Thread: 5th Anniversary Gifts - Not rewarding the most loyal, just the oldest.

I just read this on the web site:

"This year marks LOTRO’s 5th Anniversary! As part of the celebration, we would like to give you a gift as our way of saying thank you for joining us on our journey over the last five years! During the Anniversary Festival, which runs from April 16th through April 31st, all players will be eligible to receive gifts based on your account status* as of 11:59 DST on April 15th. Gifts will range from a new, unique set of fireworks and special anniversary cloak that all eligible players will receive to more exclusive items for our most steadfast premium and VIP players."

"Accounts created on June 30th, 2007 or earlier
The first to answer the call to arms, you have roots in LOTRO that run as deep as the mallorn trees of Lothlórien.
You will receive:
• A 5- year character portrait frame
• Festive Azure Steed
• New Azure Festival Clothing to match your steed
• Fireworks
• An Anniversary Cloak"


I think it is fantastic that Turbine is putting together an anniversary festival. I'm sure everyone is going to be very excited about receiving a free gift.

I must admit, thought, I am disappointed that the Festive Azure Steed will only be available to 5-year veteran players. You also need to be a 4-year veteran to receive the full set of anniversary clothes. It seems that events such as these reward the long standing players, not just the VIP players. On the surface, this makes sense. Reward loyalty, right? However, I would argue that players who haven't been here for 5 years are equally loyal.

There is nothing we can do to become founding players. If you aren't one now, you never will be. Despite paying the same monthly fee as long-time veterans, and making many contributions to the social and raid scenes on our servers, we will never be as rewarded as they are. If you spent twice as much money on Turbine Points, you're still out of luck. That leaves me feeling just a little left out in the cold. How about you?

Basically, I'm saying that time is not the best measure of loyalty or financial contribution.

The fine folks who run server-wide events and raids, give generously of their crafted goods, and otherwise make their server a fun place to be are more important than players who created their accounts way back in the day, but might be playing Star Wars or Guild Wars 2 today. I became VIP because of community contributors, and I'm willing to bet a lot of other people did as well.

I think it would be wonderful if we had some way to upgrade our status or purchase some of the higher level gifts. If the rewards are financially motivated, it might also be nice to upgrade people who have spent certain amounts of money on Turbine Points and expansions.

What say you?

I sayeth the following:

Give us some really nice anniversary gifts like Turbine Point sales or really good sales in the store instead of more fluff that will end up in a dark corner of my vault anyway.

Other than that... you get free gifts... be happy with what you get. There are not gifts for the person that spent the most money on the game but for the people that are still playing the game after many years.

Is there anything wrong with rewarding the people who have been playing the longest? We supported the game in its infancy and gave it the cashflow necessary for it to be still going strong 5 years later.

99.9% of the items in-game are available to everyone. Don't begrudge Founders a small unique reward.

Turbine put it well:

We were "The first to answer the call to arms, [we] have roots in LOTRO that run as deep as the mallorn trees of Lothlórien."

Well, it's about horses and I want the horse as well! /rant off
I am a bit sad that I won't get it but I can't blame Turbine for it.

I just wished Veteran Rewards like this one would not take place on a certain date, but when the account reaches a certain age.
In my case I lose 10 months of subscription to be accounted for the rewards, because I made my account in June and I would have had to create it in April to get the next Tier.

I'm happy to get fluff as a founder/lifetimer. I don't care if others who have been flitting to all other MMOs since the first year (I've been here since the 1st beta) get the same benefits as "Loyal" LOTRO players. They probably will not be here to enjoy their rewards anyway. I want to thank Turbine for rewarding us long-time players as well as others who have been here for the respective times.

Just wait, grasshopper, the store will have the same items you covet if you are patient.

The only part is, how do you define the "most loyal"?

By the amount of money they spent? Then that leaves everyone else out, and they would complain.

By the number of hours they've spent online? Then that leaves everyone else out, and they would complain.

You can probably see where I'm going here...

That's what I like about the holiday events. Everybody can quest, earn tokens, and buy whatever fancy items they like.

Some lotteries and events favor people with max level characters. That is something we can all achieve, with work.

Seniority by time... that's something we don't have control over.

Besides, I never said that older players shouldn't get the gifts for free. I only asked that there be additional ways earn them.

Took long enough for someone to complain about it.

I really fail to see the issue in giving a unique, exclusive reward to those players who have been here since day one, or pretty close.

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

Besides, I never said that older players shouldn't get the gifts for free. I only asked that there be additional ways earn them.

Reminds me of the funny t-shirt quote:

Always remember--you are unique. Just like everyone else.

hmmm....

