Lord of the Ringsâ„¢ to become Free-To-Play from September 2010.

Voicy

Voicy

Resident Panty Kicker
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]From The LOTROâ„¢ email / websites:

Coming this autumn, we are proud to announce a major update that will make The Lord of the Rings Online™ (LOTRO) Free-to-Play for everyone. LOTRO will be introducing a new pricing model which allows new players to download the game and play for free. Everyone will be able to purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte from the new LOTRO Store, or join our VIP program to get unlimited access to all of the game’s content for one low price.

In addition to the new pricing model, the award winning story will be extended, a new region unveiled and much more!

LOTRO will offer players unlimited choice!

Lifetime Membership subscribers don't need to throw their toys out of the cot just yet...

From their FAQ:

[/FONT]
I have a lifetime subscription to LOTRO. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
(Last updated: 04-06-2010 01:10:00)
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 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 Points. In addition to qualifying for the same rewards as standard subscribers, Lifetime members may also qualify for a special one-time Loyalty Reward of 1,000 Points.
Click to expand...
VIP Info:

Why should I become a VIP? What do I get that a Free player does not?
(Last updated: 02-06-2010 12:34:12)
As a VIP, you get full access to all of the game’s original content and features along with numerous special benefits, such as a higher number of character slots (5 per server), 20 slots of wardrobe storage for cosmetic clothing, full customer service access, priority login, 500 Free Points every month that you can redeem in the LOTRO Store, and much more, all detailed here. For a monthly fee, the VIP program offers the best value and the most options for players who like the convenience of having access to it all.
Click to expand...
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
The Free-to-Play FAQ


Read more about the VIP/Premium/Free membership system here.

What are your views on it?
[/FONT]
 
Last edited:
I got a fright when I saw the email in my inbox lol. I thought it was a joke.

But the move worked out very well for D&D Online, so this could be a very good move for LOTRO too.
 
Crzwaco said:
So now one need the client right anybody want to borrow me there uncapped account for the updates.
Click to expand...

There are guys in CT, Jhb and EL who have the updated clients.

phoenix said:
Just how big are these updates going to be?
Click to expand...

Should take you about 20hrs on a 4mbit line. 9GB or so, but the files don't pull at max speed. Again, ask Insanity to lend you the disks I burnt for him.

If you guys are interested in this, I suggest you just purchase the R60 game from IC or so, it'll give you 45 days free and UNRESTRICTED play, whereas the "free" play is highly restricted in terms of bag space, character slots, gold , etc.
 
Once those 45 days are up, will there still be a pay-to-play version, or will it be superseded by the free-to-play edition.

Is it possible to go it alone, or does one need to join a party to survive the wrath of the Sour One?
 
Voicy said:
There are guys in CT, Jhb and EL who have the updated clients.



Should take you about 20hrs on a 4mbit line. 9GB or so, but the files don't pull at max speed. Again, ask Insanity to lend you the disks I burnt for him.

If you guys are interested in this, I suggest you just purchase the R60 game from IC or so, it'll give you 45 days free and UNRESTRICTED play, whereas the "free" play is highly restricted in terms of bag space, character slots, gold , etc.
Click to expand...

There was a LOTR series 1 and 2 from bt games for R200 is it worth buying it?
 
Crzwaco said:
There was a LOTR series 1 and 2 from bt games for R200 is it worth buying it?
Click to expand...

Not sure if that's the MMO. There have been quite a few LOTR titles out. The ones you're looking for are:

Original: Lotro - Shadows of Angmar (R60)
Expansion1: Mines of Moria (R300)
Expansion2 (Digital release): Siege of Mirkwood (R272)
 
phoenix said:
Once those 45 days are up, will there still be a pay-to-play version, or will it be superseded by the free-to-play edition.

Is it possible to go it alone, or does one need to join a party to survive the wrath of the Sour One?
Click to expand...

Well, if you buy it now, the game will still be pay-to-play, as the free-to-play version is only launching around September or so, which is more than 45 days away :)

But to answer your question regarding paying customers, the differences between accounts etc, check out this chart Turbine provided. It sums up the differences between the three different plans they will adopt (Free, Premium and VIP) very nicely. Customers who purchased a lifetime subscription will automatically be upgraded to the VIP plan permanently.
 
Last edited:
For those who can't see Lydon's Chart by Turbine. I have it hyperlinked in the first post of this thread.

In short: Free = very introductory version of the game. Lots of limited / unavailable features. Basically just to wet your apetite.
 
Went to IC, took a look at the R59 versio, thought about it again and....

Hmmmm.....I think I'll give it a miss. Paying subscriptions to play something is kinda awkward for me.
 
Busy resubbing at the moment :)

@Voicy, What did it cost you for the Lifetime sub? I am seriously considering it :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top