Lord of the Rings Online: or GRRR again

<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikQnKL5-33cr2gTQ_QyzFz3Dt4Jdn4FTcKRGnrF43KXJkL5ME16aHzKtk259k3WuqDIWgyylZ9-LZNl8u3Dq_o8QXf1kGJyfnZXJkCiVulbHCakHekTcMIPIofIw6rBODn0VCDRrjy3yZU/s1600-h/ScreenShot00008%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ScreenShot00008" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XE0pPrxjWyM/Un5Wv26QwDI/AAAAAAAADJI/wUv7htDX3TA/ScreenShot00008_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="ScreenShot00008" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">The more things change, the more they stay the same … this old axiom is very true for </font><a href="https://www.lotro.com/en" target="_blank"><font size="3">Lord of the Rings Online</font></a><font size="3">.  There are parts I truly love about the game, it’s intense focus on lore and bringing the books to life for example.  But after taking a break from WOW and playing LOTRO for two weeks, once again the frustration outweighs the benefits of LOTRO.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Bag space is a HUGE frustration in LOTRO.  Seriously, six bags of twelve slots is just not enough.  Having to stop and empty bags every time you run across a vault location or a seller is time consuming and not fun, but failure to do so means that shortly you will be out of bag space.  Another frustration as a SUBSCRIBER is that the game is overly monetized for the cash shop.  I get that it is a niche game with a smaller player base but seriously if I’m spending real world money on mounts (or anything) then those mounts need to be account wide.  </font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">And while I love the old world complexity of MMO’s that still exists in LOTRO, it is also the downfall of LOTRO.  I don’t have the bag space to carry multiple weapons of varying damage types.  And to be honest, as a casual player that flits in and out of games having to remember what damage is best against what critter is annoying.  The game play mechanics are also old and outdated, </font><a href="http://www.lotro.com/en/helmsdeep?utm_source=Clix&utm_medium=GOOGLE&utm_campaign=LOTROHDSearch" target="_blank"><font size="3">Helm’s Deep</font></a><font size="3"> may fix some of those issues but can’t possibly fix all of them.  Quest is slow and the mechanics are outdated.  I understand why it is do X, return to quest giver and then go back to the SAME EXACT AREA and do Y but it is annoying, tedious, and a huge time sync.  At some point, efficiency of my time is more important that running to and from a quest giver for the sake of lore immersion.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Don’t get me wrong, the game is drop deep gorgeous but the mechanics are too flawed.  I will stop in and play every once in a while but it is too frustrating to commit long term to an overly monetized game with expansions that are over-priced for the value of what a digital only expansion offers.  I’m not leaving LOTRO with a bitter taste in my mouth, more with frustration with Turbine and the slow pace of the game.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5b554ecb-5182-4c78-b850-bfe2bc0d97d6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Lord+of+the+Rings+Online" rel="tag">Lord of the Rings Online</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/LOTRO" rel="tag">LOTRO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Turbine" rel="tag">Turbine</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Helm's+Deep" rel="tag">Helm's Deep</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cash+shop" rel="tag">cash shop</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+to+play" rel="tag">free to play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/F2P" rel="tag">F2P</a></div>

Cash Shop F2P free to play Landroval Lord of the Rings Online LOTRO Turbine Lord of the Rings Online: or GRRR again

The more things change, the more they stay the same … this old axiom is very true for Lord of the Rings Online.  There are parts I truly love about the game, it’s intense focus on lore and bringing the books to life for example.  But after taking a…

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Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep Expansion Class Guides