Upset that a player who created an account at launch but hasn't played again until now gets more vs. a player who started 3 years ago and then went lifetime vs. a player that joined at F2P and has been hardcore ever since?

Nah...it's all just free gifts

Now, if the 5 year gift was that fireworks horse....that would be a horse of a different color

Well, as a "Founder, beta tester, and loyal player", I just like the fact some games recognize us. So many others just take us for granted. Remember Star Wars Galaxies? The older, loyal gamers got the shaft <especially the Jedi>

*sob* I just missed the New Azure Festival Clothing by a month....

Originally Posted by Laurefinde

I'm happy to get fluff as a founder/lifetimer. I don't care if others who have been flitting to all other MMOs since the first year (I've been here since the 1st beta) get the same benefits as "Loyal" LOTRO players. They probably will not be here to enjoy their rewards anyway. I want to thank Turbine for rewarding us long-time players as well as others who have been here for the respective times.

Just wait, grasshopper, the store will have the same items you covet if you are patient.

And that is a problem. I wish there was some exclusivity to some of the rewards in LOTRO. Its not special if anyone can just buy it. I missed the 5 yr deadline by two weeks. I would have been on earlier but I was in the Navy and deployed for 6 mos. Sigh.

Originally Posted by FatJedi

I wish there was some exclusivity to some of the rewards in LOTRO. Its not special if anyone can just buy it.

It sounds like some people want to feel elite and have special items that others don't have. Personally, if I like the item I have, I'm happy, no matter how many other people have it as well. Being rare doesn't make it any more special to me. I guess I'm overly generous - I'd like to see everyone get new toys to play with. Give the gifts to the founders for free, let everyone else earn them somehow. It seems like the best of both worlds. LotRO players are usually so community oriented...

sigh...you can please some of the people some of the time....

I've only been here for 2 years, but I'm happy to be getting free gifts. Why? Because they are free...

In my 5 years i've sunk more money into this game then you have in a long shot, I mean i was normal sub till mirk i think and then threw down 200-300 for lifetime not to mention all the expansions. Now I still have to spend money due to turbine's greed... I can't really say you can measure loyalty in a game other then time, you can throw down as much money as you want but next week you could be gone. Now I'd say it wouldn't be completely beyond turbine to sell the rewards in the store but it'd insult people who've stuck it out through this games many trip ups. Its understandable for people who've only been around since F2P to be kinda upset since they feel they didn't really get a chance at the other rewards, but you can't blame anyone.

To be honest none of the rewards are something to make a big deal about its just free stuff that don't affect gameplay at all (which is what the store itself was suppose to do). I mean if you're here for 5 years you seriously deserve a pat on the back I mean seriously, you wouldn't have turbine in a very high regard if you've been on this train since the start... Let alone would you want to throw money at them, just saying you would i think makes you less eligible.

The only thing that has kept me goin in the game is the community cause the game itself can't do it which is why I wouldn't put anymore money down on it since it doesn't come back to me in full. Buy Guild wars 2 if you want to spend money and see a game with 5 times the quality and 5 times less of a demand for money from their players (you can't even sub if you wanted, no quest packs, stat tomes, and the like, store only offers cosmetics and some accelerators(rep and such)). Obviously the game itself isn't out yet but it'll beat Lotro in every department except money making probably but then again they probably already have close to a million pre orders. I mean if you remove the whole lord of the rings bit from this game you can see if it really doesn't offer a whole lot.


Anyways abit of a rant which I'll apologize for but this topic isn't something thats gonna happen.

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

It sounds like some people want to feel elite and have special items that others don't have. Personally, if I like the item I have, I'm happy, no matter how many other people have it as well. Being rare doesn't make it any more special to me. I guess I'm overly generous - I'd like to see everyone get new toys to play with. Give the gifts to the founders for free, let everyone else earn them somehow. It seems like the best of both worlds. LotRO players are usually so community oriented...

I hope Turbine makes a list of all the people who disagree with them wanting to honor and appreciate those players with them since the beginning...

And sends you all Scented Candles.

I say good day!

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

It sounds like some people want to feel elite and have special items that others don't have. Personally, if I like the item I have, I'm happy, no matter how many other people have it as well. Being rare doesn't make it any more special to me. I guess I'm overly generous - I'd like to see everyone get new toys to play with. Give the gifts to the founders for free, let everyone else earn them somehow. It seems like the best of both worlds. LotRO players are usually so community oriented...

Not trying to be elitist, but it ruins my sense of accomplishment when what i spend my precious play time to achieve, can be bought with no effort in the LOTRO Store.

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

Besides, I never said that older players shouldn't get the gifts for free. I only asked that there be additional ways earn them.

