Thread: Answers to Your Questions

Originally Posted by Vhanja

What is Rest XP? Is it the blue bonus bar you get when you return to the game after having been away for a while?

Yes, rest XP is the Enhanced XP, which can also be purchased with Destiny Points.

Originally Posted by corrakkas

its unjust as i said before, some of these people that pay to play this game now are 100% creep they never bothered to play freep, and now that its free to play, what they want to do may not be available to them for any kind of reasons, etc, while a whole new set of people with be playing lotro for free, these people that play creep 100% are being forced to pay while others have a choice, as i said in another post, lots of creeps bad, but these guys that have dedicated their lotro lifes to creeping should be compensated somehow to balance it

It was mentioned in a blue post today that there's already a gross imbalance of creeps to freeps, so the problem with giving F2P and premium accounts access to the Moors is that the imbalance would escalate to gross proportions. You have to level a freep up to 60 to have a fighting chance out there, something that takes time and dedication, but you only have to get to level 10 on an account to roll a creep. Open PvMP to non-VIP accounts and all you'll get is a million WoW-head PvPers who spend three hours getting a freep to level 10, roll a creep, and then that's all they do.

If you think PvMP is in bad shape now, wait until you see how many freeps come out when they see the ratio is 50 freeps to 250 creeps. Then 30:250, then 15:300 as word gets out that freep PvMP just isn't worth it and everyone stops coming.

I'm not saying it's fair that creep-only players have to pay in the F2P model, but unless something else changes, it's the only thing that makes sense. Perhaps making it so that you can't roll a creep until level 60? I dunno... but then you would also need a level 60 to roll the creep, and THAT'S only available on a VIP account too!


(ETA - Thanks for the credit and rep, Eluros! )

Originally Posted by Belisana

It was mentioned in a blue post today that there's already a gross imbalance of creeps to freeps, so the problem with giving F2P and premium accounts access to the Moors is that the imbalance would escalate to gross proportions. You have to level a freep up to 60 to have a fighting chance out there, something that takes time and dedication, but you only have to get to level 10 on an account to roll a creep. Open PvMP to non-VIP accounts and all you'll get is a million WoW-head PvPers who spend three hours getting a freep to level 10, roll a creep, and then that's all they do.

If you think PvMP is in bad shape now, wait until you see how many freeps come out when they see the ratio is 50 freeps to 250 creeps. Then 30:250, then 15:300 as word gets out that freep PvMP just isn't worth it and everyone stops coming.

I'm not saying it's fair that creep-only players have to pay in the F2P model, but unless something else changes, it's the only thing that makes sense. Perhaps making it so that you can't roll a creep until level 60? I dunno... but then you would also need a level 60 to roll the creep, and THAT'S only available on a VIP account too!

Or a Premium account, but now I'm being nitpicky.

Originally Posted by Eluros

Yes-- see number 17 under "Account Questions". There will be a "back pay" sort of system.

I saw that, but the problem is that her post doesn't read to me as answering my question. Yes, if I log in I get 500 points, but those are not points for completing "point granting" activities in game. If she means, "No, you will not receive points when you first log in based on tasks you've already completed, but here are these 500 points to compensate you for that" then so be it, but my question was relating to things I've done besides having an active account for the next three months (more like stuff I've done over 3 years like completing deeds, doing quests, etc.).

I will be fine either way, but I'd like to know the system so (for example) if it is a deed based thing I can address it now instead of when F2P hits and you can't find a single slug in the shire that isn't camped.

Thanks, guys, for your quick replies.

Originally Posted by AdarinOuest

I saw that, but the problem is that her post doesn't read to me as answering my question. Yes, if I log in I get 500 points, but those are not points for completing "point granting" activities in game. If she means, "No, you will not receive points when you first log in based on tasks you've already completed, but here are these 500 points to compensate you for that" then so be it, but my question was relating to things I've done besides having an active account for the next three months (more like stuff I've done over 3 years like completing deeds, doing quests, etc.).

I will be fine either way, but I'd like to know the system so (for example) if it is a deed based thing I can address it now instead of when F2P hits and you can't find a single slug in the shire that isn't camped.

Fair enough. We can assume that, if X will give points, we will be backpaid those points for doing X now. It's anyone's guess what will give points, but I'd recommend starting to work on those slug deeds.

