Thread: SUGGESTION: Housing Redesign

Interesting and well-thought-out ideas, some of which I'm completely in favor of. I still think the disclaimer should be more of a "header" than a "footer," simply because of the sheer number of users who may not be familiar with your position in the community, etc. It may come as a shock, but some people do not read so carefully as to immediately (or soon) guess based on "the source" who may be posting something in jest.

I, too, wish the housing experience were richer. I'm disappointed that so many chose to respond so negatively to one who expressed a dissenting opinion (yeah, she's in my kinship, and I'll guarantee you she's no troll), but I'll pass it off to the fact that housing has been basically untouched for so long that the masses are ready to sing praises to any relatively good idea to fix it, and build a monument to the person who came up with it.

Now that it's more clear the timing rules apply only to alt houses, I really hope Turbine leans on the thread for some inspiration.

Thanks for all of the comments everyone.

Notice that I have added a note below the title directing the reader to the disclaimer at the bottom. Hopefully, this will end the constant debate over where the disclaimer should be, and move the focus back to housing itself.

Originally Posted by Rampage522

.... and build a monument to the person who came up with it.

statue of Adder, FTW!

Originally Posted by Damian6988

statue of Adder, FTW!

All in favor? Aye!

So, Adder, what pose would you prefer?

Awesome Post.

Very great ideas and how housing "should be" I hope they make some of these changes at some point...Though Im not going to hold my breath for fear Ill die long before they do :P

I really hope they consider a few of these changes. Very nice Post

/salute to you adder

/signed

Party at my house if these are ever implemented - any of them or all of them doesn't matter.

There are so many great ideas here.

im dissapointed that the houses and property is pre-caned and that there is no modifications we can make to our homes like I want a garden or flowerbeds or even adding an extra room or a barn
they could add ALOT of game play by adding some sandbox to the housing areas

I would love touches like going to the pond or well to fetch water to put on my rose bushes.

I like some of the ideas, but to do all of it--- that's too much, I think. It sounds like you want to play Sims. I actually don't want housing to be a major part of the game. I like it there on the side. If you made all those changes you'd have a whole base of players who never did anything besides housework.

I'd definitely like to see kinhouses a little more useful than just as storage. I'd love to run into my kinmates there more often. And travel from the housing instances sucks. I love my Elf house, but it so far away from any of the major cities. The furniture categories and hooks system does need some revamping, but I'd rather see the devs focusing on more LotRO content and such than on how to have hundreds of people be able to put hundreds of things in hundreds of different places in hundreds of different houses.

Thanks again for your comments and ratings everyone (although a few must have given really low ones for some reason ).

Originally Posted by Snogirl

I like some of the ideas, but to do all of it--- that's too much, I think. It sounds like you want to play Sims. I actually don't want housing to be a major part of the game. I like it there on the side. If you made all those changes you'd have a whole base of players who never did anything besides housework.

I'd definitely like to see kinhouses a little more useful than just as storage. I'd love to run into my kinmates there more often. And travel from the housing instances sucks. I love my Elf house, but it so far away from any of the major cities. The furniture categories and hooks system does need some revamping, but I'd rather see the devs focusing on more LotRO content and such than on how to have hundreds of people be able to put hundreds of things in hundreds of different places in hundreds of different houses.

Orange Remark -You apparently have not played other MMOs. Comparing a workable MMO housing system to the Sims is, quite frankly, ludicrous.

Lime Green Section - Nearly everything in my suggestion for housing has been implimented in other MMOs' housing systems to some degree, although a few of the suggestions are my own original ideas. It is NOT too much to ask for a housing system that allows the player to individualize his or her piece of the game world rather than the very basic, cookie-cutter housing that was thrown together for LOTRO. Don't get me wrong here, I think the LOTRO team has done an outstanding job with this game and more often than not, they try very hard to accommodate us, the players. The housing system we have now is a result of their listening to what we wanted, but it was hurried and the result is subpar for what could have been designed.

If the housing system had a complete make-over, not only would it be more useful and appealling to the current players, it would most assuredly bring in new players. In today's MMOs, housing isn't a 'fluff' concept anymore, it is a major part of the gaming system, and can be incorporated into the storyline through the use of quests and events, and has a major impact on the game's virtual economy as well. It most definitely is NOT a waste of the devs' time to devote some resources to improving the bad system we currently have.

Yellow Section - I don't understand how housing being a major part of the game effects you personnally just because you prefer it "on the side". If you don't want to use it as a major part of your gaming, then that is your perogative. No one is forcing anyone to participate in housing, or any other part of the game for that matter. Statements like this just boggle my mind. So what if a portion of the player base would rather do 'housework' as you put it. They are still in the game, paying their subscriptions, running quests, buying and crafting items, and generally helping to keep the game alive. I don't particularly care for crafting, so should I begrudge the players who spend a large portion of their time crafting?


Snogirl, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I respect yours just as much as everyone else's, and I appreciate the fact that you took the time to read the post and add your comment. If my response sounds a little harsh, the Sims remark was the catalyst. Every idea is going to have those who like it and those who don't, but throwing in snide comments is unwarrented and will, at least in my case, illicit a response in kind.

