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Author: Meldarion
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With all the talk going around about what constitutes a good game and what may ruin it, I find myself pondering the 'what if's' about the upcoming LotRO launch. Much hubub has been made about game immersion and Lore integrity. Honestly, I've found myself getting in on some of these conversations about what may or may not kill what is arguably the most anticipated game launches in MMO history, short as said history may be.
I grew up a Tolkien nerd. I had my first PnP experience with, what else, Dungeons and Dragons way back in 1979, which is right around the time that I read 'The Hobbit' for the first time. Many a time I would find myself sitting and thinking about Middle Earth and all its complexities and its sublime undercurrents. I think that's called obsessed, but hey, we're not here to shrink my head or anything.
I think I speak for a great number of Tolkien fans when I say that, for decades, everything beyond the words HE wrote left a lot to be desired (i.e. the animated movies, many inspired writings, and that godawful 'Bilbo Baggins' song that Leonard Nemoy sang). SO here we are, off the heels of, in my opinion, the best cinematic effort to date to cover the 'Lord of the Rings'(Peter Jackson is now a gazillionaire), and we all finally get what we want: A chance to live in Middle Earth. We can honestly thank New Line Cinema for stirring up enough interest in the LotR brand name to inspire someone to give it a go on the fickle MMORPG market.
Now, this presents a problem because, as detailed as Tolkien is about his world, it's really hard to tell what all went on in Middle Earth aside from what we see of the fellowship and the other major players during the War of the Ring. Sure there's an abundance of history, Tolkien's notorious for that. But what was life like in Archet? Who knows? It's really a shame that J.R.R. himself isn't around to be a consultant on such an important venture. Then again, he might not have approved of the LotRO RPG, because much of the mystery of Middle Earth will be lost, and the fantastic stuff of our childhood imaginations may become mundane. This is the fine line that Turbine has to walk.
So, how do you please the hard core gamer and the fanatic Tolkien Theologists at the same time? Let's face it, Turbine is going to make their money off of the hard core gamers while still trying to please those who merely want to touch the veil of the world that Tolkien created. Talk about pressure.
So what it all comes down to is this: which do I want? A totally immersive, lore intensive environment wherein nothing is experienced but what Tolkien wrote? Or just a rehashed version of the latest MMO that made a ton of money all wrapped up in a neat little package called Middle Earth? I myself don't want either.
As much as I love his work, I realize that there has to be some artistic interpretation when dealing with the portions of Arda outside the written words of Tolkien. Otherwise there wouldn't be much to the game aside from being led around by the nose while you help the fellowship complete their task... whoohoo, we've all been there, done that and read it a billion times.
I'm not trying to take anything away from his untouchable canonized works. Sure I want to be able to visit the places I've read up about, but I think it's going to be way more exciting to be able to visit such places that may only be mentioned once in the books. Let me make my own mark on Middle Earth, but put it all in balance and give me just enough immersion to let me fantasize that I lived a part of that history.
That's what I'm looking for. You can hash out the miniscule details about what era a certain type of sword was made or just how many camel hairs are in that itchy winter undergarment. If that's what you want, then have at it. Personally I think that Turbine is doing a fine job overall. I'm excited to see what's around the next corner. Hopefully they'll find a way to make us all smile in the end.
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