Today we had a commenter by the name of Heiko who’s geekiness lead to some juicy rumor type gossip. I think it’s completely fascinating and can’t help but passing on the rumors for you to ponder. Here’s the scoop from Heiko:
About your `ridersofrohan.com’ comment: the week before Mirkwood was announced I did some research on registered domain names (yes, I’m a geek as well, probably pretty high on the geek scale). I found some interesting stuff. All domain names listed below are registered by Saul Zeantz/Tolkien Enterprises:
http://www.shadowsofangmar.com
http://www.minesofmoria.com
http://www.siegeofmirkwood.com
http://www.ridersofrohan.comhttp://www.treasonofisengard.com
http://www.siegeofgondor.com
http://www.corsairsofumbar.com
http://www.firesofmordor.com
I didn’t really take it serious at first, until they announced Siege of Mirkwood a week after I found out they registered the domain name for it.
While it isn’t sure this is the future, it might give a clue what Turbine is up to for the coming years.
I told you it was dishy! While I assume it’ll be years before we see the Fires of Mordor I think it’s a fairly good sneak peak of what is coming down the road. What do you think?
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November 23, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I think that there’s a good chance we’ll see Erebor before Rohan! It could bring many players (and that means money too) to game if they release it shortly after the hobbit movie…
November 23, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Seems Turbine has planned ahead quite a lot:
http://kis.mhs.ch/php/mhs.Whois/index.php?client=mhs&domain=ridersofrohan.com&btSearchDomain=go
RidersOfRohan.com
Created on…………..: 2006-04-18.
Expires on…………..: 2011-04-18.
Record last updated on..: 2009-07-30.
SiegeOfGondor.com
Created on…………..: 2008-08-19.
Expires on…………..: 2010-08-19.
Record last updated on..: 2009-07-23.
No match for “TREASUREOFISENGARD.COM”.
>>> Last update of whois database: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:22:06 UTC < <>> Last update of whois database: Tue, 24 Nov 2009 00:26:43 UTC < <<
But well, "TheHobbit.com" is also registered by Saul Zaentz / Tolkien Enterprises. Not all of these domains necessarily must be related to LOTRO or Turbine.
Middle Earth and Tolkiens lore are massive. I know that many people want to get to Mordor quickly, but there is so much potential untouched and some areas that simply cannot be ignored, like Rohan and Gondor - neither we nor Turbine can rush to Mordor and ignore them all.
I know how G.R.R. Martin and the late Robert Jordan put the patience of their fans to the test, our casual stroll to Mordor is quite a run in comparison to them.
TL;DR: Sooner or later we will pass through Rohan, then Gondor, then Mordor. I wonder if the Corsairs of Umbar and the eastern Rhûn http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Rh%C3%BBn will also get featured. I am almost tempted to say it would hurt me if they get skipped in favor of the marketing and sales potential of well known names like Rohan and Gondor!
November 24, 2009 at 3:25 am
I realize I made a small mistake with the Isengard one. It must be:
http://www.treasonofisengard.com
November 24, 2009 at 8:34 am
I’ve changed it in the original post. Don’t sweat it though. I think the potential of these titles is pretty exciting!
November 24, 2009 at 9:38 am
Thanks!
).
Yes, I agree that the titles have great potential. Especially Treason of Isengard sounds epic. And I really can’t wait seeing Minas Tirith in the Gondor expansion when it arrives (couldn’t find a …ofminastirith.com registration
Well, first we’ll see what Mirkwood brings us, and I guess that will be epic as well! (and: back to strolling now
)
November 24, 2009 at 7:04 am
I am afraid I used some tags that cut some parts of my text as well. IIRC Fires of Mordor and Gondor were registered on the same day.
I also wanted to point out that Rohan was registered 2 years before Gondor.
Shadows or Shadowofangmar.com does not exist – guess they were content with lotro.com.
Cannot help, I want to experience all of it. Guess I will rather die before I lose my love for fantasy worlds.
November 24, 2009 at 7:24 am
Boy, I really should have checked them again before posting this from the top of my head
. I’m quite sure when I checked the names two months ago that shadowsofangmar.com was still active.
When searching for it now, it shows up as available, I think that domain just isn’t active anymore (the website I use shows active and deleted domain names).
November 24, 2009 at 8:29 am
They may have deactivated shadowsofangmar. No real reason to keep it named that. I’m certain they’ll be bundling the game with prior expansions like other mmos do so you just by a mines of moria copy & you’re all set. For all I know it could be like that already.
November 24, 2009 at 10:13 am
Treason of Isengard makes more sense, but the burglar in me thinks that there still will be treasure!
November 25, 2009 at 3:46 am
What about all that food and pipeweed the hobbits found in Isengard? That must have been a true treasure for them!
November 24, 2009 at 1:07 pm
You would not be the first hobbit trying to snatch the Palantir, Merric.
November 24, 2009 at 3:44 pm
LOL @ Longasc!
Fascinating list of domain names…I figured we’d get to Mordor eventually but I’m intrigued by Umbar being there and the idea that we might be able to ride ships someday (and see the ocean!). I still hope they branch out into areas like Erebor, Esgaroth, the Grey Havens, and Dol Amroth. You know, if anyone is still playing the game in 10 years.
My personal LOTRO fantasy is a Beornings expansion where they introduce a new class: Shapeshifter.
November 24, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Ooooo. Shapeshifter is an intriguing idea.