What's worse than sparkling vampires? - Sparkling apparel dummies!
I dunno... Sparkling dummies are annoying, but I'd run away screaming if I saw a sparkling vampire in Middle-earth. After all, we've already got the immortality-and-good-looks thing down, no garlic allergy needed.
Why do they need to be out in the open? :/ Put them inside somewhere. They look very out of place in most of the spots I've seen so far. I will certainly ignore these out of principle unless they are moved to a more suitable location.
I'm really getting a bad feeling about this and the new RoR added content. I now it's been said before, with other expansions, but this is giving me the "money grab" and let's hope we get enough money to continue feeling. Everything seems to be pointed at, "let's make as much as possible" and if it works we can keep this going.
I have to wonder if RoR doesn't do well enough, will the game even keep going with great content, or will it just devolve into grabbing as much money as possible with little regard to Tolkien and content.
I keep wondering what the Tolkien people think of what's been going on with their license. Are they being paid off? I seem to remember a post where someone said the Tolkien people had sued over content and had been settled out of court.
I keep wondering what the Tolkien people think of what's been going on with their license. Are they being paid off?
Tolkien himself would be turning in his grave with the past two years of the store implementation. When Turbine come to renew the license with the Tolkien people, I hope they see what they have been doing to this once impressive world, and that Turbine finally get rid of their money grabbing schemes, and go back to their loveable selves in SoA (So I had heard).
481....as many many others have said, stick them inside a store or a vendors tent or just outside a store and take off the sparkles...reminds me of The Sims! A Vendors Dummy isnt a bad idea how its been implimented is just not one (turbines) better moves.
Hobbits Dummys for MD, Human ones for Bree, Dwarfie ones in Thorins and Elfy ones in Celondim
Being the eternal optimist that i am im sure they will be properly relocated and fixed...and id hurry if i was you We hobbit folk are trying to figure out how to cut them down and move them out into the vegie patch
Hey ho to the bottle i go, to heal my heart and drown my woe.....
Tolkien himself would be turning in his grave with the past two years of the store implementation. When Turbine come to renew the license with the Tolkien people, I hope they see what they have been doing to this once impressive world, and that Turbine finally get rid of their money grabbing schemes, and go back to their loveable selves in SoA (So I had heard).
Don't fool yourself. Tolkien would have the video game itself just as much as the store part of it.
Don't fool yourself. Tolkien would have the video game itself just as much as the store part of it.
Don't fool yourself indeed... i think he'd be either shocked by the fact that people are wasting so much time inside a diabolic (per)version of his creation OR he'd be nitpicking it completely to pieces.
Anyway... bringing Tolkien into the equasion is rather silly. His world was paper and ink...
PLEASE stop making LOTRO all about the LOTRO STORE and more about LOTRO. Period.
The apparel dummies are distracting and are a 'glowing, sparkling' indication of the direction that the developers and Warner Bros only really care about.. the Lotro STORE..
Your community said NO to the ridiculous expansion prices without Turbine points or instance clusters included..
but you fixed it.
Now, fix THIS. It's EXTREMELY in bad taste to the environments, and poorly implemented.. sure you can HAVE the dummies, but make sure you put the dummies out of sight of 99% of the population. We DON'T want to see the continued trend of LOTRO STORE> gameplay...
Don't fool yourself indeed... i think he'd be either shocked by the fact that people are wasting so much time inside a diabolic (per)version of his creation OR he'd be nitpicking it completely to pieces.
Anyway... bringing Tolkien into the equasion is rather silly. His world was paper and ink...
If Tolkein was alive today he'd be sayin, "Holy hell! I'm so $#&*() rich!!!!:"
If they would just stop them from sparkling I could ignore them quite easily. On the other hand I haven't paid a visit to my beloved, evil, delicious Angmar. Not sure how I am going to feel then!
“Courage is found in unlikely places". J.R.R. Tolkien
LOTRO turns into Wal Mart......really, really sad.
