Thread: Answers to Your Questions

Here's a question:

Me and my partner (in hard economic times) were going to cancel our subscription based on the announcements this month. Seeing how its going F2P he decided to cancel our current subs and wait until there is a better outline in whats available in the store vs. being VIP.

My question - there is a "back pay system." If we decide after being more informed to re-instate our subscription, do we still get those points for being subscribers since Dec. 2008 or did we just shoot ourselves in the foot because we can't afford $60.00 next month for the game?

I'm kinda nervous that we may lose our points. I know that we can still be eligible for "Premium" which is why we ultimately decided to cancel. We just don't want to end up with 0 turbine points in the end.

Originally Posted by Loth_Don

I see that monster play is 'not available' to premium and free players. Does that mean players that let their subs run out will lose access to their monster players?

Correct. I will add this to the FAQ.

Originally Posted by HawtMama

This makes it seem like free to play people earn points and dont have to buy them:

# What is Free-to-Play?

Free-to-Play opens up more choices and options so you can play your way. When LOTRO Free-to-Play is available, you can download the game for free and start playing without a subscription or even a credit card. Earn free Turbine Points as you advance your Hero and adventure throughout the massive world of Middle-earth. You can spend these points in the LOTRO Store to access hundreds of convenience items as well as expansion packs, premium content, potions, character-customization options, and more. If you choose to, you may also purchase Turbine Points in the LOTRO Store.

Correct. There will be ways in game to earn various amounts of Turbine points. In theory, you could never spend a penny in the store but still acquire enough Turbine Points to purchase everything you would want. It would take a great deal of effort, but it would be possible.

In contrast, subscribers will be able to earn points in game plus they will be given an additional 500 points per month for being a subscriber.

Originally Posted by Hezaboro

Here's a question:

Me and my partner (in hard economic times) were going to cancel our subscription based on the announcements this month. Seeing how its going F2P he decided to cancel our current subs and wait until there is a better outline in whats available in the store vs. being VIP.

My question - there is a "back pay system." If we decide after being more informed to re-instate our subscription, do we still get those points for being subscribers since Dec. 2008 or did we just shoot ourselves in the foot because we can't afford $60.00 next month for the game?

I'm kinda nervous that we may lose our points. I know that we can still be eligible for "Premium" which is why we ultimately decided to cancel. We just don't want to end up with 0 turbine points in the end.

Hopefully this'll help...

http://www.lotro.com/support/policies/loyaltyreward

I believe points are tied to account. If you actually deleted your account, you lost your points. Since free and premium members have access to points, you should not lose any. You will want to log in at least once this month to get points (if you haven't yet), but as far as points you qualify for, unsubscribing and waiting for what comes next should be fine.

That help?

That does help - we didn't delete we just had to stop subscriptions or else we wouldn't eat for the month

Thanks a bunch - can't wait to see what all LotRO will bring about in the future

Originally Posted by Sapience

Correct. There will be ways in game to earn various amounts of Turbine points. In theory, you could never spend a penny in the store but still acquire enough Turbine Points to purchase everything you would want. It would take a great deal of effort, but it would be possible.

In contrast, subscribers will be able to earn points in game plus they will be given an additional 500 points per month for being a subscriber.

Thanks; added the appropriate question/answer to the main post. Added color to the Categories to make it easier to find what someone's looking for.

I currently pay monthly for Lotro, I have always been on the fence for lifetime and when I decided to finally get it the option was gone. Now F2P comes out and I am a bit worried as to what it will do for me. My scenario is this. I have been paying monthly for lotro but may stop once F2P comes out. So I just want to know what would happen.

1. Quest Packs: the list states that for a VIP player you get access to all of Eriador but for Premium you only get Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land. Does that mean that I will be restricted to these areas if I decide to stop paying?

2. I have read so far that if you ever payed for this game that gold limit and bag space is not going to be reduced, just want to double check on that one.

3. Chat/Auction/mail: VIP is unrestricted but premium is restricted. is that going to be restricted if I stop paying or is it going to remain the same?

4. Rest IXP/ Destiny Points: same goes for this is it cut off if you move from VIP down to premium?

5.Monster Play: (this is a big one for me) I pvp all the time, im out there everyday for hours on end, will I no longer be able to go out there?

