Lord of the Rings Online

How much has LoTRO changed from starter zones to book 14?

I recently bought a gtx280, a 800W PSU and overclocked my Core2Duo to 3.2ghz. That means the following weeks I'm usually a total graphics whore.

I've squeesed everything on LoTRO to max (yes I resubbed yesterday), but I'm not actually happy with it's gfx. Maybe it's because I restarted and the starter zones has worse gfx than what I remember when I stopped playing?

I remember LoTRO for having awesome gfx, but have I just become used to AoC and other games just recently released? It's probably nothing and if I know myself I'll forget all about it when I immerse myself into my new champion tonight.

I re-subbed last night and feel kind of the same way... I have all my settings at max, and get no lag, but was a little dissapointed with the graphics...

I think maybe I was just expecting too much or got used to ps3 style graphics... really for a MMO - this game is beautiful - the character animations could use some work - but the environement ( shadows, trees, grasses, sky etc) and the architechture is top notch..

I think you hit the nail on the head that you will forget it all once you are immersed in your character - which I am pretty sure this game will allow you to do better than any other on the market right now.  See you in game !

Originally posted by howardb

How much has LoTRO changed from starter zones to book 14?

I recently bought a gtx280, a 800W PSU and overclocked my Core2Duo to 3.2ghz. That means the following weeks I'm usually a total graphics whore.

I've squeesed everything on LoTRO to max (yes I resubbed yesterday), but I'm not actually happy with it's gfx. Maybe it's because I restarted and the starter zones has worse gfx than what I remember when I stopped playing?

I remember LoTRO for having awesome gfx, but have I just become used to AoC and other games just recently released? It's probably nothing and if I know myself I'll forget all about it when I immerse myself into my new champion tonight.

It is hard to compare LOTRO to AoC's next gen engine. Some people enjoy the LOTRO more cartoony character models, but others prefer more realism.

It is a personal preference actually. I agree with you that LOTRO leaves a lot to be desired, and I enjoy AoC the most.

Aion even looks more gorgeous with the Cry Engine!

Progress is what we really are seeing is all.

i think the graphics in the game are fine. graphics are a big part of what draws me to a game but content and things to do in the game are what really make it happen for me. thats why i quit AoC. the graphics in that game were unbelieveable but once i had nothing left to do after 2 months, that was it for me.

Originally posted by howardb

How much has LoTRO changed from starter zones to book 14?

I recently bought a gtx280, a 800W PSU and overclocked my Core2Duo to 3.2ghz. That means the following weeks I'm usually a total graphics whore.

I recently upgraded to a GTX260 with an E8400 @ 3.6GHz and it's overkill for this game. Like you said, you can max out everything. And the frame rates will still be in the 40-100 FPS range. 40s for me in the populated areas like Bree.

The graphics haven't changed much since the game launched with exception of the addition of DX10. I don't think DX10 added much more than real looking shadows and better water effects though.

One thing to make sure to check though is that you're running the high resolution client since there are 2 different versions of the client to download. You should have a texture setting of 'very high' rather than just 'high' if you are running the high res client.

Originally posted by Redline65

Originally posted by howardb

How much has LoTRO changed from starter zones to book 14?

I recently bought a gtx280, a 800W PSU and overclocked my Core2Duo to 3.2ghz. That means the following weeks I'm usually a total graphics whore.

I recently upgraded to a GTX260 with an E8400 @ 3.6GHz and it's overkill for this game. Like you said, you can max out everything. And the frame rates will still be in the 40-100 FPS range. 40s for me in the populated areas like Bree.

The graphics haven't changed much since the game launched with exception of the addition of DX10. I don't think DX10 added much more than real looking shadows and better water effects though.

One thing to make sure to check though is that you're running the high resolution client since there are 2 different versions of the client to download. You should have a texture setting of 'very high' rather than just 'high' if you are running the high res client.

DX10 also adds new GFX in some mobs, raid bosses, skills and zones (eg.: Forochel).

When I log into  LotRo after a few days away, I always get blown away with the amount of detail and beauty of the game.

IT has plenty of awesome graphics, that enhance the over glam play , at least for me .

Conan looks good, but I think once you get back into the community, and feel like your actually apart of the game, that extra 3.0 shader, means little to nothing, in my opinion  . Also, who to say that they won't continue development on dx10 once more and more people are using the technology, it is still pretty early in dx10 development , and this is just the first real wave of games to implement it, specially on the scale and size of an mmo, and to do it without a massive hit on performance.  Great things happen in time, and I hate to see Turbine rush anything at this point. 

With OP's rig , I would try some really intense FPS's or that new Sci Fi game, think it is called "Dead Space".

have fun dude !

I came back to LotRO about a month ago, after being away playing AoC. I also remembered the game as having gret graphics, but was a little disppointed when I got back in. I suspect it is just the characters aren't as lifelike or as well animated as the AoC ones.

However, after getting back into the game, I really don't notice it and think the graphics are great again. It is amazing how much fun gameplay makes up for poor graphics (as long as they aren't too poor).

Are you guys using DX 10 and the hi res client?  The low resolution client is often loaded/downloaded by default.