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Those who make the claim that PC gaming is dying or already dead might want to take a look at some new numbers that the NPD Group have released. The value of online subscriptions in the US from games like World of Warcraft exceed even Dr. Evil’s fantasies, to the tune of more than $1 billion a year. This number is based on data gathered from October 2007 to March 2008, which also reveals that 11 million people subscribe to online games every month.

“Now that NPD can estimate the value of the subscription market, it’s clear that there is a sizable chunk of revenue being generated by PC gaming beyond what is reflected in retail sales,” said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. Certainly, this bodes well for the PC gaming community and developers who remain interested in the platform. But, success doesn’t come easy; looking at the top PC MMOs in terms of subscribers in Q1 2008 show that there’s some extremely stiff competition at the top.

MMO/PC Games:

1. World of Warcraft
2. RuneScape
3. Lord of the Rings Online
4. Final Fantasy XI
5. City of Heroes

Gaming Websites:

1. Pogo.com
2. Realarcade.com
3. Bigfishgames.com
4. Gametap.com
5. Disney.com

Demographics were another area that was looked at by NPD, which show that MMO players are primarily males under the age of 35, while the majority of those on gaming websites like Pogo are females over the age of 35.

The problem with tapping this market, of course, is the significant investment it takes to even attempt to become a successful MMO. Coupled with the high risk of failure, it’s not likely that you’ll see every developer around trying to tap this market — at least not at this point.

via GI.biz

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Turbine and Codemasters Online have announced the launch of “Swig and Toss”, the second mini-game for the Unlock the Mines of Moria website. Registered participants can challenge themselves and their friends to earn special deeds that unlock unique rewards including exclusive videos, images, and in-game items that will aid them on their journey when The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria launches this fall.Swig and Toss is an axe throwing competition with a bit of drinking and wagering to make things more interesting! In this 10-round game, players try to keep a steady aim while attempting to hit a target with their axe. Hit the mark and win, miss and hear the Dwarves around you scoff at your lack of skill. The more you drink, the more you can wager, but be warned - the more you drink, the blurrier things get and it is harder to see the target.

It is loads of fun, but I am afraid that I am not too good at drinking games so I will one of the few who do not get to unlock any special items when the expansion is released. Hopefully, these items will not be “bind on acquire” and I can purchase them at my Kin’s auction house.

Via: Press Release

When Pandemic announced back in February that they would be developing the next console version of a Lord of the Rings Game, I was pretty excited. Despite the fact that they are under the umbrella of the evil EA overlords is no matter because Pandemic make great games. Add to this the news that the new LotR title would be like Battlefront but with orcs was even more enticing information, and recently the director for the game Eric Gewirtz revealed even more information for the upcoming title.

Apparently, gamers will be able to choose from different battles from the film such as Helm’s Deep, Pelennor Fields, Minas Tirith, The Black Gates, along with other skirmish areas such as Moria, The Shire and Weathertop. The cool thing about it though is that according to Gewirtz, you get to play play as a bad guy as well and can start “running through The Shire, trampling Hobbits and burning the place to the ground”. Awesome! Death to those nasty little hobbitses. Some other battles or skirmishes that were not featured in the movies will be added as well, these will be from both the books and made up by the writers for the game but will remain true to Tolkien’s lore.

Also according to Gewirtz:

“We’ve focused equal parts on the good perspective and the idea of re-creating cinematic moments from the films — not faithfully so much, but just kind of allowing the player to experience moments that are like the films — but also really, for the first time, letting you get the chance to play as all of the bad guys. Play as the Balrog, play as Sauron and Sarumon, and really kind of live out that fantasy fulfillment of “what would it be like to really just destroy Middle-Earth? What if evil had won?”

During battles, players will be able to choose between fighting as a melee warrior, third-person archer, support class mage or stealth scout and will be given access to key characters from the film and books like Aragorn, Gandalf, and Legolas. Gewirtz also went on to discuss the different modes to choose from, such as Ringwraiths and all other kinds of really interesting tidbits that I just cannot fit in this post.

To read more of the interview, and to get the rest of the scoop on the game, just hit the link below. In the meantime, you can expect Lord of the Rings: Conquest to hit retail sometime in the Fall for the PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. You can read the full press release issued this morning after the jump.

Thanks: Videogaming247

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Craig Alexander, Turbine’s Vice President of Product Development took time to talk with MMORPG about Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar. The interview covers Book 13: Doom of the Last King, but also reveals details on the first true expansion for LotRO; Mines of Moria.

Book 13 introduces the frozen land of Forochel in Northern Eriador. Like the Misty Mountains, the area has an arctic climate which brings a new facet of PvE to players, who will have to keep themselves warm.

The Mines of Moria is a vast underground environment that required the developers deal with it in a whole new way. It will be a labyrinth of tunnels as big as Bree or the Shire. They’re using a duel height map technique to create the ground as normal. However, what would be sky outside is the ceiling in Moria. It’s a very simplified explaination, but it does allow them to create this vast underground environment without loosing detail or creating performance issues.

Moria will also feature a more intelligent game AI, dynamic lighting and player lights. Look for more on Moria in the next few months.

via MMORPG

Turbine’s Jeffrey Steefel talked with Eurogamer recently about the new Book 13: Doom of the Last-King content for The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar. He also gives players a glimpse into the future of LotRO including Tolkien lore used to create content and possible directions for PvP.

One of the big changes for LotRO in Book 13 was the introduction of hobbies, starting with fishing. Steefel hints that more are to come. The next non combat past time in the works is painting, which would allow players to create works of art to sell give or decorate their home. Having heard some very intricate uses of the music system to create some incredible live performances, I can imagine that painting could capture the imagination of many a Tolkien fan.

As for Monster Play, as characters and the story cross the Misty Mountains, those who wish to engage in PvP will find more opportunities as the war heats up. As you can imagine, Helm’s Deep, Minas Tirith and even the Ents’ assault on Isengard will all give players the chance to throw themselves into the fray.

Anyone who plays LotRO or is interested in the game should check this interview out. It covers virgin territory and will give players a good feel for the direction the MMO is headed over the next few years.

via Eurogamer

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is officially one year old and while this news is indeed wonderful, my only regret is that I did not started playing the game sooner.

To celebrate, Turbine has announced an anniversary pricing promotion that is sure to make any Champion, Hunter, or Minstrel happy as a dragon sitting on his horde of gold. Here is the list of amazing subscription deals culled from the website - these special pricing deals are only good until June 1st so if you want in on them, act now:

The Lord of the Rings Online anniversary promotion lets new and existing subscribers play for only $9.99 a month when they sign up for three months or more of service!

* 3 Month plans are $29.97 (Save 33%)
* 6 Month plans are $57.99 (Save 35%)
* 12 Month plans are $112.99 (Save 37%)

And for the first time since launch, we’re re-opening access to our LOTRO Lifetime Membership for only $199! Single-month subscriptions remain at $14.99. Promotional offers subject to certain terms and conditions.

In other LotRO news, Book 13: Doom of the Last-king is now live - so next time you log in you should get the full update. The new content includes a new, cold, and icy region in Forochel, a new class in Monster Play-The Orc Defiler, new Hobbies - like fishing, and a new faction in the Lossoth. New creatures have also been added to impede your progress through the new region - and thankfully I have not seen any screenshots of boar, but ya never know.

You can find out more about the new pricing program when you click through the links above. As always, for more information on LotRO or Book 13: Doom of the Last-king, check out our previous posts.

Happy Birthday LotRO!

MORE NEW SCREENS

Back in February it was announced during the EA shareholder’s meeting that Pandemic would be working on a new Lord of the Rings game and according to a Videogaming247 source we can expect the game to be similar in gameplay to Star Wars: Battlefront.

It was described as “Battlefront with orcs” with multiplayer figuring prominently in the Tolkien based game. The new LotR  game is  slated to be released on the PS3 and Xbox 360 sometime during the publisher’s fiscal year which is between now and March 31, 2009. Talk about a huge time frame.

I am sure we will hear more about this in July when Gaming Today descends upon E3 2008.

Thanks: Videogaming247

Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is about to give monster play its very own healer, the Orc Defiler. Chapter 13: Doom of the Last-King will bring these fell servants to the conflict in the Ettenmores.

“All right, maggots! Mordírith’s grown tired of you whining wretches and sent us Defilers from the sulfur swamps and wastes of Angmar to plug your bleedin’ wounds and make those lily-loving Free People suffer! All your belly-achin’ and screamin’ finally yielded somethin’ other than my whip! Well, maggots, that make me angrier than ever — I’ll not spare the lash from any of you spineless curs for any longer!

“We’re at war here in the Ettenmoors and that means you fight and die for Angmar… When you bleed, they’ll see your wounds closed…if…you decide to whine and cower they’ll let me know and then you’ll feel the sting of my whip on your back shortly before they turn their talents to bringing about the greatest pain you have ever known…maggots!”

