Greetings, all,

So, I had a post in General Discussion about this, but it was unfortunately closed because it was perceived as too similar to other discussions on the issue. However, I did feel that this contribution is unique. It may, though, be better suited to the blog format.

So, without further ado…
Gear Gating: “Choose Your Own Adventure” Style!

It’s simple; start at “1″, and select from the options beneath to follow to the next bit.

1. Are you having fun with LOTRO?
1a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [42].
1b. No; if this is your answer, go to [2].

2. Are you about to quit playing LOTRO?
2a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [27].
2b. No; if this is your answer, go to [3].

3. Are you upset about Gear Gating?
3a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [5].
3b. No; if this is your answer, go to [4].

4. Did you think this “Choose Your Own Adventure” was going to be about more than gear gating?
4a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [6].
4b. No; if this is your answer, go to [7].

5. Do you consider yourself a Hardcore Raider?
5a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [8].
5b. No; if this is your answer, go to [9].

6. Have problems reading topic titles, then?
6a. Yes; if this is your answer, go see an eye doctor. Or maybe an educator.
6b. No; if this is your answer, go to [10].

7. So, you’re fully aware that you are not the intended audience for this topic, correct?
7a. Yes; if this is your answer, go ahead and post a response. You’re going to, anyways.
7b. No; if this is your answer, go to [11].

8. Do you have all of your radiance gear from the classic 6-mans (DD, FG, GS, 16th, Forges, and Skum)?
8a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [12].
8b. No; if this is your answer, go to [13].

9. Do you consider yourself a casual raider?
9a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [14].
9b. No; if this is your answer, go to [15].

10. So, you suspect I have a hidden agenda, then?
10a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [16].
10b. No; if this is your answer, go to [17].

11. Are you doing this just because it’s a “Choose Your Own Adventure”, which is a fun format?
11a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [42].
11b. No; if this is your answer, go to [18].

12. Have you completed the Turtle Raid and the Watcher?
12a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [19].
12b. No; if this is your answer, go to [20].

13. Do you consider yourself a Hardcore Raider in LotRO?
13a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [21].
13b. No; if this is your answer, go to [22].

14. Do you have all of your radiance gear from the classic 6-mans (DD, FG, GS, 16th, Forges, and Skum)?
14a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [22].
14b. No; if this is your answer, go to [24].

15. Do you desire to raid before the release of the next expansion?
15a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [25].
15b. No; if this is your answer, go to [22].

16. Let’s say I did have a hidden agenda… and I offer you gold to keep it a secret… would you take it?
16a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [28].
16b. No; if this is your answer, go to [29].

17. You need rest and a clear head. I suggest going to bed 2 or 3 hours earlier each night, a well balanced diet, and laying off the caffeine.

18. Are you doing this simply because you are bored?
18a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [30].
18b. No; if this is your answer, go to [31].

19. Have you completed the new raid, DN?
19a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [32].
19b. No; if this is your answer, go to [33].

20. I would highly suggest taking them both down. You have all of the equipment needed. At this point, gear gating does not appear immediately relevant, since you have surpassed the gate but have not taken advantage of what you’ve earned by doing so. Are you simply against Gear Gating because of the principle behind it?
20a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [34].
20b. No; if this is your answer, go to [35].

21. With all due respect, you consider yourself a hardcore raider in LOTRO, but have not completed the non-gated gear instances. If I were you, I’d quit being so concerned about gear gating, and go run the instances you need and get the loot. Do you feel you would have fun doing this?
21a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [36].
21b. No; if this is your answer, go to [37].

22. Are you strictly against gear gating for the principle of the thing?
22a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [34].
22b. No; if this is your answer, go to [38].

23. Weird– you somehow wound up at a place that nothing directs you to. Either you’re not playing the game right, or you’re not playing at all. Maybe both. Either way, you win t3h internetz.

24. Would you, as a casual raider, enjoy participating in these raids?
24a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [39].
24b. No; if this is your answer, go to [40].

25. Personally, I would suggest going out and having fun trying the new raids. If your current kin isn’t interested, find another one who would be willing to bring you along, even if you don’t leave your current one. There you go. Still upset about the gear gating thing?
25a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [34].
25b. No; if this is your answer, go to [35].