That is the problem. Many of us are completionist or collectors. We want to do every quest, or every deed, or get every horse. These kind of programs basically say, "No you can't ever have the same content experience as some of the other players no matter what you do"

My wife already quit this game because she was so disgusted with how the F2P model has been handled, I'm gonna have a hard time justifying to her why I'm sticking with a game in which I pride myself in having completing all the quest, Deeds, and collected all the mounts when that is now impossible...

Originally Posted by Notaforumguy007

Its understandable for people who've only been around since F2P to be kinda upset since they feel they didn't really get a chance at the other rewards, but you can't blame anyone.

Nobody is being blamed for anything. Nobody has suggested taking anything away from founders. A polite suggestion was made to open up opportunities for other players, in addition to founders.

This is a Suggestions forum, after all. If you don't agree with a suggestion, that doesn't make it a complaint.

Originally Posted by Notaforumguy007

I mean if you're here for 5 years you seriously deserve a pat on the back I mean seriously, you wouldn't have turbine in a very high regard if you've been on this train since the start.

You're right. Founders deserve a pat on the back. They get at least one every year, which is fantastic. I would like to see community contributors get a pat on the back as well. Founders aren't the only people who support LotRO, right? For example, I think Fashion Week was a huge hats-off to those people who make incredible use of cosmetics and help others do the same. (Which also points out why the gifts may not be game affecting, but are still important to many people.) The Fashion web sites and blogs are amazing!

I think it's really good that long time members get all this nice gear for free.

But it would be nice if people who haven't been subbed as long can get the horse as well, I don't care if it's an epic epic grind to get it, i'll do it.

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

Nobody is being blamed for anything. Nobody has suggested taking anything away from founders. A polite suggestion was made to open up opportunities for other players, in addition to founders.

When you give something to everyone, you don't take the *item* away from one person, but it certainly removes the *sentiment*, which is something I appreciate more than the horse itself. As of now, I feel like my 5 years of supporting Turbine has been acknowledged and appreciated by them creating something more or less unique for me.

When they start selling it in the store, it'll just be another horse.

Originally Posted by Frisco

When you give something to everyone, you don't take the *item* away from one person, but it certainly removes the *sentiment*, which is something I appreciate more than the horse itself. As of now, I feel like my 5 years of supporting Turbine has been acknowledged and appreciated by them creating something more or less unique for me.

When they start selling it in the store, it'll just be another horse.

Giving you a free horse, account wide, that everyone else will have to pay 2000 TP (per toon)... That's a really nice way of showing appreciation.

I started playing in January 2008. I'm disappointed that I won't be getting the cool horse, but I'm delighted with the free stuff I will be getting. I'm also happy that Turbine is choosing to give a special and unique cosmetic gift to the folks who supported the game in its earliest days as a small token of thanks. They have my /salute as well.

Originally Posted by Frisco

When you give something to everyone, you don't take the *item* away from one person, but it certainly removes the *sentiment*, which is something I appreciate more than the horse itself. As of now, I feel like my 5 years of supporting Turbine has been acknowledged and appreciated by them creating something more or less unique for me.
When they start selling it in the store, it'll just be another horse.

You're not the first person to say that having something unique is important to feeling sufficiently recognized. I would have thought that getting it for free was a good reward. I can tell from the feedback that many people don't think so. I agree with your point that something sold in the store isn't as "special" in that regard.

Does this mean that you would be comfortable with other LotRO-supporting groups having their own special items, that you aren't able to get? The people with lifetime subscriptions (regardless of start date) could get a fancy cloak of their own. Perhaps even the class mounts could be locked down so that only Hunters can ride the hunter steed, and so forth.

I would like to point out that feeling everyone should have a chance to earn the prizes isn't being anti-Founder or against the idea of Turbine showing appreciation to the founders. That wasn't fair of you to say. As far as I can tell, we only disagree about what form that appreciation ought to take. Also, scented candles are awesome. Cinnamon or vanilla, please!

Originally Posted by phillbvi2

Giving you a free horse, account wide, that everyone else will have to pay 2000 TP (per toon)... That's a really nice way of showing appreciation.

It's not about the horse. It's about showing appreciation with something that shows you care.

It's the difference between a store-bought card and a homemade card.

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

You're not the first person to say that having something unique is important to feeling sufficiently recognized. I would have thought that getting it for free was a good reward. I can tell from the feedback that many people don't think so. I agree with your point that something sold in the store isn't as "special" in that regard.

See card analogy above.

Does this mean that you would be comfortable with other LotRO-supporting groups having their own special items, that you aren't able to get? The people with lifetime subscriptions (regardless of start date) could get a fancy cloak of their own. Perhaps even the class mounts could be locked down so that only Hunters can ride the hunter steed, and so forth.