Lastly whats the Customer Service? like tickets to a GM ingame?

Originally Posted by haku.2424

I currently pay monthly for Lotro, I have always been on the fence for lifetime and when I decided to finally get it the option was gone. Now F2P comes out and I am a bit worried as to what it will do for me. My scenario is this. I have been paying monthly for lotro but may stop once F2P comes out. So I just want to know what would happen.

1. Quest Packs: the list states that for a VIP player you get access to all of Eriador but for Premium you only get Ered Luin, Shire, Bree-land. Does that mean that I will be restricted to these areas if I decide to stop paying?

2. I have read so far that if you ever payed for this game that gold limit and bag space is not going to be reduced, just want to double check on that one.

3. Chat/Auction/mail: VIP is unrestricted but premium is restricted. is that going to be restricted if I stop paying or is it going to remain the same?

4. Rest IXP/ Destiny Points: same goes for this is it cut off if you move from VIP down to premium?

5.Monster Play: (this is a big one for me) I pvp all the time, im out there everyday for hours on end, will I no longer be able to go out there?

Lastly whats the Customer Service? like tickets to a GM ingame?

1. You've already paid money, so you won't be a Free Player-- you'll be premium. Anything you paid for (including Moria and Mirkwood), you'll still have access to.

2. False. If you were VIP and stopped paying you are a Premium player. You can have 5 gold (capped) at once. Anything extra is stored in escrow.

3. Again, if you stop paying, you are restricted to Premium.

4. See above.

5. Only VIPs can PvMP. If you don't pay, no going into the Moors.

Hope that helps!

Originally Posted by Loth_Don

I see that monster play is 'not available' to premium and free players. Does that mean players that let their subs run out will lose access to their monster players?

i was curious about this as well, but the standard thing thats the guys have been saying, if you currently have something or access to something, you will never lose it

Here is the link for the answer to "Is there any additional content update in the next several months?" - NO - http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=335274

Originally Posted by corrakkas

i was curious about this as well, but the standard thing thats the guys have been saying, if you currently have something or access to something, you will never lose it

This is generally true, but the FAQ explicitly states:

The monster play feature is reserved as an exclusive feature for VIPs. If you want to play as a monster and join Sauron's dark forces, you can do it at anytime by upgrading to VIP!

Couldn't be much more clear than that. It is exclusive for VIPs. If you are not a VIP, I'm afraid that you can't engage in PvMP.

Originally Posted by fiat77124

Here is the link for the answer to "Is there any additional content update in the next several months?" - NO - http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=335274

Thanks; I added it to the main post and gave you credit. I'll give you rep, as well.

EDIT-- I'm out of rep to give, but will give you some when possible.

Originally Posted by Eluros

This is generally true, but the FAQ explicitly states:

The monster play feature is reserved as an exclusive feature for VIPs. If you want to play as a monster and join Sauron's dark forces, you can do it at anytime by upgrading to VIP!

Couldn't be much more clear than that. It is exclusive for VIPs. If you are not a VIP, I'm afraid that you can't engage in PvMP.

so your telling me, that if i have a rank 12+ creep and for whatever reason i drop from vip to preimium, then i cant play my high ranked creep, that sounds really wrong and injustice. its the same as getting banned for months at a time, your ability to play something that you have worked your whole lotro life for shouldnt just be taken away from you

Originally Posted by corrakkas

so your telling me, that if i have a rank 12+ creep and for whatever reason i drop from vip to preimium, then i cant play my high ranked creep, that sounds really wrong and injustice. its the same as getting banned for months at a time, your ability to play something that you have worked your whole lotro life for shouldnt just be taken away from you

Yes, I am telling you that. Sorry, but if you want to participate in PvMP, you need to pay the subscription. It's not like being punished or having something taken away; you're already paying for it. Nothing is changing for you. If you instigate the change (by not paying), you lose access. If you continue paying, Turbine will honor your subscription (see the main post) and you can use your creep. It's not any different than before the pricing announcement.

I didn't see this on the original post update so I appologize if this has been asked.

Do I need to log into my regular game the next few months or a beta free to play in order to get my bonus free points as a lifer?

