Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and Turbine announced today The Lord of the Rings Online™: Riders of Rohan™, the next expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG), will launch on September 5, 2012. Players can pre-purchase Riders of Rohan and gain special benefits starting today by visiting http://rohan.lotro.com.

There it is folks, Riders of Rohan set to release this fall. I know for myself and many other LoTRo fans that we have all been waiting to get into Rohan. Talks of mounted combat and a new level cap increase has made many of us excited for the new release. Here I will give you a break down of what you get when you pre-order.

There will be three different pre-order levels to chose from: Base Edition, Heroic Edition, and finally Legendary Edition. Let us start off with the Base Edition.

Base Edition:

• Includes Riders of Rohan Expansion upon launch. (Plus in game items to use while you wait)
• The Steed of Eastemnet
• Title: Friend of the Mark
• Pre-purchase bonus: Rohan Elite Guard Statted Cloak
• Rohirrim Soldier on landscape appearance
• Cost: $39.99 US

Heroic Edition:

• Includes everything from Base Edition
• Hauberk of the Eastemnet
• Evendim, Moria, and Lothlorien Quest packs
• Pre-purchase bonus: everything from Base Edition
• The Outrider’s Token (+25% monster kill experience up to level 74)
• Cost: $49.99 US

Legendary Edition:

• Includes everything from Heroic and Base Edition
• Instead of the Hauberk of the Eastemnet you get the Armour of Eastmnet set
• 6th inventory bag (available to use right away)
• Crystal of Remembrance (available right away)
• Exclusive Rohan content
• Pre-purchase bonuses: Same as Heroic Edition
• Cost: $69.99 US

There are a few things I would like to touch upon before we go further. I know I would like to see what things look like before I decide to purchase them!

Rohan Elite Statted Cloaks:

As you can see, the cloaks themselves are not bad. The stats on them are comparable to any of the Purple cloak drops off of the 75 6-man instances like Foundry. For someone who does not group all that much and who has not farmed the Dragon raid for the scales, these are a nice added bonus.

Crystal of Remembrance:

The Crystal is also a nice added bonus for those of you out there looking to get a bit of an edge with your legendary weapons. This will add an additional major legacy slot to your weapon. As some people on the forums have noted (mainly pvmpers) this will give those willing to dish out the extra cash a bit of an edge in game play. Is that something that everyone should worry about? Probably not, if you follow what Turbine does with many things added to the game, after launch, these will most likely be available for purchase through the Turbine store.

Steed of the Eastemnet:

The Steed of The Eastemnet is another bonus to those of you wanting and willing to dish out a bit more cash for the expansion. As you can probably      already tell, this is no 68% horse that most everyone in game uses. For most it will be another horse that collects dust in the skill panel, for others they will most likely enjoy the matching steed to their new cosmetic set.

Here you can see the Steed in all of its glory!

Cosmetics of Eastemnet

With the cosmetic sets you will receive the following; the Helm of Eastemnet, the Hauberk of Eastemnet, the Gloves of Eastemnet, the Boots of Eastemnet, and the Shoulders of Eastemnet. Please note that these cosmetics are not dyeable. They come as is. For me, that is a downside as I always enjoying dying my cosmetics I get into fascinating colors!

And there you have it. It is ultimately up to you which package you consider for upgrading. Each has its’ own upsides and downsides and you have to be comfortable dishing out the cash for them. There is one thing I would like to touch on before closing. There has been much talk on the official forms in regards to end-game raiding. Many people assumed that there would be a new instance cluster when Rohan launches. However, this is not the case. As stated by Sapience:

Hey guys I want to start off by apologizing for being a little MIA the past couple of days. Between flying cross country and being in a little 10x 8 room in the middle of the mass of E3 craziness has put a serious damper on my communication time with anyone beyond the press. So let me set that right by giving you some info.

We are working on an instance cluster. Currently it is planned to be part of an update due to release after the Riders of Rohan expansion has shipped.

Rohan itself will be released with a new type of repeatable content.

We’re not really talking about either of these things at the moment. Even the press is just getting a very rough overview, but you will be getting more information about both the cluster and the new repeatable content later this summer.

Obviously, with Beta due to start later this summer, there will be an opportunity for players to get some hands on time with the new content and of course mounted combat (which is being very well received by the press in our demos!). As with Rise of Isengard, a pre-purchase will get you to the front of the line for Beta invites (assuming an account in good standing of course).

Now, off to my tiny, cold white box.