Absolutely. The less homogenized the game is, the more it feels alive. I'd like to see more in-game custom titles, especially.

Originally Posted by XinaLotRO

This is a Suggestions forum, after all. If you don't agree with a suggestion, that doesn't make it a complaint.

Actually, with the snotty title you put on it, it IS a complaint. Dress up your pig and slather on the lipstick, it's still a pig. And you are STILL being snotty in your replies. If you wanted to suggest that the rewards be opened up to others to earn, you could have just said that without ANY of the negative comments about founders.

As for the suggestion of people being able to earn some of these things, I believe it is stated in the Anniversary page or somewhere else that some things WILL be available through questing. But then, I don't really care one way or another whether others have things I can't receive. I suppose you'd also like the people you think are so loyal to be granted the ability to "earn" things that people who pre-ordered the original game and the expansions got as part of the deal?

aww someone is grumpy because they miss the 5 year deadline o.o
you do know that there is still horse races for the steed?

I'm not sure what the complaints here are really about. The mount is a gift to founders. There are dozens of other mounts we can have, and the festival will also give us more.

So why is everyone so mad that they can't get the horse which has been implied is a gift to the founders? If the mount hadn't been touted as so exclusive, I'd bet half of the people here wouldn't have even bothered buying it.

There have been many other MMO's which have treated their founders to much greater prizes, almost making them to the status of demi-gods. It's not the case here; they're just giving away a freebie to the older players.

I won't get anything but fireworks, and yet I don't mind the 5 year old players getting an exclusive mount. What else perks do they get anyways?

Originally Posted by Ceremony

aww someone is grumpy because they miss the 5 year deadline o.o
you do know that there is still horse races for the steed?

Less trolling, more paying attention.

It's a different steed, which is why Founders are feeling special and everyone else wants their goodies.

Very agree.

This is not about a horse, it is matter of principles.

Originally Posted by Elementerm

I won't get anything but fireworks, and yet I don't mind the 5 year old players getting an exclusive mount. What else perks do they get anyways?

We have groups of people willing to listen to our stories about how we had to walk to Carn Dum uphill through a spider den with no campfire, mustering horn, or repair anvil through 100 mobs just to do a buggy 3-hour instance only to have Golodir be too dumb to avoid AoE and die, taking away our best shot at our first piece of teal gear.

Oh wait, no we don't. By the time we're done with our story, they've entered the instance finder and cleared up to Salvakh.

Originally Posted by Frisco

We have groups of people willing to listen to our stories about how we had to walk to Carn Dum uphill through a spider den with no campfire, mustering horn, or repair anvil through 100 mobs just to do a buggy 3-hour instance only to have Golodir be too dumb to avoid AoE and die, taking away our best shot at our first piece of teal gear.

Oh wait, no we don't. By the time we're done with our story, they've entered the instance finder and cleared up to Salvakh.

I remember dying instantly of Dread in Angmar because they had that messed up. What fun.

Originally Posted by Frisco

I hope Turbine makes a list of all the people who disagree with them wanting to honor and appreciate those players with them since the beginning...

And sends you all Scented Candles.

I say good day!

LOL I think I finally threw all my scented candles on the ground. They smelled like computer monitor anyway...:-)

Originally Posted by GregJL

Actually, with the snotty title you put on it, it IS a complaint. Dress up your pig and slather on the lipstick, it's still a pig. And you are STILL being snotty in your replies. If you wanted to suggest that the rewards be opened up to others to earn, you could have just said that without ANY of the negative comments about founders.

You have me quite confused. Which of my comments was negative about Founders?
All I said was that other people are special and deserve recognition, too. That's positive.

EDIT: You do make a point that the title is a bit misleading. That's the problem with having to make them short.
It should read, "Not rewarding all the most loyal", as some loyal players are not eligible for the special gifts.

I am glad that they are rewarding players by how long they have been subscribing. It's an Anniversary so that's how they should do it. I have two accounts - 1 will get the 5 year reward and the other will get the 3 year having just missed the cut off date. I'm thrilled. I figure between the two accounts I've certainly paid a lot more money than someone that just joined up. Festivals are for everyone but Anniversary rewards should go by how long you have been playing.

Thank you Turbine! You didn't have to give us anything but I'm really glad you did. :-)

Personally. I'd like to have seen them given away to accounts with an old enough creation date, but earnable by everyone else.

I can definitely see what OP means. I've been playing for 4 years straight (as in no major departures from the game) and yet I'm less rewarded than a person who bought the game a year before me but may have only just come back from a 2 year break.

To the OP, I say, grow up and stop acting like a spoilt child who didn't get what they want for their birthday.

Veteran Rewards have been discussed for some time, promised for around 4 years, thank you to Turbine for finally implementing them