Originally Posted by Vhanja

Thanks, guys, for your quick replies.

Glad to help

Originally Posted by Eluros

Or a Premium account, but now I'm being nitpicky.

Oooh... this is true! Buy MoM to get to level 60 and you just got yourself a premium account. These changes take some getting used to.

Originally Posted by Belisana

Oooh... this is true! Buy MoM to get to level 60 and you just got yourself a premium account. These changes take some getting used to.

Absolutely-- I'm trying to wrap my head around them, myself. Working on this topic all morning has certainly helped, though; the hard work has definitely paid off in some crazy way. At any rate, it'll be interesting to see why people don't simply buy a one-month subscription, buy whatever expansion they're on, and not renew. Seems like they could pay all that content for free. Perhaps content will be released as such a rate as to merit the 500 point per month VIP membership? Sounds great! /wishful_thinking

so let me get this straight as long as i keep my account active with the multi month sub for the 3 month of 29.99 i keep axcess to all i have and the pricing will not change...and i will gain the benifit of the turbine point system, for no extra cost?

i know this seems like a silly question but here goes....

If DDO was such a huge success when it went FTP why have content updates and expansions been so sparse?

With FTP in LOTRO should we expect to see a decrease in free content updates and paid expansions, for whatever reason?

Originally Posted by haku.2424

Will new people to the game have the option to pay monthly to get the VIP service, also would they be willing to bring back lifetime VIP for a little bit when this goes live?

1. Yes. Players will always have the option of choosing a monthly subscription.
2. We do not currently have any plans to offer lifetime subscriptions.

Originally Posted by Vhanja

Thanks for the very quick replies! After some more pondering, I got a few more questions:

1. If I downgrade from VIP to Premium, will I keep the Turbine Points I've earned so far? So I can earn TP as a VIP, downgrade to Premium, and then used my earned TP to buy various upgrades?

2. How do Premium/F2P earn TP through gameplay?

3. Can a VIP/Premium member gift TP (from his own earned TP) to a F2P player?

1. Yes. Turbine points never expire and you can never 'lose' them by changing your customer status.

2. The exact methods and amounts will be part of the beta process.

3. Not something we're currently offering, or planning on offering at launch, but it is something we're looking into.

Has the term "Quest Pack" been defined yet?

From what i can find in the faq and discussions I get the impression that buying a Quest Pack with TP will unlock the quests in a zone.

So Premium and Free players will "buy/unlock" zones after Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land?

Thanks

Originally Posted by jedimaster101

so let me get this straight as long as i keep my account active with the multi month sub for the 3 month of 29.99 i keep axcess to all i have and the pricing will not change...and i will gain the benifit of the turbine point system, for no extra cost?

Exactly. If you keep your subscription, you won't be losing things-- you'll actually be gaining new things. Good news, eh?

Originally Posted by disappearingone

i know this seems like a silly question but here goes....

If DDO was such a huge success when it went FTP why have content updates and expansions been so sparse?

With FTP in LOTRO should we expect to see a decrease in free content updates and paid expansions, for whatever reason?

I know that DDO just got a pretty exciting content update... other than that, I have no info.

Originally Posted by Sapience

1. Yes. Players will always have the option of choosing a monthly subscription.
2. We do not currently have any plans to offer lifetime subscriptions.



1. Yes. Turbine points never expire and you can never 'lose' them by changing your customer status.

2. The exact methods and amounts will be part of the beta process.

3. Not something we're currently offering, or planning on offering at launch, but it is something we're looking into.

Thanks for the clarifications; I've added info to the main post.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by vole

Has the term "Quest Pack" been defined yet?

From what i can find in the faq and discussions I get the impression that buying a Quest Pack with TP will unlock the quests in a zone.

So Premium and Free players will "buy/unlock" zones after Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land?

Thanks

"Quest Pack" has not received further definition that I am aware of. Premium/Free players can either subscribe or buy modular access to content, based on my understanding.

Originally Posted by vole

Has the term "Quest Pack" been defined yet?

From what i can find in the faq and discussions I get the impression that buying a Quest Pack with TP will unlock the quests in a zone.

So Premium and Free players will "buy/unlock" zones after Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land?