Originally Posted by corrakkas

so your telling me, that if i have a rank 12+ creep and for whatever reason i drop from vip to preimium, then i cant play my high ranked creep, that sounds really wrong and injustice. its the same as getting banned for months at a time, your ability to play something that you have worked your whole lotro life for shouldnt just be taken away from you

How is it unjust? VIP is for those that are either lifers or pay a monthly fee. Just like you do now. If you currently stop paying your monthly fee you lose access to everything! With this new model you would still have some access to certain things.

It's nowhere near the same as being banned, because you aren't paying anything to play the game.

Originally Posted by OLRINN

I didn't see this on the original post update so I appologize if this has been asked.

Do I need to log in to my regular game the next few months or a beta free to play in order to get my bonus free points as a lifer?

No problem; it's not in the original post. I'll update it.

From here: http://www.lotro.com/support/policies/loyaltyreward
Lifetime Membership Subscribers must have at least one active play session per month during the Special Offers Eligibility Date.

There ya go; hope it helps!

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."

THIS IS NOT WHAT WAS SAID.

What is said in that released statement is that AFTER the update this fall, THEN they will work on fixing LIs, Radiance, and PvMP. Up through 2011.

Instead of working on it now. Turbine, you are powered by your fans, in that you burn us up like fuel, and just need more input to keep it turning. FAILURE.

I'm working on a post now to contain my vitriol for you. Stay tuned. It will only hurt a lot.

Originally Posted by Eluros

No problem; it's not in the original post. I'll update it.

From here: http://www.lotro.com/support/policies/loyaltyreward
Lifetime Membership Subscribers must have at least one active play session per month during the Special Offers Eligibility Date.

There ya go; hope it helps!

Thanks, but I just want to be clear that this is not the Beta Ftp and I can just log into my normal toon on Brandywine for this to register, right?

I've read the FAQ, but I got two questions:

1. Concerning "Quest Packs", does that mean that non-VIP players can't access non-epic quests (regular quests) outside of Ered Luin, Shire and Bree?

2. Can Premium members (downgraded VIPs) post at the auction house?

Originally Posted by OLRINN

Thanks, but I just want to be clear that this is not the Beta Ftp and I can just log into my normal toon on Brandywine for this to register, right?

That's correct.

Originally Posted by TheStormKing

THIS IS NOT WHAT WAS SAID.

What is said in that released statement is that AFTER the update this fall, THEN they will work on fixing LIs, Radiance, and PvMP. Up through 2011.

Instead of working on it now. Turbine, you are powered by your fans, in that you burn us up like fuel, and just need more input to keep it turning. FAILURE.

I'm working on a post now to contain my vitriol for you. Stay tuned. It will only hurt a lot.

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.

Originally Posted by Vhanja

I've read the FAQ, but I got two questions:

1. Concerning "Quest Packs", does that mean that non-VIP players can't access non-epic quests (regular quests) outside of Ered Luin, Shire and Bree?

2. Can Premium members (downgraded VIPs) post at the auction house?

1. Correct for free players, as far as I can tell. Premium players can access whatever they paid for (so, if they bought SoA, all of Eriador. And so on for MoM and SoM).

2. Yes, but in a limited manner. I don't have details on hand; I'll see if I can dig some up.

Originally Posted by Eluros

Yes, I am telling you that. Sorry, but if you want to participate in PvMP, you need to pay the subscription. It's not like being punished or having something taken away; you're already paying for it. Nothing is changing for you. If you instigate the change (by not paying), you lose access. If you continue paying, Turbine will honor your subscription (see the main post) and you can use your creep. It's not any different than before the pricing announcement.

dude im a duel lifer, this doesnt effect me, its just a flaw in the system that i personaly think that needs to be addressed, some of these people that play lotro are 100% creeps and do not care about anything freepside, there should be something done for these people

Originally Posted by WilliamC

How is it unjust? VIP is for those that are either lifers or pay a monthly fee. Just like you do now. If you currently stop paying your monthly fee you lose access to everything! With this new model you would still have some access to certain things.

It's nowhere near the same as being banned, because you aren't paying anything to play the game.

