Lord of the Rings Online
News, coverage and analysis tracking Lord of the Rings Online across the outlets.
Latest coverage
MMO Week in Review: EverQuest rising
This week's MMO news roundup highlights the resurgence of the EverQuest franchise with EverQuest Legends entering paid beta and expansions teased for EverQuest and EverQuest II. Other major stories include the implosion of DreamWorld, potential layoffs at Blizzard and Bethesda, and Sony's shutdown of PS3 and PS Vita storefronts. The article also covers updates and news from various other MMOs like Elder Scrolls Online, Conan Exiles, and Valheim.
Vague Patch Notes: The struggle of expansions against MMO identity
This analysis explores the challenges and identity shifts inherent in MMO expansions, using examples like Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft. Expansions that introduce new areas can either seamlessly integrate or create a jarring tonal clash, impacting the game's overall feel and player perception.
Lord of the Rings Online plans a big expansion reveal at this month’s Gen Con
Standing Stone Games has outlined the next two quarters for Lord of the Rings Online, with Update 49 focusing on PvP enhancements, a new class, and quality-of-life improvements. The studio will reveal the name, setting, and details of the major expansion planned for the fourth quarter at Gen Con on July 31st.
LOTRO delays subscription price hike while DDO tests expansion quests and level cap increase
Standing Stone Games has delayed the planned price increase for Lord of the Rings Online's multi-month subscription packages by at least a month to allow for additional testing and to accommodate other game launches. Meanwhile, the sister MMO Dungeons and Dragons Online has begun testing its new Terror of Demogorgon expansion, which includes five quests and a level cap increase.
WRUP: Things the cat tube produces edition
This week's "What Are You Playing" roundup features community members discussing their gaming plans, including Guild Wars 2, Star Wars Galaxies Legends, The Division 2, and Warframe. Several staff members also shared personal anecdotes about unique family traditions, ranging from elaborate fireworks displays to specific holiday meals and egg-cracking games.
LOTRO Legendarium: Four positive outcomes from the Umbar expansion trilogy
This article analyzes the positive outcomes of the Lord of the Rings Online Umbar expansion trilogy, highlighting its diverse environments, the successful reimagining of the Midsummer Festival, generally excellent storytelling despite some pacing issues, and the engaging new Mariner class. Standing Stone Games is praised for its work in bringing these southern regions to life and for the quality of its writing team.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars goes mobile, Bungie gets layoffs
This week's MMO news includes Guild Wars launching on mobile, Star Trek Online's new update, and Throne & Liberty's summer expansion. However, the industry also saw significant layoffs at Sony and Bungie, impacting hundreds of developers working on Destiny 2 and Marathon. Other news includes Valve's Steam Machine pricing, the ongoing Ashes of Creation lawsuit, and updates on Grand Theft Auto VI's online multiplayer.
Lord of the Rings Online tests its new PvP class and Delving of Frór open dungeon
Lord of the Rings Online's Update 49 is currently being tested on the Bullroarer server, introducing the new Angmarim Sorceress PvP class and reopening the Delving of Frór PvP dungeon with adjusted bosses and quests. The update also aims to improve relic capture, artifact capture, and player-earned infamy systems, with new equipment designed for Ettenmoors combat. Separately, Update 48.7 unlocks the third tier of the Pagru-kirít, the Garden of Corpses instance.
MMO Week in Review: ArcheAge’s revival, Guild Wars’ CCG
This week's MMO news roundup covers a variety of topics including Guild Wars receiving a CCG in China, ArcheAge's revival, and Richard Garriott's efforts to regain Ultima copyright. It also features updates on Tomo Endless Blue's Kickstarter success, Embers of the Uncrowned, and Diablo Immortal's new Warlock patch.
LOTRO Legendarium: Are there other playable races LOTRO could add?