Sad thing is....they're using Walmart tactics thinking it will make them rise to the top of the gaming world. When in all actuality, the franchise itself COULD do that for them if they'd just LET it. And quit trying to show their utter failure at creativeness and forcing mass retreat of their players. DUH! Think about it. They have available to them one of the top selling books in HISTORY. The movies made of the books SHATTER records. There is only ONE reason for this game to be stagnant and languishing instead of being number one like it could and should be. TURBINE. nuff said
~Nevanna~Lynxa~Amasal~
"I am rather tired, and no longer young enough to pillage the night to make up for the deficit of hours in the day..." JRR Tolkien, Letter # 174
Hold on a second, Turbine stated that this implementation was a player request? Can someone please show me this request? OR perhaps a link to this request?
Was probably posted by a player, who's post lurks on the least viewed forum, or it was by a single request from customer feedback - somewhere where no one else would see it or give their opinions.
I think Turbine should do votes or polls before deciding to turn Middle-Earth into a 21st century high street.
If they would just stop them from sparkling I could ignore them quite easily. On the other hand I haven't paid a visit to my beloved, evil, delicious Angmar. Not sure how I am going to feel then!
Even if they stopped sparkling the pirate outfits on display on the Flets in Lothlorien are a travesty...
The game is still an excellent game. I'm sorry that you're so fixated on the dummies that you can't seem to see anything else.
Turbine hasn't changed... its player base has. LOTRO's forum community has become just another gaming community, full of people who will whine about everything that doesn't go the exact way they want it to.
The game is still an excellent game? So excellent that in 2 years your main is lvl 21? Just the amount of time you've spent on your posts defending Turbine in this thread alone could be more than your time spent playing the game. I can't help thinking Turbine employee when I look at the (scant) details of your account.
If they would just stop them from sparkling I could ignore them quite easily. On the other hand I haven't paid a visit to my beloved, evil, delicious Angmar. Not sure how I am going to feel then!
Pretty much this ^^^
The sparklies turned off would make them much less offensive imho. As to the outfits being appropriate to an area, well, we players are running aound in some pretty whacky garb and are somewhat immersion breaking in our appearence at times. If I can ignore a guard tanking in a frilly dress I can ignore samurai and musketeers outfits in the shire.
Finally had time to read all the responses. It is getting harder all the time to do just that, and less and less effective as a forum debate. Why so many cuts and pastes simply to double back on personal comments, clarifactions, posting videos, pictures, going off topic...ugh.
Yeah hate me. I just wish a good and important topic could develop with a bunch of yays and nays with short explanations. Somebody said there were four hundred and some odd posts...
There should be about 50 and the folks at Turbine could read them in one sitting.
Ah, but Tolkein isn't running this game unfortunatley - we seem to have Marketing gone mad instead:
It's a fantasy MMO and that means they are geeks. They're imprisioned by love of the Lore and they'll keep coming back. If we value profit, is it not our duty to empty their wallets? If we are truly capitalistic, if we're slaves to our shareholders, we must bleed every last dollar as we go.
All that is Store must glitter
Stick them everywhere so you find them even if lost
Rants in the forum will wither
We know that profit is boss.
From obscure suggestions shall be woken
A Dummy from the Dev's shall spring
Regained trust shall again be broken
The Store over Lore shall be King.
There is still cash in their wallets, and it's worth immersion breaking for.
If any changes are made to the apparel dummies, I do look forward to reading the accompanying "While response to the apparel dummies was mostly positive, we've heard your concerns and [made some relatively insignificant change that will somehow placate enough of you for us to comfortably pretend there was never an issue in the first place]" post.
"Sam thinks it a queer place, but I think he likes it, too." - Frodo
"If you're in advertising or marketing, kill yourself." - Bill Hicks
I'm no store fan but this could have been much worse. At least the store icon is in the shape of an item rather than a flashing arrow, store sign in your face kind of thing. The placement of the dummies could have been better, perhaps near outfitters more.
I can only think this is a test of in-game placement of store items.... wait for more intrusion in later updates. I can think of a bunch of store items they can insert into the game and if you think about it for a moment the dummies are pretty benign to what some suit is dreaming up right now.