26. Did you really follow a question here?
26a. Yes; if this is your answer, see 6a.
26b. No; if this is your answer, see your psychiatrist.

27. Congratulations, you have found a solution! While it may or may not satisfy you, you have found at least closure. Well done, indeed.

28. Are you aware that blackmail is both illegal and unethical?
28a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [36].
28b. No; if this is your answer, go to [37].

29. Glad to hear it. You sheeple are so easily deceived. Hail Cthulu!

30. If you can entertain yourself on messageboards, why are you paying to subscribe to LOTRO?
30a. I have a lifetime; if this is your answer, go to [38].
30b. I can’t play right now; if this is your answer, go to [39].
30c. I never really thought about it/other; if this is your answer, go to [40].

31. Now, you have me confused. Meh, go ahead and jump to [1] and start over. Hopefully that will help.

32. Clearly, the gear gating didn’t affect you all that badly. Are you against it strictly for the principle of the thing?
32a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [34].
32b. No; if this is your answer, go to [41].

33. Clearly, Gear Gating is not keeping you out of DN; something else is. Therefore, you are necessarily against it for the principle of the thing. Go ahead and jump to [34].

34. So Gear Gating. You don’t like it. Do you honestly, in good faith, believe you could be reasoned with and made to enjoy it?
34a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [43].
34b. No; if this is your answer, go to [44].

35. Glad to hear we worked something out. Are you now going to go have fun in LOTRO?
35a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [42].
35b. No; if this is your answer, go to [27].

36. Are you a full-time Monster Player?
36a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [45].
36b. No; if this is your answer, go to [46].

37. Congratulations, you have now been made aware. Go forth and spread the news of what you have learned. Do you now wish to become my one of my followers?
37a. Yes; if this is your answer, see your psychologist.
37b. No; if this is your answer, go to [27].

38. Hmm… well, at least you can always go back to it if you so desire. Just stay away from 4chan. I hear you can catch something over there.

39. Drat, that stinks. Well, at least you have the boards, here. So, how are you doing?

40. Well, there you go. See, I knew this topic would do you good. Hop on over to [37].

41. Are you comfortable being subtly, implicitly inconsistent with yourself?
41a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [17].
41b. No; if this is your answer, go to [17].

42. Congratulations, you win the game! Your prize is stronger than mithril, brighter than a palantir, and more powerful than Eru. Now, get off the forums and go have fun!

43. Great, let’s get this party started. Do you think that it’s a problem that gear gating was present in Moria, but not really in SoA?
43a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [47].
43b. No; if this is your answer, go to [48].

44. Ah, but you do see that I’m in charge here, don’t you?
44a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [49].
44b. No; if this is your answer, go to [50].

45. This explains why you’re so evil. Congratulations; at least you’re consistent. Go to [27].

46. I would highly recommend counseling. Maybe go read some Aristotle or something.

47. Ah, but MMO’s constantly develop. Are you sad because this is a dynamic game whose content and style change over time?
47a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [51].
47b. No; if this is your answer, go to [52].

48. Do you think it’s a problem that gear gating encourages people to act inappropriately, with respect to arrogance or something else?
48a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [53].
48b. No; if this is your answer, go to [54].

49. Ah, but you see, I made you come down here. I directed you to this bullet. You’re just sad that you didn’t come up with the idea first, aren’t you?
49a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [55].
49b. No; if this is your answer, go to [56].

50. You need to go to 6a. Now. Go, shoo-shoo.

51. I’m sorry, but this is the nature of MMO’s, and it shows they’re healthy when they’re constantly developing and taking new directions. Stagnation is a sign of an unhealthy MMO. Does this resolve your concern?
51a. Yes, I’m fully satisfied; if this is your answer, go to [42].
51b. Yes, but I have other concerns; if this is your answer, go to [48].
51c. No; if this is your answer, post a reply to this topic and let me know. Hope for an expansion pack, maybe.

52. Well, I believe it’s the nature of your objection. Sounds like you hold two inconsistent points of view to me. I’d recommend sorting them out and running through this adventure again.

