Devblog: Problems & Solutions

[Mangala]

I am labelling this number one only because there may be more some day. I cannot think that I will write of any other problem tomorrow, as tomorrow I will begin working on solutions to the problem put forth in this little blog.

We have a problem. We have this glorious epic storyline that takes you throughout Eriador but requires you, at various points, to find others to assist you. This is all well and good when you are a newer game and the majority of the populace is roughly the same level and progressing at roughly the same rate. However, when you are 2+ years removed from launch and looking at the trends and notice that more and more players are abandoning that rich - focal - part of your narrative game, then there is a problem.

First and foremost we are a game driven by story. Your place in that story. How you deal with elements of that story and interact with the story. Our epic is clearly one of the most important facets of our game. Now, few people are continuing on with it post Volume 1, Book 1 and this means that we have a problem that needs a solution.

The Solution? Moments of inspiration. These are the moments when your character digs deep into their reserves and finds something more. Whether this is drawn from the people around them or from their own sense of purpose these are the moments inspiring greatness.

Starting with Volume 1, Book 2 - completely revamped and restructured in the upcoming release on December 1st, the Epic Book series will be getting treatment to identify key moments in your character’s life. These types of moments will allow your character to don the mantle or heroism and fight against far greater odds.

Inspired Greatness does the following for a player:

Increases morale and power significantly, increases in-combat and out-of-combat morale and power regeneration, increases damage output from melee, ranged and tactical sources, increases healing output for all healing skills.

Through this we will be able address the problem highlighted above and apply the solution to all the Books comprising Volume 1 of the story of The Lord of the Rings Online.

http://my.lotro.com/orion/2009/11/04/problems-and-solutions-1/

Rage & none rage:  http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=300689

[Caradir]

saw this and thought that i may actually be able to see the rest of book 1 on my toons

trying to get a group to do the book stuff is impossible.

[Mangala]

saw this and thought that i may actually be able to see the rest of book 1 on my toons

trying to get a group to do the book stuff is impossible.

if only they hadnt changed exp gain and "streamlined" questing

Overall I sort of like the idea in the OP though - but ONLY for Epic quests, the rest of the game is okish if annoying - the way it is.

[Jarkko]

One of the really big bummers for me have been the difficulty at advancing the epic story. So damn difficult to find groups to do the harder quests. With burglar many things can be soloed, but only once the story is going grey already.

It sucks to not be able to advance the story properly, especially for somebody like me who like good stories. If this change helps to solve that issue, then I for one applaud.

[Kurtt]

Agreed with the above sentiments. Kurtt has yet to do Book 1, I'm still on the Trollshaws bit, even though I'm well past it level-wise.

A welcomed change in my book.