LOTRO: The State of the Game in Late 2025
Kingdoms of Harad, the 13th expansion for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online, was released today. Highlighting developer’s Standing Stone Games continuing commitment to this eighteen year old game. As 2025 draws to a close, I thought it would be prudent to reflect upon the current state of LOTRO and to consider what may come next year. Two words that I associated with this MMO are stable and consistent. The playerbase is loyal and dependable. Player numbers never greatly decline nor do they notably expand. LOTRO fills a very specific gaming niche and one of the reasons it retains its players is that there is no suitable alternative game. Although there is not a great deal of data in the public domain, it is generally accepted that LOTRO has an older player demographic and that many are consummate Tolkien fans.
Kingdoms of Harad, the 13th expansion for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online, was released today. Highlighting developer’s Standing Stone Games continuing commitment to this eighteen year old game. As 2025 draws to a close, I thought it would be prudent to reflect upon the current state of LOTRO and to consider what may come next year. Two words that I associated with this MMO are stable and consistent. The playerbase is loyal and dependable. Player numbers never greatly decline nor do they notably expand. LOTRO fills a very specific gaming niche and one of the reasons it retains its players is that there is no suitable alternative game. Although there is not a great deal of data in the public domain, it is generally accepted that LOTRO has an older player demographic and that many are consummate Tolkien fans.
This is the third expansion for the game that is set in the South of Middle-earth. Although many aspects of the MMO remain consistently good, such as the story telling and character development, I personally haven’t warmed to this area. Umbar, Harad and Khand are not especially detailed regions within Tolkien’s writing. I feel that the game developers have drawn too much from a stereotypical depiction of Middle-eastern culture. The sort you see in Western pop culture depictions of Sinbad and Ali Baba. For me it is an incongruous contrast to the established regions of Middle-earth. I’d rather these areas had just remained alluded to within the game, the same way they are in the Legendarium. However, what I am describing is a matter of taste. I’m sure there are LOTRO players who feel the opposite.
The latest expansion sees an increase in the level cap from 150 to 160. Thus there will be a need to replace all your existing jewellery, weapons and armour equipped on your alts. It may feel somewhat arbitrary but levelling remains an important element to many players, as does the gear treadmill. No doubt there will be an increase in the virtue traits level cap, so there is plenty to work towards over the month ahead. The expansion will at some point include new raids and instances but these really are a niche requirement and only a nominal amount of players playthrough such content. There are no new classes or races and Kingdoms of Harad does not include any new systems or mechanics. However, this should come as no surprise as SSG tends to work within established confines.
The most significant event for LOTRO this year was the migration to 64-bit servers and the regional consolidation. The lag issue that has plagued this MMO for years has definitely improved but has not been totally eliminated. The main issue that SSG faces is a knowledge gap, as the majority of staff that built the game have gone. It’s not a case of SSG not wanting to fix issues but the fact that they can’t. Hence the game still cannot adequately support 2K and 4K gaming. It is the main reason why LOTRO always gets “more of the same”. Quests, instances and missions are known quantities. More ambitious projects such as overhauling the deed log have proven far harder. There is also a long list of issues that SSG have said that they will “look into” that remain outstanding. Standardising event or faction based barter currency is one example. Removing outdated systems from the HUD being another.
If you pay attention to the press releases from the business side of the Daybreak Game Company, it is clear that LOTRO is financially sustainable within its existing parameters. It has a stable playerbase and yields a sufficient ROI to keep moving forward. However, it was made clear by CEO Ji Ham that the much touted graphics upgrade and console version of the game would not go ahead because of the cost. He stated that they could get a new game for the price. LOTRO players have conjectured whether the cancellation of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings based MMO, will have an impact upon LOTRO. Could it mean further investment? I think not. The video game industry is contracting at present and is extremely risk averse. LOTRO continues because it generates sufficient revenue within its operational parameters. It is not seen, in business terms, as anything more than the sum of its parts.