53. Here’s the dizzeal: people are responsible for their actions. If you take away gear gating, they’ll find something else to be inappropriate about. Rather than holding gear gating responsible, hold the person who acts that way responsible. Does this resolve your concern?
53a. Yes, I’m fully satisfied; if this is your answer, go to [42].
53b. Yes, but I have other concerns; if this is your answer, go to [54].
53c. No; if this is your answer, post a reply to this topic and let me know. Hope for an expansion pack, maybe.

54. Is your issue that you don’t like that not everyone can see the content?
54a. Yes; if this is your answer, go to [57].
54b. No; if this is your answer, go to [58].

55. Hmm… [37] sounds like it might have the best response. If that doesn’t float your boat, try [27].

56. Well, I’m freaked out, now! Don’t know what to make of this! HELP! *Runs away*

57. Well, here’s the thing. Scarcity generates value. If you have something to work towards– something that remains hidden and mysterious– it causes one to perceive a layer of depth and intrigue that might otherwise not be there. Content generated for a very slim portion of the community can cause the rest of the community to perceive the game and the world itself as having unexplored, dangerous corridors. This is a good thing for everyone involved.
57a. Yes, I’m fully satisfied; if this is your answer, go to [42].
57b. Yes, but I have other concerns; if this is your answer, go to [58].
57c. No; if this is your answer, post a reply to this topic and let me know. Hope for an expansion pack, maybe.

58. At this point, 58 options is a lot. If you’re here and want more, how about posting to let me know? I’ll be happy to release an expansion pack or two, should there be enough interest.

So, where do you end up? Post your answers below! I’m a 42, myself.

Greetings, everyone,

This post is more or less a copy/paste job from another topic I made on the LOTRO forums. However, it seems much more appropriate for a blog post, so I’ll copy/paste it here, with some minor edits.

The purpose of this post is to sway those who believe that the LOTRO
Economy is out of sync, a belief that comes up every once in a while. It is the belief of the author that the economy
is in fact healthy, and this article will attempt to evaluate that
claim. There shall be three separate sections wherein this goal will be
carried out. First, this article will attempt to clearly and succinctly
describe the present system for those who may not understand it.
Second, it will evaluate the self-correcting mechanisms in place in
relation to whether or not the theory behind the setup can be
practically applied. Thirdly, it will attempt to address possible
criticisms and concerns with logical arguments, hopefully putting to
rest some of the commonly held fears about its present and future
status.

1. On the Economy’s Current Status and Theory
The LOTRO Economy is a unique mix of free-market and controlled-market
forces, with the sole intent of providing a means of acquiring digital
in-game wealth. These forces can be divided in to three separate
categories: the Creation of Wealth, the Distribution of Wealth, and the
Elimination of Wealth.

Forces Behind the Creation of Wealth: Spawned Items, Spawned Money, Subjective Value of Goods
Forces Behind the Distribution of Wealth: Individual Trading, Mail-Trading, Auction-House Trading, Crafting, NPC Goods
Forces Behind the Elimination of Wealth: NPC Services, Bound Items, Tax

What follows will be an analysis of each of these three distinct sectors and how they operate.

In terms of the Forces Behind the Creation of Wealth, Spawned Items can
be attained through defeating NPC mobs and various other means,
including quest rewards, items sold by NPC’s, in-game special events
(such as items in the mail during the Spring Festival), and through
gatherable crafting resources. Spawned Money can be attained through
similar means, but is generally found in less abundance in order to
counterweigh its liquidity, which makes it very valuable. As an MMO,
LOTRO differs from the real world in that items are generally spawned
rather than derived or discovered. Ore does not spawn in the real
world, but rather is derived from another ore or discovered altogether.
These are elements of a Force Behind the Distribution of Wealth which
does not exist in any significant context in LOTRO. Thus, while items
and money can be spawned in an MMO, they cannot be spawned in the real
world, merely derived or discovered. Even sunlight and oxygen are
derived from other elements; they do not magically appear. However,
such things do in fact spawn into existence in LOTRO, which makes the
acquisition of wealth much easier than in the real world. However, just
like the real world, wealth can be created through the Subjective Value
of Goods. If my cosmetic shirt is worth 100 silver to me and 150 silver
to you, if I trade this shirt from me to you for 150 silver, I will
have gained 50 silver (150 minus the 100 silver value of the shirt),
and you will have traded two things of equal value—thus, a net total of
50 silver was actually created. This method of creating wealth is just
as valid in the game as it is in real life, and is the primary
motivation behind much of the distribution of wealth.

