Thread: How does it work?

How does the Bullroarer server work?

I have downloaded the client and installed it. Now I have 2 clients, the regular one and public test one.
The one for Bullroarer doesn't even load to the point where I should be entering my username and password, it just says "Vallue can not be null. Parameter name: stream". Is this a client error or is this because at this time Bullroarer is offline?

That would be for techincal issues. Now playing.

How does it actualy work when playing? Are we leveling our character there from lvl 1 too or is it something like creepside, we get a 75 toon for testing?

It is because it is offline.

If enabled, there is a character transfer tool that you can take a snapshot of your character on live and transfer it over.

If enabled, there is a special place called "Eyes and Guard Tavern" that lets you level from1 to whatever, get raid armor, unlimited crafting supplies, etc. so you can test things out.

Originally Posted by ShammWoww

It is because it is offline.

If enabled, there is a character transfer tool that you can take a snapshot of your character on live and transfer it over.

Is this a usual server-to-server transfer or copy/paste transfer where the toon you copied stays on the live server too?

Originally Posted by ShammWoww

If enabled, there is a special place called "Eyes and Guard Tavern" that lets you level from1 to whatever, get raid armor, unlimited crafting supplies, etc. so you can test things out.

Is this free or paid for service?

Thank you for your answers.

The copy process is just that - a snapshot of the live character at that moment. The process can also fail, and copies cannot be redone. Characters on the test server generally get wiped for expansion builds but sometimes can hang around over there for a fairly long time in between expansions.

As far as I know, it is a free service. But I don't know if everyone has access.

Creating a new test character is different in LOTRO than I've seen in other games. You have many, many options for how far you want to level a toon, and the insta-leveling process is done in tiers. This post is very helpful: http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.p...d-Guard-Tavern

You should have two launchers - one for Live and the other for Bullroarer. If Bullroarer is down, you'll see the message you got. If it's up, you'll be able to log in.

I suggest you read all the stickied threads on the Bullroarer forum.

Originally Posted by Gandalphor

Is this a usual server-to-server transfer or copy/paste transfer where the toon you copied stays on the live server too?

Is this free or paid for service?

Keep in mind that all answers reflect previous Betas and I have no idea if Turbine will continue all of the same policies/procedures into the future.

The Bullroarer test server is/was available by invitation only, then Turbine apparently had a problem and let anyone on to the test server if they were interested.

You can copy a character ONCE from any live server to Bullroarer. That copy does not impact the toon on the live server.
From the point of copy onwards, the two toons lead completely separate lives... and you can NEVER copy back to the live server from Bullroarer. (And you can only copy any given character ONCE.)

The reason for that restriction is simple... everything on Bullroarer is Free. There is a "place" in Bree and Thorins called "The Eyes and Guard Tavern." In it you can level your toon to the max, complete the entire Epic Quest line, get 10K (I think is the number) Turbine Points per day, get 10K gold per week, max out your Monster Character (any variety), Get your pick of the current "top of the line" "Raid Gear," and probably a couple of other things I'm forgetting. The point being -- depending upon what Turbine needs tested/verified, you need a toon that can access it, so the E&G makes that possible.

Depending upon Tubine's whim, characters on Bullroarer are wiped between "tests" or allowed to continue. Currently the same set of toons have been available on Bullroarer since the start of the 6.0 beta cycle. I.e. The Great River. That makes sense as Turbine has now committed to "Monthly" updates. Most of which are pretty "cosmetic" patches, i.e. not great content or technology changes.

Will things be wiped when -- whatever Turbine is going to label Riders of Rohan 6.x or 7.x -- beta a is begun? Probably, especially since the level cap is being raised and significant "new technology" is being deployed (war bands, mounted combat). But who knows. Will that beta be "open" as the ROI beta has been? Again, nobody knows until it is announced, or invitations sent out.

Guessing, based on this patch update cycle... expect Bullroarer to open up again in about a week, be up for about a week, and then the patch 6.2 is released.

Thank you both for your answers, they are realy helpful.

Originally Posted by Valamar

Guessing, based on this patch update cycle... expect Bullroarer to open up again in about a week, be up for about a week, and then the patch 6.2 is released.

Sapience (community manager) stated today that there would not be a 6.2. The next update will be major update 7.0. Odds are the live deployment will scheduled for June, 2012. Look for Bullroarer to come up last week in May or early June with Update 7.0.

Also I would like to add that character copy is unfortunately available only to US players. We Europeans can't copy our characters, we have to create brand new ones instead, altough Eyes & Guard tavern makes the process easier.

Originally Posted by Yula_the_Mighty

Sapience (community manager) stated today that there would not be a 6.2. The next update will be major update 7.0. Odds are the live deployment will scheduled for June, 2012. Look for Bullroarer to come up last week in May or early June with Update 7.0.

Thanks Yula, I'm glad you manage to spot such postings. I never manage to see them for whatever reason

Just noticed a follow-up posting by Sapience in that same thread, posted several hours later:

As an apology, let me give another tidbit about Update 7.

You should get a look at it late next week on Bullroarer.

Originally Posted by Valamar

Thanks Yula, I'm glad you manage to spot such postings. I never manage to see them for whatever reason

Just noticed a follow-up posting by Sapience in that same thread, posted several hours later:

As an apology, let me give another tidbit about Update 7.

You should get a look at it late next week on Bullroarer.

I really hope we get a character wipe this time.

As for spotting such postings. Use the Developer Tracker http://forums.lotro.com/turbine_tracker.php?tracker=dev

Originally Posted by Crell_1

I really hope we get a character wipe this time.

I went to the character copy page recently and my characters were still there from back in November.

Originally Posted by Elderban

I went to the character copy page recently and my characters were still there from back in November.

They only do the resets right before they bring up the server Its too soon to say.

As the creator of this thread i also get the "Vallue can not be null. Parameter name: stream" when i try and launch BR.

Is there really no page where we can see when BR is open or closed? I just assume people might become insecure whether they have installed it right or if it really is access restricted - even though i know its not - but when theres something new you try and it doesnt work most get suspicious if they did something wrong.

Turbine is doing a great job with the forums but why not add 1 line on the Bullroar forums with expected open/closed time/dates. If its closed for a longer time put an estimate like "opens up again mid-may" and once they get closer to that date update note and change it to: "opens from may 4th 15:00 utc".

Originally Posted by Torgy

...
Turbine is doing a great job with the forums but why not add 1 line on the Bullroar forums with expected open/closed time/dates. If its closed for a longer time put an estimate like "opens up again mid-may" and once they get closer to that date update note and change it to: "opens from may 4th 15:00 utc".

It seems not to be Turbines policy (lately?) to give dates except a few days in advance, outside of expansions. There are some cases where updates and game changes came more or less completely by surprise.

Bullroarer itself goes up when it goes up, there seems to be no information in advance. Rest easy, the other posters will usually kep you informed.

And finally the repu and tation guys actually give reputation for the guys :P

Originally Posted by marlwyn

And finally the repu and tation guys actually give reputation for the guys :P

But as a note you have use auto level in a very specific fashion, that probably always worked but was undocumented, in order to use them.