LOTRO players have a strong emotional attachment to the game. I also believe that the developers SSG do the best with the budgets and resources they have to work with. However, I think that it is unrealistic to expect anything more from this vintage MMO other than what it currently offers. I believe I said exactly the same thing 3 or 4 years ago in a similar post. Hence, for me the most sensible thing to do going into 2026 is be content that LOTRO still endures. At some point in the New Year a roadmap for the next twelve months will be published, although I don’t expect any surprises. A year-long content schedule will be sufficient to keep me happy. Anything else is a bonus. Due to the tumultuous nature of the video game industry at present, perhaps it isn’t wise to look any further ahead. The road may not go “ever on and on” forever.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025: The Thomas Skinner Controversy
Strictly Come Dancing remains the BBC’s flagship light entertainment show for Autumn. Despite controversy and scandal, the show bounced back last year and firmly re-established itself as the “feel good, family show” it has always claimed to be. Blind comedian Chris McCausland becoming the 2024 champion certainly validated the show’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and helped place Strictly (as it is known to its fans) back on its cultural pedestal. I’m sure those involved in the production of the show breathed a sigh of relief when the season ended on such a positive note, eclipsing the negative press that had been ever present last summer. Second chances and opportunities for a “course correction” are few and far between these days. Especially when you have elements of the UK press waiting with bated breath and hoping that you’ll fail.
Strictly Come Dancing remains the BBC’s flagship light entertainment show for Autumn. Despite controversy and scandal, the show bounced back last year and firmly re-established itself as the “feel good, family show” it has always claimed to be. Blind comedian Chris McCausland becoming the 2024 champion certainly validated the show’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and helped place Strictly (as it is known to its fans) back on its cultural pedestal. I’m sure those involved in the production of the show breathed a sigh of relief when the season ended on such a positive note, eclipsing the negative press that had been ever present last summer. Second chances and opportunities for a “course correction” are few and far between these days. Especially when you have elements of the UK press waiting with bated breath and hoping that you’ll fail.
For those who live outside of the UK or who do not watch Strictly, it is worth taking a few moments to consider the significance of the show, its importance to the BBC and its place in UK pop culture. Strictly has grown from its humble origins in 2004 as a celebrity dance talent show, to a national institution and a text book example of “feel-good TV”. It champions dancing, fitness, inclusivity and celebrity re-invention. It regularly has an audience of over 7 million viewers and has been licensed to over 60 other countries under the title Dancing With the Stars. The show has a broadly wholesome reputation and as such has proven accessible to a wide audience. It appeals to wide eyed fans, families, casual viewers and even cynical old curmudgeons like myself, as learning to dance is a prodigious undertaking requiring dedication and fortitude. Strictly is also a great way for actors, artists and media personalities to revitalise their careers.
Bearing this all in mind, the fact that Strictly is a big deal in entertainment terms and that it has bounced back after a problematic year, let us address the elephant in the room that manifested itself in late summer when this year’s contestants were announced. Why did the BBC decide to include Thomas Skinner in this year’s line up? For those who are unfamiliar with Mr Skinner, he is a UK businessman and TV personality who is best known for appearing on The Apprentice. At first glance, this is hardly controversial. However, if you look further Thomas Skinner has clear political affiliations with the likes of J.D. Vance and Robert Jenrick, has spoken out publicly on several issues such as crime in London and the performance of Mayor Sadiq Khan and is potentially seeking a political career with either the Conservative Party or Reform UK. He has been offered support by Dominic Cummings.
Strictly has always been a bastion of inclusivity. Straight, gay, able bodied, disabled, all are welcome on the show. The show has even included former politicians, such as Anne Widdecombe and Ed Balls. However, these were individuals who were no longer directly involved in frontline politics at the time of their appearance. It can be argued that this is not the case with Thomas Skinner. Furthermore, Mr Skinner is linked to a type of popular politics that has specific views regarding diversity and inclusion. Things they perceive as being “woke” or the province of the left. A percentage of the UK electorate and thus Strictly viewers, see the sort of politics and ideology that Mr Skinner is affiliated to as populist, nationalist and even racist. Hence his inclusion in this year’s show was not well received by all. Others see it as a politically useful Trojan Horse.
If you peruse the in-depth musings on Strictly by its hard core fans on such platforms as Reddit, Instagram and TikTok, you’ll find several recurring complaints regarding Thomas Skinner. Firstly, that he potentially contradicts the show’s inclusivity philosophy with his personal views and political outlook. Secondly, his very presence diminishes the feel good factor inherent in Strictly by dragging real world politics into the show. Something that fans wish to escape. Thirdly, the inclusion of a person with clear right wing leanings will further exacerbate the tabloid press frenzy regarding the show, as much of the UK print media is owned and edited by figures of a similar political disposition. Hence, a show designed to bring audiences together may potentially become a vehicle for bi-partisan politics and a further bridgehead in the ongoing culture war.