Oh yes, this is fact. We will not be getting any instance cluster with Riders. Many players are up in arms over the fact that they are spending good money for “fluff” and repeatable content. Some are and will be ok with it but others see it as nothing short of a catastrophe. Will this dissuade players from even purchasing the expansion? Probably not, but many will rethink spending $70 on an expansion that offers no end game content. For myself at least, the extra bag space is almost worth it; almost. In the end, I am like most players who are a bit upset over what Turbine is wanting to offer the player base for their money on top of a monthly subscription.

I recently was able to ask a few questions about their new album and about the Rock Band Relief Charity.

How did Two Tribes get involved with the Rock Band Relief Charity?

John G. at Rock Band contacted me a couple months ago about getting involved, and actually at the time “Madly” was still a pretty new song.  But he thought it would be a great single to play and got us on board with Rock Band Relief.  It’s a really cool charity – I love the idea of combining music and gaming for a great cause.  So when you download “Madly” from the Rock Band Relief website or the XBox Marketplace, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the American Red Cross.  I feel so lucky to be involved with such an awesome opportunity.

Is Two Tribes planning on doing more in the future with RockBand 3?  If so what can fans expect to see?

Definitely!  We actually just found out that our track will be compatible with the new Rock Band Blitz coming out this summer.  I’m thrilled, it looks really awesome (no controllers!).  Working with Rock Band and Rock Band Relief has been great, I’ve met so many new gamer and music fans, and it’s inspired me in the development of our live show.  I really want our music to be as interactive as possible.

Two Tribes is currently working on their debut studio album. What can the fans expect from it?

I think for both of us this album is like a dream project.  We spent a long time developing and redeveloping ideas until we arrived at something we feel is our sound for the first album.  I feel like it covers the spectrum of who I am as a singer and a songwriter, and most importantly it’s who we are.  The record is a mix of fun, flashy songs like “Madly” and “Manhattan Lights”, and more dark, intense tracks like one we’re set to preview called “Once Bitten”.  Working on this album with Alex is amazing, we have a really unique connection when it comes to the music and the whole thing has been a total rush.

When do you foresee the new album coming out?

We’re planning on a release later this year as well as the launch of our multi-media live show.  There’s so much in the works for us right now, I can’t wait to bring it all to light.  Rock Band has been great for that, getting the opportunity to have our fans become a part of the band with us and seeing “Madly” brought to life in 3D animation is absolutely incredible.

Are you ready to hear some great music for an awesome charity?! Check out the song “Madly” (click the link below!) and then go ahead and download it to rock out for a good cause! Do not forget to hit them up on the social networks!

Official Website

Two Tribes Facebook

Two Tribes on Twitter

MADLY – Two Tribes

TWO TRIBES BIO

Two Tribes is an electro/synthpop duo that combines the innovative style of internationally acclaimed DJ/producer Alex Nahai and the distinct smokey voice of Seattle singer/songwriter Courtney Fortune. The two met one night in a recording engineering class at the University of Southern California. Alex, who is an accomplished DJ from NY’s CBGB and Ministry Of Sound, was drawn to Courtney’s unique voice which has been recognized by Glamour Magazine, The John Lennon Foundation and MTV. Both share a deft sense for songwriting and joining elements of music, multi-media, fashion and art. Together they create an explosive sound in the realm of electronic pop performance.

Their single “Madly” will be featured as an exclusive game on Rock Band 3 and Rock Band Blitz for XBox Live this year, and a part of the Rock Band Relief charity campaign. They are currently at work on their debut studio album.

I will be back in October with bigger and better plans. Until then, many thanks to Angie for keeping the site alive! <3

New Expansion to The Lord of the Rings Online™ Launching Fall 2012

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment unveiled today The Lord of the Rings Online™: Riders of Rohan™, the latest expansion to the award-winning free-to-play massively multiplayer online roleplaying game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine. Riders of Rohan expands the online world of Middle-earth where players join forces to ride into the Plains of Rohan. Riders of Rohan launches in the Fall of 2012 with an increased level cap, the vast plains of Rohan including iconic locations such as Amon Hen and Fangorn Forest, the new Mounted Combat system and much more!

“2011 was another banner year for The Lord of the Rings Online with consistent growth for the game, a successful unification of our European and North American services and the success of Rise of Isengard, our best selling expansion to date.” said Kate Paiz, Executive Producer of The Lord of the Rings Online. “This is going to be another outstanding year as we celebrate our fifth anniversary and introduce a wealth of new content throughout the year, ending with our arrival in Rohan. One of our largest expansions ever, Rohan is expected to be twice the size of the recent Rise of Isengard expansion and includes the most new game systems and technology we’ve introduced since 2008′s Mines of Moria.”

