Quick poll just to see: Have you finished your transfers yet?

[Kyrian]

PS, forcing non RP friendly people onto RP encouraged servers is not doing anyone any favors. We are not items to be sorted into containers to even things out. For many of us community is the main attraction of the game. RP communities here are the most unique of any I have ever seen in close to 30 years of gaming. This policy is damaging to those communities.

 

[Arnenna]

Wait, what? You transferred some characters to Orcrist, and despite also wanting to transfer others to Orcrist, you transferred others to Merry. Why didn't you just transfer all of them at the same time when you could?

I'm in the same boat, with characters left on EN and the rest, and all my resources on Orcrist.

Some were due to failed transfers - out of my control, during a very unstable game process.

Others were left by choice, because, SSG didn't stipulate any time constraints.

I will be sure to transfer everything that is left when they reopen Orcrist.

 

[Oakstrong]

Nope. I am keeping some of my high level alts on the 32-bit server, which has less crowds. I intend to continue playing on the 32-bit server until it meets its bitter end.

 

[Salubrious]

The transfers to Orcrist are "temporarily" unavailable.

They should open back up at some point, for players waiting for it.

Agreed but it won’t be until enough people have transferred away, so that’ll be an unknown time scale which “could” be a long time from now. :(

 

[Arnenna]

Agreed but it won’t be until enough people have transferred away, so that’ll be an unknown time scale which “could” be a long time from now. :(

That's not what we've been told. Apparently they are tweaking things to improve lag and queues with the current population to test things.

@Cordovan This needs to be cleared up, as conflicting news is popping up throughout many posts now. What does "Temporarily" closed mean when it comes to Orcrist?

Does it mean temporary, or does it mean temporary-not-any-time-soon, or at all?

Nobody wants to hang around waiting for something that isn't likely to happen soon, or at all. Just let me know if my alts left on EN are stranded there, and I will happily make some room on Orcrist for you, by not logging in again.

 

[Cordovan]

That's not what we've been told. Apparently they are tweaking things to improve lag and queues with the current population to test things.

@Cordovan This needs to be cleared up, as conflicting news is popping up throughout many posts now. What does "Temporarily" closed mean when it comes to Orcrist?

Does it mean temporary, or does it mean temporary-not-any-time-soon, or at all?

Nobody wants to hang around waiting for something that isn't likely to happen soon, or at all. Just let me know if my alts left on EN are stranded there, and I will happily make some room on Orcrist for you, by not logging in again.

The timing of transfers to Orcrist will depend entirely on things that have not yet been determined yet, so the answer to your question is not yet available. We know Orcrist is full, and any further transfers to it will make its issues worse. We have been working to alleviate Orcrist's issues through multiple channels including transfers off of Orcrist. We would encourage anyone experiencing unwanted game performance concerns on Orcrist to consider moving to Meriadoc right now, or to the future addition where further details are pending.

 

[Argonian]

It might be time to consider removing the RP tags from the server names. They may have made sense when there were far more servers to choose between, but right now they are only confusing people. It's clearly not enough to tell people that the servers are functionally the same and you can play any way you like on either of them, people are somehow still being turned away by the simple existence of the tag.

 

[Harvain]

It might be time to consider removing the RP tags from the server names. They may have made sense when there were far more servers to choose between, but right now they are only confusing people. It's clearly not enough to tell people that the servers are functionally the same and you can play any way you like on either of them, people are somehow still being turned away by the simple existence of the tag.

Some people do enjoy the Roleplay tag as it helps ensure only "certain types of Players" will go to an RP Server. I cannot speak for every single moment since March 7th, 2025 but overall Meriadoc & Peregrin is providing a "calmer & quieter atmosphere" that plenty want for being on a Server. Enough activity so it's not an empty server but not over-crowded and having insane Global Chats all day as what one might see on Orcrist & Glamdring.

So it's been a double-edged sword for LOTRO here in March 2025. The SSG LOTRO Team have already announced they plan on a 3rd EU Server and 3rd US Server in several weeks after the EU one.