This creature is both healer of the wounded and torturer of the reluctant to enter into battle. The Defiler will be able to deal some rather nasty splash damage with its gourd as well as using natural slimes and fungi to heal the dark lord’s forces. The class also has the ability to call down curses on opponents. This new monster class is sure to radically change monster play, making for much more interesting PvMP.

via The Lord of the Rings Online 

Turbine has released a spotlight on the latest update for The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, Chapter 13: Doom of the Last King. Chapter 13 has a lot more than just fishing to offer players. There is a new region for high-level players called Forochel. There’s also something for monster play lovers; a new healer class the Orc Defiler. There are also improvements to the LFF/Social Panel that should make it even easier to find a group for those fellowship quests. New rules for “Frost” damage and mitigation will be added as well.

Aside from wholly new additions to the game., Chapter 13 also adds tweaks to Annúminas and avatar animation. Get more details on Chapter 13: Doom of the Last King on The Lord of the Rings Online.

Many Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar players are already looking forward to the upcoming Chapter 13 update. I know I am excited by the new zones I may one day see but one of the biggest reasons is that Turbine is finally introducing Hobbies in LotRO. The first hobby? Fishing.

Players can get trained in the art of fish and tackle from Hobby masters in one of these four areas:

• Bree-town (Scholar’s Stair Archives)
• Michel Delving (Bird and Baby Inn)
• Ered Luin (Thorin’s Halls)
• Rivendell (Hall of Fire)

Once you’ve got your pole, you can go fishing in any area you find water. After you get the hang of it and build some skill, you can add bait to your hook to attract the more illusive fish. Sell your catch, cook it in one of the new fish recipes or have it stuffed for mounting on your wall. I’m not a fan of fishing in real life, more the waiting and drinking beer part of that but surprisingly I’ve spent hours fishing in other games like Zelda and WoW. Maybe it’s the loot.. if only there were purple loot drops in real life I might find fishing more fun.

Get the full details on The Lord of the Rings Online.

Turbine has just released a batch of screenshots for Book 13: Doom of the Last-King, the next free content update for The Lord of the Rings Online.The screenshots illustrate “Forochel”, a new region which lies in the far, frozen north of Eriador, to be added to the game with Book 13. Forochel lets players see the ocean for the first time and introduces several new temperature based landscape effects.

Forochel will also introduce six new monster types which include moose, winter-worms, and Gauredain war-mammoths and from the looks of the screens yeti-type creatures and big, white saber-toothed cats. Great, more kitty cats to kill. I am sure there will be more wargs to slaughter too, well, I hope so anyway, I loathe those annoying things.

Check back for more information on Book 13: Doom of the Last-King as it get closers to launch.

The folks over at Turbine are not only the creators of a fun, high-quality MMO, but they are also just a fun bunch of people. Today they announced that the updated version of the first mini-game “King Under the Mountain”, for the new LotRO expansion Mines of Moria.

The Dwarves have finished their work and the Unlock the Mines of Moria site is now complete!

An updated version of the first mini-game, King Under the Mountain, has been added to the site. There are three Deeds for you to earn by playing this game. We won’t say what they are, but you’ll find them if you are persistent enough.

Earn all three Deeds and you’ll gain access to a sneak peek at material related to the Mines of Moria expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online.

In all, there will be 13 Deeds that allow you to unlock 5 Stars on the Moria gate. Not all Deeds will be available right away, so check back often to discover the latest Deeds! Once you have earned all of the remaining Deeds and all 5 Stars are lit, you’ll receive a special in-game item for The Lord of the Rings Online.

Here’s hoping that the game specific item will be something to torture wargs, goblins, and trolls with - man I hate those things.

In the new mini-game, there is a map with different colored areas. You pick a color, choose an opposing color next to you and roll an 8-sided dice. Whichever area rolls the highest number gets to take over that territory. Areas show one to three dice (eight being the limit) so when choosing an area to conquer, make sure you have more or the same amount of dice as they do, because each dice equals one roll and they all add up. Right now, I am playing against the computer and it is kicking my ass, so the likelihood of me unlocking anything, let alone the Mines of Moria will be a miracle.

Thanks: MMORPG

Turbine has put out an article on the Developers Corner featuring Book 13: Doom of the Last-king content for Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar. This developer diary specifically covers the Forochel area and soloing in the new chapter.

