Lord of the Rings Online
News, coverage and analysis tracking Lord of the Rings Online across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Betawatch: Monsters & Memories plunges testers into The Deep, Loftia begins pre-registrations, and ArcheAge S is on its way next year
Several MMORPGs are entering new testing phases or preparing for launch. Monsters & Memories is plunging testers into 'The Deep' ahead of its early access, while Loftia has begun pre-registrations. ArcheAge S is slated for a Q2 2027 release, with gameplay previews coming soon. Legends of Aria Eternal and Valheim have officially launched, while Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen has experienced layoffs.
Lord of the Rings Online begins testing Wolves of Mordor’s neighbours system
Standing Stone Games has begun testing the new neighbours system for Lord of the Rings Online's upcoming Wolves of Mordor expansion. This system allows players to interact with neighbours, give and receive gifts, and complete daily quests. The studio is also previewing the expansion and answering community questions.
LOTRO Legendarium: Looking back at Siege of Mirkwood
This analysis revisits the Siege of Mirkwood expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, which was released in 2009. Despite being smaller in scope than its predecessor, Mines of Moria, it introduced the significant Skirmish system and marked the last expansion before the game went free-to-play. While not widely popular, the expansion's legacy is tied to its innovative systems and narrative connections to subsequent content.
WRUP: Absolutely true facts about The Wolf edition
Several Massively OP staff members share their weekend gaming plans, including time in City of Heroes, Monster Hunter Wilds, Final Fantasy XIV, and World of Warcraft. The discussion also touches on personal anxieties related to job interviews and important decisions.
The Daily Grind: Which two MMORPGs would you love to see have a crossover event?
This article poses a question to MMORPG players about which two games they would hypothetically love to see have a crossover event, regardless of how likely or practical it might be. It uses Lord of the Rings Online as an example of a game unlikely to have a crossover with a science fiction title.
Perfect Ten: Revisiting the winners of our last 10 underrated MMORPG awards
This article revisits the winners of the last 10 years of "underrated MMORPG" awards, offering retrospective thoughts on each choice. While some picks like Project Gorgon and Final Fantasy XIV are celebrated, others like Elyon are noted for their short lifespan, and New World's inclusion is bittersweet due to Amazon's decision to sunset the game.
Lord of the Rings Online brings new reward tracks and preps a new level cap for legendary servers
Lord of the Rings Online's Update 49.5 introduces new reward tracks for legendary items and PvMP, available until December 2nd. The update also prepares for a future level cap increase to 115 on Angmar and Mordo legendary servers, alongside the return of the Treasure Bugan event.
The Daily Grind: How much time do you actually spend in your MMO house?
This article discusses the actual time players spend in their player housing within MMORPGs, questioning if developers overestimate its usage. While some players, like crafters and traders in Star Wars Galaxies, utilize housing extensively, others find themselves using it less frequently for decoration and more for services, as seen in Lord of the Rings Online.
MMO Week in Review: Gamescom, Asura, and Ascension
Gamescom was the dominant event this week, bringing news for numerous MMOs including launch dates for Aion 2 and Path of Exile 2, and trailers for Dune Awakening, Sea of Remnants, and Cinder City. Star Citizen's Squadron 42 received another delay into 2027, while Guild Wars 3 revealed its Asura, and Blizzard shut down another World of Warcraft private server. Other news included updates for Throne and Liberty, Ultima Online, and The Division 2, alongside discussions on game design, AI training lawsuits, and the shutdown of the Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator.
LOTRO Legendarium: Looking back at Mines of Moria
This article looks back at the 2008 expansion for Lord of the Rings Online, Mines of Moria, developed by Turbine. It highlights the expansion's ambitious scope, the technical challenges of creating underground environments, and its impact on the game's progression, including the introduction of new classes and the controversial Radiance gear system. Despite some criticisms, the author views Mines of Moria as a net positive for the game, especially in its current iteration.
One Shots: This gnome does not approve of your life
This week's "One Shots" column features community screenshots from various MMOs, including Istaria, City of Heroes, Fallout 76, Guild Wars 2, and Lord of the Rings Online. The article highlights humorous and interesting in-game moments shared by players.
WRUP: Here are the items that you have gotten mustard stains on edition
This week's 'What Are You Playing' roundup features community and staff discussing their weekend gaming plans. Titles mentioned include City of Heroes, Lord of the Rings Online, Palia, The Division 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Guild Wars Reforged, Eternal Strands, and World of Warcraft. A bonus question asks about preferred fruits, with responses ranging from oranges to coconuts.
The Daily Grind: What’s the right number of buttons for an MMO hotbar?
This article discusses the optimal number of buttons for an MMORPG hotbar, exploring player preferences and design challenges across various games like Guild Wars, Lord of the Rings Online, World of Warcraft, and Star Wars Galaxies. It questions why a universally accepted 'sweet spot' for hotbar design remains elusive despite player feedback.
Dungeons and Dragons Online starts testing its newest raid, Terror of the Demon Lords
Dungeons and Dragons Online has begun testing its newest raid, Terror of the Demon Lords, on the Lamannia test server. Players are encouraged to provide feedback on the raid's mechanics and loot before its official release. Separately, Lord of the Rings Online announced a revised schedule for its upcoming Abyss of Mordath raid.
Lord of the Rings Online sits down for a housing Q&A meeting with the community
Standing Stone Games held a Q&A session regarding the player housing system in Lord of the Rings Online. Discussions covered the new neighbor system coming with the Wolves of Mordor expansion, potential housing hook consolidations, and the consideration of adding apartments to the game.
MMO Week in Review: Way too early access
This week's MMO news covers the early access launch of Stars Reach, which some consider premature. Other highlights include a look at Guild Wars 3's Kodan, Daybreak's acquisition of Cold Iron Studios, new content for EverQuest Legends, and an analysis of the survival game Stormforge. The article also touches on various other MMO updates, rumors, and industry discussions.
LOTRO Legendarium: Looking back at LOTRO’s Shadows of Angmar
This article looks back at the initial launch and early development of Lord of the Rings Online, focusing on its first major content rollout, Shadows of Angmar. It details the game's state at launch in 2007, its initial zones, and the subsequent additions of features like housing and new areas, highlighting how the game evolved from its early days into the expansive MMORPG it is today.
Lord of the Rings Online changes up its final schedule for the progression servers and sells a new patron’s coffer
Standing Stone Games has revised the schedule for Lord of the Rings Online's Angmar and Mordor progression servers, extending the level 130 cap and allowing free player transfers until the end of March. The servers will now reach level 140 by early February. Additionally, new 'Promised Allies' patron's coffer bundles featuring cosmetic items and a loyal hound dog are now available for purchase.
EG7 Q2 2026: Daybreak has finished buying out Cold Iron and Aliens Fireteam Elite 2
Enad Global 7's subsidiary Daybreak Game Company has finalized its acquisition of Cold Iron Studios for $3 million, securing assets and intellectual property related to the developer, including the Aliens franchise IP for Aliens: Fireteam Elite. Daybreak reported improved profitability in Q2 2026, driven by Palia and DC Universe Online, alongside steady performance from its other live-service titles like EverQuest and EverQuest II.
DDO adds new Terror of Demogorgon quest while LOTRO tests new Lua plugin improvements
Standing Stone Games is adding a new quest, 'Raiding the Raiders,' to the Terror of Demogorgon expansion for Dungeons and Dragons Online as part of Update 81.2. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings Online is receiving PvP adjustments and bug fixes in Update 49.4, with Update 49.5 on the Bullroarer test server previewing new Lua Plugin functionality.
