We are going to cover a couple of key points from the most recent Producer letter coming out of the long running LOTRO. This is a big one for sure. It looks like in update 33, which is expected in late April, will give us one of the biggest changes to the game in years.
The first change is an update to the Shire. This area has not had a huge update in a very long time, but now it will. We are going to be getting a new area called the Yondershire. This is an area of low population due to the nature of the landscape around it. The fact that this is where trouble goes to live might be another issue. In comes some story details about Bullroarer Took and Lotho Sackville-Baggins in regards to the premise of this area.
We have seen the return of updates to the Shire and we will soon see the return of the Anniversary Festival with a new instance called A Flurry of Fireworks. Help set up the festival for all to see the brilliant fireworks display.
VIPs are getting an update as well but a lot of the details are a secret for now. Silly Hobbitses and their secretses. This isn’t the only update though, VIPs also get the standard version of Mordor, Minas Morgul, and War of Three Peaks expansions.
There are a lot of changes coming in regards to the LOTRO Store but some main points are making the High Elves free for all players so that everyone can play the compatible classes as one of the Valinor. Rune-keepers, Wardens, and Beornings are now also free to play for all players.
Finally, everything released since 2007 in terms of quests, areas, instances, and expansions up through Helms deep free for everyone and the ability to craft up to level 95.
Changes are coming to the VIP server of Anor allowing characters into a new area as well as a level cap increase. Shadowfax will be updated to the Rohan region shortly after that with a level cap of 95. In June Shadowfax will jump again to Gondor and Old Anorien while Treebeard reaches Mirkwood.
The full producer letter is here.
Here is the trailer for the most recent launch trailer for Rangers and Ruins.