Most of the new Epic quests will be soloable although players will still have to band together for a few of them. The Bay of Forochel is geared towards solo players from level 44 through 50.

Forochel is a highly contested area which contains a key element for both Angmar and the Free People of Middle-earth that dare oppose the Witch-king’s forces. The area introduces the Lossoth, which will be the first people that players will start out being viewed as “unfriendly” with. The developer also promises an alternative method of accruing reputation by taking on the new daily reputation quests. The developers had a lot of fun with this area and are offering what they hope are more than a few surprises.

We wanted our players to see and visit a number of important locations and people in Book 13, including the ancient Dwarf-mines, the ill-fated elf ship, and maybe even get a glimpse of an ancient spirit whose deeds remained unfulfilled. Hopefully the Book 13 epic will provide a few twists and turns that you won’t see coming!

via Lord of the Rings Online

Last night, when I logged onto LotRO for the first time in about a week (Hey, I needed a break ok?) I noticed some new content for my favorite game of the moment -The Battle of Amon Hen -yes, “hen” being chicken.

Upon seeing this I first thought it was an April Fool’s joke, but when I realized it wasn’t I said aloud (very boisterously I might add) - “I refuse to go on another !*#$%^& chicken related quest” - however, after reading up on it this morning it actually sounds kind of fun.

“The Battle of Amon Hen” brings a new race (with extra crispy new skills and features) to The Lord of the Rings Online. Players can now unlock the “Fowl-Peoples” of Middle-earth and grow in size by leveling up. By supersizing your chicken, you can crush your foes into 6, 12, or 20 pieces! “The Battle of Amon Hen” also adds a new epic quest arc, “Crossing the Road,” as well as new housing options where players can visit their local broker to feather their nest, stage a coop, or splurge on a henhouse for their flock. Six new skills have also been added including Oppressive Yolk, Hot Wings, Eggcellent Assault, Scramble, Poach, and Batter. New features include a Drumstick instrument, Nuggets of Wisdom trait, A Pox Upon You fellowship skill, Colonel PvMP rank, Universal Cook Recipe “Tastes Like….”, and a one shot cook recipe “Yourself”.

As if the beer drinking games were not hard enough, especially the second part of the Bullroarer’s Challenge where you drink green beer, get very drunk and walk a fence whist being timed, the chicken quests are pretty hard. I mean, you are a chicken after all, and unless I am mistaken, chicken’s do not carry swords or have magic tricks up their feathers.

What else do the wacky folks at Turbine have in store for us? Click here to find out.

Via: Press Release

Turbine has announced the new website for the first Lord of the Rings Online expansion, Mines of Moria is up for North America and Europe.

There are also new minigames including King Under the Mountain available for play as part of a new PR campaign for the expansion.

“The ‘Unlock the Mines of Moria’ campaign is part of an innovative launch strategy that offers players an interactive social gaming destination where they can individually and collectively delve into the first major expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online,” said Jim Crowley, president and CEO of Turbine, Inc. “Whether you are new to the world of Middle-earth or a long time member of our community, we invite everyone to explore and share the wonders of Moria.”

The King Under the Mountain game is based of Tolkien’s description of the building of Khazad-Dûm; the Dwarven capital and testament to Dwarven ingenuity built in the depths of Moria. This “old Dwarven” tactical strategy mini-game features the winning combination of caverns, gems and fighting. Players who register at www.unlocktheminesofmoria.com can play solo or take on their friends. You don’t need to have a subscription to play.

Unfortunately, when I checked the site had this message posted:

Due to overwhelming response this website is temporarily down for maintenance.

Please check back soon for site updates and news about The Lord of the Rings Online™: Mines of Moria™”

via Press Release

Jeffery Steefel, Executive Producer for Tolkein’s World of Warcraft.. err. Lord of the Rings Online took some time from his busy producing to speak with Ten Ton Hammer’s Jeff Woleslagle about the upcoming Mines of Moria game expansion as well as some of the content that players should expect to see in Books 13 and 14 of the game.

Steefel discusses The Lord of the Rings timeline in relation to the game and how players can expect the game to develop over time, even with the expansion.  The game is moving across the Misty Mountains through the biggest dungeon crawl imaginable. It’ll be interesting to find out how they keep the content related to the world of the book without expanding too much into something that drags characters away from the focus on the growing darkness in Moria and the growth of Sauron’s forces. Along with Moria, Steefel mentions that the elven lands of Lorien will be appearing.

