Announcing The Lord of the Rings Online's Move to Free-to-Play!
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 atwww.lotro.com/betasignup!
I’m a new or returning player. How do I sign up for Beta?
Start by registering at www.lotro.com/betasignup. 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 www.lotro.com/betasignup 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.
Datan syas.....
ReplyDeleteDepends on what you can get in the store with your 500 points each month. But, I'll go out on a limb and agree with you. probably a bummer Here's hoping we are wrong.
Sharrde says ....
ReplyDeleteIME = In My Experience
Having gone through the DDO conversion to Free to Play this is not a good thing. The player base was originaly fairly similar to here in Lotro, over the course of a couple of months it became the worst of everything. Incompetence became the norm, rudeness was exalted and elitist arrogance was rampant. I was able to find a harbor in the Guild I was in but it only made it bearable, not enjoyable. I think this conversion may be the end of my stay on Lotro. I'll give it a couple months after it goes live, but if it changes in the same ways... well it was nice knowing y'all.
Wartagon says ...
ReplyDeleteHmm not usre yet - they have special programs for lifetime subscribers, and people who have a monthly subscription... I do hope it works out - seems really like they are adopting the DDO model.
Belegman says ....
ReplyDeleteYea, I agree, this looks like a bad move for Lotro. It'd be nice if they offered a little bit more of a bonus for existing subscribers, especially lifetime. The way I see it, is we're still going to be paying the same, but several things are going to be removed from the game that you can only buy from the store.
Rollett says ...
ReplyDeleteYeah not looking forward to this at all... i have never played a F2P game that had the polish and quality of a pay to play.. esp when it comes to a community.
lilacea says ....
ReplyDeleteNot enough experience with MMOs to really know what this means. But personally I'm feeling some regret at buying a lifetime membership for a game that will now be free. Regardless of what I can buy in the "lotro store".
Coledar.....
ReplyDeleteLani and I were just reading all the info. We've been around since beta, we're going to give the new system 2 or 3 months (starting in the fall) and if it's not up to snuff or buggy or anything else, we won't be around anymore.
I understand that we'll have access to a bunch of stuff and 500 free points a month, I'm just uncomfortable with the whole thing. Feels like a new boss came in and started changing everything around me, which I guess happened with WB purchasing Turbine. But, like I said, I'll give it a little time and see. I think the really bad news was kind of glossed over: no new content until the fall when all these changes go live.
Oh well, if it doesn't work out, it was a fun game for a while. I'm kind of happy that we got the $9.99 founder deal instead of forking over the $200.00 for a lifetime membership. I'd be really pissed if I paid that money and didn't like the changes.
Trelayne says ....
ReplyDeleteMany of us have alts that are below 50 (yours truly included). For those of us who choose not to level to 65 in two weeks, we will have to deal with people who, for lack of a better/family-friendly word, are not exactly desirable. The actual term I would use is a bit more colorful than that. THAT is what will change for us. THAT and the community by extension. This could be Chicken Little ("the sky is falling") but if it pans out to be true, I might just drop out of MMORPGs altogether. I'm not going back to WOW and EQ2 is way to grindy for my taste.
voril said .......
ReplyDeleteEven though LOTRO is my first MMO, I don't really see a huge issue with the free to play system. Could be a lack of MMO experience
That being said...
From what I have read, if you are a paying subscriber, and keep your subscription, nothing will really change for you, with the exception of being the recipient of 500 points/month, along with some other additional bonuses. On the brighter side - free mules? The limitations of the free to play system only really seem to apply to new players who choose to play for free. What bothers me about this announcement: 1. The lack of any more updates until the fall. I feel for those at the cap. There's going to be a whole lot of nothing for you all to do for the next few months. I think Turbine will definitely lose some subs over this decision. 2. I am a bit worried about the in game economy - but I will reserve judgement on this until I see what is going to be available for purchase in the LOTRO store, and what these items will actually cost.
Nyssai says ....
ReplyDeleteWell overall I'm a little bit disappointed by this in my initial reaction.... but.... F2P players only actually get to play starter zones unless they pay for more = no little effect on me My 2 lifetimes are already paid for themselves, so effectively I guess I get free points from now. Seems like this was DEFINITELY coming pre WB takeover - you don't get all this sorted and into beta in a few months. I can get more character slots (apparently up to 11 - crap -- I was soooo close to maxing out my first 9) They've just announced Radiance changes, and LI changes, are coming, which are 2 huge things they needed to do, so I'm very happy about that bit. They aren't raising the level cap this year, which I'm happy about. But there are some negatives. I'm trying to keep in mind that LOTRO will now be the flagship MMO of WB - given microtransactions are the reason they bought turbine, but weren't incorporated in LOTRO, and so with that expectation, and the fact that we know WB does see a huge value in the LOTR license, that it means LOTRO as a game will be around for the long term. Given I don't have to pay anything for it any more, that should make me happy. I have little nagging doubts though, but I'm trying to ignore them
Xibonn says ....
ReplyDeleteI agree with Nys, this was coming pre WB take over and well is prob one of the reasons for the take over hence they did say they wanted e comerce potential. I actually think most are overreacting to the unknown...i was online in glff when it was announced shoudla seen the up roar. once it died down people read and people realised that oh so nothing is getting taken away if u are a lifer or have a monthly sub then there is no issue.
Yes some people will pay for gear. But guess what...all gear can still be got without it.
it is like the 10 day trial gets extended to 50 but u have restrictions...see the VIP chart for detaills.. pretty much anything u have unlocked when this hit means that it will remain unlocked for you forever in the game. I personally think that if more players come in, more money people spend means more development etc for us and new areas more often
Nyssai says ....
ReplyDeletewell i just saw that I will be able to pay for up to 50 shared inventory slots.
the new 20 slot wardrobe i get for cosmetics makes me happy I'm hoping that this will provide incentive to do more of the "fluff" type stuff too in the future, as well as new content development - I'd pay for points for better housing, more inventory bags, faster horses, more hobbies etc