Wait, wut? LoTRO F2P. Yes... Lord of the Rings Online goes Free-to-Play

[SunnyD]

7-11-2010 - No more key.

UPDATE 7-10-2010 - I have a spare beta key...
Who wants it?

Original Post:
Looks like the Warner Brothers acquisition bears some fruit after all.

As in free. Really.

F2P "beta" starts June 16th.

More details on what free means, and what paying gets you.

 

[KeithTalent]

Can someone post at least some of the text? All game sites are blocked here.

Thanks.

KT

 

[SunnyD]

Can someone post at least some of the text? All game sites are blocked here.

Thanks.

KT

Let me know if this works for you.

(html source page from the site with the table of details, but google won't host "foreign" html pages on app sites)

 

[Kromis]

Can someone post at least some of the text? All game sites are blocked here.

Thanks.

KT

http://www.lotro.com/news/709-announcing-the-lord-of-the-rings-onlines-move-to-free-to-play-

Today is an important day for LOTRO: we’ve announced that this fall, LOTRO will begin offering a Free-to-Play option! Players will be able to download the game and adventure in Middle-earth for free. With Free-to-Play comes the addition of the LOTRO Store, where players will have immediate in-game access to a wide variety of special items, account services, and convenience items.
The best part is – as existing subscribers you’re automatically enrolled in our VIP program! As a VIP you’ll continue to get unlimited access to the game and all of the content you already enjoy, in addition to some extra perks! We know you’re curious how all of this will work and what it all means for you personally, so here are some handy links to all of the details:

• Official LOTRO Free-to-Play Press Release
• A letter from Kate Paiz, Executive Producer LOTRO
• FAQ
• VIP Chart

Still have questions? Here’s a quick FAQ about the key points of LOTRO Free-to-Play:
Is this the same model you used with DDO?
It’s very similar in a large number of ways. The basic structure is the same with some changes made to support LOTRO’s different game world and wide-open environment. Customer levels, the LOTRO Store, and other aspects of LOTRO Free-to-Play are all very similar to those of Dungeons and Dragons Online®: Eberron Unlimited™.
I already subscribe to LOTRO. Is there any benefit to staying a subscriber?
Of course! Once the game goes live you’ll keep all your current privileges, and also accrue 500 free Turbine Points per month to spend as you wish. We also have a set of Loyalty Reward Special Offers just for our veteran players – as long as you maintain your subscription in good standing you may be eligible for up to 3,000 points. If you stay active over the summer you will also earn an additional bonus of 500 Turbine Points per month until launch! For more details see the Loyalty Reward Special Offer Terms & Conditions for full details.
I have a lifetime subscription to LOTRO. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
As a lifetime subscriber to LOTRO, you will keep all of your membership privileges and are automatically upgraded to VIP status. You will receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month like the other VIPs, but you do not have to pay a monthly fee since you are a lifetime member. All you have to do is keep playing the game and visit the LOTRO Store to spend your free Turbine Points. Lifetime members may also qualify for a special one-time Loyalty Reward of 1,000 Turbine Points. See the Loyalty Reward Special Offer Terms & Conditions for full details.
I am a LOTRO Founder. What will Free-to-Play mean for me?
As a LOTRO Founder, you automatically become a VIP and will keep all of your membership privileges as long as you pay your monthly fee. You will automatically receive 500 Free Turbine Points every month and you can spend them at your leisure in the LOTRO Store. Founding members may also qualify for a special one-time Loyalty Reward of 500 Turbine Points. See the Loyalty Reward Special Offer Terms & Conditions for full details.
Will there be a Free-to-Play Beta and when will it start?
Yes! The Beta will start in the very near future. We’ll begin accepting signups immediately at www.lotro.com/betasignup!
I’m a new or returning player. How do I sign up for Beta?
Start by registering at www.lotro.com/betasignup. We’ll select entrants from that list once beta starts.
I’m an existing customer. How do I sign up for the Beta?
Existing subscribers do not need to register to apply for the beta – we’ll randomly invite subscribers who have been active in the last 30 days and have an account in good standing throughout the beta. If you wish to register at www.lotro.com/betasignup that will count as an extra entry and may increase your chance of being selected for participation.
Is there any way to increase my chance of getting into the beta?
Sure! Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook! We’ll give out special beta entry codes to our fans via social media - so give yourself the best chance of getting in and make sure to keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates.
Are we under NDA during the beta?
Yes. What happens in beta stays in beta! Once you receive your invitation and apply your beta key to your account, you will have access to the private beta forums. This is the only place to discuss anything you see or do in beta. Remember, the first rule of beta is you do not talk about beta!
What can I still talk about on the public forums?
Our NDA specifies that no materials related to the beta (including updates, gameplay or user interface) may be discussed or posted without Turbine's express permission. The NDA remains in effect whether you remain in the program, or the program ends.
When does LOTRO F2P go live?
Free-to-Play will go live when Volume 3, Book 2 releases this fall.
Is Free-to-Play the only thing to look forward to for Volume 3, Book2?
No! Volume 3, Book 2 will continue the Volume 3 Epic Story as the Rangers head south. An all new area, Enedwaith, will be available as well as some exciting new features and many updates to the game including DX11 support! We’ll have more information about Volume 3, Book 2 as we approach launch. Keep an eye out for Developer Diaries and other information throughout the summer!
I still have questions. Where can I ask them?
If you still have questions after reading the full FAQ, please use the LOTRO Free-to-Play discussion forum for questions and comments!
We’re very excited about LOTRO’s move to Free-to-Play and we can’t wait for you to see all the incredible changes the team has already made to the game. Make sure you read Executive Producer Kate Paiz’s letter to the community for some great information on where LOTRO is going!