In terms of the Forces Behind the Distribution of Wealth, there are two
distinct sub-sectors: trading, and production (crafting. Trading can
occur via Individual Trading, Mail-Trading, and/or Auction-House
Trading. Individual Trading bears no tax, allowing for the unmitigated
distribution of wealth and the pure creation of wealth through the
Subjective Value of Goods, as described in the previous paragraph.
Mail-Trading entails tax, a Force Behind the Elimination of Wealth,
which is generally small. It has the benefit of liquidity; the exchange
can be made at numerous times (as opposed to Individual Trading, when
both players must be on at the same time) and at numerous places (as
opposed to Individual Trading, which requires the player to be
digitally quite close to one another). Auction-House Trading, which
bears enough implications to merit its own in-depth analysis, bears a
tax as well, but allows for the individual to buy and sell in a large
marketplace wherein numerous dealers can compete for and with a given
product. It is more restrictive in terms of selling/buying location
than Individual Trading or Mail-Trading, but allows for buyers and
sellers to easily make contact. Another subsector of the Forces Behind
the Distribution of Wealth, Production, is also known as crafting and
is a highly controversial element of the economy. Basically, it allows
for the player to transform one or more items into one or more other
items, with numerous input and output variables intertwining into the
mix. Because of the sheer amount of variables involved, it cannot be
approached lightly, and can be a difficult method to maximize without a
high degree of research and understanding.

In terms of the Forces Behind the Elimination of Wealth, there exist
NPC Services, Bound Items, and Tax. NPC services include fast travel
and housing upkeep, as well as bound items, eliminate not the
Subjective Value of Goods, but rather the liquidity thereof; if my
cosmetic shirt is worth 100 silver to me and 150 silver to you but it
is bound to me, my no wealth is lost in the subjective value of the
goods, for it is still worth 100 silver to me, and you still have your
150 silver. Rather, it simply means that there are 50 less silver that
can enter the economy (see the Forces Behind the Creation of Wealth
section to learn where those 50 silver would have been created). Taxes,
such as the Auction-House Trading Tax (or fee) and repair costs, serve
to eliminate wealth by imposing a fee for certain actions and
transactions. The User does not gain an NPC service from these, but
rather pays these to have access to a good or service not provided by
the source of the tax (such as a trade with another player).

The theory behind the interaction of these three types of forces is
that, through their interaction, players will be able to acquire
wealth. The theory does not guarantee equal wealth or even equal access
to the skills and tools needed to gain wealth, but rather provides a
framework for individuals to make their own choices—for better or for
worse. There exist mechanisms in place to counteract undesirable
attempts at market manipulation, such as spawning items and money as
well as the existence of the Individual Trading System and the
Mail-Trading System.

2. On the Practical Application of the Economy, with Regards to its Self-Correcting Mechanisms
When a player wants to “make money” in the game, they generally do not
actually mean what they say; rather, they wish to acquire wealth.
Wealth can certainly be created in the game (much more easily than in
real life), but can also be distributed. There are numerous paths a
player can take in order to acquire wealth in the LOTRO economy,
including the direct acquisition thereof and the maximization thereof
via trading and consuming spawned and produced items. If one wants to
make money by crafting, they have the tools necessary to craft. The
game does not guarantee you will understand the Subjective Value of
Goods as held by other players; nor does it guarantee that every (or,
for that matter, any) crafting option will in fact be profitable. This
is because the primary purpose of crafting is to distribute wealth from
one form into another. Wealth can then be created through trading such
items for spawned money (selling them to an NPC vendor for a set
price), or through selling them for the Subjective Value of [said]
Goods.

The economy is not broken because it does not dictate the Subjective
Value of Goods; those, which are indeed a major source of the creation
of wealth, are dictated by the players. The NPC’s do not set these
prices; they spawn money, but that is an entirely different method of
creating wealth. If there were no crafted items that were decent enough
to be valued by a level 50 player, it merely means that the Subjective
Value of Goods would not be equitable to the cost for a level 50
player. It does not mean that they are broken; rather, it means that
you do not think that the Subject Value of the Goods is worth the cost.