The one thing I want from the Kinship housing system is granular rights to the chests. The ability to add "permission" to certain chests by kin rank, or individually. The ability to deposit money. The ability to allow deposits, but not withdrawals.

*cry* I want my EQ2 house back!!!

Originally Posted by Adder

...If my response sounds a little harsh, the Sims remark was the catalyst. Every idea is going to have those who like it and those who don't, but throwing in snide comments is unwarrented and will, at least in my case, illicit a response in kind.

I honestly didn't think the Sims remark sounded that harsh, possibly (although obviously I don't KNOW the intent) even a little light-hearted. To be frank, I thought your response was the one that sounded unjustifiably harsh...even a bit defensive.

Originally Posted by Griz44

I honestly didn't think the Sims remark sounded that harsh, possibly (although obviously I don't KNOW the intent) even a little light-hearted. To be frank, I thought your response was the one that sounded unjustifiably harsh...even a bit defensive.

Notice the edit Griz. I responded as I did because the email notification I received for this post had the original (see quote below - emphasis mine) which clearly indicated Snogirl's intent.

I like some of the ideas, but to do all of it--- that's too much, I think. Go play Sims. I'd definitely like to see kinhouses a little more useful than just as storage. I'd love to run into my kinmates there more often. And travel from the housing instances sucks. I love my Elf house, but it so far away from any of the major cities. The furniture categories and hooks system does need some revamping, but I'd rather see the devs focusing on more LotRO content and such than on how to have hundreds of people be able to put hundreds of things in hundreds of different places in hundreds of different houses. I actually don't want housing to be a major part of the game. I like it there on the side. IF you made all those changes you'd have a whole base of players who never did anything besides housework. Like I said, go play Sims.

Originally Posted by Adder

Notice the edit Griz. I responded as I did because the email notification I received for this post had the original (see quote below - emphasis mine) which clearly indicated Snogirl's intent.

Point taken. That does change the 'feel' of the post a bit.

where do you come up with the time to write that?

I wish it were true.

My dinky house is little more than a small storage space because of the hook system and the lack of being able to get some value out of trading it in for a bigger house.

Originally Posted by zariarn

where do you come up with the time to write that?

Zariarn, I actually have too much time on my hands. I've been on Worker's Compensation for the last year and a half due to a work related injury that has resulted in two operations on my ankle. I need to do something to keep my mind active, hence the Housing post (and working on a few others too ).

Originally Posted by lostinjapan2

I wish it were true.

My dinky house is little more than a small storage space because of the hook system and the lack of being able to get some value out of trading it in for a bigger house.

Yep. The houses are nothing more than over-priced walkin storage units, with very limited stoage at that.

I was SO EXCITED when I red the post. Then I was so bummed when I got to the bottom. i truly hope at least some of this becomes real. I'd love to have people oVer to my home but there's nothing to do there and every home pretty much looks the same.

Games! Customization! Stables! Crafting! I'd LOVE to have a home I'd actually use for more than just storage.

I'd also rent a room when I'm traveling. It would make role playing much more realistic. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE???

All i'm wondering is what is going to happen with the houses most of us already own?

/signed

Originally Posted by Archangeloflight

All i'm wondering is what is going to happen with the houses most of us already own?

/signed

I'd assume they'd add an option for upgrades across the board.

We definately need to do away with the current fixed hooked placement. We should be able to do quests that add more hooks to our homes and put them where we want them.

yes yes, oh, have I said yes yet? Shame that we'll likely never see most of this stuff. So many excellent ideas have been proposed regarding housing, kinships, decorations... I wonder if any will see the light of day in the few months post MoM, when the devs can focus on something other than pure content.

Well as many others have said; It really is about time Turbine got around to addressing this.

Thanks much DEVS!

Bliss and blessings

Originally Posted by Asplane

Well as many others have said; It really is about time Turbine got around to addressing this.

Thanks much DEVS!

Bliss and blessings

In case you haven't noticed, this isn't real.

Originally Posted by TheScyphozoa

In case you haven't noticed, this isn't real.

Thanks. I just couldn't say it. I was more or less at a loss for words.

Well, it sounds wonderful, but it also sounds like a 10,000 man-hour
coding job that I'm sure Turbine would love to implement if they didn't
have anything else for their software designers to do.

Here's a suggestion: If you code it, they may implement it.

Simply amazing, I thought it was real for a few and now...just cold and sad. These ideas are INCREDIBLE and would build up the community aspect of the game so much.

Oh Turbine, please listen...please, /beg

Originally Posted by akairyu

I was SO EXCITED when I red the post. Then I was so bummed when I got to the bottom. i truly hope at least some of this becomes real. I'd love to have people oVer to my home but there's nothing to do there and every home pretty much looks the same.

Games! Customization! Stables! Crafting! I'd LOVE to have a home I'd actually use for more than just storage.

I'd also rent a room when I'm traveling. It would make role playing much more realistic. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE???

-Ditto hehe

Hopefully, post-Moria, the ideas herein will be given real consideration.

