LOTRO, Lore, & Professors

[shipwreck]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIz9ueiJhrk

The sound is surprisingly bad, and I'm only about halfway through, but this is a great talk! It is, of course, about The Lord of the Rings Online specifically, but it's got two very smart Tolkien scholars talking about games. I think it's always interesting to hear what people who know what they're talking about discuss adapting Tolkien to various medium, especially re magic. I also like the discussion on writing stories that fit into Middle-earth specifically, that need to be told in a fantasy setting, drawing on things like the appendices and Unfinished Tales and the like.

What's really interesting is the feeling the LOTRO guy has about the 'necessity' of a magic user in a computer RPG. Honestly, I think magic is handled way better in TOR and I know there have been some passionate discussions on the subject, which I don't mean to open back up, but it begs a larger question: should a game set in Middle-earth (or any particular setting) conform more to that world or to its medium? Should the Rangers you're helping be a bit incompetent so that you, the player, have some way to help them?

That's been worked over a hundred times, between various games and the PJ films, but I always enjoy revisiting it.

And then there are elves falling in love with Balrogs...

[Stormcrow]

I'll certainly have to listen to this one when I get a chance. I subscribe to Corey Olsen's podcast, and Michael Drout is an even more famous Tolkien scholar. I've heard Corey describe how he's been pleasantly surprised by what he's seen of Lord of the Rings Online, though he hadn't played in it yet the last time I heard, which was recent. He's also been a role-playing gamer in the past.

[shipwreck]

Yeah I played LOTRO for years, though I only pop in on occasion now. It's very fun and well done, even though I find plenty to gripe about

[zedturtle]

I'll certainly have to listen to this one when I get a chance. I subscribe to Corey Olsen's podcast, and Michael Drout is an even more famous Tolkien scholar. I've heard Corey describe how he's been pleasantly surprised by what he's seen of Lord of the Rings Online, though he hadn't played in it yet the last time I heard, which was recent. He's also been a role-playing gamer in the past.

Oh, yes, he is. "The point of the Nazgûl is not how many hit dice they have..." and such works itself into his discussion on occasion. I wonder if he's aware of The One Ring; I can't imagine he's not, but I'd love to hear more from him about it. I don't always agree with his conclusions but it's always an entertaining and informative listen.

[theMoon]

I found this very interesting, thanks for sharing. For some reason the bit about none of the characters having living mothers (mentioned around 40 mins in I think?) never struck me. I wished they'd gone on a little more about that. Must search podcasts and Jstor for more...

[shipwreck]

I found this very interesting, thanks for sharing. For some reason the bit about none of the characters having living mothers (mentioned around 40 mins in I think?) never struck me. I wished they'd gone on a little more about that. Must search podcasts and Jstor for more...

I've noticed that before and it's super interesting. Tolkien hated analyzing authors' works based on their biographies, but there has to be some Freud fodder there for an orphan to give most of his characters dead mothers.

[poosticks7]

I've not played LOTRO but I found the discussion interesting.

Who was the character they were referring to that was betrothed to that lady in the game? Was it Grima?

[shipwreck]

I feel like I spaced out at that point. I think they were talking about Lothiriel? I haven't got to Dol Amroth yet so I don't know who she's supposed to be betrothed to in the game.

[poosticks7]

Ah right (think I must have spaced out at that bit too then)

I assume it is a no good made up lordling then.

[shipwreck]

Ah right (think I must have spaced out at that bit too then)

I assume it is a no good made up lordling then.

Yes, most of that stuff is, as they say, made up for good stories and errands for the players to run. Some of them are cute -- like two Lothlorien elves having a lovers' quarrel that you help patch up -- while are others are actually pretty dramatic and interesting!