 

[KeithTalent]

Thanks guys. Hmm, interesting. I wonder what this means exactly:

Premium Classes*Purchasable

:hmm: I'm a lifetime subscriber and have most, if not all of the expansions.

KT

 

[SunnyD]

Thanks guys. Hmm, interesting. I wonder what this means exactly:



:hmm: I'm a lifetime subscriber and have most, if not all of the expansions.

KT

This might help answer some questions.

 

[KeithTalent]

This might help answer some questions.

Thanks, I'll have to look at that when I get home.

KT

 

[Dumac]

What?

Weird...

Does free to play mean the client is free too? Or just the subscription?

 

[Jinru]

What?

Weird...

Does free to play mean the client is free too? Or just the subscription?

Both, but it appears you have to pay for the expansions or earn enough points in game to buy the xpan off the item shop.


Is there any pvp content in lotr? Can anyone explain the pvp features if there is one.

 

[lupi]

highly interested what the area packs mean for free players as those levels alone won't let you level very far.

 

[lupi]

they recently, and you may still be able to find, the expansion for like $10 if anyone is interested in playing when it goes free and having most of the require to pay for stuff now.

 

[KeithTalent]

Ahh, ok, just got the e-mail. As a Founder it looks like I get an additional 1,500 points.

I'll have to login and give this all a try once it's up and running. ^_^

KT

 

[lupi]

not only do you get 1500, but you also get 500 per year (assuming a founder that bought at launch) along with 500 for june.

not sure what you can get with points, but i'll have around 6000 banked a month or so after it launched.

 

[ElFenix]

does this mean the game is dying or what? i haven't played much lately.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Hmmm, I'll have to read through those links. I let my account expire last month as I had too many games to play and not enough time. I may have time coming up and this might be a decent option.

 

[SunnyD]

does this mean the game is dying or what? i haven't played much lately.

I think what it means is that Warner Brothers say that Turbine's relaunch of DDO as a F2P title was more successful at generating revenue than the subscription model, so why not attract a larger audience for LOTRO too and make money while they're at it.

 

[Gothgar]

crazy, tried this a while back, it was okay for a wow clone

 

[lupi]

yep, converting the money made into subscription numbers for DDO has put it on some charts as the #2 MMO now.

 

[lupi]

did a little looking over the DDO stuff, so if my guess is right, what those area adventure packs means is that is what instances you will have access to.

 

[manimal]

If I start a 10 day free trial would they let me keep that char when f2p goes live?


Checking.

 

[lupi]

they never really delete chars so i'd say most likely. but i'm not sure if you can create a rk/ward on trial but with those as restricted free chars you'd have to pay to release them after it goes free.

 

[Craig234]

So I bought about 3 copies of the game, I think both normal and collector's, but never signed up. I wonder if that was just wasted money now.

 

[SunnyD]

So I bought about 3 copies of the game, I think both normal and collector's, but never signed up. I wonder if that was just wasted money now.

If I read right... NO. If you purchase the expansions after F2P starts, you still get the expansions permanently (as if you would have via Turbine points after F2P).

 

[SunnyD]

If I start a 10 day free trial would they let me keep that char when f2p goes live?


Checking.

That's a good question. What I read on their forum post detailing stuff is that they stressed that you will never lose anything going from subscription to F2P. I'm not sure if this includes the premium classes.

 

[lupi]

So I bought about 3 copies of the game, I think both normal and collector's, but never signed up. I wonder if that was just wasted money now.

you'd get a couple things by using those. First you'd collect turbine points (which start june 1) for at least 1 month from the 30 days included with the base game. Also you'd already have the expansions added to your account even if you later went free. And you'd be a premium player vice free player even if you didn't play after the first 30 days when the free system goes live.