Review: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of AngmarBasic InformationBasic Information contd.Slide 4Slide 5Game Summary - StoryGame Summary – Story Contd.Game Summary - RoleGame Summary - InstallationGame Summary – User InterfaceGame Summary – User Interface Contd.Game Summary - GameplayGame Summary – Gameplay Contd.Slide 14Game Summary - ScoringGame Summary Contd.Game Summary – Artwork Contd.Slide 18Game Summary – Special FeaturesGame Summary – Special Features Contd.Game Summary - ManualGame Summary - BugsGame ReviewGame Review Contd.Slide 25Slide 26Slide 27SummarySummary Contd.Slide 30Slide 31Questions? Comments? Free trial anyone?Review:The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of AngmarAndrew Claus9/21/2008CIS 487Basic Information•Game Title: The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar (aka LOTRO)•Company: Turbine, Inc•Type of game: Fantasy MMORPG•Price: –Game: $19.99–Subscription: $300 Lifetime / $14.99 per month or$200 Lifetime / $9.99 per monthBasic Information contd.•Minimum stated hardware requirements–O.S.: Windows® XP–Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 1.8 GHz or equivalent–RAM: 512MB–Video: 64MB NVIDIA GeForce® 3 or ATI® Radeon® 8500–Disk Space: 7GB available–DirectX: DirectX® 9.0c–Connection: 56kbps ModemBasic Information contd.•Recommended hardware requirements–O.S.: Windows® XP/Vista–Processor: Intel Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz or equivalent–RAM: 1GB–Video: 128MB NVIDIA GeForce® 6800 or ATI® Radeon® X850–Disk Space: 10GB available–DirectX: DirectX® 9.0c–Connection: Broadband DSL/CableBasic Information contd.•Test machine hardware:–O.S.: Windows XP–Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad 3.6 GHz–RAM: 4GB–Video: 512MB ATI Radeon 4870–Disk Space: 10GB+ available–DirectX: DirectX® 9.0c–Connection: Broadband Cable•Performance:–50-100 frames per second on highest settings, 1920x1080 resolution using DirectX 9–20-30 frames per second using DirectX 10 and Windows VistaGame Summary - Story•Follows the story of The Lord of the Rings Books series•Starts at the beginning of “The Fellowship of the Ring”•The current update ends with the Fellowship setting out from Rivendell•Projected updates through 2011 to follow all three booksGame Summary – Story Contd.Game Summary - Role•Multiple optional roles:–Aid Gandalf, Aragorn, and eventually the Fellowship of the Ring –Aid the cities and townsfolk by completing quests–Do your own thing, and wreck havoc on the monsters taking over Middle EarthGame Summary - Installation•Initial installation:–Purchase online and Download directly from the internet–Purchase from the store and install from a DVD•Updates:–Automatically downloads and installs updates on startup•An initial installation will take a few hours to completely update, even over broadband.Game Summary – User Interface•Very similar interface to other popular MMO’s–Small learning curve to those who have played games like World of Warcraft or Guild Wars–Includes hints and tutorials to help out new players•Customizable, but generally includes:–Skills, Text and Voice chat, Health, Power, Mini-map, Quest tracker, Inventory•Third-Person or First-Person views•Camera movement is controlled with the mouse•Character movement is controlled with the standard WASD keys•Combat is controlled by keyboard hotkeys or clicking skillsGame Summary – User Interface Contd.Game Summary - Gameplay•Initially, you are able to choose 1 of 4 races–Elf, Human, Dwarf, Hobbit•You are also able to choose 1 of 7 classes–Guardian (tank)–Champion–Minstrel (healer)–Burgular–Lore Master–Captain–Hunter•Each race has their own benefits•Each class has its own set of skills availableGame Summary – Gameplay Contd.•Skill based live-action combat style•RPG-style statistics, determined by the gear your wear and items you use•Thousands of optional quests–Epic quests follow the storyline of The Lord of the Rings•99% of the world is shared with all other players•Variety of social options available–Kinships–Fellowships–Raids–Regional Chat–In-game Voice ChatGame Summary – Gameplay Contd.Game Summary - Scoring•In general, experience is your global score•Experience is gained by:–Killing NPC monsters–Completing quests–Completing deeds•Renown tracks your Player Vs. Player score•Renown is gained by:–Killing player controlled monstersGame Summary Contd.•Artwork:–Professional and high resolution graphics•Landscapes•Monsters•Character Models•Armor graphics•Sound and Music:–Unique skill sound effects–Environment sound effects–Background music for each region–Varying combat musicGame Summary – Artwork Contd.Game Summary – Artwork Contd.Game Summary – Special Features•Music System–Available instruments:•Lute, harp, clarinet, flute, horn, cowbell, bagpipe, therobo–Play scripted music using ABC notation•Sync music with other players–Play music using computer keyboard hotkeys–Play music using a MIDI keyboard•Fishing •Housing–Show off trophies gathered from monsters and instances•EmotesGame Summary – Special Features Contd.Game Summary - Manual•112 page manual•Map of Middle Earth•Key-map card•In-game tipsGame Summary - Bugs•Occasionally bugs will be introduced in large updates, but they are usually fixed within a week. •Currently there are no known bugs which effect meGame Review•What is good about the game?–Highly detailed story•incorporates all information found from Tolken lore books, not “The Lord of the Rings”•Familiar characters, locations, and monsters can be found throughout the game–Something for everyone to do, nothing is required•Deeds•Quests•Killing Monsters•Unique items–Every character is unique•Enough variety of items and skills•Everyone plays their characters differently–Periodic updates to the game•Bug fix updates as needed•New quests and locations every 2 months•New Expansions every yearGame Review Contd.•What is bad about the game?–There is no ultimate goal•The quests, deeds, and items available will can run out–The game is only fun is there’s enough people around to play with•Other people may switch to new updated games in the futureGame Review Contd.•How does it compare to similar MMORPG games?–Some similar aspects•Controls•Gameplay style•Overall feel–Different back story•Could be a good or a bad thing,
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