<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--oQ4LpC44go/UnpO37z0wvI/AAAAAAAADIg/v9-KixIhbK8/s1600-h/ScreenShot00002%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ScreenShot00002" border="0" height="509" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o4YM8bHB2yU/UnpO4XEDx3I/AAAAAAAADIk/UxC_JMXHOb4/ScreenShot00002_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="ScreenShot00002" width="789"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://www.lotro.com/en" target="_blank"><font size="3">Lord of the Ring’s Online</font></a><font size="3"> latest expansion drops in two weeks, </font><a href="http://www.lotro.com/en/helmsdeep?utm_source=Clix&utm_medium=GOOGLE&utm_campaign=LOTROHDSearch" target="_blank"><font size="3">Helm’s Deep</font></a><font size="3">.  The NDA on the beta testers was lifted on Monday and class guides have been </font><a href="https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthread.php?529680-Helm-s-Deep-NDA-Dropped-as-of-Today-November-4-2013&p=6984174&highlight=#post6984174" target="_blank"><font size="3">posted</font></a><font size="3"> for upcoming changes for all classes.  Every class is seeing major changes this expansion, and as you might expect the forums and players are full of differing opinions.  I didn’t beta test for this expansion but personally I believe that the changes are going to be a great thing for the game.</font></p> <div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:305e2a35-544b-47d4-a72e-ee9ec4015e5e" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div id="16369dbd-1bb9-4bf3-96b2-c045f66ee58e" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbbwoj5te2M&feature=player_embedded" target="_new"><img alt="" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('16369dbd-1bb9-4bf3-96b2-c045f66ee58e'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Mbbwoj5te2M&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/Mbbwoj5te2M&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ICrN7H0jQOo/UnpO4tI3DRI/AAAAAAAADIs/ID4x4vZQNCw/videocb0bbf4a627d%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none"></a></div></div></div> <p align="justify"><font size="3">LOTRO has a terrific story that everyone is familiar with on some level.  However, the game suffers from slow game play compared to the newer, shinier competition that exists in the flooded marketplace.  Yet, LOTRO is among the best niche games out there in my opinion.  It has positive, uplifting quest lines (helping the farmers in Oatbarton is one of my favorites), the community is generally more mature and helpful than other games out there, and there is constant communication with the development team.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">Now, I know a lot of people are plenty pissed off about the class changes coming in the expansion but honestly, it’s time to get over it.  Games change and adapt and players need to comprehend that to continue to enjoy the game in the real world.  Turbine needs to be profitable and adapt to the marketplace, and cash shop income will only go so far.  I think the class changes will make the game more accessible to a new generation of players, enhance game for those of us who find game play slow at times, and will work as a reboot of classes.  Yes, players who are sitting at max level right now may have to learn to replay their class entirely but with changes come opportunities.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">I’m looking forward to the changes and relearning my classes as I continue to level.  I just wish Turbine would implement a paid character transfer service but I’ve wished that for as long as I’ve played LOTRO and have come to accept that will never happen.  If you haven’t played LOTRO or have been away for a while, double experience is in effect until the expansion goes live on 18 November 2013.  So, drop by and have a beer with a hobbit and immerse yourself in Middle Earth.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:e47815c6-5cfe-409b-8d43-0f4af1d257b6" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Lord+of+the+Rings+Online" rel="tag">Lord of the Rings Online</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/LOTRO" rel="tag">LOTRO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Helm's+Deep" rel="tag">Helm's Deep</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/class+guides" rel="tag">class guides</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/class+changes" rel="tag">class changes</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Oatbarron" rel="tag">Oatbarron</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cash+shop" rel="tag">cash shop</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/F2P" rel="tag">F2P</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free-to-play" rel="tag">free-to-play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Turbine" rel="tag">Turbine</a></div>

Cash Shop F2P free to play Lord of the Rings Online LOTRO Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep Expansion Class Guides

Lord of the Ring’s Online latest expansion drops in two weeks, Helm’s Deep.  The NDA on the beta testers was lifted on Monday and class guides have been posted for upcoming changes for all classes.  Every class is seeing major changes this expansio…

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Warface

<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-McTJwuarjtY/Uh6Mzfy9_FI/AAAAAAAADEs/w6Uq7MOJ5Gw/s1600-h/04%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="04" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2j-ygWdvQ-g/Uh6M0tccA_I/AAAAAAAADE0/Z4gi-j_A7Hk/04_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" title="04" width="844"></a></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3"><a href="http://www.warface.com/">War</a><a href="http://www.warface.com/">face</a> from <a href="http://www.crytek.com">Crytek</a> is coming to the Xbox360 and PC.  It will be free to play, have traditional Player v Environment and Player v Player aspects.  The beta for the PC is underway.  The game was announced for the Xbox 360 today, and it will land on consoles next year. </font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:cd21713e-452e-427f-a9cf-21096f2f6ad8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Warface" rel="tag">Warface</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Crytek" rel="tag">Crytek</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Xbox" rel="tag">Xbox</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Xbox360" rel="tag">Xbox360</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+to+play" rel="tag">free to play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/F2P" rel="tag">F2P</a></div>