Book 13 adds a new region to the north of the current lands - including a big concentration on the arctic setting and new environmental effects like frost and exposure. Book 13 is expected to make a Spring release. While it seems odd to be exploring the north of Eriador while the Fellowship continues south Steefel mentions the decision was needed to give the Fellowship time in the game’s chronology to make their way forward into the 2nd volume of the series.

via Ten Ton Hammer

I have a problem. It’s not a serious addiction, in fact its much the opposite of an addiction. I can’t commit.

If the subject of my problem were a woman I’d be the very picture of a man who wouldn’t commit – frequent hot dates with a possibility of long term relationships are tossed to the side in search of the next shiny object or attractive game setting. I dawdle between games like a child with free run of a candy store and no oversight. I just can’t seem to find that special game to break me of my wanderlust.

Now you might not think this a serious problem, I mean after all, who doesn’t play multiple games? But my issue goes beyond rotating pastimes to keep from losing interest. I have a staple game I play – Guild Wars – mostly because its free and doesn’t require a huge commitment of time or energy to hop into any of its settings and grind out a few missions or quests. Guild Wars is like the partner who dislikes your wandering habits but lets you come home whenever you feel like it because it knows it’ll always get what it can while you’re around.
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The latest landmark featured on the Lord of the Rings Online: Exploring Middle-earth series is Tâl Bruinen. It’s a wilderness region that lies south of Rivendell between Hollin and the Trollshaws. Other then a few fisherman and sturdy hunters, the region has been all but abandoned.

Once this land was the northern part of Eregion, the Elf-realm where the Rings of Power were forged. Now bands of Orcs from Mordor to the south and Mount Gundabad and Angmar to the north roam to area. Worms have taken up residents in the heights.

For more details on Tâl Bruinen, check out the LotRO Lorebook.

Codemasters is in negotiations to publish two MMOs for consoles.

After building on the success of several PC MMOs including Archlord, Dungeons & Dragons Online and The Lord of the Rings Online; Codemasters is ready to to go up against games such as SOE’s The Agency, NCsoft’s PlayStation 3 project and Funcom’s Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. The company already has NetDevil’s Jumpgate: Evolution prepped for launch later this year.

“The time is right for some good console MMO games. There’s two titles that we’re really interested in for taking to console right now and that’s something I’d like to see happen in the next year or so, but it’s got to be the right game,” said David Solari, vice president and general manager of Codemasters Online Gaming, speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz.

“It’s a little more challenging because of the restrictions of a console – certain games aren’t going to work. Final Fantasy was very successful on 360 so I just think you need the right game, and I think there’s a really good opportunity there because there’s not enough companies there right now,” he added.

The biggest concern of Codemasters is sharing the cost of maintenance on online environments of home consoles and the revenues with format holders Microsoft and Sony.

“It’s got to be the right business model. It’s more difficult because the first-parties take a share of the revenue – and it’s quite significant share,” stated Solari.

“You have to do your sums and see if it’s going to add up at the end of the day. First parties aren’t going to run the data centres for us and that’s the biggest expense in our business. We have to work that out with them,” he said.

via GamesIndustry.biz

The Longbeards of Middle-earth once dwelled in a vast and lovely earthen city called Khazad-dûm deep underneath the Misty Mountains. Full of great halls, mansions, a thriving mithril mining industry and thousands of happy dwarfs it was an enviable metropolis founded by Durin. Sometime, during the Third Age the Longbeards dug too deep, exhausting the once plentiful mithril and found something horrible - The Balrog. Once disturbed, this powerful and evil entity killed King Durin VI and his son Náin, and drove the Longbeards from their home. Durin’s Bane, as the creature became known as, stayed within Khazad-dûm, and due to being left unattended, the great underground city became overrun with orcs and the elves renamed it Moria, which literally means “the black pit”.

After the events in “The Hobbit”, Balin, Flói, Frár, Lóni Náli, Óin, and Ori went back into Moria to try and reclaim it from the orcs and attempt to reestablish the once great kingdom. Unfortunately, an Orc archer killed Balin, and once again the Longbeards were forced from their ancestral home. Years later, The Fellowship entered Moria on their way to destroy the ring and found the tomb of Balin along with orcs and Durin’s Bane - The Balrog. We all know what happens next, so I will bring my history lesson to a close.

If you are curious as to why I have given you background information on Moria, it is not because I am trying to flaunt the fact that I have been a LotR nerd for over 23 years or anything, its only because the Mines of Moria is the new expansion coming to LotRO.

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