NEW FEATURES:

– Join with the Rohirrim and ride across the sprawling Plains of Rohan; witness the breaking of the Fellowship at Amon Hen; forge alliances with the Ents of Fangorn; and aid Éomer, adopted son of Théoden, as he seeks to protect his homeland from the growing Shadow.

– Ride into Combat atop your loyal War-steed as you defend the people of Rohan from the forces of Isengard and Mordor. Customize your War-steed’s armor and level its skills over time to aid you in mounted defense of King Theoden’s lands. Mount your steed and gather your fellows to fight against Warbands, contingents of roving warg riders that have been scouted all over the Plains of Rohan! It falls to you to head off and defeat this new threat before they over take the land.

– Continue your legend in the next chapter of The Lord of the Rings Online. Experience new adventures in the epic story, and gain new skills and deeds as you face new challenges on your journey to 85!

The Lord of the Rings Online is the ultimate adventure. This award-winning massively multiplayer online role-playing game delivers an interactive experience brimming with life and filled with the familiar people, places and monsters from the most famous fantasy of all time. From the picturesque surroundings of the Shire to Moria, the most fearsome underground realm ever imagined, players can experience the world of Middle-earth for free! For more information, visit www.turbine.com.

About Middle-earth Enterprises

The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises , is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. SZC has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on the Tolkien works for more than 35 years. Its headquarters are located in Berkeley, California and its Middle-earth Enterprises website may be found at www.middleearth.com.

About Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, a division of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, is a premier worldwide publisher, developer, licensor and distributor of entertainment content for the interactive space across all current and future platforms, including console, handheld and PC-based gaming for both internal and third party game titles.

# # #

THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™ interactive video game © 2010 Turbine, Inc. and patents pending. All rights reserved. Middle-earth Poster Map © 2007 The Saul Zaentz Company, d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises, under license to Turbine, Inc. All rights reserved. “The Lord of the Rings Online”, “Siege of Mirkwood”, Middle-earth Enterprises logo, “The Lord of the Rings” and the names of the characters, events, items and places therein are trademarks or registered trademarks of SZC under license to Turbine, Inc. Turbine and the Turbine logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Turbine, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other jurisdictions. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Night Owl Games® Launches Online Strategy Game Dungeon Overlord™

AUSTIN, Texas – Nov. 15, 2011 – Hardcore gamers looking to feed their nostalgic dungeon keeping desires and whip their strategy MMO skills into shape can now join the free-to-play world of Dungeon Overlord™ from Night Owl Games®. The title has officially launched and brings with it more than 80,000 active players from the beta.

Set in a fantasy world inhabited by goblins, orcs, warlocks and dozens of other mythical creatures; Dungeon Overlord has players assume the role of an evil tyrant who will stop at nothing to conquer the world.

Users start off with a modest dungeon that must be expanded so they can conquer others in their quest to claim the Heart of the Mountain and crown themselves king. Along the way players will interact with the environment by raiding elves, expanding their territory and collecting resources (preferably from the ravaged lands of their enemies). They can also connect with players to make alliances to invade other peoples’ dungeons.

“Our goal was to create an online multiplayer strategy game that kept all of the classic elements of the Dungeon Keeper franchise, but applied lessons learned from our team members’ work on MMOs like Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies,” says Chris Mayer, CEO, Night Owl Games. “By taking advantage of the multiplayer potential of the franchise — allowing cooperative play, PvP combat for conquering your neighbors, a player-driven resource marketplace, etc… — we have modernized a classic.”

Features include:

• Start Your Kingdom – Build your dungeon and attract an army capable of world domination
• Expand Your Empire – Construct new dungeons, raid the Overworld and pillage other players
• Interact with Others – Buy items from the player-driven market, form alliances, enslave your friends, attack and even conquer your enemies
• Crown Yourself King – Claim the Heart of the Mountain and tax your fellow players
• Unlock Rewards – Complete epic quests, research new technologies, or craft your own equipment to obtain stronger minions, upgrades and rewards

Dungeon Overlord, a free to play game, is now available for PC and Mac users with a Facebook account. The game features optional microtransactions and virtual currency that can be used to purchase in-game items and boosts.

For more details visit http://www.dungeonoverlord.com/

“I know how long it takes to make a game! I can not believe they can’t incorporate <insert skill/map area/feature here> into the game! That is a load of bull! Developers are so damn lazy!”

This is what people come across time after time there is an update for a game. I guess you can call them the “Negative Nancys” of the gaming world or you could call them the “At-home Developers”; either which way, they are there griefing a company and game because they did not make it their way.