Crytek F2P Warface Warface

Warface from Crytek is coming to the Xbox360 and PC.  It will be free to play, have traditional Player v Environment and Player v Player aspects.  The beta for the PC is underway.  The game was announced for the Xbox 360 today, and it will land on c…

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Hearthstone: Closed Beta Begins

<div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:bc97ee43-e814-4a76-94cf-a726a41d5ff7" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/QdXl3QtutQI?version=3&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/QdXl3QtutQI?version=3&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/" target="_blank"><font size="3">Hearthstone</font></a><font size="3"> is the trading card game from Blizzard which entered closed beta this morning.  No, I wasn’t lucky enough to get in the first round of testers.  Hearthstone is based on the lore and characters from The Warcraft mythology.  The closed beta does not have a Non-disclosure Agreement and thus testers will be able to share their experiences directly.  The game will be free to play when it releases but it will have a cash shop.</font> </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:9125fd92-cf42-43ea-9639-699ab2049995" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Hearthstone" rel="tag">Hearthstone</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Blizzard" rel="tag">Blizzard</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/trading+card" rel="tag">trading card</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/beta" rel="tag">beta</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Warcraft" rel="tag">Warcraft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+to+play" rel="tag">free to play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cash+shop" rel="tag">cash shop</a></div>

beta Blizzard Cash Shop F2P free to play Hearthstone Hearthstone: Closed Beta Begins

  Hearthstone is the trading card game from Blizzard which entered closed beta this morning.  No, I wasn’t lucky enough to get in the first round of testers.  Hearthstone is based on the lore and characters from The Warcraft mythology.  The closed b…

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Beta: The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot

<div id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:4613beed-9a2d-4a30-a447-88844dda49a8" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px"><div><object height="480" width="853"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/tbu9HXX27Ww?hl=en_US&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/tbu9HXX27Ww?hl=en_US&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="853" height="480" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div></div> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.ubi.com/US/" target="_blank">Ubisoft</a>’s 2013 entry into the MMO market is in the form of <a href="https://www.themightyquest.com/?locale=en" target="_blank">The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot</a> to be released exclusively on the PC.  There is currently an “open house” for the game from July 30th – August 6th and so I stopped by this morning.  </p> <p align="justify">Here are my impressions of the beta:</p> <ul> <li>calling it an MMO is overly generous</li> <li>the absence of any playable female character is a complete turn-off</li> <li>inability to customize character is unacceptable</li> <li>extremely simplistic</li> <li>flat graphics</li> <li>appropriate for ages 8 and up</li></ul> <p align="justify">Seriously, this game would run flawlessly on my Surface RT or an ipad.  I am baffled as to why Ubisoft is only releasing this for PC’s.  There is nothing complicated.  Basically, it is a cartoony version of Diablo III without the story and the simplicity of running through a castle collecting shinnies.  Heck, you can die during a castle run and the only consequence is you don’t get the loot at the end of the castle.  No biggie there.  </p> <p align="justify">This game is definitely more suited to the younger crowd.  No blood, no guts, no worries.  Admittedly, some younger players might have trouble reading the endless lines of text but players over the age of 8 won’t find the game difficult.</p> <p align="justify">Verdict: Don’t waste your time unless you truly need a mindless romp while stuck on a meeting or are nursing an incredible hangover.</p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:31e27d80-58e9-4219-bccd-1cdcbd1bb8fd" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Ubisoft" rel="tag">Ubisoft</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/The+Mighty+Quest+for+Epic+Loot" rel="tag">The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+to+play" rel="tag">free to play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/F2P" rel="tag">F2P</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/beta" rel="tag">beta</a></div>

beta F2P free to play MMO The Might Quest Ubisoft Beta: The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot

Ubisoft’s 2013 entry into the MMO market is in the form of The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot to be released exclusively on the PC.  There is currently an “open house” for the game from July 30th – August 6th and so I stopped by this morning.  Here are…

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Reminder: SOE Live Starts Tomorrow