Thanks

I haven't seen an actual definition of "quest pack" but I'm assuming it's simply the quests that are available in Eriador (possibly a pack per zone). There was another thread about the likelihood that Turbine is taking time to gate the starter zones in the way that eastern Angmar is gated or how the Hollin Gate and Mirkwood boat function. Honestly, I don't think that's the case.

First, you can't advertise the game as being F2P with a level cap of 50 if you don't let the F2P people out of the starter zones. Only way to do it would be to do all of Bree-land until it went grey, run GB over and over until it went grey, then get some high level to blast you through Sarnur repeatedly until you hit 50. No, I assume F2P will be able to travel the world (itself a great advertisement for buying the quest packs) but unable to quest unless they buy the packs themselves. Therefore, you could grind your way to 50 after exhausting the starter areas of quests. And without the benefit of rest xp? Ouch!

thanks for the reply..my mind is at easy...at first it was alot to take in but in the end just maintain your acct and u will loose nothing but gain something for what u were alreading paying...

Originally Posted by Eluros

Wait... sorry, are you saying that I posted something incorrectly, or Turbine did?

Wait, I forgot, you're TSK. This is a sarcastic post. Gotcha.

Actually, in amongst the usual TSK'ishness, he does say something plainly.

Your FAQ (an excellent compilation btw; +rep for you) states:

Originally Posted by Eluros

2. What areas will Volume 3 Book 3 focus on?

"Improvements to the Item Advancement / Legendary Items system, to Radiance, and to the monster play system."

TSK pointed out that nowhere does this...

Originally Posted by Nereid

As we go forward beyond this major update, we’re going to be giving our players the same great content and feature releases that you’ve come to expect from LOTRO. In late 2010 and into 2011, we’re going to be working on improvements to the Item Advancement / Legendary Items system, to Radiance, and to the monster play system.

... state that the changes will be forthcoming in 3.3. In fact, nowhere does it state they'll even be tied to Volume 3 at all, although I think it's safe to assume some or all of them will be. They might be out with 3.2 or 3.3, 3.5, or 4.2 for all we know. The released information doesn't address which book they're currently planned for.

So you may want to change your Question to: 2. What areas will be focused on after the fall release of Volume 3 Book 2?

Keep up the compiling.

Originally Posted by Belisana

I haven't seen an actual definition of "quest pack" but I'm assuming it's simply the quests that are available in Eriador (possibly a pack per zone). There was another thread about the likelihood that Turbine is taking time to gate the starter zones in the way that eastern Angmar is gated or how the Hollin Gate and Mirkwood boat function. Honestly, I don't think that's the case.

First, you can't advertise the game as being F2P with a level cap of 50 if you don't let the F2P people out of the starter zones. Only way to do it would be to do all of Bree-land until it went grey, run GB over and over until it went grey, then get some high level to blast you through Sarnur repeatedly until you hit 50. No, I assume F2P will be able to travel the world (itself a great advertisement for buying the quest packs) but unable to quest unless they buy the packs themselves. Therefore, you could grind your way to 50 after exhausting the starter areas of quests. And without the benefit of rest xp? Ouch!

Good points; I didn't think about that! I bet that'll actually help generate revenue, as players who are having to grind their way to 50 will likely be willing to purchase some items from the item store. So, it all works out. I think LOTRO is in a very healthy, albeit unforseen, place right now.

Originally Posted by jedimaster101

thanks for the reply..my mind is at easy...at first it was alot to take in but in the end just maintain your acct and u will loose nothing but gain something for what u were alreading paying...

Glad to help, and happy to hear that you are satisfied. All indications have been that this will be extremely beneficial for subscribers (and doubly-extremely beneficial for lifers, whoohoo!)

Originally Posted by Thoroval

Actually, in amongst the usual TSK'ishness, he does say something plainly.

Your FAQ (an excellent compilation btw; +rep for you) states:



TSK pointed out that nowhere does this...



... state that the changes will be forthcoming in 3.3. In fact, nowhere does it state they'll even be tied to Volume 3 at all, although I think it's safe to assume some or all of them will be. They might be out with 3.2 or 3.3, 3.5, or 4.2 for all we know. The released information doesn't address which book they're currently planned for.

So you may want to change your Question to: 2. What areas will be focused on after the fall release of Volume 3 Book 2?

Keep up the compiling.

Thanks for the rep; I'm very gracious to you and everyone else who gave some.

And you made an excellent point... I shall go and change the post right now!

I got a serious question reguarding the chat options of F2P.

