Thread: Updated Launcher

1. The current launcher requires .NET 1.1, which was released in April of 2003 (9 YEARS AGO) and is not technically supported on Windows 7. Windows Vista comes with 3.0 and Windows 7 comes with 3.5. Could ya maybe use a close to up-to-date version of the .NET Framework?
2. The current launcher doesn't seem to like updates to the Visual C++ Redistributable and keeps installing the same outdated version. Could ya maybe stop automatically installing stuff that isn't required? Tell me a requirement is not met instead, kinda like what you do with .NET.
3. I have exactly 1 VIP subscription on each of my accounts, yet I'm continually asked to choose which subscription to play after entering my username and password. Could ya maybe skip that screen for VIP subscribers that have a single subscription on their account?

+1 on the net 1 framework requirement, have built and installed OS's ranging from xp, thru vista and 7, and after patching each OS to be current, it's a pain to install LOTRO and then have to go and fiddle around getting the earlier net frameworks installed in order to be able to run it. I think on my last fresh install of XP, after updating XP to latest service pack and all updates, it was more than an hour of extra work and needed to Google how to get 1.1 installed when you already had later versions installed, as XP pretty much decides you don't need it as you already have the later versions.

I believe they have updated the launcher for update 6, someone mentioned in bullroarer forums. I don't know the details, maybe it was just the looks.

Originally Posted by Elenluin-Menelloth

I believe they have updated the launcher for update 6, someone mentioned in bullroarer forums. I don't know the details, maybe it was just the looks.

Just the look.

IMHO - Turbine doesn't want to spend the dollars for no economic benefit to them. The launcher works under all operating systems including Windows 8. Microsoft still provides .NET 1.1 downloads.

Personally, as software developer I think it is silly. It is a standard management response. "It ain't broke. Don't fix it". or the " You want to spend dollars to provide the same functionality today Yula? Yeah! Forget it"

It is really old code now. I bet they don't have anyone that is familiar with the launcher code any more. The launcher code is a core functionality used by 3 different games.

Re: Installing .Net 1.1 via "Slipstream"



It's now May 2012 and this issue has yet to be resolved. This SHOULD HAVE been resolved by the Turbine programers when it became an issue over 2 years ago. They have a new release forth coming and I must say it's a shame they have not resolved this matter. I would not be surprised if the new LOTRO gamers jump ship because of this and install a game that has a more current installation/driver support regardless of how great the game play is. There are just too many other current games that do not have this issue and this matter reflects poorly on Turbine. Since they still have this as an ongoing matter for over 2 years now, what else are they not fixing? I had the same issue reported here, but I did the install of NET Framework 1.1 and indeed LOTRO does work BUT now my Microsoft Windows 7 64bit Enterprise will no longer install new applications or updates. After many wasted hours in attempting to resolve, I gave up and formated the hard drives and reinstalled Microsoft Windows 7 64bit Enterprise version along with all my other applications. Because of this, I have opted not to install LOTRO on this computer. I do have another computer with LOTRO installed and working with the same fix and the same issue with installation of updates to the operating system due to it, but I can delay those since I still have a 2nd computer I can work on, for the time being.

Personally, I would not recommend LOTRO to be installed on a Windows 7 but this may put Turbine in a bind if not resolved soon since all new computers are installed with Windows 7 and soon to be released Windows 8. So, if this has been a known issue by Turbine for over 2 years, how much longer will it take to resolve this matter before I and many others just dump LOTRO and move on to something compatible with the current technology? As the sayings go, "You snooze you loose".

--

“ It takes a person with vision to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary”

The launcher is horrible and ridiculous. They don't even care some dudes over at the forums moan about it.

It's a piece of junk, alright.
It crashes if your .NET 1.1 is not installed correctly (Windows 7-64 does not even support .Net 1.1 and Microsoft suggests never to use it again), which is rather hard anyway on a 64 Bit Windows system.
The info about the subscription is quite pointless as well.

But ... it is able to run without admin rights (all you need are write rights on the LotRO folder) and that's more than the TOR launcher can do.

Yep, I would love to see a new launcher based on a modern programing language and some bugfixes with the C++ installation (as far as I recall that's a problem with the time format).

Originally Posted by Neumi

(Windows 7-64 does not even support .Net 1.1 )

I'm wondering about this statement. I'm using Win7Pro64 with 1.1 installed, and everything seems to work fine. I've even installed new applications, such as Adobe Premiere Elements 10, H&R Block tax at home (or whatever they're calling it this year), and even WoW - everything is working.

Originally Posted by Neumi

(Windows 7-64 does not even support .Net 1.1

Originally Posted by Roberto_the_First

I'm wondering about this statement. I'm using Win7Pro64 with 1.1 installed, and everything seems to work fine. I've even installed new applications, such as Adobe Premiere Elements 10, H&R Block tax at home (or whatever they're calling it this year), and even WoW - everything is working.

Indeed. Works fine on my 3 Windows 7 64-bit systems.

(Which is not to say that they should still be relying on it.)

They can use PyLotro as new launcher it has less depencies as the .net launcher und its simpler.

Originally Posted by Yula_the_Mighty

IMHO - Turbine doesn't want to spend the dollars for no economic benefit to them.

For Turbine, substitute Warner Brothers, and you're right. Remember, Turbine are no longer in control of their own budget.