Therefore, before you complain that the economy is broken, consider—you
still can freely trade non-bound items. Production may not be cost
effective; one cannot from there imply that it ought to be cost
effective, and thus is therefore broken. The economy does not stand
still, and each player’s choices affect it, whether in a large or small
way. So, if you want to help the economy on your server, the solution
is simple: buy and sell as much as you can! Try and help everyone
(including, first and foremost, yourself) create as much wealth as
possible, whether through farming spawned entities or through the
Subject Value of Goods. Rather than complain about how wealth is being
distributed, try to manipulate and take advantage (through means
acceptable under the Terms of Service) of the economy. One great thing
about supply and demand is that either they will correct themselves, or
you will generate a vast fortune. Either way, it’s a success.

3. Questions and Concerns about the State of the Economy
If you would like to ask questions, feel free to post in the topic or
send me a PM. If I think the community stands to gain by answering
them, I’ll add them to these posts.

Question: Doesn’t item consumption entail an elimination of wealth? After all, you lose the item!
Item consumption does not entail an elimination of wealth. Say, for the
sake of argument, that a Hope Token will cost 100 silver to purchase,
which you paid, then used. Unlike NPC Services, which suffer from
issues with the loss of liquidity of goods, consumables are still
liquid in terms of when they are activated. While one must choose
whether or not to pay for housing upkeep or fast travel in order to
attain a service immediately, consumables may be held onto and used at
a later point.

Question: How is this game fair? Turbine gives people free stuff with a high Subjective Value!
As I said in an earlier paragraph, the system does not guarantee equal
wealth or even equal access to the skills and tools needed to gain
wealth, but rather provides a framework for individuals to make their
own choices—for better or for worse. Just because a decision is
arbitrary does not make it poor; just because an option is unequal does
not make it unfair. Even if everyone in the game received a 500 silver
monthly deposit but you, it does not mean that the market is unfair or
communist. Rather, it means that you must find a method to take
advantage of the situation. No one said it’s easy to acquire wealth;
after all, it’s subjective and by its very nature hierarchical.

Question: Isn’t the game too hard for newcomers, as those who are already rich can make money so easily?
If your goal is to make more money than the richest person in the game,
then you will probably need a lot of luck. That doesn’t make this a
fair criticism, however; if you want the market to be fair, you have to
allow people to generate wealth. If those who have generated wealth
have the Subjective Value of that wealth undermined, what incentive do
you have now to gain wealth? When the next group of low-wealth players
come around and demand that you have an unfair advantage because of
your hard work, do you want to lose what you had, too? If given the
option, would you choose for some to be rich or for everyone to be poor?

Question: Isn’t it unfair if the cost to make an item is greater than that item’s Subjective Value?
No. This is an important issue, and the sooner the community
understands it, the happier they will be. You cannot expect a
self-correcting market to remain static, and sometimes things aren’t
worth the cost to make them. The question of whether it is fair or not
is moot, and you will only bring unhappiness (which has a negative
Subjective Value, generally speaking) upon yourself and others if you
demand things like fairness from an economic system. The question isn’t
whether it’s fair, but rather whether it’s exploitable. If you find
that you can’t make money off it, don’t complain; move on to something
else. Perhaps there will be another venue down the road to once again
raise demand.

Question: The price of X Item (say, mithril flakes) is plummeting! Doesn’t that mean the economy is bad?
No; recessions aren’t bad. As noted in the previous question,
the economy is not normative. Rather, the price of falling earrings
simply means that supply is at last being able to meet demand. Jewelers
who worry that they won’t be able to make vast fortunes any more are
accurate in one sense; they, as always, need to keep their eyes open
for where to make their sums.

Question: How do I make money?
Trick question, right here. I have a hunch that you really meant to
ask, “how do I acquire wealth?” The two are, in fact, very different.
To acquire wealth, one must do so via the Forces Behind the Creation of
Wealth, whether through spawning items, spawning money, or the
subjective value of goods. Then find the way that you can best
manipulate the Forces Behind the Distribution of Wealth to attain such
wealth. There are thousands (at least) ways to do that, and while I’m
happy to comment on specific strategies, I’m afraid that they are too
numerous to list here.

