The Lord of the Rings Online news, guides, features, interviews and more at Ten Ton Hammer

Get To Know Gandalf

The official site for Lord of the Rings Online has been updated with the Characters of Middle-earth series. This edition gives us a look at none other than Gandalf himself.

Also known as the Grey Wizard (his Sindarin name Mithrandir means "Grey Pilgrim"), Gandalf is perhaps Middle-earth's best-known inhabitant. Although he sometimes appears to be old and frail, Gandalf the Grey is actually one of the most powerful allies of the good folk of Middle-earth and a guide to the Free Peoples in their struggle against the darkness. In addition to being a powerful wizard, Gandalf wields Glamdring, the Foe-hammer, a magical Elven-sword forged in the First Age and greatly feared by the creatures of evil

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Welcome to World Content Systems 101

The official site for Lord of the Rings Online has been updated with a page written by Matt Elliot who tells us about the world content we can expect to find in Middle-earth.

Most MMOs are rife with numerous content and game systems that help bring their particular world together, making it feel more immersive and alive. Some of these systems may not be noticeable on the surface at first, but after a bit of digging and exploring, a player can discover a fortune in gameplay. The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ is no different. Our goal is to not only provide an epic story spanning across the lands of Eriador, but also support that story – and our world as a whole – with fun and interesting World Content Systems.

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Transcripts Available

Stratics has posted the transcripts from their House of Commons chat with the devlopers of Lord of the Rings Online.

Sprite - *Crowser* What is your estimated time frame til an open beta will occur?
LOTRO_Patience - We expect to be starting open beta fairly "soon," which of course is a relative term :D

Sprite - *Alkales* : Is Turbine planning on doing anything to make moral unique, rather then just a word substitute for hit points? For example: certain areas like the old forest decrease your moral simply because you're in the area, or perhaps depending on what type foe your facing in combat.

Keep reading to learn the answer and see what else was asked. Don't forget to stop by LOTRO Ten Ton Hammer to keep up to date on all the latest news and information. You can share your thoughts on this and all your favorite MMOs right here in our new Ten Ton Hammer Forums today!

Find Out What The Players Think

The official site for Lord of the Rings Online has been updated with a new batch of Beta Journals written by the players testing it. This batch of journals talk about the Hobbit experience.

For today's batch of LOTRO Beta Journals, we asked our Beta participants to talk about the experience of playing as a Hobbit. Below are some of their impressions.

Sign up for the LOTRO Beta Program, and a chance to start forming your own impressions! European players, sign up for the Codemasters Beta at http://www.lotro-europe.com.