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

I may have missed it, but after going through the pages 3 times I have found nothing on what will happen to those of us who have life time accounts. Am an old coot and may have just missed the answer to my question.

Originally Posted by corrakkas

dude im a duel lifer, this doesnt effect me, its just a flaw in the system that i personaly think that needs to be addressed, some of these people that play lotro are 100% creeps and do not care about anything freepside, there should be something done for these people

Glad to hear you have dual lifetime subscriptions. I'm sure they would not agree with you, and not consider it a problem. PvMP is a pretty unique system, and definitely worth paying for.

Originally Posted by tim

I may have missed it, but after going through the pages 3 times I have found nothing on what will happen to those of us who have life time accounts. Am an old coot and may have just missed the answer to my question.

No problem; see Number 12 on account questions. Basically, anything you already paid for (Lifetimes paid for, well, VIP status forever), you will continue to have. You will be a VIP forever, unless you are banned or cancel your account.

Here's one:

Let's say you are a Free-to-Play or Premium player who has a loathing toward the gobs and gobs of XP doled out to your characters, leveling you faster than an Atlas IV rocket.

As it stands such Free-to-Play and Premium players will NOT be burdened with unwanted Rest XP. Wouldn't it be a STRONG disincentive for them to become a VIP players knowing they will then have to put up with such unwanted Rest XP.

So the question is: Will VIP players have an option to decline receiving Rest XP, or otherwise have greater control over the rate at which they level?

I'm a lifetime subscriber and hence will automatically be a VIP.

Originally Posted by Sapience

Correct. There will be ways in game to earn various amounts of Turbine points. In theory, you could never spend a penny in the store but still acquire enough Turbine Points to purchase everything you would want. It would take a great deal of effort, but it would be possible.

In contrast, subscribers will be able to earn points in game plus they will be given an additional 500 points per month for being a subscriber.

I have asked the following and still have not received a definitive answer...

Will current subscribers who may have fulfilled the obligations to get points under the system above (i.e. completed X number of quests, reached X level without dying, etc.) have the additional Turbine Points retroactively applied to their accounts? I know that I will receive 500 for logging in, but when day one of F2P hits and I log in will the game check my quest/deed/whatever log and credit me with Turbine Points for the things I've done in the past that would have garnered me points?

Originally Posted by FoxFire

Here's one:

Let's say you are a Free-to-Play or Premium player who has a loathing toward the gobs and gobs of XP doled out to your characters, leveling you faster than an Atlas IV rocket.

As it stands such Free-to-Play and Premium players will NOT be burdened with unwanted Rest XP. Wouldn't it be a STRONG disincentive for them to become a VIP players knowing they will then have to put up with such unwanted Rest XP.

So the question is: Will VIP players have an option to decline receiving Rest XP, or otherwise have greater control over the rate at which they level?

I'm a lifetime subscriber and hence will automatically be a VIP.

No official word that I have seen, but given Turbine's resistance to this so far, I find it unlikely that they'll implement such a system. Just my speculation, though-- nothing more. This might be better in the "Suggestions" forum, where someone might see it.

Originally Posted by AdarinOuest

I have asked the following and still have not received a definitive answer...

Will current subscribers who may have fulfilled the obligations to get points under the system above (i.e. completed X number of quests, reached X level without dying, etc.) have the additional Turbine Points retroactively applied to their accounts? I know that I will receive 500 for logging in, but when day one of F2P hits and I log in will the game check my quest/deed/whatever log and credit me with Turbine Points for the things I've done in the past that would have garnered me points?

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

EDIT-- Updated post to 5.1; added additional sources for interested readers.

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?

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?

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?

Monthly subscriptions will definitely be available for new players.

Lifetime... at this point, no one knows, but there's a lot of speculation that it will be offered during the duration of the upcoming PAX East conference. It's in the next 2 weeks, if I recall correctly. Just rumors, of course.

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. Definitely, yes. I will have to find a source, but this is absolutely the case.