<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tl1J4LuYBR8/UflAvPhzKEI/AAAAAAAADBw/dOkcNoTTEOU/s1600-h/firiona%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="firiona" border="0" height="476" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ta05-wl0QLM/UflAwLsnqRI/AAAAAAAADB4/KE8JWvxHTqU/firiona_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="firiona" width="844"></a> </p> <p align="justify"><a href="https://www.soe.com/soelive/" target="_blank">SOE Live</a> begins tomorrow night! The schedule of events can be found <a href="https://www.soe.com/soelive/lineup.vm" target="_blank">here</a>.  The keynote address begins at 7PM PDT and will be available via streaming on <a href="http://twitch.tv/" target="_blank">twitch.tv</a>.  The list of streamed events and reveals can be found <a href="http://www.twitch.tv/soe/profile" target="_blank">here</a>.  Of particular interest to Everquest fans will be the revel, FINALLY, of <a href="http://everquestnext.com" target="_blank">Everquest Next</a> to the world.  That will be streamed at 12PM Friday.  Personally, I’m very much looking forward to the reveal and am silently praying that it lives up to my expectations.  I will have full update notes for the keynote address tomorrow night and the reveal of Everquest Next on Friday; other panels are possible depending on if there is anything of interest to report.  </p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:d042cd4d-8439-4683-bbb5-b4e18525ec5d" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/SOE" rel="tag">SOE</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Sony+Online+Entertainment" rel="tag">Sony Online Entertainment</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/SOE+Live" rel="tag">SOE Live</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Everquest" rel="tag">Everquest</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Everquest+Next" rel="tag">Everquest Next</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/twitch.tv" rel="tag">twitch.tv</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/streaming" rel="tag">streaming</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+games" rel="tag">video games</a></div>

DC Universe Online DCUO Dragon's Prophet Everquest Everquest 2 Everquest Next F2P fps free to play MMO PC Planetside2 SOE Sony Sony Online Entertainment Vanguard video games Reminder: SOE Live Starts Tomorrow

SOE Live begins tomorrow night! The schedule of events can be found here.  The keynote address begins at 7PM PDT and will be available via streaming on twitch.tv.  The list of streamed events and reveals can be found here.  Of particular interest t…

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Rift: Previous Owners Free to Play Starts NOW

<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N-cGhf5hvfk/Ua3l-33yaMI/AAAAAAAAC9U/cgP0t-0-ty8/s1600-h/2013-06-03_075445%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2013-06-03_075445" border="0" height="510" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yna10BAvvZw/Ua3l_e2v0uI/AAAAAAAAC9c/5ML7HDFUvu4/2013-06-03_075445_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline" title="2013-06-03_075445" width="904"></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">The fine folks over at </font><a href="http://trionworlds.com/en/"><font size="3">Trion Worlds</font></a><font size="3"> and </font><a href="http://www.riftgame.com/en/"><font size="3">Rift</font></a><font size="3"> made the fine decision to extend the free to play for all past owners of Rift forever yesterday afternoon.  Free to Play for the rest of the world doesn’t begin until June 12th, along with the implementation of the cash shop, but that is less that a week away now.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font size="3">So, welcome back to Terlara and enjoy the journey.  But remember, if you want any of the previous bonuses for purchasing a box of the game or a digital upgrade, those purchases must be completed prior to the conversion on the 12th.</font></p> <div id="scid:0767317B-992E-4b12-91E0-4F059A8CECA8:5954da3e-4222-49bc-9eed-8abca4f4e644" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent" style="float: none; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px">Technorati Tags: <a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Trion+Worlds" rel="tag">Trion Worlds</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/Rift" rel="tag">Rift</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/free+to+play" rel="tag">free to play</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/F2P" rel="tag">F2P</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/cash+shop" rel="tag">cash shop</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/MMO" rel="tag">MMO</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/digital+upgrade" rel="tag">digital upgrade</a>,<a href="http://technorati.com/tags/video+game" rel="tag">video game</a></div>

Cash Shop F2P MMO Rift Trion video games Rift: Previous Owners Free to Play Starts NOW

The fine folks over at Trion Worlds and Rift made the fine decision to extend the free to play for all past owners of Rift forever yesterday afternoon.  Free to Play for the rest of the world doesn’t begin until June 12th, along with the implemen…

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