The BBC has long been a target for the political right, being seen as institutionally biased against them and a platform for all the political and cultural ideas that they are mainly against. The BBC in its naivete continues to seek balance in all things and thus ultimately giving a platform and possibly an excess of air time to those who would happily see it brought to heel or closed. It can be argued that in principle, Thomas Skinner should be able to participate in a show such as Strictly Come Dancing and be treated the same as anyone else. He is competing in a dance based reality show and no more. However, the reality of the situation is quite the opposite. Television of this kind is about more than just entertainment. It is a platform for messaging and promoting a media persona. Look at what appearing on a few episodes of the comedy panel show Have I Got News For You did for Boris Johnson’s career.
It was inevitable that the inclusion of a person such as Thomas Skinner on a high profile TV show such as Strictly, would result in a political bunfight. The BBC cannot claim surprise at this? Perhaps they chose to do so as a way of declaring to their opponents, “look we aren’t biased. Here’s one of your people”. An act of appeasement or the extending of an olive branch, perhaps? However, such a move never works. As any child will tell you, you can’t befriend your bully. Which means that for however long Thomas Skinner remains on the show, the wider coverage will be about his politics and him personally, as opposed to his dancing prowess. More cynical viewers believe that he has been partnered with Amy Dowden, a much loved professional dancer who has been battling multiple illnesses, as a means to negate the negative optics. If that is the case I doubt it will work.
This Saturday’s second episode of this year’s Strictly will see the first couple voted off the show. Someone has to go and it usually is the celebrity with the least skill. However, the participation of Mr Skinner and the media circus that follows means that whatever happens, the situation will be portrayed negatively for the show and what it represents, in the tabloid press. No doubt there will be plenty of political capital to be gained. If Thomas is eliminated, it will be because the liberal elite establishment conspired against him and if he endures, then it will be a triumph of British traditionalism over the woke cultural Marxism. The right wing media headlines effectively write themselves, the BBC scores a massive own goal and the viewing public are left with an unpleasant aftertaste as their favourite pop culture safe place is dragged through the sewer of contemporary politics.
Keep dancing.
Blogging: 10 Things Not To Do
Oh look, another blogging advice post. What a surprise. I suppose the internet is awash with such information. Furthermore, a lot of that advice comes from a commercial perspective and the assumption that the writer intends to monetise their blog right from the start. The notion of writing for pleasure or fandom sometimes seems to get drowned out in all the online white noise. Anyhow, I’m going to offer up for your consideration, 10 tips of things not to do when you start a blog. I’m sure I’ve mentioned some before or even written a similar post that is now buried somewhere in Contains Moderate Peril. But good advice bears repeating and it is the first day of Blaugust: Festival of Blogging 2025 I think it prudent to make such a post. Please note these are not technical points such as using SEO or alt text etc. This is more about your approach to blogging as well as some practical logistical considerations.
Oh look, another blogging advice post. What a surprise. I suppose the internet is awash with such information. Furthermore, a lot of that advice comes from a commercial perspective and the assumption that the writer intends to monetise their blog right from the start. The notion of writing for pleasure or fandom sometimes seems to get drowned out in all the online white noise. Anyhow, I’m going to offer up for your consideration, 10 tips of things not to do when you start a blog. I’m sure I’ve mentioned some before or even written a similar post that is now buried somewhere in Contains Moderate Peril. But good advice bears repeating and it is the first day of Blaugust: Festival of Blogging 2025 I think it prudent to make such a post. Please note these are not technical points such as using SEO or alt text etc. This is more about your approach to blogging as well as some practical logistical considerations.
Don’t spend a penny until you know you like blogging: You have all the tools you need to start a blog at your disposal already. A computer, internet access and a wealth of free online resources. There are numerous blogging platforms that offer a basic free tier of access, so there is no need to buy a subscription or any additional software to begin with. Write in plaintext and edit any pictures using free online apps. First and foremost, find out if you like writing and whether you can sustain it as a hobby. If you do and you can, then you can think about buying a domain and buying any additional services.
Don't write just for yourself: Writing primarily for yourself remains prudent advice, as opposed to chasing what is deemed “popular”. However, it is wise to consider your audience and to follow up on content that has been well received. Write about a spectrum of subjects and see what gains traction. Establish shared interests and then explore them. Also add your voice to topical debates if you feel strongly about them or have something useful to contribute. If you receive any requests from readers to write about a specific subject do give it serious consideration.