Originally Posted by gradivus

Well, it sounds wonderful, but it also sounds like a 10,000 man-hour
coding job that I'm sure Turbine would love to implement if they didn't
have anything else for their software designers to do.

Here's a suggestion: If you code it, they may implement it.

Yeah, here's a little tip. People don't usually make suggestions thinking it's going to take Turbine about 15 minutes to implement--certainly not with the amount of time and effort some people put into some suggestions.

I like the way it was put together, thanks Adder. If they ever ask us who to make the next dev you get my vote.

With the stables, I don't know if they need to have the swift travels. That is aiming a bit high. But as I originally posted the idea having a place to put your extra horses would be great. I mean... who needs 4 horses in their bag? Being able to display them at your house though would be exceptional.

I like the at home crafting too. But I would simply make the at home craft stations only for specific recipes. Hobby stuff or crafting housing items. That is just a personal thing though. I wouldn't have any problem with full out crafting stations.

The mannequins I think are an absolute genius idea. One I mentioned on a different thread and am glad to see it here. They should be able to hold a full set of gear minus the jewelry. What am I going to do with my oh so freakin' cool looking Rift gear once MoM comes out? This one should be simple to implement and a no brainier for the devs.

I am totally not worried about someone creating storage lockers. Store away! I already have a couple toons that are little more then storage lockers anyway. Make entire neighborhoods nothing but storage. People will find a way to hold their 500 Beryl Shards if the want to. I am only going to be going to the houses of the people that I want to see. It would not effect my game at all.

The key and lock thing is a big no for me though. I would hate to lose connection while in my house and come back on to find that my stuff is now scattered across the entire shire. The RP aspect is something I can recognize but it just needs to be an emote or something. /lock

There is a stream outside my house... I personally wouldn't pay to have a river stocked with fish. Fish as a pet in a pool on the other hand...? Maybe.

Festival and housing quests in the neighborhoods? Absolutely! This is a great idea to create community in general and I have said many times that any dev influence to do that is a great thing for the players.

The built from scratch houses and open placement I think have to be the future. I should be able to simply say I want four rooms and a cellar. And in the cellar is going to be allllll my chests. I will not have to store farming supplies in my bedroom with the bed in the middle of the floor. And yes, I will pay any price for that.

Castles might be stretching but certainly fun and I like the idea of a rider coming to my door though it would be out of place for the story being where it is. Minor things... to some. lol

I would also add bulletin boards. Last year I had asked the devs in an online chat if they would consider giving housing bulletin boards to leave notes if we were not around or for kin houses to post something to each other like "WBO @ 8pm,Troll D'd n ND ~SB" They said "absolutely not" at the time... well they said they had no plans to create anything like it. Then the next dev chat I was reading the notes and someone else asked the same thing and they said they did have something they were working on. So I still have my fingers crossed for that. It is a small thing. Forums can replace it, yet it would be a cool deal for most I think.

Anyway. I really like the post and I think it deserves some dev love.

Thanks Adder. Good on ya!
SB

This was so evil.... because I wanted it *all* to be true!! I was so excited, and then wanted to cry when I realized it was just a suggestion post. But I agree, this is some fabulous ideas and I wouldn't mind any of them or all of the being implemented... housing as it is sucks, I feel I wasted my money and my time on it.

Hm, hmm! With MoM out now, I wonder if this, or the spirit of it, could be put on the cooker sometime in the future.

Great post! You have a ton of cool ideas!

Two things that I would like to see in housing:
1 - Kinship-only neighborhoods (Hobbits actually had this in the books).
2 - A system to go through the housing broker to find and visit other people's houses that are on your friend's list, in the same kinship or with a character name search.

I would be happy right now if more neighborhoods would open up housing options in the Shire. I assisted a kinship in purchasing the last home in one of the neighborhoods to get new neighborhood open - and nothing.....

There should be a way for us to get the house we want - that's all I'm asking for.

Nestowyn, Vilya Server

/signed

Changes such as this would be the most amazing upgrade to a truly overlooked and under-appreciated part of this game.

/signed

Devs! Please I implore you to take heed of this suggestion! Give us more space to create the house of our dreams! More places for items... and roleplay in the housing areas!

Nice ideas. Id like to see them get rid of the hook system for in the houses (out in the yards I dont mind it so much).

Id get rid of neighbourhoods too... or atleast add the option to buy housing in those "prop houses" scattered through out the world. How cool would it be to own that little house on the Brandywine river near the ferry dock? Or have a hole in Frogmorton... As for yards, Im sure they could find a way to make it so we could still decorate yards.

The only thing that would get me interested in purchasing a home would be the option of buying access to a home in or near a major city.

For example, a toon on your account buys a small to large home or apartment, say, in Bree. You enter through the door and -- poof! -- you are in your own instanced apartment or home. It would not bother me in the slightest to see other players leaving or entering "my" home, seeing as how, once inside, it would be uniquely mine.

What is it realtors say? "It's all about location, location, LOCATION." Storage, lots of furnishing and decoration options, etc., are nice, but if I can't get a prime city location, I am just not interested in buying or renting a house or apartment. What LotRO offers now are desolate and dead suburbs. No, thanks.