Lord of the rings online

Regional chat was dead, as it mostly is. Nothing new. I had the courage to ask one lvl.160 Minstrel about Traceries (to my shame, messed them with Essences). Upgraded Traceries, spent may Li runes and even used some of Ancient script boxes. Now, at least one weapon has its Traceries at 560/560.

Well, at least some good new from Lotro.

Bloxd

I re-built house of crafter. She is Tailor and naturally – Swift (name’s Alison). By pure accident, she also likes to sing and is an activist. Next, built a bit lame house of a baker.

Now, all that remains is one house of Blacksmith and a huge iron mine. Then, Skarhald would be finished.

And then there was one accident. My former co-owner was bold enough to ask to be friends. I gladly accepted. He came to my server enjoying that he is “finally there”. My reaction was simple: I banned him immediately. No questions asked. Just a simple automatic ban. Now, he could not bomb anything or damage anything.

I found some strange, yet nice, buildings. I did not build them. Who did?

After Skarhald is finished, I need to move on. Few towns (1? 2?) with some villages – and thern Nothern Duchy.

Of course, there are problems. Architecture is still almost the same. Terrain is very unsuitable for travel and/or transporting stuff. There are no ice deserts nearby to justify name of Northern.

—

Positive thing is, I can play with traceries in Lotro. Use almost all Ancient script for LI runes. Maybe – after I upgrade all Legendary weapons – even resume these boring dailies, for the sake of xp and LI xp.
Bloxd may mean some relaxation. I just need to temporaly stop looking at things seriously. And finally be free from my “co-owner”…

Lord of the rings online

I tried following advice given by one kind and wise player: stood near Prancing Pony. When there was crowd, I tried to have some conversations. Alas, I tried in English. First, I had some success. Folks talked, I managed to ask a question and receive quality answer. What could possibly go wrong?

Then there was German invasion. Lots of players talking in German only. I tried to ask something in English – no reactions. I tried and tried, sometimes with light trolling: no reactions. Thus I half-jokingly told that formal language of Meriadoc is now German.

A language I do not speak. So – after some waiting – I left Pony and returned to Bree vault.  To stand alone without any socialization. The only exception was one of rare English speaking players who jokingly “guarded a cow”. We even managed to exchange some jokes.

Don’t get me wrong: I am not against European languages. Speak German or Spanish, Lithuanian or Occitaine – it’s ok for me. Better if this was in specific channels. But when people clearly demonstrate they would not speak English – it’s not good.

My attempts to socialize fail every single time. I don’t know what the heck am I doing wrong. I stopped Mordor jokes. I do not joke about politics (unless a very common, like “come on, I am not a politician”) or religion. I do not interfere into any controversial topics. I tried to start at least minimum conversation, like “Hello, how are you doing?”. Every single attempt failed.

Bloxd

Silence there as well. I  lack fantasy and players. Now, I have Southern Duchy and need to build regional capital – a big, majestic city with real castle. So, I could use some trusted builders (so far have none). For roleplay I could use some people as well – act as local army commander or some monk or even city Mayor (I have none).

Now, Southern Duchy will be finished soon. It is little, of course, but it provides with much of needed resources (soon they will discover chalk and granite). Another Duchy should be Northern. They should have distinctive building style and town names.

—

My life – real and virtual – is going through a series of stepbacks. All I could ask for from mmo gods – is at least some socialization and meaningfull activity. No, killing 283 rats is NOT a meaningfull activity.

End of [bit] grumpy post.

Lord of the rings online

I wish I could find some optimism. Any, at least tiniest piece. But there is none. I look at content and understand I do not want to do anything. Whatever Lotro had interesting/fun/rewarding – already done. Whatever easy it was – already done. Now there are only grindy and boring things.

Regional chat is dead. There may be lots people in Bree – nobody talks in Regional. My attempts to start any conversation also fails. Nobody wants to talk. Nobody responds. Game has became a Lord of Silence Online.

Bloxd

Same crisis with builds. I started tailor’s shop. Called it “TAILOR Alice SWIFT”.  Sort of humour local kids – I hope – would understand.

Logistic is the heaviest problem. Need to figure out what any medieval tailor workshop had. Then figure out how to depict it. Then figure out how to make them fit into very limited space. And only then – hurray, we have tailor shop.

To make things worse, I will need 2 more shops. Same logistic and ideological problems.