The SSG LOTRO Team are seeing enough numbers on the 32-bit Servers still to warrant a 3rd Server due to Orcrist & Glamdring having so many players already plus in April-May 2025 is LOTRO's 18th Anniversary. We'll have more Players around as we always do for the Anniversary. So this isn't just about "here & now" but LOTRO's future in 2025.

 

[Karac Avalron]

It might be time to consider removing the RP tags from the server names. They may have made sense when there were far more servers to choose between, but right now they are only confusing people. It's clearly not enough to tell people that the servers are functionally the same and you can play any way you like on either of them, people are somehow still being turned away by the simple existence of the tag.

This makes sense to me on a pragmatic level based on where we are, not where we were. I am not sure about how it is confusing people but I concede that putting an RP tag on a server, even if RP is not enforced only encouraged might be off putting but the reality of RP servers is the "RP" or the culture of the server is largely regulated by the player base anyway.

I play and have played on all servers except the language based ones. I do so because I get the opportunity to play at many different times. Some of my best time in LOTRO was on Laurelin not because I RP (I do not) but because the culture that evolved there was very lore friendly and those not interested in that atmosphere had other places to play.

That reality has changed. Lets be blunt, the EU player base has come out in force to reengage with the game. We saw that with the legendary servers and now its happened to Orcrist. Its fairly obvious that the EU player base needs another option, Orcrist cant handle the demand (and that is what it is, demand). So sure lets remove the RP tags, that is a simple solution that addresses a current issue.

However that solution already exists, there is nothing prohibitive on an RP server that prevents non rp players from playing there. I have played on Laurelin and Landroval for over a decade, I never RP'd once. I was never chastised for not Rping and I was never excluded from any group or event because I didnt RP.

All I had to do was respect other people who did RP, which I did diligently. So I am not sure what is holding people back from playing on the new RP servers but if removing the tag relieves the pressure on Orcrist and we get people in game who want to be there then yes its a great idea.

 

[Argonian]

Some people do enjoy the Roleplay tag as it helps ensure only "certain types of Players" will go to an RP Server. I cannot speak for every single moment since March 7th, 2025 but overall Meriadoc & Peregrin is providing a "calmer & quieter atmosphere" that plenty want for being on a Server. Enough activity so it's not an empty server but not over-crowded and having insane Global Chats all day as what one might see on Orcrist & Glamdring.

So it's been a double-edged sword for LOTRO here in March 2025. The SSG LOTRO Team have already announced they plan on a 3rd EU Server and 3rd US Server in several weeks after the EU one.

The SSG LOTRO Team are seeing enough numbers on the 32-bit Servers still to warrant a 3rd Server due to Orcrist & Glamdring having so many players already plus in April-May 2025 is LOTRO's 18th Anniversary. We'll have more Players around as we always do for the Anniversary. So this isn't just about "here & now" but LOTRO's future in 2025.

It ensures no such thing as anyone is free to go anywhere. I also can't speak for all four servers, but common sense dictates that a server that is half is populated will have... half the commotion. But as far as global chat goes, participation is even more optional than most other interactions in this game. A FULL server (lagging & requiring log-in queues) is obviously a real thing that needs mitigated, but "overcrowding" isn't a thing as IMO, the game world is big enough for all of us to co-exist no matter how we choose to play.

Yes, they do need to think about the future. They need to think about the population drop that will happen once server hype dies down, people get their housing situations sorted, and the festivals are over. Opening up a 3rd server in the EU might be warranted in the short-term, but few people are actually going to want to be the ones to jump to an empty server when they've already gotten established on these others. This is another huge blunder for SSG.

 

[Gildoriel]

The timing of transfers to Orcrist will depend entirely on things that have not yet been determined yet, so the answer to your question is not yet available. We know Orcrist is full, and any further transfers to it will make its issues worse. We have been working to alleviate Orcrist's issues through multiple channels including transfers off of Orcrist. We would encourage anyone experiencing unwanted game performance concerns on Orcrist to consider moving to Meriadoc right now, or to the future addition where further details are pending.

So, if I create a new cook instead of the one I want to transfer there - how is that better? I need a cook for my instance/raiding chars, so either I transfer the one I have or I make a new one, even though levelling the cook guild rep is a pain in the <insert word of choice here>.