On E, we have a very nice community and i do NOT want F2P people on the USERDEFINED channels, They do have the chat options limited but it hasn't been clarified.

F2P will destroy this community period. Should just leave things the way they are.

Originally Posted by Sapience

We do not currently have any plans to offer lifetime subscriptions.
.

Hum... too bad. If the philosophy behind F2P is truly to give players more options, I hope lifetime subs are not permanently off the table.

I'd jump at the chance to buy a second lifetime account.

Originally Posted by witchking782

I got a serious question reguarding the chat options of F2P.

On E, we have a very nice community and i do NOT want F2P people on the USERDEFINED channels, They do have the chat options limited but it hasn't been clarified.

That's a great point. I bet that most F2P players won't even hear about those channels... that being said, hopefully someone'll answer that question, as I'd like to know, myself. I could see some immature GLFF'ers on Arkenstone creating F2P accounts and spamming GLFF with hate.

Originally Posted by idontcare789

F2P will destroy this community period. Should just leave things the way they are.

Says the person called "I Don't Care"

If you feel that strongly, do you have a reasoned argument why, or simply angry that things are changing?

EDIT-- Vole posted while I was typing.

Originally Posted by vole

Hum... too bad. If the philosophy behind F2P is truly to give players more options, I hope lifetime subs are not permanently off the table.

I'd jump at the chance to buy a second lifetime account.

I'm sorry about that; I'm glad that my wife and I both got lifetimes for 200, "back in the day".

Originally Posted by Eluros

Thanks for the rep; I'm very gracious to you and everyone else who gave some.

And you made an excellent point... I shall go and change the post right now!

I should point out that I wasn't insulting you, though my pronoun choices were not clear. It is Turbine that deserves my wrath, and shall receive it. Happy to clear that up.

+rep to you for a good thread.

Originally Posted by TheStormKing

I should point out that I wasn't insulting you, though my pronoun choices were not clear. It is Turbine that deserves my wrath, and shall receive it. Happy to clear that up.

+rep to you for a good thread.

Hehe... no worries, but glad that someone else was able to clarify the pronoun issues. You rage against Turbine... now you're what, level 49, and I bet you hate this game! Too much new content for paying new members, coming up!

Read the OP and skimmed the last few pages, don't see this one asked.

Is there a limit/cap to the number of Turbine Point we can hold? (ie. if I don't spend my points for a year will I cap out and not get anymore til I spend some?)

I know the DDO players are saying there aren't any caps over there, just looking for confirmation that the same is going to happen for LOTRO.

- EXPANSION QUESTION -

Will all* new content be free as the game will be f2p.


*even stuff that usually required a retail purchase.


thank you.

Originally Posted by MissMel

Read the OP and skimmed the last few pages, don't see this one asked.

Is there a limit/cap to the number of Turbine Point we can hold? (ie. if I don't spend my points for a year will I cap out and not get anymore til I spend some?)

I know the DDO players are saying there aren't any caps over there, just looking for confirmation that the same is going to happen for LOTRO.

Item Store Question 3 states that points never expire. While I haven't seen anything explicitly confirming this (may have missed it), I take this to mean that your points will continue to stack without a cap.

Originally Posted by xcopydave

- EXPANSION QUESTION -

Will all* new content be free as the game will be f2p.


*even stuff that usually required a retail purchase.


thank you.

Item Store, Question 2: Expansions can be purchased with points. So, it will not be free, although F2P players will be able to earn them with enough work. Sapience stated it would be really hard, though.

My apologies if this has been asked before, but my question is:
What kind of price per point can we expect? Is lifetimers getting 500 points per month even worth anything? My first thought is that 500 points should be worth around 10-15 dollars (the price of a regular sub)

I think this is an all around bad idea for turbine to do, but I guess I just have to roll with it since I paid for a lifetime sub.

Originally Posted by soazero

My apologies if this has been asked before, but my question is:
What kind of price per point can we expect? Is lifetimers getting 500 points per month even worth anything? My first thought is that 500 points should be worth around 10-15 dollars (the price of a regular sub)

I think this is an all around bad idea for turbine to do, but I guess I just have to roll with it since I paid for a lifetime sub.

We don't know, and pricing details won't be available until the beta-- which is under NDA, meaning beta participants can't share details, anyways.