I can only think this is a test of in-game placement of store items....
Yep, that's exactly what I'm thinking. This was a fast, lazy attempt to slap something in the game that players would react to, and then test the reaction. Cheap market research--they are getting feedback on exactly how far they can push this concept before causing an unacceptable level of rage, what players do and don't like about the items, and ideas for improvement. Then, after gathering that information, they can change or remove the dummies, pat themselves on the back when we all cheer "hooray, they DO listen to us!", and go back to planning for many more such insertions.
Perhaps I'm too cynical, but that is my current theory at the moment.
So after your spiel, do you like the dummies, yes? No? Why?
I don't like them. They are just put in the open like that. I'd even be okay with them in a shop or tucked in the skirmish camp (which is surreal to begin with), but they have no anchor just hanging around RPing like that!
Yep, that's exactly what I'm thinking. This was a fast, lazy attempt to slap something in the game that players would react to, and then test the reaction. Cheap market research--they are getting feedback on exactly how far they can push this concept before causing an unacceptable level of rage, what players do and don't like about the items, and ideas for improvement. Then, after gathering that information, they can change or remove the dummies, pat themselves on the back when we all cheer "hooray, they DO listen to us!", and go back to planning for many more such insertions.
Perhaps I'm too cynical, but that is my current theory at the moment.
I sign under this. There have been already way too many lithmus tests. Lootboxes... Armour with stats in the store... to name just a couple of the biggest recent scandals (apart from the debacle around RoR pre-order pricing). Every one of these things that have caused an uproar recently has generated threads spanning across many pages; and every one of them was a test of how far, exactly, they can go.
My opinion? The dummies are an eyesore. Their placement around settlements of Middle Earth is blatantly wrong, especially including the starting areas and such settlements as Ost Guruth, Aughaire and Caras Galadhorn, for the reasons explained in details in many posts above. Their placement inside the settlements is very much into the face in most of them, implemented without any taste or tact, and with a complete disregard for immersion. The presented outfits are a rip-off, considering that many of the bundle parts can be crafted easily and don't even require any mastery. Adding a direct link to the store from in-game items is a complete NO. They might be tolerated if they had been implemented in a more tactful and thought out way (again, see many posts above with very good suggestions and ideas about non-annoying and involving ways of implementing the outfit awareness in the game).
I am tired of counting all the blatant, greedy things they keep pushing into the game recently.
Spiders in V1Pre-B13: 8-legged menace. B13: 8-legged bait. B14: 8-legged trap... no more! B15/MoM: 8-legged *splat!* Spiders in V2B7: We cope. B8: FotM? B9: 8-legged menace. Spiders in V3B3: Mourning for my hatchlings.
It's a little mind-boggling to me that anyone at Turbine thought this was a good idea. Really? It's not a billboard, but it's heading down that road.
Yikes. Please tell me this was an inexperienced marketing yahoo that came up with this dreck, and not a developer.
Khafar
ROFL. You know that nothing in this game gets put here because of some "inexperienced marketing yahoo". It's a "very experienced marketing yahoo" who's motto is: Let them eat cake.
Wait until they put some really gorgeous armour set out, special offer, store only, maybe some stats too, or maybe no stats but perhaps we can buy stats to add to the armour later. It's a brilliant marketing move.
One consolation: I did not see these things Creepside and if they did stick creepskins on them out there, I'm sure it would net 1000% more than what they will get Freepside. But then creeps would have to have wardrobes and housing and vaults etc. But so far: "it's safe to be a creep". ymmv
I'm shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here! <Your winnings, sir.>
[sotto voce] Oh, thank you very much.
Yep, that's exactly what I'm thinking. This was a fast, lazy attempt to slap something in the game that players would react to, and then test the reaction. Cheap market research--they are getting feedback on exactly how far they can push this concept before causing an unacceptable level of rage, what players do and don't like about the items, and ideas for improvement. Then, after gathering that information, they can change or remove the dummies, pat themselves on the back when we all cheer "hooray, they DO listen to us!", and go back to planning for many more such insertions.
