L.O.T.R. online

[Atoz]

Lord of the Rings online, Anyone signed up for beta?

I received a key for the stress test this weekend (2/23) and already downloaded the client. It is of course WoW like with its own Lore to match the LotR, but then again with the success of WoW it is hard to not copy such a way to play a MMO.

I am curious to see their version of PvP: Monster play...

[xxlebox]

Yeah I signed up a loooong time ago, but never heard anything from them anymore. I might check it out sometime soon :)

[Atoz]

this link is open to the public and not a gold farming site so I think it does not violate the WoWnet rules. Request to get your stress test key for this weekend here:

http://www.gamespot.com/betas/lord_of_the_rings_online/index.php&tag=st_lotro_cmbox

[Valas Azuviir]

That link only applies to what is essentially North American servers though. US, Canada, Ozzieland and Kiwiland, so if he's not in one of those, he's out of luck.

I myself applied for the EU beta slots, haven't heard a thing from them. And I do have prior experience from the WoW Open Beta. *shrugs*

[SwervinCL]

So with this stress test, you actually get to play the game?

[Tanitha]

I believe so. The snag I ran into was when you actually sign up with the stress test key to get a Turbine account you have to tick:

I agree to the Subscription Terms and Conditions, Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I also certify that I reside in North America.

Sadly, I don't reside in North America. So an annoying registration process later and it's no joy. Bit sad really.

[Ju Smurph]

If you ever come to greif Tani just answer ever question with " 'ey bro". They will deem you unfit to be a capable of entering a contract.

Seriously though. Just send them an email, I'm sure its just the fact it has not been updated.

[Valas Azuviir]

So with this stress test, you actually get to play the game?


Yup. It's to see how the servers handle a bigger load of players than what they're used to really. Internal testing tends to have maybe 1k max. Then again, once you go retail, you'll have more than 1k on a server, least if all goes well. :wink:

You need to know how the server will respond, if you need to tighten up your networkcode etc.

In addition, sometimes during stress tests, additional bugs are found, which were missed in the closed beta phase. You can then stick them on the to do list and have that patch ready, once the game has gone live.

Example, Mulgore. That Venture Co. mine. There's a point in that mine, where you are above a bunch of digging machines. Back during the OB, if performed flawlessly, you could jump onto the machines. No longer the case now.

Why was it bad that you could jump there? For those classes with magical ranged abilities, it was the perfect spot to safely snipe/grind the Mobs. They couldn't reach you, but you could reach them.

For those with physical ranged abilities it was less useful, due to the deadzone, and the height difference being just so, that they'd be within the zone, and thus you couldn't fire upon them. Yet at the same time, you couldn't engage them in melee combat either.

[Atoz]

I believe so. The snag I ran into was when you actually sign up with the stress test key to get a Turbine account you have to tick:



Sadly, I don't reside in North America. So an annoying registration process later and it's no joy. Bit sad really.

whoever reads those pesky ToS anyway?? Its only a free 3 day stress test and there is no need to make any payment methods. hypotheticlay (not that I am suggesting it) one could make a temp username and sign in hopes of getting in, if it catches the one and bumps you then there was nothing lost.

[Tanitha]

whoever reads those pesky ToS anyway?? Its only a free 3 day stress test and there is no need to make any payment methods. hypotheticlay (not that I am suggesting it) one could make a temp username and sign in hopes of getting in, if it catches the one and bumps you then there was nothing lost.

Possibly. However, if I've clicked "I agree" it means I've read the document and have signalled that I understand and accept the terms and conditions imposed by it. No different to any other contract - at least from my perspective.

Lying to get in seems - I don't know - it seems wrong to me. The scope of what they're doing in it being only a 3 day stress test has no bearing on how that affects me personally.

I've done what Ju suggested though - I've sent them an email to clarify if that is an actual condition they intended though.

Edit:
I've received an automated responses that led through to a knowledge base section. (They don't offer support anymore through the contact details listed on their website ... how daft). Anyway - that support section links to this page (http://turbine.fuzeqna.com/lotro.support/consumer/kbdetail.asp?kbid=648&catID1=120). That seems to indicate that if you're outside of North America you're out. And, requesting further information from that system requires you to be an actual subscriber. Meh. I'm not going to bother any further.

[Ju Smurph]

Tanitha... i would email Gamespot then... See what they have to say.

[Atoz]

Possibly. However, if I've clicked "I agree" it means I've read the document and have signalled that I understand and accept the terms and conditions imposed by it. No different to any other contract - at least from my perspective.

Lying to get in seems - I don't know - it seems wrong to me. The scope of what they're doing in it being only a 3 day stress test has no bearing on how that affects me personally.

I've done what Ju suggested though - I've sent them an email to clarify if that is an actual condition they intended though.

Edit:
I've received an automated responses that led through to a knowledge base section. (They don't offer support anymore through the contact details listed on their website ... how daft). Anyway - that support section links to this page (http://turbine.fuzeqna.com/lotro.support/consumer/kbdetail.asp?kbid=648&catID1=120). That seems to indicate that if you're outside of North America you're out. And, requesting further information from that system requires you to be an actual subscriber. Meh. I'm not going to bother any further.

I admire you for you standards, it is good to stand up for what you believe, so you will not fall for anything. IMHO I would not think any less of a person if they igored this paticular ToS of only for north america. The LOTRO has a lot to offer and to me it has a lot to prove to sway me away from WoW. A simple free 3 day play should be long enough for me to see if I want to invest in the game to maybe replace WoW (I know, how dare I speak such blasphmy... to even think something could replace WoW). But this is not an issure with me, I do live in the north america.

[Atoz]

Here is the link for the EU pre-order, although the stress test is over.

http://www.lotro-europe.com/preorder.php

[Vulcanz]

So who's thinking of buying it? ill give it a bit so when it comes out they can sort out all of there bugs