That U22 northern holiday continues! Now also with maps!
The beta testing of update 22 (U22) of Lord of the Rings Online continues. Here are some more screenshots, in addition to those I posted earlier. If you want to see the earlier pictures and read more about the new areas, yer should look at my previous U22 post.
The usual disclaimer: If you want a pristine game experience and want to go into the new regions without knowing much about them, you should probably stop reading now, if not before! I have zipped across a lot of the new areas here. You have been warned!
You can see larger versions of pictures by clicking on them. If you want more details, you can find the latest patch notes on Standing Stone’s Bullroarer forums.
More fiddle testing
We managed to make it onto the test server on Tuesday to test the new fiddles in a band setting. Below is a video with some clips from the testing. The fiddles should be a lot of fun in-game, but there are some volume leveling issues to look into.
U22 fiddle testing in a bandNew maps and load screens
There are now maps of the new areas, not just the placeholders we got during the previous beta round. Here is the map over the new area coming with U22.
The Rhovanion map has also been updated, and it looks grand indeed.
Additionally, there is a map over Felegoth; the halls of the elven-king Thranduil.
Hobbits have now gotten a new loading screen, based on Bag End! Them empty chairs look a bit silly, but on the bright side: You wouldn’t like to have Lobelia and Lotho sitting in them, eh? Didn’t think so.
New screenshots
Hobbits now have fiddle animations! Also note that the fiddles look different from each other. This is the Lonely Mountain fiddle and the sprightly fiddle.
Over in Lake-Town, characters milling around the various outhouses are soon labeled “suspicious” by the local law.
In Dale, there is an inn, a lovely inn, called The Jolly Bell. If this isn’t one of the grandest inns in-game, I’ll eat even more biscuits than I usually do. The sacrifices I am willing to do…
That mini-stage in the middle would be a hit with musicians if the inn was in a lower-level area.
The Jolly Bell even has two levels. This is the room from the upper level. Grand fireplace!
King Bard II in Dale. He looks like he could have some hobbit blood in him, height-wise. Perhaps one of them adventurous Tooks made it here?
The Keep of the king sort of compensates for his diminutive stature, though…
The barbershop in Dale has a working mirror!
A different view of the Dale king’s keep. It is a grand one, even at night.
Dís has caused some controversy, to the extent that some people wanted a side-view of her to look for compromising bumps in the chest region. I am pretty sure there are some…
Close-up view of Dís, for those who want details. She wears lots of raven feathers.
Inside Thranduil’s halls. They look pretty grand.
There are many fine details on the walls in Thranduil’s halls.
He even has an indoors garden to relax in. Birds flutter around, light streams down from cracks in the rocky ceiling.
Different view of the king’s gardens.
Sadly, it is now possible to ride mounts inside Thranduil’s halls. This was impossible the previous round.
And up there is the elven king himself. His throne is surrounded by very loud waterfalls. It looks grand, but yer ears will be ringing…
Hope yer enjoy them screenshots! Let me know what yer think in the comments below!