The developers of Lord of the Rings Online have published a comprehensive FAQ about the new 64-bit servers, which are slated to go live throughout 2025. MeinMMO summarizes the most important points for you.
What is planned for LotRO? The popular MMORPG based on the Lord of the Rings is to be modernized and will receive two new 64-bit servers for Europe in March 2025. Like the legendary server Mordor, these will also be located in the new EU data center. All old EU servers have been in New Jersey since 2016.
When you also consider the planned technical improvements like 4K resolution and a more modern launcher, it becomes clear why the genre classic landed on the list of the most exciting MMOs of 2025. Now the developers have published a long FAQ article on lotro.com for the launch of the 64-bit servers. MeinMMO summarizes the most important information for you below.
The trailer for the new expansion of Lord of the Rings Online:
64-Bit Servers for Lord of the Rings Online: What You Need to Know
When will the new servers be available? The new 64-bit servers are set to debut on March 5, 2025. It is also clear that the two new EU servers will be named Orcrist (Europe) and Meriadoc (Europe, Roleplay). The European VIP server Mordor is already live, but only VIP subscribers can access it.
How will the server launch proceed? Like the upcoming server consolidation in Throne and Liberty, the developers of LotRO are planning several phases:
- March 3, 2025 – 6:00 PM CET (+1 UTC): VIP subscribers can log into the game world to access character creation in the desired new world and secure up to three names of their choice per 64-bit world. VIPs cannot log in to play in the game world and cannot transfer their existing characters. However, they can create placeholder characters with their desired names and later assign those names to the transferred characters and delete the placeholder characters.
- March 4, 2025 – 6:00 PM CET (+1 UTC): All players can transfer their characters for free from 32-bit to 64-bit worlds. The new game worlds will remain closed, but the transfer tool will be activated to allow moving to these worlds.
- March 5, 2025 – 7:00 PM CET (+1 UTC): The new game worlds will open! The free transfer from 32-bit to 64-bit worlds will continue until August 31, 2025. Free transfers between the new 64-bit worlds will be possible until April 30, with the possible transfer direction changing weekly.
- March 12, 2025: The developers aim to allow free transfers from many previously closed game worlds (Dark Worlds) to the new 64-bit worlds. More detailed information about the schedule for these transfers from closed worlds will follow.
How can I transfer my characters? In the launcher, you will find the “Transfer” or “Migration” button, which allows you to define which character is to be transferred from which game world, where they are to move to, and whether shared items should be included.
What are the rules for character names? If a character with the same name already exists in your new server home, “–1” will be appended to your character’s name. If a character with the suffix “–1” already exists, your alter ego will get “–2,” then “–3,” and so on.
In case your character’s name was already taken and a number was appended, you will receive a one-time option for a free name change – using the command /rename HERE-IS-YOUR-NEW-NAME.
Are there additional character slots? Only if you have a VIP or Premium account. The number of character slots then increases automatically from seven to twelve (VIP) or five to ten (Premium).
What about my kin? Dissolving the kin is not necessary for the transfer. However, kin leaders must leave or sell their kinhouse before they can transfer. Kin leaders should sell their premium kinhouses to be refunded 100 percent of the house’s cost.
Kin leaders should also leave their classic kinhouses before the character transfer. Leaving or selling can be done via “House” in the character window.
If you move as the leader of a kin, your kin will also transfer to the new world with all historical data. Kin members will automatically be added to the kin in the new world if they also switch servers. However, the kin leader should be the first character of the kin to log in to the new game world after the transfer.
What about my housing and belongings? Your belongings and the ownership history of your house will transfer along with your character to the target world. All items will be in storage. Items bound to characters will remain with the respective character. Only your in-game mail, friend list, and active auctions will not be transferred.
What about monster play characters? Monster play characters can transfer for free to these new 64-bit worlds. Player-versus-monster gameplay is possible on these worlds.
What about the old 32-bit servers? The developers currently do not plan to close the 32-bit worlds. However, the goal is to encourage as many players as possible to switch to the new 64-bit servers. If the populations of the old worlds drop to a sufficiently low level, closures could occur.
Improvements such as 4K resolution, a new launcher, and a crafting overhaul are also planned for 2025: What is the status of the technical modernization of Lord of the Rings Online? Developers provide an update
