of a class for an avatar is limited by the choice of the people.
As usual for MMORPGs, the classes are expansion-dependent - they can only be played by players who are in possession of the respective expansion.
| race | Villain | Hunter | gunsmith | Guardian | Knowledgeable | bard | Captain | guardian | Rune keeper | Beorninger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| human | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||
| Dwarfs | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
| Hobbits | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
| Elves | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Beorninger | X | |||||||||
| High elves | X | X | X | X | X | |||||
| Stark ax dwarfs | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Vocations / professions
Each character can exercise specific vocations in the game , which in turn consist of three professions . The skills in the individual professions can be increased by exercising them. This so-called crafting makes it possible to mine raw materials in the game yourself and to process them into objects (depending on the profession).
| vocation | Professions (three each) |
|---|---|
| Explorer | (Tailor, prospector, forester) |
| Passed pawn | (Cook, farmer, tailor) |
| historian | (Scholar, farmer, armorer) |
| Tinker | (Cook, prospector, goldsmith) |
| Armorer | (Prospector, blacksmith, tailor) |
| Arms maker | (Armorer, turner, prospector) |
| Forest ranger | (Wood turner, forester, farmer) |
Instances
Corresponding instances for a group of 3 people (small group of companions) and 6 people (large group of companions) are available for different character levels. These instances are self-contained "small worlds". The large groups are preferably formed from a healer (bard, rune keeper), a tank (guardian, guardian) and 4 other damage dealers and supporters.
Raids
Larger instances are also available for groups of 12 and 24 people. The raids represent the highest level of difficulty, whereby a distinction can still be made between easy ("Tier 1") and difficult ("Tier 2"). Instances that are mastered on tier 2 also have a so-called "hard mode", an additional level of difficulty. This can be very different: from defeating the final boss within a certain time to more complicated hard modes. If you master these together, further rewards are available for the raid.
Other game functions
Clans
It is possible to found clans in the game . Clans are also often referred to as guilds in other games . These are formed from different motives, but mostly to complete quests together or e.g. B. to explore the existing instances. Clans can also maintain a clan house (see topic Housing ).
You can set up a clan that is only intended for a certain race, but also a clan for mixed races. However, this only affects z. B. the titles of clan leaders, officers and members. So it is quite possible as a human to found a dwarf clan, which elves can then also join.
A clan can be founded alone, but the clan will be deleted if the clan does not have 8 members within a certain period of time. This restriction should counteract the "1-man-guilds" known from other MMORPGs, since you could create a maximum of 7 characters with one account and therefore need at least one additional player to keep the clan. With the introduction of the shop, the character limit can be increased. However, the invitee and the invitee must be online at the same time, so that a clan from just one account with 8 characters cannot be founded.
Housing
Housing was introduced in the game with the book 11 expansion . Players can purchase a virtual house in one of four settlements in the game world. This can be decorated with furnishings such as furniture or trophies and made available to other players.
There are three types of houses. Standard and luxury houses can be purchased normally by players, although only one house is allowed per account. For clans there are also clan houses that can only be acquired by clans. The size of the house varies and you only have limited space for your own items. A rent is set for the houses, which can be paid weekly in game currency - even in advance.
Monster Play (PvMP)
The monster play , also known as P layer v ersus M onster P layer (short: PvMP), offers the possibility to play figures from the opposite side, such as orcs , spiders or wargs , which start immediately with the highest level. However, this is limited to a certain area ( Ettenmoors ). Well-known PvP ( player versus player ) is possible in the form of duels, but does not bring any particular benefit, such as a reward for many battles won or a ranking. PvMP was introduced as a compromise in order to be able to do justice to the Tolkien license: the free peoples do not fight against each other, but together against the powers of Sauron. So the majority of players are waiting for a PvP expansion.
Transport system
In order to move the character around in the game world, there is the possibility of reaching far away places via virtual chargeable transport.
Every player can purchase horses from level 5 for in-game currency, which offer a faster speed. Most cities and towns have stable masters who take you to other locations for in-game currency using fast or slow travel.
Depending on the race and class, so-called "ports" can be learned in the course of the game. These enable each character to return to prominent points in the game world (Bree, Bruchtal, Esteldin, etc.). From the transition from the intro to the correct game world, each character has the ability to bind to fixed points, so-called landmarks, and to return to them if necessary. The bond to this landmark remains until the player binds to another landmark. The best class for fast travel is the hunter. In the course of the game he learns ports in almost every relevant region and can also take the companions in his group of players with him. The captain can rally his companions around him with a horn. The guard has an acorn pipe in his inventory, which he can send to a fellow player via virtual mail. He can then call the guard to his side by using the whistle. Similar to the hunter, the guardian can teleport to different locations, but he can only travel alone.
reviews
The main game The Shadows of Angmar received mostly positive reviews from computer magazines:
- PC Action : 87%
- PC PowerPlay : 87%
- GameStar : 86%
- PC Games : 85%
- 4Players : 85%
Individual evidence
- ↑ http://www.computerbild.de/produkte/Spiele-PC-Der-Herr-der-Ringe-Online-Die-Minen-von-Moria-Add-on-2436856.html
- ↑ http://isengard.lotro.com/
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/2365-letter-from-the-producer-riders-of-rohan-update?lang=DE
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/news/pressreleases/782 ( Memento from August 20, 2010 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ - ( Memento of the original from November 11, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ tolkien-ent.com ( Memento from July 17, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ gamezone.de
- ↑ gamecity.ch ( Memento from December 2, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from July 3, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/article/570 ( Memento from September 23, 2008 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ http://signup.lotro.com/lotro.php?ftui=LOTROWeathertopHC&cl=25&hf=0&abrs=765_1356066850&interstitial=true
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/news/latestnews/1157 ( Memento from November 5, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ http://isengard.lotro.com/index.php
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/1808-update-6-entwicklertagebuch-der-grosse-fluss
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/news/pressreleases/1736-warner-bros-interactive-entertainment-and-turbine-unveil-the-lord-of-the-rings-online-riders-of-rohan/2081 -the-lord-of-the-rings-online-rider-of-rohan-will-be-published-on-september-5th-2012
- ↑ http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/devdiaries/2365-letter-from-the-producer-riders-of-rohan-update?lang=DE
- ↑ WARNER BROTHERS INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND TURBINE ANNOUNCE "THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE ™: HELMS KLAMM ™". In: The Lord of the Rings Online. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc., April 24, 2013, accessed April 25, 2013 .
- ↑ Release Notes for Update 25. Retrieved January 14, 2020 .
- ↑ http://www.gamestar.de/spiele/der-herr-der-ringe-online-schatten-von-angmar/artikel/der_herr_der_ringe_online,43263,2319007.html
- ↑ http://www.buffed.de/Der-Herr-der-Ringe-Online-Die-Schatten-von-Angmar-PC-34802/Specials/Der-Herr-der-Ringe-Online-Addon-Plugins-Grundlagen -and-addon-recommendations-800417
- ↑ pcgamesdatabase.de
