Aeon Knights: Aeon Knights Portal

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Bugs, Game mechanics, Patches

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/lotro-qanda-epl-306.jpgWorking on a QA team is simultaneously one of the more important and least glamorous parts of any game's development. On the one hand, QA has the important job of trying to make sure that everything plays smoothly and correctly; on the other hand, a QA team has best done its job when there's very little that the player notices as missing. Lord of the Rings Online has recently posted a QA team diary, with Amanda "Brynhildr" Cosmos discussing the process involved in testing the recent Volume III update for the game.

Contrary to some popular beliefs, testing generally doesn't consist largely of playing the game -- it's more about finding areas of the game that might be a bit weak and straining them to the breaking point. As the diary points out, it's also about investigating the smaller areas of gameplay that might not be immediately apparent from looking at the big picture. Travel routes, pricing on small-scale consumables, and minor text quibbles aren't easy to spot unless you're looking specifically for places that can be shored up. The full diary is worth reading not just for Lord of the Rings Online players, but anyone interested in seeing what the QA teams are actually responsible for in an MMO's production.http://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifPeek inside Lord of the Rings Online's QA team originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

Filed under: Sci-fi, Classes, News items, Star Wars: The Old Republic

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/alsoswtor-rb-35.jpgThe development team for Star Wars: The Old Republic is hard at work these days, and most of us love to hear what they're up to while we wait for the game. One of the many resources that Bioware has given us are the developer blogs. The newest edition comes to us courtesy of writer Joanna Berry, who takes a closer look at the Jedi Consular.

The Jedi Consular has a balance to maintain, walking that line between the light and dark sides of the Force, and Berry's thoughts on that sense of balance contributed quite a bit to how she chose to write the Jedi Consular class: "For me, the challenge - and the fun - of writing the Jedi Consular is keeping a sense of balance between intelligence and arrogance, between what's right and what could win the war against the Empire."

Take a look at the full entry here -- it's well worth a read for anyone interested in SW:TOR.http://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifLatest dev blog for Star Wars: The Old Republic looks at Jedi Consular originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, The Road to Mordor

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/roadtomordor1.jpg

Every Friday, The Road to Mordor brings you the latest in Lord of the Rings Online news, guides and analysis.

Hey dol merry dol, Lord of the Rings Online fans! My name is Justin Olivetti, and I have the pleasure of joining you on this winding, epic road to Mordor. I play a Captain on the Gladden server, and some of my favorite activities in LotRO include wandering accidentally into signature mob camps, exterminating the local fauna in the name of Deeds, and trying to cobble together the perfect pirate costume for show.

So I know that LotRO is one of the best MMORPGs out there, and you know that as well, but with all the newer MMOs bursting out of the gate on what seems like a weekly basis, how can you convince your friends, loved ones and everyone in your social network that a three-year-old title is worth giving a try if they missed it the first time around?

Never fear -- I am on your side, and ready to equip you with ten terrific reasons why the lovechild of Turbine and Tolkien deserve an even greater number of folks exploring the lands of Middle-earth. So hit the jump and let's spread the word!Continue reading The Road to Mordor: 10 reasons why LotRO is worth picking up over shiny new MMOs

http://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifThe Road to Mordor: 10 reasons why LotRO is worth picking up over shiny new MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

Filed under: Fantasy, Galleries, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, Crafting, Professions, News items

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/lotrob3crafting-1267717448.jpgTurbine continues to whet our Hobbit-sized appetites for the newest Lord of the Rings Online update. The company has released a handful of screenshots centered around the crafting tweaks included in Volume III: Allies of the King, Book 1: Oath of the Rangers.

While that title alone is quite a mouthful, it pales in comparison to the meaty morsels coming your way if you're in touch with your inner artisan. Updates include new and more powerful recipes for Cooks, new class items for Weaponsmiths and Woodworkers, Jewelry stat rebalancing, and new crops for Artisan, Master, and Superior Farmers.

Hit the gallery below to view the new screenshots, grab a second breakfast, and get ready to churn out those level sixty-five recipes.

Gallery: LotRO Volume 3, Book 1 gallery

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/crafting10304_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/crafting20304_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/crafting30304_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/crafting40304_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/crafting50304_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifTurbine Drops New LOTRO Crafting Screens originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, News items

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/lotrofeed-rb-32.jpgLord of the Rings Online is adding to their presence in the social networking scene. Now you can let your Facebook friends know about the achievements of your Lord of the Rings Online characters via the new Player Feed.

The Player Feed is a Facebook application installed in the usual way. It uses your my.lotro account information to keep track of your characters as you choose, giving you a series of checkboxes to control which servers, characters, and achievements you want to display. It lets your friends know when you log on and log off -- everything after that is up to you. (To prevent the Player Feed from spamming Facebook every time you switch characters, it will wait for a short period of time after you log out to send that notification.)

Check out the post on the LotRO site for all the details.http://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifLord of the Rings Online adding Facebook Player Feed originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

Filed under: Fantasy, Lord of the Rings Online, Expansions, News items

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/03/lotro-erb-128.jpgLord of the Rings Online Volume III, Book 1: Oath of the Rangers went live today, to the delight of LotRO fans. This major update builds on the skirmish system introduced in Siege of Mirkwood by introducing four new 12-player Skirmishes as well as Duo Mode to the game. New skills and recipes have arrived with the update as well, and the Spring Festival will return on March 22. Take a look after the jump for a roundup of our Oath of the Rangers coverage so far, then head into Middle-earth to check it out for yourself!Continue reading LotRO Volume III: Book 1 releases today

http://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifLotRO Volume III: Book 1 releases today originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article

Filed under: Fantasy, Screenshots, Lord of the Rings Online, One Shots

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os879lotro580.jpgIn just two days, Lord of the Rings Online players will be treated to a great chunk of new content in Book 1: Oath of the Rangers -- and of course, we got a sneak peek! In the meantime, players are finishing up story arcs, or running new alt characters through familiar lands such as the beautiful spot we see above. This One Shots comes to us from Dylan G. who writes in: [Here's a picture of] my level 17 human minstrel. This is my character standing in front of Duillond. [Lord of the Rings Online] amazes me every day with the awesome landscape and world it has.

Whether new or old, we love to see screenshots of the MMOs you're playing. Just send those in to us here at oneshots At massively DOT com along with your name, the name of the game, and a description of what we're seeing. We'll post it out here and give you the credit!
Gallery: One Shots: Gallery II

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os879_lotro_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os878_sto_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os877_eve_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os876_love_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os875_wow_1024_thumbnail.jpg
Gallery: One Shots

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os864_eq2_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os863_fe_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os862_lotro_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os861_co_1024_thumbnail.jpghttp://www.blogcdn.com/www.massively.com/media/2010/02/os860_wow_1024_thumbnail.jpg<br clear="all" />http://www.massively.com/media/feedlogo.gifOne Shots: Majestic originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.<br style="clear:both;">

<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6>Permalink | Email this | Comments

View the full article