Standing Stone Games
Standing Stone Games business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Lord of the Rings Online sells an Elf-themed pack and talks about the Anduin river
Standing Stone Games has released new Elf-themed patron packs for Lord of the Rings Online, featuring cosmetics, mounts, and pets. Additionally, the studio published a new video in their 'Rivers of Middle-earth' series, focusing on the history and scope of the Anduin river.
LOTRO unlocks more Update 48 quests, Kingdoms of Harad is now buyable for LOTRO Points
Lord of the Rings Online has released the second set of quests for Update 48, with more to come in a future update. Additionally, the latest expansion, Kingdoms of Harad, is now available for purchase in the in-game store using LOTRO Points, allowing players to potentially earn it for free through in-game currency.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars in your pocket
ArenaNet announced a mobile port of Guild Wars Reforged with cross-progression, coinciding with the game's 21st anniversary. This week also saw Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.5, Pearl Abyss selling EVE Online studio CCP Games to its management, and Star Wars The Old Republic revealing the planet Ryloth for its 8.0 update.
LOTRO Legendarium: Is there a way to fashion a ‘Classic’ LOTRO server on the cheap?
This article discusses the feasibility and potential design of a 'classic' server for Lord of the Rings Online, focusing on a budget-friendly approach that limits content to the Eriador region and caps player levels at 50. It explores ideas like slowing progression, adding more deeds, and implementing optional hardcore or reincarnation systems to maintain long-term engagement.
Dungeons and Dragons is giving a hilarious magical bed mount to three-year subbers
Standing Stone Games has announced new rewards for Dungeons and Dragons Online's VIP loyalty program. Players who maintain a 37-month subscription will receive a unique 'delirious bed mount' with a glowing purple aura as the top-tier reward. Other rewards include store points and character slots.
Lord of the Rings Online officially opens Rivendell housing today at noon EDT
Standing Stone Games has officially launched the Rivendell housing feature for Lord of the Rings Online. This update, part of patch 48.1, allows players to purchase premium housing in the Rivendell Steadings, located west of the Vale of Imladris. These new housing options are considered some of the most expensive in the game's premium line and require a subscription and cash-shop currency.
Lord of the Rings Online’s pricy Rivendell housing arrives Thursday, and we wants it, precious
Standing Stone Games has announced that the premium Rivendell housing for Lord of the Rings Online will be released on Thursday, April 30th at Noon Eastern. This premium housing requires a subscription and must be purchased with cash-shop currencies like mithril coins, with prices ranging from 360 to 1110 mithril. The update also includes new decorative items and adjustments for older housing decorations.
Why I Play: There’s something special about Lord of the Rings Online
The author discusses their continued enjoyment of Lord of the Rings Online, highlighting its casual nature and the ability to explore Middle-earth at a relaxed pace. Despite some past server issues that have since been resolved, the game offers a cozy experience, especially when playing with family, though the author expresses frustration with the virtue system's monetization.
Most MMOs have so many expansions, it's hard to keep track of them all—can you tell our clever fakes from the…
This article presents a quiz designed to test players' knowledge of massively multiplayer online (MMO) game expansions. It challenges readers to distinguish between real and fake expansion names for popular titles like World of Warcraft, Final Fantasy 14, and Guild Wars 2.
Lord of the Rings Online deploys Update 48: A Glorious Hunt – without Rivendell housing
Lord of the Rings Online has deployed Update 48, titled "A Glorious Hunt," introducing a new high-level questing region, Hatokáli Fells, to conclude the Umbar adventure. The update also brings back the Anniversary Event with new rewards and a 19th-year giftbox. The release of the new Rivendell premium housing neighborhood has been delayed by one week due to an issue.
Lord of the Rings Online’s Rivendell housing neighborhoods arrive this week
The Rivendell Steadings premium housing neighborhood is set to arrive in The Lord of the Rings Online on April 23rd, following Update 48's release on April 22nd. Former developer Brian Aloisio has also returned to Standing Stone Games. The update introduces new housing options and celebrates the game's 19th anniversary.
LOTRO Legendarium: One change I’d make for each of LOTRO’s classes
This article discusses potential changes and improvements for each of the 12 classes in The Lord of the Rings Online. The author suggests specific enhancements for classes like Beorning, Brawler, and Warden, focusing on aspects such as visual variety, new specializations, and combat mechanics to enhance gameplay and class fantasy.
Lord of the Rings Online’s devs talk about how they develop patches in parallel
Developers for Lord of the Rings Online discussed their parallel patch development process, where multiple updates are worked on simultaneously. Lead designer Orion revealed he is actively involved in planning updates extending years into the future, with the studio adapting its long-term plans based on evolving ideas.
Lord of the Rings Online’s Q2 and Q3 roadmap includes Elf housing and the return of a PvP dungeon
Lord of the Rings Online's roadmap for Q2 and Q3 includes Update 48, featuring a new endgame zone, Elven housing, and a six-player dungeon. Update 49 in Q3 will focus on PvP improvements, the Angmar Sorceress class, and the return of the Delving of Fror dungeon. The studio also teased a new expansion planned for late 2026.
Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons and Dragons Online deliver midweek patches
Standing Stone Games has released patches for both Lord of the Rings Online and Dungeons and Dragons Online. Lord of the Rings Online Update 47.4 includes adjustments to a raid boss, while Dungeons and Dragons Online Update 79: The Dragon's Hand introduces a new free adventure quest pack for all players involving a Deck of Many Things.
Lord of the Rings Online takes you on an hour-long tour of its upcoming Rivendell housing
Lord of the Rings Online is preparing to launch its new Rivendell Steadings premium housing neighborhood in Update 48. Senior World Designer Matt Elliot provided an hour-long video tour showcasing the new housing options, which include customizable ceilings and will feature two standard, four deluxe, and one kinship house.
EG7-owned MechWarrior studio Piranha has suffered ‘masssive’ layoffs, threatening the franchise’s future
EG7-owned Piranha Games has reportedly undergone significant layoffs, impacting a large percentage of its staff and potentially jeopardizing the future of the MechWarrior franchise. This follows previous staff reductions and a failure of MechWarrior 5 Clans to meet sales targets, despite recent success with MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries DLC Shadow of Kerensky.
LOTRO Legendarium: LOTRO overstayed its Umbar welcome with Kingdoms of Harad
This analysis evaluates the success of Lord of the Rings Online's Umbar expansion trilogy, comprising Corsairs of Umbar, Legacy of Morgoth, and Kingdoms of Harad. While the trilogy began strong with Corsairs of Umbar, featuring a new class and city, subsequent expansions Legacy of Morgoth and Kingdoms of Harad are criticized for lacking significant new features and a compelling narrative, leading to a decline in player excitement.
LOTRO Legendarium: Checking out LOTRO’s upgraded Spring Festival
The Spring Festival in Lord of the Rings Online has received significant improvements with Update 47.1, including a new quest hub in Swanfleet called Daffodil Days. This update aims to make the festival more engaging and rewarding by streamlining quests and adding new cosmetic items and mounts, addressing previous criticisms of the event's design.
Lord of the Rings Online explains why it settled on Rivendell for its Elf premium neighborhood
Standing Stone Games is releasing premium housing in Rivendell for Lord of the Rings Online this spring, focusing on a cozy, smaller footprint. Senior World Designer Matt Elliot explained that Rivendell was chosen over other Elven locations like Lothlorien and Mirkwood. A recent patch, Update 47.2, also addressed issues with the spring festival and a new raid.