Perhaps I'm too cynical, but that is my current theory at the moment.
You see, if someone starts a thread saying "let the creeps out of the moors!" or "can we have flying mounts?", there will be a certain group of players who immediately will jump the OP with the excuse that is lore breaking and it breaks the immersion and bla bla bla. Which is often true.
But what about this now? What's next?
Maybe:
Bah...
That is funny, well not really. But I can easily see the game heading to that.
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Don't give them any ideas! -- The devs* have distanced themselves so much from the feel of an enjoyable and believable Middle-Earth that I really do fear what's coming next.
I just posted this over in the Suggestion Forums here. If you have any comments on it, stop over there and add them to that thread please.
Originally Posted by Adder
After watching the threads since the patch went live, I've gleaned some of the better ideas and added a few of my own and have come up with the following redo for the Apparel Dummies…
(For some reason, the editor refuses to mix numbered lists with bullets on this post even though I've done it before in other posts. It looks a bit odd but it will have to suffice. Also, please forgive any misspellings and location name omissions. I'm tired and a bit under-the-weather so my brain isn't firing on all cylinders.)
First and foremost, remove the current Apparel Dummies from their present locations, and when reinserted in the following suggested format, DO NOT INCLUDE THE SPARKLIES.
To reintroduce the apparel dummies, here is what I propose:
Add new outfits and pieces into the store on a regular basis.
Create an Apparel Shoppe in each of the starter hubs
Bree - In one of the buildings around the Boar Fountain in the Market Square.
Michel Delving – In the building next to the Vendor’s Hall.
Celondim – In the building just south of the docks.
Thorin’s Hall – A new door into the right corner above the crafting hall.
In addition to these main shops, a few smaller, more focused shops could be scattered in the appropriate locations:
Rivendell - Elf
Lothlorian – Elf, subdued and High-class
Oatbarton - Hobbit
Esteldin - Man
(????? – NOT Moria!) - Dwarf
Have each Shoppe display outfits and pieces on a dozen or more dummies of the appropriate race.
Each outfit and piece could be tried on and dyed using the Dressing Room.
Once you’ve decided what to buy whether a whole outfit or just a few pieces, speaking to the Shoppe owner or attendant will allow you to make your purchase (with TP instead of in-game coin of course). This NPC acts as the middleman between you and the actual Store, completing the transaction off screen.
Your TP total is displayed in the buy window as well as the total spent on your choices.
Scatter Outfitters around the map (see below) with one or two race appropriate dummies displaying area appropriate attire.
These would have the same function as the Shoppe dummies with a much more limited selection.
These Outfitters would have a few unique pieces each, just as the current ones do.
Outfitter locations could be places like…
Scary in the Shire
Combe &/or Ado’s in Bree-Land
Gondolan & Duillon in Erud Luin
The Foresaken Inn in the Lonelands
One of the camps in the Trollshaws
Any place where a roaming outfitter might be encountered selling his wares to weary adventurers whose armor and clothing are showing signs of wear and age.
Include in the starter giftbox, a token which can be bartered at that race’s Shoppe for a hat, or gloves, a headband, whatever, possibly something appropriate to the character’s class.
At the Shoppe, after the barter, the Shoppe owner offers a quest for supplies (repeatable).
After the completion of the supplies quest s/he offers another to run some wares to one of the Outfitters.
The quest chain could continue throughout the region &/or across regions.
Include the following Deeds:
Have a reward & title for visiting all of the Shoppes and Outfitters in each region that has them.
Have a reward & title for visiting every Shoppe and Outfitter in Middle Earth.
Hold special events (random or yearly?)
A contest to see who can put together the best outfit from Shoppe and Outfitter garments only and have the players on each server vote on them, with a prize and a title of course.
A contest to see who can put together the most outlandish/ugly outfit, again by player vote and with an appropriate reward and title.
Include the Shoppes in the various seasonal and yearly festivals.
Increase the Wardrobe slots available for purchase to 160, or 200, or however many you want to sell, because they WILL sell.