Then I will need at leat 2 new towns (little ones) + villages that supply them with food. Once again, design challenges.

—

I do need some social interaction. Some activity that could go beyond “kill 10 rats / find 10 Rat Caves / Escort Rat Catcher from point A to point B”.  A simple game – even with monsters – where I could engage in peacefull, non-griefable building of whatever my soul desires. To find any space where I could engage in talks with other people.

Lotro cannot deliver any of that. Bloxd (kids’ game!) as well.

Lord of the rings online

Little and unpleasant time it was. Logged in. Asked if there was anyone in Regional chat. Response from typical Lotro player: “Shut up”. Everyone else was silent, in complete agreement.  I thought to block that player, but decided not to.
To my surprise later there was one kind player who answered question. And another one, a bit later. I am really gratefull to them.

Bloxd

Military outpost goes so slowly. Much grind, like making a wall around outpost or placing hundreds of floor titles. I employed my moderator to do this grindy job. And he mostly succeeded. I had to correct certain things, but overall – everything was good. So now my outpost status: first part is completely finished; second part has barracks, armories and baths finished, siege machines finished – only interior of defense structures remain. I built a flag, also ceremonial square.
My moderator is…reliable. I can give him certain tasks and they would be done quickly+efficiently.At least one person that can be trusted.

SR

Logged in. There was wipe, so had to recreate my toon. Game had many positive changes. Intro is shorter and more reliable. We have race select and some customization too. There are tooltips for almost anything, like “This tool does this and that, press this to make Action A, press that to make Action B”. Graphic is always was – top one, inviting and nice.

Other changes are not that good. Navigation to planets made problematic – you must act like acrobat to fit into small hole. Skills must be purchased at space station. Skills became super expensive. Basic upgrade is some 1200 coins, if you want anything good – you will be spending millions of tokens. The only way to get them are very hard missions. So, wellcome to slavery system, slave.
Player job selection is gone. A pity, it was some choice. Now everyone gets few tools + worthless “weapon”. While good at roleplay or fun, it never had any combat usage.

I landed in some random planet. There were structures, flora…and signature silence. Silence that defines SR. There were no players on Space station and no talks in Space station. There were no players on planet and no talks on planet.

I gathered some trash materials. Did not care what they were and where are they used. My mission ended, logged off.

—

It looks like Lotro and SR are setting up quality defenses agains casual players. Mock, insult, ignore, put into impossible situations – so that they leave and only loyal elitists remain. SR is no longer the game I was expecting. It is a game I [most likely] would  never play. And game that is extremely easy to predict: I think I understand SR inner logic, so almost any move can be predicted with ease.

Online life narrowed to Bloxd only. Lotro is complete silence with locals hating me. Hating for using Regional chat. Hating for just telling “hi” or asking questions. Hate and silence. Well, the best defense they are against loyal casuals.

If only I had anything normal to play and any community to be in…

Lord of the rings online

Absolutely nothing. Few log ins, Hobbit presents, failed talks in Regional chat.

Bloxd

The time things turned interesting. I am building my military base, Wintervale. It is a rather small outpost, consisting of two parts. Both parts have 1 heavy ballista and 2 small ballistas. First part has house of outpost Commander and local chapel (it’s neo-middle ages after all). All outpost is surrounded by wall. Since this requires lots and lots of planning and grindy building, I asked my Marquis to help.

And help he did. All towers with copy-paste. Too high to be acceptable, so I had to change it. Then, he created cemetery behind chapel with lots of graves. Emmm…for an outpost with, say, 40 soldiers? But my Marquis was really creative. He invented one huge battle, thousands of soldiers fighting, fight being heavy, but at the end good guys (we, the Imperials) prevailed. So, within this outpost, casualties from that epic battle are burried. This is not what I expected, but this can stay and add some real feelings towards my civilization. Which cannot have battle where 10.000 soldiers fight – entire population is ~300…

However, I got help, so can direct some jobs to my Marquis and I could concentrate on planning and lore creating. My current team member is active, entirely on my side and does some roleplay. I am quite happy with him. If he manages to finish this military outpost, it would be great help.

—

My playing gives feeling of…light dissatisfaction. In Lotro I am absolutely alone, nothing to do, nobody to socialize with; in Bloxd I am alone in my attempt to create a living medieval civilization.

I really wish to have some normal, grown-up socialization. Some real activity. And no game can provide me with this.

