Lord Of The Rings Online Is Old Enough To Drive—Here's What That Looks Like
Image Source: GameSpot
2007 seems like so long ago, but somehow, at the same time, the fact that people born in that year are now old enough to drive seems mind-boggling. Do you know what else is old enough to drive? Lord of the Rings Online. Yeah, the MMO is that old.
Launched as The Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar in April 2007, the game started as a subscription-based experience that allowed players to game through and explore the Middle-earth region of Eriador. Players could create character avatars from four races and seven classes. Since then, the gaming experience has grown even richer.
RELATED:
TIMELINE
Image Source: NAG
2007
Lord of the Rings Online: The Shadows of Angmar launches in April in North America, Australia, Japan, and Europe. The subscription-based game is published by Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment and developed by Turbine. Players can purchase it at select retailers.
In June, the update Shores of Evendim is added; this update adds the region of Evendim, which includes the ancient city of Annuminas. New instances and a 12-person raid are included.
In October, the Defenders of Eriador update introduces the Housing system, allowing players to purchase houses of different sizes in different housing areas located throughout Middle Earth. New areas include new sections of the Trollshaws and multiple areas of the Misty Mountains, like Goblin-town.
2008
In February, the update The Ashen Wastes adds level 10-20 content and alters more quests to be playable solo.
In April, the update Doom of the Last King adds the Hobbies feature as well as the new northern region of Forochel.
2009
Image Source: LOTRO Wiki
In February, the first major expansion, Mines of Moria, is added. This introduces the playable region of Moria. It also adds two new player classes, the regions of Eregion and Lothlorien, and over 600 new quests.
In December, the expansion Siege of Mirkwood is released. Unlike the base game and the first expansion, it is only available via web-based download. The expansion adds Southern Mirkwood as a playable region, increases the level cap to 65, and introduces the Skirmish system.
2010
The LOTRO Store is added, allowing players to make purchases with in-game currency.
The game shifts from subscription-based to free-to-play, or “Freemium,” meaning that the original epic storylines can be played for free, but additional quest packs may have to be purchased to play non-epic content.
2011
The Rise of Isengard expansion is released in late October. It increases the level cap to 75, adds more Legendary items, a new crafting tier, and more. It also adds major class revisions. In terms of the main epic storyline, this update brings the timeline up to the events of The Two Towers and introduces iconic characters like Wormtongue and Saruman.
2012
Image Source: YouTube
The Riders of Rohan expansion is released in mid-October as a web-based download and on Steam. It increases the level cap to 85, expands the existing Legendary Weapons system, and adds Eastern Rohan as a playable region. Things get fun here with the major addition of mounted combat, allowing players to fight on horseback.
2013
The Helm’s Deep expansion was added in mid-November. Technologies created by Turbine allow for significant enhancements in gameplay. Turbine also provides a more lore-accurate version of the Battle of Helm’s Deep. This update increases the level cap to 95, adds the ability to fight “Epic” battles, and includes the playable region of Western Rohan.
2014
Image Source: LOTRO Wiki
The update The Breaking of Isengard adds Book 14 of the Epic quest line, refines the inventory system, revamps the regions of the Misty Mountains, North Downs, and Trollshaws, and adds the regions of the Entwood and Flooded Isengard.
The update The Paths of the Dead adds the regions of Western Gondor, Volume 4 of the Epic storyline, the Essence system, and raises the level cap to 100.
The update Gondor Aflame adds the region of Central Gondor, along with the new player class of Beorning.
2015
Image Source: LOTRO Wiki
The update the Ashes of Osgiliath adds new regions to Central Gondor, Legendary Item Imbuement, and a new instance cluster.
The update The Siege of Minas Tirith adds two new Epic Battles, a new crafting tier, and the region of Old Anorien, which includes the Gondorian capital of Minas Tirith.
2016
Game publishing moves from Warner Brothers and Turbine to Daybreak Entertainment and Standing Stone Games, largely comprised of former Turbine employees.
2017
Image Source: Cultured Vultures
The Mordor expansion is released at the end of July. It increases the level cap to 115, adds the playable region of the Plateau of Gorgoroth, and new instances. This update brings gameplay in line with the end of the Lord of the Rings storyline, AKA the destruction of the One Ring.
2018
The update Legacy of the Necromancer expands the region of Mordor and adds the Strongholds of the North region, which includes the Elven kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen and the Dale-lands.
Other updates increase the ability of players to explore Dwarven lands and raise the level cap to 120, along with new gear, appearances, cosmetics, and more.
2019
Image Source: YouTube
The Minas Morgul expansion is released in early November. It adds the playable areas of the Morgul Vale and Minas Morgul, increases the level cap to 130, and introduces the game’s seventh playable race, the Stout-Axe Dwarves.
2020
The expansion War of the Three Peaks is added. Smaller than previous expansions, it does not increase the level cap, instead adding quests called “Missions” and starting to develop the post-War-of-the-Ring storyline. It includes a new instance, raid, Elderslade region, and boar mount inspired by the third Hobbit film.
2021
Image Source: LOTRO Wiki
Added in mid-November, the Fate of Gundabad expansion is a direct sequel to the previous expansion and concludes that storyline. This update also raises the level cap to its current limit of 140, adds the region of Gundabad and the class of Brawler, and majorly changes the Legendary Item system.
2022
The Before the Shadow expansion is added in mid-November. It offers no increased level cap or storyline advancement but adds a new starting zone with a storyline preceding the original Shadows of Angmar base game.
Further updates are ongoing.
A lot more could be said about this game; it’s Middle-earth. Its history is so rich and complex and developing that and constantly enhancing the player experience means things can only improve. Fans look forward to, hopefully, another sixteen enjoyable years.
READ NEXT:
Sources: LOTRO-Wiki, LOTRO.com
Latest News
Featured