Introduce mannequins for our homes. (Just had to throw that in.)
You want to draw attention to the store and to cosmetics, and make money Turbine? Well there you are. With a setup like this or something similar, I doubt ANYONE would object. It would add to the game in an acceptable way while drawing players to spend TP on the cosmetics. A win/win situation.
Having read through most comments, I am feeling the distinct sense of disappointment from across the community about these dummies, so I just thought I would add some thoughts of my own.
I can appreciate the need to generate more interest in the store, to promote items, and ultimately to earn more money, I really can. But is there a need to do this so callusly? I mean, Turbine know that there are a lot of players who pay good money to play LOTRO who hate anything that goes against lore, also players who just love the look and feel of a town, the asthetics of a location and don't want it marred or spoiled in any way. They have seen for themselves the number of accounts being cancelled or suspended and read the comments in the forums on the reasons why people are leaving, and yet sometimes it's as though they don't stop to think..."Hey, if we do this, do you think we will lose more money???"
I for one am not against the idea of the dummies (although they should be called mannequins), but I do feel sad that they are so blantently thrown at us without regard to the game. I can't help but feel that this is only the start of something bigger. Many people have already commented about more advertising, billboards, in-game emails etc....what's next?? a Starbucks beside the Pony? A chain of TGI Fridays throughtout the "major hubs"? or perhaps something a little more subtle like Product Placement, named branded products being spotted as companies buy into the game to advertise their own products??
You see, if someone starts a thread saying "let the creeps out of the moors!" or "can we have flying mounts?", there will be a certain group of players who immediately will jump the OP with the excuse that is lore breaking and it breaks the immersion and bla bla bla. Which is often true.
Actually, I'm amazed at the constructiveness of much of the criticism in this thread.
Sure, emotions are strong, and voiced strongly too (I know mine were). But still people are levelheaded enough to step aside their emotions and actually suggest constructive, reasonable meaningful things, going as far as trying to accomplish a win-win situation.
Actually, I'm amazed at the constructiveness of much of the criticism in this thread.
Sure, emotions are strong, and voiced strongly too (I know mine were). But still people are levelheaded enough to step aside their emotions and actually suggest constructive, reasonable meaningful things, going as far as trying to accomplish a win-win situation.
I'm impressed by that.
Which is something that does happen fairly often on these forums. No need to get into a blind rage, many in the community are unhappy with these dummies implementation and will try to suggest solutions . As I said in my previous post, I can understand the need to promote items from the STORE , but I think these dummies should be placed in a more appropriate setting , maybe a Ye Olde Shoppe in Bree , crafting areas , you know...a dedicate place for them, a more discrete and tasteful placement. Thinking about this a bit more, it looks to me just Turbine is tasting the community and try to gain some valuable feedback. I am confident someone somewhere will listen to us ...please
A sparkley dummy of a Hobbit wearing a pirate outfit on Telain Galadhrim? Seriously?
I can understand how there might be traders selling such things in Echad Andestel...but in Caras Galadhon!?!
IMO, Turbine is going down a self destructive path by not developing sandbox type systems in the game, especially with housing.
Perhaps it's a part of their plan to perpetuate a theme park mall experience that keeps the consumers coming back to buy fresh content but not sticking around.
Whatever Turbine are doing, it's lore breaking and I hope their license to use Tolkien's content is revoked if they continue down this path.
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Originally Posted by Ingwyth
What's worse than sparkling vampires? - Sparkling apparel dummies!
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Which is something that does happen fairly often on these forums. No need to get into a blind rage, many in the community are unhappy with these dummies implementation and will try to suggest solutions . As I said in my previous post, I can understand the need to promote items from the STORE , but I think these dummies should be placed in a more appropriate setting , maybe a Ye Olde Shoppe in Bree , crafting areas , you know...a dedicate place for them, a more discrete and tasteful placement. Thinking about this a bit more, it looks to me just Turbine is tasting the community and try to gain some valuable feedback. I am confident someone somewhere will listen to us ...please
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