Lord of the rings online

Absolutely nothing. Hobbit presents, log off.

Bloxd

Nuked my military base. All of it. Next, quickly outlined new shape: 1 tower for main ballista (25 x 25 blocks size), some wall, 2 towers for little ballistas (15 x 15 blocks). Then, I have two barracks (19 x 35), 4 armouries…and possibly a house for my Marquise who was given command of an outpost.

Next, to build this monstrocity, post boards telling imoprtant info – from ballista usage to mood of soldiers – and military outpost is finished.

Lord of the rings online

It’s Yule, so it’s time for some relaxation. I run only two of my toons through this festival. Not hurrying anywhere. Taking positive solutions only (support the poor; do not take “moving them off”). Enjoying these little nice activities. Enjoying the number of tokens I accumulate.

Contrary to what some pessimists say: no, having tons of tokens do NOT discourage me from participating. I have enough tokens to buy every new item. But I have also need in some relaxed [almost] non-violent activity.

As always, snowball fight is empty. One time I saw advertisiment of it; one time I saw players engaging in it. Why do developers keep this most unpopular activity, remains a mystery.

Yet I will do Yule quests all the time.It’s just nice and I could even try to act in theatre (King of Angmar for the win!).

Bloxd

Town hall, this big building, is close to completion. I also had visitors, they enjoy my efforts and architecture. If only I had one experienced reliable helper – I would make much, more in much, much shorter time.

Well, after town hall is done, I could dedicate myself to standard houses. They need only some patience. Few streets completed – and I am  good to focus on some creative buildings (shops/priest houses/second church).

Master of Magic

Little play, since game mostly gives me very bad conditions. Ones that I cannt have a chance to win. So I start, restart, then start-restart…and so untill I get at least minimal conditions.

—

I do have some chores to do. All I lack in every mmo is socialization. Cannot find it anywhere, no matter how I try. But maybe this is just a sign of our epoch – lack of any talks, except trolling or absolutely mechanical?

Lord of the rings online

Level cap related mission grind, picking easiest missions and turning in taskboard items. No chatting, which really makes me feel bad. But well, when no chatting option is available, how do I chat?

Then it was downtime, some bug fixing related. I could (in theory) reforge my Legendary weapon and start everything anew: remove traceries, purchase new, use absolutely all runes to max my traceries…for the sake of maxing.

Bloxd

Still working, without enthusiasm, on local town hall. It is a mini castle, it must be nice, practical, ideologically correct and medieval. Which makes it a second job. Interior needs warmth. Interior needs light. Mayor needs advisors. Advisors needs some stories (boards with texts) about their job and also some decorations reflecting their job. Everything must be done by me only.

My problem is, I have no helpers. Give me one half-dedicated person and Skarhald would be finished in no time. I work on complicated issues, helper just clones living houses. I work on complicated issues, helper makes the streets, posts adresses on houses (like “Grumpy street 1”). Easy-peasy, but feel free to find responsible kid who can spend time on helping, not killing/destroying.

But I will finish main Skarhald. After townhall, there would be second church and few shops.  Everything else – just standard living houses. And well-deserved rest after that.

Of course, I would need advertised 200 people living there. Leave maybe half houses “occupied” by NPCs and remaining half – for players to claim.

In a perfect universe, I would be constructing this in SR and players would come to wander or roleplay. But we both (SR and me) know this would never happen.

Lord of the rings online

Once again, nothing. There is nothing more I could want to do in Lotro. Run ultracomplicated 3D mazes in Gundabad? No, thanks. Try exploring un-explorable Welkin Lofts? No, thanks. Grind supergrindy deeds for magic 5 LP? Emmm…nope.
Chats were dead, as always.

Bloxd

I tried to plan my town. Then, made one nice discovery: I left few houses intentionally unfinished. Each house shows the exact layout of cetain floor: 1, 2, 3 and 4. Thus, for future builds I just have to look at appropriate house.

Helper would be needed, but with determination I could and will build everything alone. That’s where I do laugh at SR – they want to build town and ask “comunity” to aid. Lol!!! Give me plot of land and enough tokens to buy abilities: I will build nice town alone, with zero help. Some planning, then possibly 1-2 weeks for build and maybe week to gather resources. But yeah, let’s publicise “community” and its “efforts”…

The day has ended, a bit usefull in Bloxd only.