Don't be inconsistent: Establish a regular posting schedule and stick to it to keep your audience engaged. Yes, I know this is hard and real life will often scupper your plans but it is an established fact that if you write regularly, your readers stick around. That being said, your schedule doesn’t have to be daily. Once a month is perfectly fine. Ultimately it is the consistency that readers like.
Don’t be afraid to express an opinion: Social media and other online communities can be a bear pit at times. No one especially wants or enjoys internet pile-ons and unpleasant comments. Hence some people won’t touch certain subjects with a bargepole and consider religion and politics verboten. This is a mistake. Treat your blog like your home. “My house, my rules”. You’re not obliged to justify yourself and do not have to tolerate abuse. Offensive comments can be deleted, without the need for a rebuttal. Everytime anyone is shouted down online or the threat of such behaviour actually stops you from expressing an opinion, it is only the bad guys who win. Tread boldly, write freely.
Don’t pander to the lowest common denominator to get clicks: With regard to the previous point, there is a wealth of difference between espousing genuinely held opinions and indulging in “hot takes” and “shitposting” just to get website traffic. The former is a democratic freedom that comes with some degree of personal responsibility. The latter just makes the internet shittier and is the prerogative of gits.
Don't ignore the benefits of networking: Connect with other bloggers in your niche and build relationships. Promote other blogger’s content and vice versa. Make friends with like minded individuals and riff off each other’s work. Be vocal in your praise. This is how communities are built.
Don't ignore analytics: Use tools like Google Analytics to track your blog’s performance and identify how your writing performs. Such information can provide useful feedback. However, do not become a slave to this data and do not allow yourself to obsess over it. Data is just that and nothing more. Do not take it personally if a post you feel is your best work doesn’t gain any traction.
Don't be afraid to experiment: Try different content formats, writing styles and subject matters. Blogging is a skill that grows over time. Therefore, throw a variety of material at your readers and see what works and what doesn’t. Apply this philosophy not only to your writing but to your blog template as well. There is nothing more frustrating to a blogger than being constrained by the boundaries that you have imposed upon yourself.
Don’t worry about the calibre of your posts: Not every post has to be comparable to the Gettysburg Address or Meditations by Marcus Aurellius. A simple post about your cat or collection of pogs can find an audience just as well as a weighty dissertation on early Etruscan pottery. The internet connects roughly two thirds of the world’s population. That’s 5.56 billion people. If you want to create a fansite about The Littlest Hobo, then you can potentially find an audience.
Don't be discouraged by slow progress: Building a successful blog takes time and effort. In fact the criteria for success is very subjective to begin with and an entire blog post in itself. However, whatever you are seeking from writing online, be it fame or just the pleasure of regularly sharing your thoughts with others, it takes dedication and a lot of writing before you reach the point where you feel that you have “everything at your fingertips”. Instant results are just as much a fantasy in blogging as they are in most other creative endeavours. Therefore, be patient, be consistent and don't give up. Or if you’re a Galaxy Quest fan, “Never give up. Never surrender”.
Enjoy Blaugust.
The Key to Writing
What is the key to writing? It is a question that most new bloggers ponder. It’s also something that older, established bloggers consider on a regular basis. The subject has been dissected, analysed and written about at great length over the years and there is plenty of advice available online. You’ll find millions of websites telling you to consider picking the right niche or subjects, how to find your voice and writing style, as well as establishing a regular publishing schedule. Not all the advice out there is good and not all of it is bad. There certainly isn’t any “one size fits all” solution. There are multiple factors to consider when you start writing and you have to find answers that suit you. All forms of writing are a personal form of self expression and unique to their author. Therefore, one’s approach to writing should be similarly personal and unique.
What is the key to writing? It is a question that most new bloggers ponder. It’s also something that older, established bloggers consider on a regular basis. The subject has been dissected, analysed and written about at great length over the years and there is plenty of advice available online. You’ll find millions of websites telling you to consider picking the right niche or subjects, how to find your voice and writing style, as well as establishing a regular publishing schedule. Not all the advice out there is good and not all of it is bad. There certainly isn’t any “one size fits all” solution. There are multiple factors to consider when you start writing and you have to find answers that suit you. All forms of writing are a personal form of self expression and unique to their author. Therefore, one’s approach to writing should be similarly personal and unique.
However, I think there is one piece of universal advice that can be given and it’s pretty simple. Be yourself. Write what you think, feel and believe. Write with conviction. I don’t care for the phrase “authentic” as I feel that it has been diminished in contemporary parlance. It currently sounds like a buzzword associated with a grift. So I will use the word “sincere” instead. Being sincere and writing what you genuinely feel gives your posts emotional mass. If you simply knock out a few paragraphs about something you’re not invested in or do not truly believe, it comes across in your prose. Genuine passion bleeds through into your words and gives them resonance. Regular people like sincerity and honesty. As for bullshit, we get enough of that already in our lives from politicians and big business. We don’t need any more.
Now you may worry that such advice is a bit fancy and “highfalutin” and not applicable to your blog about your Rubber Ducky collection. I beg to differ. If you pour love and passion into your blog posts, you’ll find that they become a lot easier to write. One of the things I enjoy immensely about Blaugust: Festival of Blogging is the broad spectrum of subjects that people write about. Often the bloggers themselves are just as fascinating as their niche, specific writings. So to recap, the single most important piece of advice I can share about blogging is to just write like you mean it. Think about the things that you like and as you smile, start writing. Congratulations, you’ve just written a blog post and started a conversation. That’s how communities are built.
Blaugust 2025
August is fast approaching, so you know what that means? Yes, the annual Blaugust: Festival of Blogging is nearly upon us. This long established (twelve years now), community driven event is designed to extol the virtues of blogging and encourage everyone and anyone to give it a try. In an age where video and audio based content are often favoured for their immediacy and reach, we advocate strongly for the joys and benefits that come through traditional writing. Blaugust strives to motivate those who have thought about writing online in some shape or form, but have never got around to doing so, as well as rallying those who have tried it already but fallen by the wayside. We try to provide practical support, writing prompts and advice to all who participate. There is an optional Discord community where participants can hangout, exchange ideas and share their writing. The emphasis is on powering through “writer’s block” and most importantly, having fun.
August is fast approaching, so you know what that means? Yes, the annual Blaugust: Festival of Blogging is nearly upon us. This long established (twelve years now), community driven event is designed to extol the virtues of blogging and encourage everyone and anyone to give it a try. In an age where video and audio based content are often favoured for their immediacy and reach, we advocate strongly for the joys and benefits that come through traditional writing. Blaugust strives to motivate those who have thought about writing online in some shape or form, but have never got around to doing so, as well as rallying those who have tried it already but fallen by the wayside. We try to provide practical support, writing prompts and advice to all who participate. There is an optional Discord community where participants can hangout, exchange ideas and share their writing. The emphasis is on powering through “writer’s block” and most importantly, having fun.
If you’re looking for more specific details regarding Blaugust, then head over to Nerd Girl Thoughts and read Krikket’s very informative post. It has details regarding the philosophy of Blaugust, the simple set of rules (most of which are mainly for guidance) and the various awards and accolades that can be earned by participating. Please note these are mainly virtual “attaboys”, rather than high value items or sacks filled with banknotes. If Blaugust sounds like the sort of thing you’d like to participate in or you feel it could be the first step on a path to global domination, then you can sign up for the event here. There is no commitment or any sort of obligation if you do join this year’s festival. You can do as much or as little as you like. The only standout rule associated with Blaugust is that it celebrates written material created by people. As such, blogs based upon entirely AI generated content are politely asked not to participate.
I have maintained an online presence of some kind or another, for eighteen years. This personal blog, Contains Moderate Peril, has been hosted on Squarespace since August 2015. There are times when I take a break from writing for a while, but I always end up coming back. I have a compulsion to express myself through words. I find writing to be very cathartic and a great way to process my thoughts and feelings. I like being part of a blogging community and gain a great amount of pleasure reading other bloggers’ material. I also consider the ability to express yourself through writing to be an important skill. To be able to think and articulate your opinion, as well as how to collate a compelling and factually accurate argument are waning skills. I like YouTube videos as much as the next person. However, sometimes I want more than just an upbeat summary. I like longform articles that can both inform and analyse.
However, Blaugust doesn’t have to be as “heavy” as that and often isn’t. People write about a broad variety of subjects, hobbies and interests. All of which are very engaging and informative. If there is a single piece of advice that I have learned from my association with Blaugust over the years, it is not to overthink writing and to just do it. Writing is like any other activity in so far as the more you do, the better you become at it. You can also learn a great deal by reading other peoples blogs. There are also specific techniques and processes that you can use that will potentially improve your writing. Furthermore, by becoming part of the blogging community you can often find ideas and writing prompts to help you with your writing. But ultimately, after all the reading and planning you have to sit down in front of your keyboard and start writing. Blaugust is there to give you the impetus to start, or if need be, a gentle nudge.