That being said, even if it's only worth a dollar or two, it's certainly better than nothing. The change won't take away content, but it'll add to the purchasing power of lifetime accounts. I'm a happy camper, personally.

Originally Posted by Eluros

Item Store Question 3 states that points never expire. While I haven't seen anything explicitly confirming this (may have missed it), I take this to mean that your points will continue to stack without a cap.

My thought too, especially with the input from DDO players, but would love to see an official confirm on it

Originally Posted by MissMel

My thought too, especially with the input from DDO players, but would love to see an official confirm on it

Scroll up.

http://forums.lotro.com/showpost.php...&postcount=131

Originally Posted by MissMel

My thought too, especially with the input from DDO players, but would love to see an official confirm on it

Hehe... I'll keep working on it for you.

Side note, I added a question about the effect of item store potions/etcetera on crafters. See the "Item Store Questions" section for a link to the post.

Originally Posted by soazero

My apologies if this has been asked before, but my question is:
What kind of price per point can we expect? Is lifetimers getting 500 points per month even worth anything? My first thought is that 500 points should be worth around 10-15 dollars (the price of a regular sub).

If the current DDO model provides any clues, they sell 420 points for $6.50

More at: http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/DDO_Store_Guide

Wait, wait... I have a question.

Will this help get The Hobbit movies green lighted?

Originally Posted by vole

If the current DDO model provides any clues, they sell 420 points for $6.50

More at: http://compendium.ddo.com/wiki/DDO_Store_Guide

I'll also add that in DDO the more you purchase (at a single time), the closer you get to a 1:1 ratio - $49.99 gets you 5000 points, and for those people who are used doing the mental conversion from money to Xbox Live points you'll notice that the $19.50 nets you 1550, which is almost the same as the US Xbox Live cards (which are $20 for 1600).

So yeah, the 500 monthly points are "worth" about $5-7, depending on how you look at it, but keep in mind that you also will have all the extra access and removal of restrictions/limitations that go with the Free or Premium levels.

Originally Posted by Sapience

1. Yes. Players will always have the option of choosing a monthly subscription.
2. We do not currently have any plans to offer lifetime subscriptions.



1. Yes. Turbine points never expire and you can never 'lose' them by changing your customer status.

2. The exact methods and amounts [of Turbine Points earned via gameplay] will be part of the beta process.

3. Not something we're currently offering, or planning on offering at launch, but it is something we're looking into.

Follow-up question to your response that I bolded above: once the methods of earning Turbine Points via gameplay have been determined, will folks who have completed these tasks prior to the launch of F2P be given Turbine points retroactively, especially if one of the methods is something easily trackable like completing deeds?

At the very least, is the awarding of Turbine Points for prior actions even being considered? (I am aware of the Points that current subscribers will receive for type and length of subscription, I'm just asking about points earned in-game).

Thank you in advance.

Originally Posted by Sapience

1. Yes. Players will always have the option of choosing a monthly subscription.
2. We do not currently have any plans to offer lifetime subscriptions.

Seriously? No announcement? No warning? No "LAST CHANCE AT A LIFETIME SUB!" notification?

I am really unhappy about this. Like many others who have posted here, I've been saving for a LT sub forever (I've been playing since Beta), and was under the impression that these would be available again this year. Coupling new availability of lifetime subscriptions with the launch of F2P makes perfect sense to me, honestly.

Anyway, I'm unhappy in LOTRO world today. I don't mind F2P and even understand why it is a next step, but...

At the same time, it has plainly set back the next content update (or provided an excuse to do so, which is the same thing), on the heels of the last one, which I thought was incredibly disappointing and lacking in real substance. As, honestly, have been the last two or three.

From a big picture standpoint, LOTRO has changed markedly for the worse over the past year for me--little content, huge emphasis on grinds (which I hate), and I am skeptical that a bunch of free players running around like Ruffians in the Shire will improve the atmosphere of this fragile and wonderful community. Fingers crossed for the best however.

I'm all out of sorts. I need a nice cup of tea.

Ok, i understand everything concerning the move to f2p. But there's still a burning question in my mind, are you going to continue to update the game even after v3b2's release?

and will the update schedule be sped up or slowed down with the change to f2p?

I haven't seen this asked yet (although at the light speed this forum category is moving I easily could have missed it) will the F2P Players be able to post on the forums?