This article discusses the potential for Standing Stone Games to add new playable races to Lord of the Rings Online, considering lore restrictions and existing race variants. It explores various options based on J.R.R. Tolkien's lore, such as the Drúedain or specific Man variants, while acknowledging the challenges and risks involved in expanding the game's roster.
The Daily Grind: Do you find it hard to play more than one class in your MMO?
This article discusses the common player experience in MMORPGs where individuals find themselves drawn to a single class, making it difficult to explore or enjoy others. It poses a question to the community about their preferences and experiences with class selection in games like Lord of the Rings Online.
Lord of the Rings Online releases a festive new ‘Garden of Corpses’ six-player dungeon
Lord of the Rings Online has released Update 48.6, introducing a new six-player dungeon called Pagru-kirít, the Garden of Corpses. The dungeon is available in Tier 2 difficulty for VIP players or those who purchase the Quest Pack: A Glorious Hunt, with Tier 3 launching soon. The game's Midsummer Festival is also ongoing, with the Farmers Faire event planned for August.
One Shots: Hangin’ with my virtual homies
This week's 'One Shots' feature highlights community screenshots from various MMOs, including Final Fantasy XIV, Guild Wars 2, Secret World, EverQuest II, and Lord of the Rings Online. Players shared unique in-game moments, from NPC group photos to holographic dragons and secret hideouts.
LOTRO Legendarium: Four quality-of-life improvements that are overdue in LOTRO
This article discusses four overdue quality-of-life improvements for Lord of the Rings Online, including account-wide virtues and reputations, automatic wardrobe collection, and clearer business models for expansions. The author suggests these changes would significantly enhance the player experience in the MMORPG.
Lord of the Rings Online welcomes back its revamped Midsummer Festival with a new horse race
Lord of the Rings Online's revamped Midsummer Festival returns, featuring a new horse race called the Shield Isles Midsummer Run on the tropical island of Zír Aktar. Players can earn Midsummer tokens, Virtue Experience Points, and the 'Sea Horse-master' title. New rewards for 2026 include the Flowering Sun cosmetic set, an elk mount, garden furniture, and an owl pet.
LOTRO Legendarium: Could LOTRO’s PvP monster classes cross over into PvE?
This opinion piece discusses the potential for Lord of the Rings Online to bring its Player versus Player 'creep' classes into the main Player versus Environment game. The author explores the design and lore challenges of such a crossover, considering the effort already invested in the new Angmarim Sorceress class for PvP.
Massively Overthinking: What’s the next best thing to your favorite MMORPG?
The Massively OP staff discusses where players might migrate if their favorite MMORPGs were to shut down. Contributors share personal experiences of losing beloved games like City of Heroes and Star Wars Galaxies, and explore whether direct replacements are sought or if players move to different genres entirely. The consensus leans towards players finding games with familiar elements rather than exact replicas, or embracing a more transient gaming experience.
Lord of the Rings Online raises progression server caps and begins new legendary reward track in today’s patch
Standing Stone Games has released a new patch for Lord of the Rings Online, increasing the level cap on Angmar and Mordor progression servers to 105. The update also introduces the 18th legendary items reward track, the seventh PvMP reward track, and includes fixes for Rivendell premium housing. Additionally, a detailed player-created map of Middle-earth has been shared, breaking down regions by level, story, and expansions.
Massively OP Podcast Episode 567: One… billion… dollars!
The Massively OP Podcast episode 567 covers Star Citizen's crowdfunding milestone, the shutdown of Destiny 2 and Closers Online, a mobile client for Guild Wars, and subscription cost increases for The Lord of the Rings Online. The hosts also discuss upcoming expansions for Dungeons & Dragons Online and Throne and Liberty, and Camelot Unchained entering early access.
One Shots: Kill all robots!
This week's 'One Shots' column highlights community screenshots from various MMOs, focusing on environmental storytelling. Featured games include Fallout 76, Final Fantasy XIV, Hytale, and Lord of the Rings Online, showcasing unique in-game art and moments.