shadows of angmar posts (Subscribe to this feed)

LotRO updates and takes a trip to shores of Evendim

by Alexander Sliwinski { Jun 5th 2007 at 11:00AM }

Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is apparently the #1 selling PC game in North America, Germany, UK and France and they're about to give players a free content update. Book 9: Shores of Evendim is the first in the expected quarterly content updates. The content update will go live June 13, some features include:

Discover Evendim, a region dominated by the Lake Nenuial, the 'Lake of the Twilight'. Amidst the ruins are powerful artifacts now threatened by evil creatures and the nefarious forces lurking in Angmar. What, you thought there would be cute puppies?
Over 100 new quests
Raid in the Battle for Helegrod, challenging the dragon Thorog in a 24-player raid in the Misty Mountains.
Major updates to the music system, players can now utilize a new music notation system that enables them to compose music offline and upload it to your character in-game.
Seven new sets of epic armor enable players to gain progressive bonuses for each piece of armor worn from a set.

We haven't received any player numbers for LotRO, so we don't know if Turbine has hit the magic million user mark, but from all accounts things are going solidly with the game. LotRO: Shadows of Angmar follows the adventures of the fellowship through the first book in the trilogy and fills in the gaps of the story. A few more content updates are expected before the full expansion pack next year.

[Via Press Release]

Turbine becoming fat hobbitses off LoTRO sales

by Alexander Sliwinski { May 10th 2007 at 8:02PM }

Looks like the battle for fantasy-based MMORPG supremacy is on. Turbine announced today that Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar is the #1 selling game in North America and Europe according to various sales data. They may have a long way to go before taking a bite out of World of Warcraft's 8.5 million users, but at least they didn't fall on their face like Vanguard.

Reviews have been pleasant for the game and we haven't heard of constant server crashes like we did at the beginning of WoW's life. Then again, Turbine's been at the MMO biz for a while now. The first free content update is already expected in June. It'll be interesting to see when Turbine releases their first user numbers and if they hit that magical 1 million milestone. Well, the game isn't a flop and brings a good alternative choice in the MMO market. But the journey is still long.

[Via Press Release]

Lord of the Rings Online free until April 24

by Alexander Sliwinski { Apr 6th 2007 at 7:30PM }

For the next 17 days feel free to go on a Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar bender. Turbine is opening up the floodgates and letting anyone who wants to experience the game play for free until the official launch April 24. The MMORPG's developer knows who they are up against and told Joystiq previously that they put a lot of work into the game. They're launching the title polished like no other MMORPG has been before to contend in the market.

Players will be able to advance to level 15 and transfer that character if they decide to pre-order the game. LotRO also allows those that know they are going to like the game during this free trial to spend $199 for a lifetime subscription, otherwise there is a $9.99/month charge. So, if you're into MMORPGs at all or just want to check out LotRO, go ahead -- it's free.

Lord of the Rings Online team confident entering MMO market

by Alexander Sliwinski { Mar 18th 2007 at 2:40PM }

Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar has the unpleasant honor of entering into the MMO market where the shadow of World of Warcraft looms over all. From what we've seen and heard, the Turbine developed game is the first real contender to enter the market in a long time. It may not usher an immediate deathblow to WoW, but the fellowship of the ring has a long journey and they're ready to battle.

Joystiq spent some time at Turbine meeting with the team behind LotRO. One of the key things that stood out was the polish of the product and the fact that those we spoke to weren't being deceitful in their presentation of the game -- a rare occurrence to say the least. The team knows they've got something good on their hands.

Continued →

Middle-earth expands to the Middle Kingdom

by Alan Rose { Oct 4th 2006 at 10:15AM }

According to a press release from Turbine Entertainment, the MMO maker is partnering with China's CDC Games to bring Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar to Chinese gamers -- a market with a strong affinity for online fantasy games. Turbine has already experienced success with Dungeons & Dragons Online in China and Japan, thanks to some effective content localization, and CDC will use a similar strategy by giving Middle-earth a distinctly Asian makeover. I hope this just means substituting tofu and rice for lembas bread, and not giving Gandalf a Fu Manchu moustache.

See also: LOTR Online gameplay footage

LOTR Online gameplay footage

by Alan Rose { Aug 4th 2006 at 3:00PM }

Turbine has released a new five-minute gameplay vid from Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar. You'll get to see humans, dwarves, and elves in a variety of combat scenarios, and watch little hobbitses traverse a faithfully rendered Middle-earth. Based solely on the literary works of Tolkien, the DDO developer has done a nice job creating a look and feel that you will never mistake for the EA line of film-inspired LOTR games (for better or worse).

However, the forthcoming MMO could use a little more work in the sound effects department. As of right now, just about every cleave, slash, and arrow pierce sounds like a punch. In fact, if you only heard the audio, you would think you were listening to a Street Fighter game. There is still no release date for Shadows of Angmar, but hopefully Turbine will have enough time to address the audible issues.

See also:

Tom Bombadil featured in LOTR Online

by Alan Rose { Jul 19th 2006 at 1:28PM }

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar web site has been updated with some background info on the home of Tolkien fan favorite Tom Bombadil. While Peter Jackson may have felt this mysterious denizen of the Old Forest was unnecessary to the film's overall plot, Bombadil and his wife Goldberry will be most welcome by the virtual inhabitants of Turbine's forthcoming MMO. Shadows still has no release date, but the beta is expected to launch by the end of the summer.

See also:

LOTR Online creature feature

by Alan Rose { Jun 9th 2006 at 5:02PM }

If you've read Tolkien's novels, then you're probably already familiar with Eriador, just west of the Misty Mountains. This will be one of the playable regions when Turbine launches The Lord of the Rings: The Shadows of Angmar later this year. It's filled with nasty goblins, orc-kind, and a few new beasts exclusive to the game, such as the gruesome Dark-water and the Watching Stones.

See also: