LOTRO: Revisiting Landscape Soldiers
In March 2012 Turbine released Update 6: Shores of the Great River for The Lord of the Rings Online. This included the ability to summon your Skirmish Soldiers while playing PVE content. Prior to this you only had access to your soldier when playing skirmishes. Whether this was done to compete with other MMOs that have companions or crew such as Star Wars: The Old Republic or Star Trek Online is not clear. It may have been a purely financial decision, as tokens offering an hour’s access to your skirmish soldier soon appeared in the LOTRO store. Like all changes made regarding LOTRO, opinions were divided at the time. Where I saw this as an increase in player choice, others perceived it to be another step away from the spirit of an MMO and further evidence of the solofication of the genre. Eight years later, one thing is certain. Having access to Skirmish Soldiers throughout the game in general, is not the same as having a full blown companion that single player games and some MMOs offer.
The Problem With War of Three Peaks
Some readers may see the title of this post as an inference that there is only one problem with the latest “mini expansion” for The Lord of the Rings Online. That is not the case. However, I don’t hold developer’s Standing Stone Games responsible for the debacle over the pricing for the three different editions. That is something I lay at the door of financiers and publishers, Daybreak Game Company. For the purpose of this blog post, I wish to focus upon the lacklustre content of Update 28: War of Three Peaks and how it becomes quite clear which material was developed as part of a regular content update and what was then added to potentially try and justify the term “mini expansion”. Furthermore, I see this drop in quality as being a real threat to the future prosperity of LOTRO. I am a long time fan of this MMO, albeit one with a sense of perspective. I’m halfway through the new zone and I’m not having fun. I’m sure I am not alone in this.
LOTRO Classic
In the last month or so, I’ve spent some time perusing the official forums for the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online. It suffers from many of the shortcomings you find on fan driven gaming forums, insofar as it’s monopolised by a small cadre of partisan minded players that are not an especially broad cross section of the LOTRO community. However, a wide range of thoughts and ideas about the game are discussed on these forums. Sometimes, if the planets are in the correct alignment, staff from Standing Stone Games will even deign to reply. Recently, a particularly interesting question that has frequently been raised by players finally got addressed by SSG developer Jeff Libby (AKA MadeOfLions). Namely, will there ever be a release of LOTRO Classic? An “old school” server with the game as it was when it launched in 2007. The fact that they actually answered is the main surprise here. Everything else about the actual reply is par for the course and embodies everything that is wrong with SSG and their community relations. Here is the original question and the subsequent answer.
A Month in Gaming
The last 31 days have gone by really fast, or at least that’s the way it feels. Despite having bought several new games recently and acquired yet more for free from the Epic Store, I did not embark on anything new throughout October. Due to the unexpectedly prompt release of the new “mini expansion” for The Lord of the Rings Online and the launch of a new event in Star Trek Online, I found myself focused upon the MMORPG genre, yet again. And after playing continuously for six months, Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone has finally begun to lose its lustre. I didn’t especially enjoy the Halloween event, not that there was anything inherently wrong with it. It just wasn’t for me. I played a little Fall Guy: Ultimate Knockout but quickly discovered that the “season” system is just another gear treadmill, although the gear in this instance are novelty cosmetic outfits. I don’t want to be tied to too many games in this fashion (it’s bad enough with MMOs), so this is another title that has been relegated to occasional play when the fancy takes me.
MMO Nostalgia
Every now and then, when I log into The Lord of the Rings Online, as I ride through a new zone and drink in the vividly realised landscape and sumptuous ambient music, I am smitten by a wave of nostalgia. Just for a few seconds, I recall the emotional excitement of being in a virtual Middle-earth for the first time. I also remember the camaraderie and good company I experienced when I started playing this MMO in 2008. It is a powerful experience but sadly very short lived. Something subsequently happens to take me out of my reverie and bring me back to the current state of the game with a bump. This can be hitching, a major lag spike or a Dwarf irritatingly jumping up and down in my peripheral vision as I peruse the Auction House. Hence my present relationship with LOTRO and indeed the MMORPG genre is one based upon nostalgia and a hint of sadness. I still enjoy LOTRO mainly because of the stories and lore, as well as my friends in our kinship. But I no longer experience the game, as I did over a decade ago. And I miss that.
Gaming News Roundup
Once again, here are a handful of gaming news stories from the last ten days or so that caught my eye. I have refrained from writing an entire blog post on each, either because they are too trivial and cannot sustain an article in their own right, or because they might fuel a rant of some kind. I’m too old for that kind of nonsense nowadays. The video game industry really has transitioned from the unique independent position it enjoyed three decades ago, into just another corporate business. Rife with all the usual iniquities and failings. But it’s not all doom and gloom as one story indicates. Ridiculous character crossovers can still bring joy to gamers who love such things.
LOTRO: Update 28 - War of Three Peaks
Players of the popular MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online were informed just 24 hours ago by developers Standing Stone Games, that the new “mini expansion” would be released today. Under normal circumstances, Update 28 - War of Three Peaks would have just been marketed as a content update and have been free to VIP subscribers, lifetime account holders and purchasable with LOTRO points by F2P players. However, these are far from normal circumstances. From March to May this year, LOTRO enjoyed a major renaissance as the lockdown brought players back to the game. SSG felt so confident in this surge in the playerbase that they made all previous updates available for free. However throughout June, July and August the game suffered major technical problems that lead to the majority of game servers being down for weeks. During that time many players took their business elsewhere or at the very least deferred subscribing until the technical issues were resolved. This left a major hole in SSG’s finances, hence the latest update miraculously became a chargeable “mini expansion”.
LOTRO: Even More Community Management Problems
Video games are a somewhat unique consumer product, in so far that we, the customers, broadly seem to have a far more personal relationship with them compared to other recreational activities. For example, I subscribed to several online streaming services that produce TV and film content. However, I never worry about how well their business model is performing, nor do I particularly concern myself with their public relations image. I simply “pay and consume” and as long as I have no technical problems that impede my access, then that is the extent of my relationship with them. I also enjoy Hendrick’s Gin but I don’t worry about the manufacturer, William Grant & Sons. But for some reason, my relationship with video games is different. I am far more au fait with the activities of both the developers and publishers, as well as their overall corporate standing. I suppose it’s because video games are an interactive activity and that make things more personal.
Star Trek Online: Beginners Guide Part 2 - Careers, Factions and Species
Welcome to the second part of my Star Trek Online: Beginners Guide. I thought it may be useful to write a series of posts, offering practical information for those who are just starting out in STO. Nothing fancy or in any way definitive. Just a few basic tips that may help orientate the new player. I’ve been playing STO since its launch in 2010 and this MMO has seen a lot of changes. The game features a lot of systems and mechanics that are not always immediately intuitive to grasp. So I’ll be doing my best to cover a selection of these in each post and try to provide a broad overview. Like a lot of advice, it can be subjective. Ultimately it comes down to each player how they wish to play. In this instalment, I shall be writing about career paths, factions and races.
A Month in Gaming
September has been a difficult month. A family crisis and subsequent bereavement meant that gaming got pushed down the daily agenda. However, after the various chores and duties were done I did need some downtime and means to relax. Hence I did play some games in a limited fashion. Nothing fancy, just stuff like Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout and Gang Beasts, which are light-hearted and undemanding. I also took the time to log on to The Lord of the Rings Online test server and check out the preview of the forthcoming “mini-expansion”. Not only was this informative but it provided material for a blog post. But overall I didn’t really achieve anything substantial with my gaming throughout September. Gaming was relegated to being just a convenient diversion from the immediate problems I’ve been facing but as such, it did fulfil that role well.
Nintendo Switch: The Best Console I Haven’t Bought
I recently wrote about the allure of console gaming and how exclusive titles can often be a big incentive to buy one. However, I’ve been a PC gamer for 25 years now and find that the biggest stumbling block regarding consoles is using the dual thumbsticks on the controller. I can cope with one but having to use two simultaneously is just not something I can do in a coordinated fashion. Hence I won’t be buying a Xbox of Playstation anytime soon. The Nintendo Switch is another matter altogether. This platform is unique in several ways. I like the immediacy of a handheld gaming option and of course Nintendo has the benefit of the Mario franchise. Many of the games for the Switch are more “benign”, lacking the inherent violence and destruction of other platforms' flagship titles. Like Nintendo itself, the Switch exists in its own specific niche.
LOTRO: Bullroarer Update 28 Preview #1
I spent several hours last night exploring the preview of Update 28: War of the Three Peaks on the Bullroarer test server. I usually take a look at all new content for The Lord of the Rings Online in advance, as it always makes for an interesting blog post. However, this preview has proven a little more controversial than usual, as Update 28 is not going to be free (as all prior updates have been). Standing Stone Games announced recently that it is to be sold as a “mini expansion”, which caused a stir among the LOTRO community. Hence my excursion on the public test server was not just to ascertain the scope of the new zone but to ascertain whether there was sufficient content and value to justify being sold as a “mini expansion”. Sadly, from what I have seen, I do not believe that to be the case.
Star Trek Online: Buying Reputation
It would appear that Standing Stone Games isn’t the only MMORPG developer making controversial business decisions at present. Cryptic announced yesterday that they were introducing a means to purchase reputation tiers in Star Trek Online. A move that was met with much virtual eye rolling over on the games unofficial subreddit and more angry comments on the Massively Overpowered website about “pay to win”. The main issue isn’t the adding of this particular mechanic to the game. STO is no stranger to adding services that allow you to bypass “the grind” by spending money. Monetisation has been built into the game since it went F2P in spring 2012. The primary objection to this rep buyout system is the price which is about £20. Furthermore this only buys reputation up to Tier 5. Tier 6 still has to be earned and it’s a particularly arduous chore. There are also 13 reputation factions to complete.