Case in point. I play a game called The Lord of the Rings Online. I have been playing this game since closed beta in 2007. That is a long time in an MMO life. A few weeks ago while playing this game, I happened to be chatting in Ventrilo with a few kin members of mine. We started talking about the latest updates for the Rise of Isengard expansion that is set to release on September 26^th. One particular update apparently made someone extremely upset. The update is to the Guardian class. After we all read the update of course we had a discussion about it. What does this mean to end-game raiding, what we all thought the die-hard Guardians would think of it. Then this guy who happened to play a Guardian had to chime in and say something. What happened next was nothing short of an hour rant about how his class never has received any “love” from the Developers, how the Developers were “lazy pieces of shit” and how he could do so much better if Turbine would just give him the chance to make things right.

I was baffled to be quite honest on how brutal this guy was when it came to bashing the Devs, especially since this particular person has not played that class in over a year. I had to back away for a moment and collect myself and think about how I wanted to go about this discussion in an adult way.

Before I go into anymore detail about what I said next, I would like to say a few things. I am currently going to school for IT Development. I have many friends in the gaming development world and know how things can go. I am in no way saying I know everything, however with the background I do have in game development and with the close friends I do have in the industry, I believe I know more about how a game is produced than some.

Back to the story.

As I was thinking about what to say, this person came on and said “Oh God I am going to get banned from the forums! These pricks are going to hear from me!” And I guess that is where I had to step in. I asked him why he left the need to belittle the Developers. To that he simply replied “because they are lazy”. “On the contrary” I said; “Developers are some of the hardest working people in the gaming industry. Have you ever considered how hard it must be to make a kick ass game only to sit there and hear people bitch about the things you have done? Have you ever thought about how long it takes to get something approved just to go into a game? Do you know that some Developers work 80+ hour weeks just to make sure the content that they said would go out gets out on time?” To that reply I got “of course I know”.

I believe that reply bugs me the most when it comes to the player base of any given game. Some gamers believe that because they pay for a service, or even play for free, that they are entitled to something. Some have the mentality that they “pay” for you to do your job so they have to have a say in what is done and God forbid you do not do it to their level of expectations that you just really suck at your job.

The newer generation coming into the gaming world has this entitlement mentality and there may be nothing we can do about it. However, we can take a stand and at least try to help them say what they have to say without having the need to belittle and put down the Developers who make the games we love to play day in an day out. One thing that we all need to realize is that there is a right way and a wrong way to go about getting your point across. It is just like our mothers used to tell us all growing up: “It is not what you say that gets you into trouble; but it is how you say it.” That right there can go a long ways when it comes to giving positive feedback. I believe that once we all learn this, maybe we can all enjoy the games we love just a little bit more.

Romine, better known as “Rhoulette” in video game communities, helped found and build Ubisoft’s all-girl professional gaming team. As Manager and Team Captain, she served as a primary spokesperson for the Frag Dolls and has used that role to become a visible advocate for women in the video game industry. Her involvement in professional gaming has given her an unparalleled insight into the culture of competitive video gaming and the values of its communities.

“I’m excited to join such an exceptionally talented team and to work on something as groundbreaking as Firefall,” said Morgan Romine. “I believe this game has awesome e-sports potential because Red 5 is committed to creating a competitive experience that is as fun to watch as it is to play. I can’t wait for our first tournaments!”

“We’re thrilled to have Morgan join the Red 5 ‘Tribe’ and know that with her caliber of experience and deep community roots, Firefall is poised to take the world of e-sports to the next level,” said Red 5 CEO and Chief Creative Officer, Mark Kern. “It’s a game that really lends itself to competitive tournaments, so we’re working to provide gamers with a new arena for regular competition and the chance to challenge themselves in a way they haven’t before. And Morgan is just the person to champion and develop our e-sports campaign around Firefall.”

About Red 5 Studios
Red 5 Studios is an online game developer located in California, founded by Mark Kern, former team lead for World of Warcraft. Red 5 Studios is dedicated to bringing together millions of gamers across the world by creating immersive worlds, intriguing stories and compelling characters. They believe that online games and persistent worlds are the future of video games. Visit www.red5studios.com for more information.

Firefall, Red 5 Studios and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of Red 5 Studios, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Click to watch on mmorpg.com

• You and the person who referred you can summon each other’s characters
• You and the person who referred you will automatically get the other’s characters on his/her friend list (not sure I’d consider this a perk)
• You will get an ingame title “The Chosen”

The recruiter’s incentives are threefold: an ingame Corgi named Courage, a rather flamboyant plumed hat, and a mighty-looking steed.It should be easy to find a referral key on the internet but since you’re reading my blog, you can also click on MY referral link here:

RIFT Ascend-a-Friend