2. Unknown.

3. Unknown, but highly unlikely. Again, I'll try to find a source.

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

No it's not. These people currently pay a fee to access the content. They will still need to do so when it goes f2p. These people are not forced to pay, they also have a choice. They can make the choice to not pay.
Why should they be compensated? That is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard! They bought the game and pay a monthly fee to access it. If they wish to continue to access this feature then they need to continue paying. It's that simple. F2P players have restrictions in place, there are a lot of areas they can't access. They have limits on chat, inventory, and so on. It's not like the F2P players are getting full access to the PvE content either. They get certain things, but not everything.

I don't have the patience to read through the forums today so I don't know if you already have this. I asked what having 'one active play session' meant and Sapience said just log in to the game, meaning your character is in the game world.

Originally Posted by WilliamC

No it's not. These people currently pay a fee to access the content. They will still need to do so when it goes f2p. These people are not forced to pay, they also have a choice. They can make the choice to not pay.
Why should they be compensated? That is one of the most absurd things I have ever heard! They bought the game and pay a monthly fee to access it. If they wish to continue to access this feature then they need to continue paying. It's that simple. F2P players have restrictions in place, there are a lot of areas they can't access. They have limits on chat, inventory, and so on. It's not like the F2P players are getting full access to the PvE content either. They get certain things, but not everything.

Agree 100%. It's not like there are new charges for PvMP. If they said that you had to be a VIP and also buy access, that would be something very different. What's currently happening is very reasonable, and probably good for high-ranked Moors players who don't want gazillions of noobs in the Moors.

Originally Posted by Cerridwen

I don't have the patience to read through the forums today so I don't know if you already have this. I asked what having 'one active play session' meant and Sapience said just log in to the game, meaning your character is in the game world.

Thanks; it's already in there as number 13 under Account Questions.

Originally Posted by Eluros

No official word that I have seen, but given Turbine's resistance to this so far, I find it unlikely that they'll implement such a system. Just my speculation, though-- nothing more. This might be better in the "Suggestions" forum, where someone might see it.

Oh I think 'Suggestions' has seen ENOUGH of this one.

But you miss the point of my question. The point being that for SOME people upgrading to VIP will put them in a position of now (potentially) receiving something they absolutely do not want, Rest XP. Being that Turbine clearly has the ability to turn off receiving Rest XP (which you don't get as a Free-to-Play or Premium player), this question is now relevant.

Ok, maybe there are players who upgrade to VIP who absolutely unequivocally DON'T want Wardrobe Storage , well those lucky people get the option to NOT using the Wardrobe, or not using pretty much any individual benefit they get by being a VIP player. As an example, I turned off the Quest Finder thingy on the day it went live and haven't used it since.

I'd like to know if we can KEEP the benefit of not getting Rest XP, that we'd otherwise have as Free-to-Play or Premium players. (Or if it will be unnecessary because Turbine has finally decided to give players an alternative way to control their leveling speed).

Hopefully it will be answered somewhere so you can add it to the OP.

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?

Originally Posted by FoxFire

Oh I think 'Suggestions' has seen ENOUGH of this one.

But you miss the point of my question. The point being that for SOME people upgrading to VIP will put them in a position of now (potentially) receiving something they absolutely do not want, Rest XP. Being that Turbine clearly has the ability to turn off receiving Rest XP (which you don't get as a Free-to-Play or Premium player).

Ok, maybe there are players who upgrade to VIP who absolutely unequivocally DON'T want Wardrobe Storage , well those lucky people get the option to NOT using the Wardrobe, or not using pretty much any individual benefit they get by being a VIP player. As an example, I turned off the Quest Finder thingy on the day it went live and haven't used it since.

I'd like to know if we can KEEP the benefit of not getting Rest XP, that we'd otherwise have as Free-to-Play or Premium players. (Or if it will be unnecessary because Turbine has finally decided to give players an alternative way to control their leveling speed).

Hopefully it will be answered somewhere so you can add it to the OP.

Sure, I'll definitely keep an eye open; let me know if you see anything. Question: let's assume that I played the game 2 months ago and unsubscribed; I then resubscribed today (2 months later). Would I have Rest XP for the time I was unsubscribed? If so, then I would bet you (rhetorically speaking, not literally, per the ToS ) that this will not be changed, since it's working as intended.

Vhanja, yep, Rest XP is gained while you're logged out of a character. When you log back in, mob kills give you more XP for some time. Encourages you to take breaks.