 

[FormerVIP]

I am not able to vote for some reason - but no I have not transferred all of my characters. I sent over two early on during the rush and waited with the rest of the crew for the nine day window or whatever it was. Was planning on getting them all over but now with this wallet issue I want to hold off and see how that plays out.

 

[McFarlane]

It might be time to consider removing the RP tags from the server names. They may have made sense when there were far more servers to choose between, but right now they are only confusing people. It's clearly not enough to tell people that the servers are functionally the same and you can play any way you like on either of them, people are somehow still being turned away by the simple existence of the tag.

Nope to that. People who wish to engage in RP or the types of events frequently held on such servers, or simply like being around a RP friendly community, need to see that flag to know which server(s) they want to go to. They also serve as a flag for people whose playstyles may NOT fit an RP encouraged server. They serve a purpose and would cause more confusion not being there.

 

[Harvain]

It ensures no such thing as anyone is free to go anywhere. I also can't speak for all four servers, but common sense dictates that a server that is half is populated will have... half the commotion. But as far as global chat goes, participation is even more optional than most other interactions in this game. A FULL server (lagging & requiring log-in queues) is obviously a real thing that needs mitigated, but "overcrowding" isn't a thing as IMO, the game world is big enough for all of us to co-exist no matter how we choose to play.

Yes, they do need to think about the future. They need to think about the population drop that will happen once server hype dies down, people get their housing situations sorted, and the festivals are over. Opening up a 3rd server in the EU might be warranted in the short-term, but few people are actually going to want to be the ones to jump to an empty server when they've already gotten established on these others. This is another huge blunder for SSG.

Believe what you will. The Roleplay Servers have ensured many Players are going to Orcrist & Glamdring over Meriadoc & Peregrin.

They also realize & know that there are plenty who have no transferred yet and we're now within less than 1 month until the 18th Anniversary. More Players are going to be here per usual in Late April-Early May.

 

[Argonian]

Nope to that. People who wish to engage in RP or the types of events frequently held on such servers, or simply like being around a RP friendly community, need to see that flag to know which server(s) they want to go to. They also serve as a flag for people whose playstyles may NOT fit an RP encouraged server. They serve a purpose and would cause more confusion not being there.

Yours is precisely the attitude I feel is causing the confusion. People who wish to engage in RP can and should do so on ANY server as there are no RP-only nor any no-RP allowed servers. Can we not agree on that? Hence, we should also be able to agree that EVERY server should be RP-friendly and not doing so should fall under the same rules SSG should have for harassment against anyone. But please elaborate on what "playstyle" you think is unfit for a RP-tagged server?

It is clear to me that the RP tag is causing more harm than good right now. If you're afraid that SSG can't police harassment against RPers in a more diverse server, that is a separate issue.

Believe what you will. The Roleplay Servers have ensured many Players are going to Orcrist & Glamdring over Meriadoc & Peregrin.

They also realize & know that there are plenty who have no transferred yet and we're now within less than 1 month until the 18th Anniversary. More Players are going to be here per usual in Late April-Early May.

You are reinforcing my point. The RP tag is turning people away from Meri/Pere for no good reason and causing needless strain on the other servers. And yes, I already noted that a higher number of people pop their heads in for festivals, especially the anniversary. But that is straying from my main point which still stands.

 

[Eldbryt]

So, if I create a new cook instead of the one I want to transfer there - how is that better? I need a cook for my instance/raiding chars, so either I transfer the one I have or I make a new one, even though levelling the cook guild rep is a pain in the <insert word of choice here>.

^^^This^^^

I'm already on Orcrist. I can play the characters that I already have there, or I can make new ones to cover the gaps from characters I haven't transferred yet. But either way, I'll only be one person logged in to the server. And really, I mostly just want to move the stuff left behind, that those characters are holding. So let me get them moved, already. (And then, get housing opened already, so I can get all that stuff out of characters' inventories/vaults/storage).