Question: What about the issue of storage? We have had the same amount
of storage since the game was first released, but an extraordinary
number of items were released into the game (including Bind on Acquire
items, which screw up market efficiency). This form of market control
has caused a market inefficiency wherein prices have been artificially
raised to compensate for the storage premium, or lowered in order to
quickly dispose of them in order to make room. Does this not indicate a
possible recession forthcoming and a breakdown of LOTRO’s economic
stability?

This is a very difficult issue, and while I will do my best to address
it, I fear that it will most likely be inadequate, due largely to the
massive amount of variables that one must consider when discussing this
matter.

Indeed, storage– which I shall now call private property, for that is
essentially the only private property capable of being owned by a
player in LOTRO as of the time of this post– is quite expensive to
attain, has an artificial price ceiling (given that there is only so
much one can acquire), and has limits that can be both clearly and
easily reached. However, while this may suggest a market inefficiency,
it is in fact quite compatible with the current status of the markets.
I personally would love more storage, but I can’t let my feelings get
in the way of my economics. Here’s why.

The three mitigating factors here– once again, expense, the artificial
price ceiling, and limited degree of space– in private property have
served the unique function of raising demand for efficiency. Players
cannot in this world have more than roughly 40 (I’m afraid I don’t
recall the exact number of slots available in the bag and the bank)
slots of items. This encourages stackable items (such as consumables)
to be attained rather than keeping items unused. If a player hasn’t
ever used an item and doesn’t ever plan to use it, this system
encourages them to liquidate it, which is great for the economy and
keeps things fluid. If it was true that players were selling items
beneath the Subjective Value of those items, then guess what– more
players would buy those items, because they would be what we would call
a “good deal”. This would in turn create a market where players could
quickly turn around these items for a profit, and more sellers would
enter the market. The fact that the low prices seem to have stabilized
indicates that the price being charged is equivalent to the Subjective
Value of those goods. It is worth noting that the primary examples of
this occurring that you offered are in crafting. However, if indeed you
didn’t find crafting to be a method of acquiring wealth, why would you
do it? The answer is that it is a long-term investment that you believe
the return therein to outweigh the temporary cost. Much like many
video-game console makers sell their product at a loss the first few
years in order to guarantee a higher future return (I tried to stick
with an example that this demographic would know, but I can gladly
provide others), crafting and the weakened middle sector of the market
provide a framework for dynamic higher-tier profitability.

4. Conclusion
Well, I hope you found this topic useful. After all, it was intended
for you. If you have any comments, concerns, or criticisms, I’d love to
hear them. If you have questions, I’d love those as well. I’m happy to
clarify my statements. However, I spend a lot of time playing the game,
and don’t always have enough free time to comment on everything. I
shall do my best, and look forward to reading your responses.

Greetings, everyone,

So, I was running Halls of Crafting with my kin the other night, and we were in between the first and second bosses when our Burglar needed a quick AFK, right after we had cleared the mobs before the first ramp on our way up to the second boss.

So, we were all talking on Ventrilo, and waiting for the Burglar to come back. I run off a bit ahead– thankfully, I had done it enough times to know about how far I can go without the risk of grabbing Aggro. I then use the Prized Pie I had in my bags, so my toon, “Eluros”, would be shown carrying it around, as if it were the Shire pie quests.

I proceeded to say, in a rather apologetic and hurried manner, “Oh no, guys! I accidentally activated Pie Hard Mode before Doloric (our Burglar) was back; you’ve got to help me!”. Everyone was immediately confused, but before anyone could blow the joke, I ran up to them with the Prized Pie in my hands. One of the most experienced members of our kin (whose name I will not mention) said that he had never heard of Pie Hard Mode. I explained to him that one way to do hard mode was to pick up the Pie by the oven (this is the “Halls of Crafting”, after all) and get it back to the entrance without letting mobs make me drop the pie, the assumption being that mobs respawn after the pie is picked up.

