12 years after the extensive changes to the payment model of the MMORPG, The Lord of the Rings Online is now largely free to play. By April, 5 expansions are expected to join the offer of free content. MeinMMO shows you what is changing.
This is the current model: Originally, HDRO was a buy-to-play MMO with a subscription model. You had to purchase it and sign up for a subscription. In November 2010, the developers took the step to make the base game free to play.
New content and expansions could then be earned instead of purchased. However, this could lead to quite a grind. Because you need to collect in-game currency to exchange it for paid content.
Starting in April, there will be extensive changes for the MMO’s 15th anniversary, and a large part of the content will finally be truly free.
HDRO makes many of its major expansions Free2Play with Update 33
This is changing: With Update 33, all content released between the launch of HDRO in 2007 and the expansion Helm’s Deep will be playable for free.
With this update, all quests, regions, instances, and expansions that were released between the original launch of LOTRO in 2007 and the release of Helm’s Deep – and including! – the release of Helm’s Deep will be available for free for everyone. Search, explore, and craft your way to level 95 as you please!
lotro.com
Here’s a quick overview of the “new” free content:
- The High Elf class
- Rune-keeper, Warden, and Beorning
- The Shadows of Angmar (base game)
- The Mines of Moria
- The Siege of Mirkwood
- The Rise of Isengard
- The Riders of Rohan
- Helm’s Deep
The package includes content that was released between 2007 and 2013 and is quite massive. This content should keep fans and interested players busy for many hours.
What else is coming? In addition to the F2P transition of numerous contents, Update 33 will also introduce a new area to the game: Yondershire. This is a swamp area in the north of Middle-earth, which is said to be inhabited by Hobbit hermits and troublemakers.
There you will also experience adventures related to the Hobbits and apparently meet Lotho Sackville-Baggins, who harasses the residents.
On April 13, the fortress Minas Morgul, known from the movies, is set to be introduced to the game. There, the level cap will be 130. Aside from that, there are plans for technical improvements, class balance, and fixing additional bugs and issues.
What do you think of the news? Will you check out HDRO now? Or are you less excited about the new free content?
Several months ago, there was a different kind of controversy among players: A small change in The Lord of the Rings Online leads to a big Pay2Win discussion in the community