 

[Zeirlynn]

Yours is precisely the attitude I feel is causing the confusion. People who wish to engage in RP can and should do so on ANY server as there are no RP-only nor any no-RP allowed servers. Can we not agree on that? Hence, we should also be able to agree that EVERY server should be RP-friendly and not doing so should fall under the same rules SSG should have for harassment against anyone. But please elaborate on what "playstyle" you think is unfit for a RP-tagged server?

It is clear to me that the RP tag is causing more harm than good right now. If you're afraid that SSG can't police harassment against RPers in a more diverse server, that is a separate issue.

You are reinforcing my point. The RP tag is turning people away from Meri/Pere for no good reason and causing needless strain on the other servers. And yes, I already noted that a higher number of people pop their heads in for festivals, especially the anniversary. But that is straying from my main point which still stands.

I'm sorry, but here is the thing...

If you do not feel the importance of the community on the "RP-tagged" servers, then they are not for you. If you do not understand the level of comfort that has grown on worlds like Landroval and Laurelin, and within portions of the communities of all the other worlds, then Peregrin and Meriadoc are not for you. If you see "no reason" for the the "RP tag," then the "RP tag" is not meant for you.

Some of us feel the community we have grown in, we find comfort in our communities. The "RP tag" is meant for us, because we understand it.

It doesn't mean "no outsiders welcome," it never has. It means "hey you guys, we're over here!" to those of us who are looking for each other.
♥

*Quick edit to clarify: I don't actually role-play, mainly because i am really bad at it. I just understand, and feel, the community of Landroval, and the other worlds, that gravitate toward the "RP tag."

 

[Dragonkind]

Wow that was a quick poll lol.
Finished transferring my last account yesterday, first one took 4 days, second one, 4 seconds lol.
Wish I hadn’t of bothered though, trying to complete certain festival quests on a busy server can be quite vexing.

 

[McFarlane]

Yours is precisely the attitude I feel is causing the confusion. People who wish to engage in RP can and should do so on ANY server as there are no RP-only nor any no-RP allowed servers. Can we not agree on that? Hence, we should also be able to agree that EVERY server should be RP-friendly and not doing so should fall under the same rules SSG should have for harassment against anyone. But please elaborate on what "playstyle" you think is unfit for a RP-tagged server?

It is clear to me that the RP tag is causing more harm than good right now. If you're afraid that SSG can't police harassment against RPers in a more diverse server, that is a separate issue.

By playstyle I mean those who do not want to play on an RP labelled server. Your argument is exactly the same if flipped for those who prefer raiding, end game, and so on. Of course anyone can RP anywhere, and anyone can play end game content anywhere - that isn't the argument here. The point of having the label is to help individuals figure out where those who best match their playstyles congregate. If there are no labels to accompany servers, then we'll have people transfer to one server, wonder where all the RP (or end game people, or whoever one most desires to play with, i.e. the people who match their playstyles) are and be pissed and want to transfer again. It just makes no sense to not have the labels.

 

[Arnenna]

We would encourage anyone experiencing unwanted game performance concerns on Orcrist to consider moving to Meriadoc right now, or to the future addition where further details are pending.

It's not as simple as that though is it? I'm in a kin. For me to move, and remain with the kin I have been with for 13 years, it means trying to persuade all kin members to move with me.

Most of my characters are already on Orcrist. I have empty slots waiting for the ones left on Evernight. What would the difference be between me moving my EN characters to Orcrist, or me using my slots to create new ones? The overall character count would end up exactly the same. Plus, we can only log in a single character on an account at a time, so it wouldn't matter if I had 10 characters on Orcrist or 75 - I can only log one in at a time.

So if my kin decide to stay put, and my characters end up in Limbo on Evernight, what happens to the 13 years I've spend developing them, and all the money I've spent upgrading their storage, cosmetics etc?

There were no instructions to transfer all characters and as quickly as possible. The opposite in fact - we were told there is no rush and we had until at least August. Add to that all the problems with transfers, plus all the failed transfers, it's not the players fault that things didn't work. Closing the door on people now is really bad.

Someone wrote a valid concern on the forum about how transfers could break communities and disengage friends. Closing down a server for transfers has proven that to be totally accurate.