This time, it’s the turn for Lord of the Rings Online (also known as LOTRO) to be examined with our F2Pmeter regarding its free-to-play-ness. Just in the unlikely case that you haven’t heard of this fantasy-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game yet, this epos is set in the universe the popular author J. R. R. Tolkien invented with his novels. Within the game, players are able to experience exciting adventures as they come across well-know figures such as Gandalf the Grey and Bilbo Baggins.

Originally released with a subscription-based business model, Turbine decided in 2010 to also an F2P option including an in-game store. Despite all ups and downs, the title provides players with all you would expect of a full-featured MMO, including multiple classes and races to pick from, hobbies, crafting, PvP and PvE.

As ever, the game starts with a 100% of free-to-play-ness, and depending on how our questions have to be answered, this percentage will change. So off we go!

No. Since introducing an F2P option in late 2010, LOTRO allows all players to create their account and download the client for absolutely free, enabling them to head off for their own adventures on the tracks of Frodo Baggins.

 

 

Yes (optinal) – -15%. The game offers VIP accounts that include a variety of perks such as no currency cap, extra inventory slots, access to the entirety of skirmishes and quest packs, bonuses on EX gains, access to the entirety of character trait slots, premium currency and more. There are monthly ($14.99), 3- ($29.97), 6- ($59.94) and 12-monthly ($99.99) subscription plans available. Moreover, free-to-play account will be upgraded automatically to Premium, which offers an increased Gold currency cap, an extra character slots and enables players to sell items via the auction house, when any purchase is made with real-world cash.

 

 

Yes – -15%. Not even subscribers are able to get their hands on expansions without being charged, as all packs have to be purchased using real-world currency, with prizes ranging from $9.99 (1st expansion) to $39.99 (the latest).

 

 

Yes – -5%. The LOTRO market offers Turbine Points (the game’s premium currency), mounts, quest packs, expansions and more to players willing to spend real money on the game.

 

 

Yes (but...) – -5%. Although Turbine promised to solely sell convenience items that won’t convey direct advantages before they implemented the free-to-play option, they later started to offer statted armour via the LOTRO store, which boosted the character’s stats, this way granting purchasers direct advantages of those who didn’t bought that gear. Nevertheless, most of the things the in-game shop has on offers are temporary boosts or cosmetic items and free account holders additionally have the opportunity to earn the within the game.

 

 

No. Neither the LOTRO store nor the market offers any UI customising options for real-world or premium currency; everything that can be customised, can be done for free.

 

 

No (but...) – -5%. The account type doesn’t matter at all when it comes to the availability of races and the game’s 7 core classes. There are 2 additional premium classes that were released with "Mines of Moria", thus only being accessible by anyone who bought this precise expansion pack.

 

 

Yes – -10%. LOTRO allows everyone to buy items via the in-game auction house; posting an auction, however, is only allowed to VIP and Premium users. It requires a small fee to put an item up for auction as well as an extra auctioning fee that depends from the item’s final sale prize. In order to be able to simultaneously post up to 30 single auctions, players can purchase additional auction slots.

 

 

Yes – -10%. Each new player is provided with 45 inventory slots in total, with extra slots/ bags available for purchase with Turbine Points at the in-game store. It’s similarly with shared back storage.

 

 

No – -15%. Only the game’s core world can be freely accessed by everyone; the various instances released with DLC packs are only available to purchasers of the respective expansion pack.

 

 

No (but...) – -5%. As regards the core game’s high-end content, LOTRO doesn’t restrict F2P players, but paying users will have access to much more content when spending money on expansions.

 

 

Yes – +10%. Putting all restrictions imposed on non-paying users aside, LOTRO still appears to allow anyone to enjoy the game without taking out their wallet, due to it’s massive quantity of content that’s accessible for free and provides F2P gamers with lots of hours of fun while playing through it.

Our F2Pmeter test of Lord of the Rings Online results in a 25% of free-to-play-ness. It’s up to you to make your own judgements.

This entry was posted on Monday, January 19th, 2015 at 6:53 pm and is filed under Articles, MMO News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Puedes dejar una respuesta, o un trackback desde tu sitio web.