The Allure of Console Gaming
The last console that I got genuinely excited about and subsequently purchased was the Sega Dreamcast. That was back in 1999 when it became available for European customers. Prior to this I had owned the NES, SNES and Sega Mega Drive (as the Genesis was known outside of the NA). I upgraded the latter with the SEGA CD and 32X addons. But I never got round to buying a Sony Playstation. However, a good friend of mine had one, so between us we had access to all the latest games across multiple systems. Therefore I can say wholeheartedly that console gaming was my platform of choice throughout the mid eighties up to the late nineties. Furthermore, due to my age (I was born in 1967), I wasn’t a child during my 15 year period of console gaming. I was employed and had an income, so could keep up with the latest releases and indulge in “novelty” peripherals such as the light gun for the SNES or the “maracas” for the Dreamcast.
Quickscoping
Developers do like to gate access to the best gear and equipment in video games. Often there will be an achievement or deed required to unlock the object that you desire. Now I have no objection to this concept in principle. It’s just that every now and then, the criteria required to access an item is beyond my abilities. Take Call of Duty Modern Warfare/Warzone. Infinity Ward recently added the Rytec AMR to the game. It is a semi-automatic sniper rifle that can use thermite and explosive rounds. It has a significantly higher rate-of-fire than the HDR and AX-5, and performs better at range than the Dragunov. I’ve been itching to get my hands on this weapon for a while. However, to unlock it, you have to complete the following achievement. "Get 2 quickscope kills using sniper or marksman rifles in 15 different matches". For me this is effectively one of the labours of Hercules.
Is There a Gaming Hierarchy?
Syp wrote a post recently on his blog Bio Break, about the air of disdain with which some video games journalists report on the MMO genre. He cited a post over on VG247 in which the author was surprised that he was currently enjoying SWTOR, despite the fact it was an MMO. It was very much a case of “wow, this game is quite good considering most in this genre are rubbish”. As Syp pointed out, this is often the way the MMORPG is labelled and pigeonholed. However, I think there is more to this than just a dislike of a particular type of game by some writers and gaming commentators. I believe that many of those who have been playing video games since their youth and who are now aged 40 to 50, have very entrenched views and are weighed down by a lot of cultural baggage. I think that some believe that there is a sort of unofficial but very real gaming hierarchy and it is their sacred duty to act as self appointed arbiters and gatekeepers.
Gaming News Roundup
I like to keep abreast of what’s happening in the video game industry, along with new releases and community news. So I subscribe to websites like Kotaku, GameIndustry and Massively Overpowered via Feedly. I also watch YouTube channels such as Gameranx and shows such as the Jimquisition. Often these platforms will highlight stories and issues that pique my interest. Sometimes I will feel the need to express an opinion or write a rebuttal but these talking points do not always warrant or require an entire blog article. So once again, I’ve decided to start another recurring blog post where I can highlight several of these news items and then briefly explore them. The Video Games Roundup is not meant to be a comprehensive summary of all current news. Merely items that I’ve found interesting, unusual or controversial. Sadly the latter is all too common these days.
A Month in Gaming
I’m still somewhat shocked that August has been and gone. Even by 2020 standards it’s been an odd month. Due to illness in the family, my schedule has been turned on its head and subsequently there has not been as much time for gaming as I’ve previously enjoyed. However, I tried to put what time I had to good use. I attempted to return to the MMORPG The Lord of the Rings Online once again, to see if I could continue through the epic story. Sadly, the game has run into further server related issues, just as it did last month. Standing Stone Games community manager Jerry Snook was a little “snippy” in responding to players' concerns and at present there are no details regarding what the problem is and when it will be resolved. If this issue persists I suspect that it is going to do some genuine harm to both the player base and community relations. I hope matters improve for SSG and LOTRO over September.
Can Behavioural Science Create a Better Gaming Experience?
“Nudge theory” has received a lot of attention in recent months due to the global pandemic. The Behavioural Insights Team has played a key part in shaping the UK Government's policy to deal with COVID-19, although its overall success is questionable. Now I’m not going to debate in this post the ethical merits of “nudge theory” as a tool, especially within a political context. Let it suffice to say that such science can be used for both good or ill. However, due to some negative experiences I’ve had recently while gaming, I have been considering whether it is something that should be used more in video games. It’s obviously there already as I often see small, minor examples. In Star Trek Online, if you join a random Task Force Operation you receive greater rewards because you are helping players who under normal circumstances, cannot form a group. So the question is, should there be more “nudging” in video games?
Thoughts on the New World Preview
I, like many of my fellow bloggers, have been afforded an opportunity to try Amazon Game Studios forthcoming MMO New World, three times over the last 18 months. I did so twice, playing the two previous private tests. As a result of these experiences I have opted not to explore the latest public preview. I haven’t said anything prior to today regarding the game due to the NDA but as that has now been lifted I can express my opinions. Simply put, New World is not for me. It is certainly not a bad MMO and the developers have made some radical changes in the game’s design as they’ve responded to player feedback. The initial alpha test showcased an open world PVPcentric game. The second release tempered that with more PVE content. However for me, New World just doesn’t offer the things that I specifically enjoy about the MMORPG genre. I think with continued polish and fine tuning, it will be a solid game upon release and I’m sure it will find its particular niche.