The brilliant thing is that he bought it! This fellow, who was on his minstrel, began rushing the group backwards in the instance, expecting to clear out any enemies he encountered. With the greatest timing ever, our Burglar came back on right as they were running out, and the minstrel began explaining Pie Hard Mode to him as they ran to the entrance. I let it hang for about 15 seconds, and then I couldn’t help myself; I started laughing uncontrollably. I posted a link to the Prized Pie in Fellowship chat and the rest of the group started laughing too.

Thankfully, no feelings were hurt or anything like that; I’ve been playing with these guys since February 2008, and we pull our fair share of jokes and whatnot. This was definitely one of the best pranks I think our kinship has ever seen, though, and I’m very proud to have had the random idea in the first place. The Burglar, who came back in the thick of things, got a particular kick out of it, since he had a different person explaining it to him than the one carrying the pie.

Thought you guys would enjoy that story. What you think– unethical? Hilarious? Will you try it yourself? Have other pranks you’ve pulled, or are looking to pull? Post your comments below!

Greetings, all,

So, it seems that there is quite a bit of unhappiness on the forums about the Meta-Game of LOTRO, and I decided to make a post on there about how I would recommend “winning” at it. I’ve copied and pasted it into blog form, since I thought it was worth distributing, but the conversation is certainly continuing. If you’d like to participate, feel free to hop in the following topic:

http://forums.lotro.com/showthread.php?t=279356

Eluros’ Guide to Enjoying the Meta-Game

1. Take responsibility.
Turbine cannot provide you fun anymore than they can provide you fulfillment or edification; you must take responsibility for your own gameplay and actions. Unsatisfied with an instance? Displeased with crafting? Upset with changes made with regard to a class? Take responsibility. Be willing to adjust. If the game becomes easier, enjoy it for that. If the game becomes harder, enjoy that, too. If an instance isn’t fun, either don’t run it, or find a way to run it and make it enjoyable. I don’t particularly enjoy Fil Gashan, but I enjoy running it with kinmates due to the social bonding experience. I don’t enjoy grinding, but I enjoy podcasts and exploring, so I work on deeds while listening to podcasts and wandering around. As Kierkegaard argued, duty is not external—it is internal. Drive your own gameplay. Even if major elements are out of your hands, choose how to handle those that you can control.

2. Find your niche.
Discover something unique that you really enjoy. I get a real kick out of the reselling market, buying things from the AH and selling them for more. Others in my kin enjoy helping others on deeds or lower level quests. One of my friends enjoys crafting. Let’s say that the developers nerfed the second age market; I would still enjoy my niche, just take a new avenue. If crafting was changed and no longer profitable, my friend would still enjoy it, or find another avenue to pursue that style of gameplay. The less dependent you are upon gameplay systems to enjoy the game, the happier you shall find yourself. Create your own custom playstyle.

3. Practice Attitude Management.
If you are surrounded by negative people in a kinship, find ways to deal with it, or leave. If you hate pugging, change your attitude, or stop pugging. It is really that simple. If you want to enjoy the game, always keep yourself in check, and be sure to encourage positivity, both in yourself and others. Contribute to your friends, your kin, your server, or your game. Make a difference, even if the only permanent difference is in your own attitude.

4. Don’t be afraid to trust.
While one should take absolute responsibility, there are certain elements in the game and in life that are out of your control. The game might get cancelled next year. The next expansion might make legendary items worthless. An officer might steal all the items in your kin chests. It’s okay. Remember, your enjoyment of the game should not be contingent upon what other people do, so trust that the accidentals at work will in fact work out. One can rationalize and argue all day long, but at the end of the day, it is your own personal will and decisions that will determine your satisfaction. If you choose to trust that the developers will handle the game well (better, in fact, than you or I would), you will find yourself finding faith in them, and believing in what they are doing. It’s amazing how wonderful the game can be when you have complete confidence in the direction of those who are taking it there. It’s not about the content or the result. It’s not about the “what”. It’s about the “how”. Trust, and don’t allow your satisfaction to be contingent upon the fulfillment of that trust; relate satisfaction to the trust itself, so that you are your own self-fulfillment.

So, there you go. Four brief but well-meant recommendations on how to enjoy the Meta-Game more. Thoughts/comments/suggestions are welcome, as always.