Lord of the Rings Online is a MMORPG fantasy video game developed by Turbine Inc. and published by Turbine, Inc., Midway Games and Codemasters. The game is available only on Microsoft Windows platforms and it was rated T for Teen. Lord of the Rings Online features 2 expansions: The Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria released on March 14, 2008 and The Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood released on September 4, 2009. In order to play this game you will need an active account, the game installed on your computer and you have to pay a monthly subscription fee. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/

The storyline in the game is divided into volumes. Each volume has a number of books. The books are added all the time with each update the game receives. Right now there are 3 volumes available, one for each expansion:

1. Volume I: Shadows of Angmar: – Is the first part of the game. The player will have the chance to meet characters like Aragorn, Gandalf and other characters. This volume has 15 books: Stirrings in the Darkness, The Red Maid, The Council of the North, Chasing Shadows, The Last Refuge, Fires in the North, The Hidden Hope, The Scourge of the North, Shores of Evendim, The City of Kings, Prisoner of the Free Peoples, The Ashen Wastes, Doom of the Last-King, The Ring-forges of Eregion, Daughter of Strife.
2. Volume II: Mines of Moria: - Is the second volume, expansion and part of the game. The story follows the fellowship journey like it was described by J.R.R. Tolkien. This volume has 9 books: The Walls of Moria, Echoes in the Dark, The Lord of Moria, Fire and Water, Drums in the Deep, The Shadowy Abyss, Leaves of Lórien, Scourge of Khazad-dum and Fortress of the Nazgul.
3. Volume III: Allies of the King: - Is the latest episode of the game. This volume reffers to the Lord of the Rings Online: Siege of Mirkwood expansion and until now there is only one book released: Oath of the Rangers. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/601-oath-of-the-rangersr

This page will show you how to create an active account, how to install the game on your computer, create your character and what you should do when you play this game for the first time.

The first thing you should do in order to play Lord of the Rings Online is to create your account. Turbine Inc. offers several options to players, depending on how they install the game:

Installing the game from a retail DVD: If you own the retail version of the game, insert the first DVD into your disk drive. The installation will start and you will create your account through a step-by-step process, while the game is installing. Follow the instructions and you will receive your name and password required to play the game.

Installing the game using the game client: If you don’t have the retail version of the game, you can buy it from the official website.

• Go to: http://www.lotro.com/buynow/
• Click Get it now. You will be redirected to the online store where you can purchase the virtual copy of the game for $29.99 which includes 30 days of free play.
• As soon as you pay you can download the game client and after this the rest of the game.

NOTE: If you purchase a virtual copy of the game you will also receive all the expansions.

Downloading the game client: You can also download the game first. After you install it you can either try the game for 10 days using the free trial option, or purchase the entire game and pay for it after you install the game. Here is what you should do:

• Go to: http://www.lotro.com/support/download-lotro
• Select one of the options displayed on the screen:
• -You can download the game using the Turbine Download Manager. Selecting this option will allow you to read the game manual or some informations about this game. This is the fastest method to download Lord of the Rings Online.
• -You can download the game for standard resolution systems. The process will take 3-6 hours and it’s recommended for users using medium systems.
• -Or, you can download the game for high resolution systems. You will need a high-end system to run the game. The download will take up to 12 hours.

After the game is installed on your computer you will move to the next step where you need to create your account.

Creating a Free Trial account for Lord of the Rings Online: If you would like to try the game for a limited period of time you can use the Free Trial option which allows you to play for 10 days. After your period expires, you can either upgrade your account and pay for the game the entire price, or you can simply remove it for your computer. This option does not require the purchase of the game and it can be used after the game is installed on your computer. To get your free trial version you should:

1. Go to: https://trial.turbine.com/lotro.php
2. Fill in the required fields: full name, date of birth, email, user name and password.
3. Enter the security code and check the TOS (Terms of Service) area.
4. As soon as your submission is verified you will move to the next screen where your game client download will start.
5. It is the same process described at the previous step.
6. Install the game and you are ready to move forward in the game.

To play Lord of the Rings Online you have to pay a monthly fee. You can pay $14.99 for one month, $29.97 / 3 months, $59.94 / 6 months, $119.88 / 12 months or $199.00 for a lifetime. The payment methods accepted are: Debit or Credit Card, Prepaid Credit or Gift Card, PayByCash and Pre-Paid Game Cards. You can always change the payment method from your account. http://www.lotro.com/support/support-faqs

Lord of the Rings Online features 4 races and 9 classes. Not all classes can be accessed by a race and each has different skills. This step will show how to create your first character in the game.

1. Choosing your gender: This is your first option. You can choose your character gender: male or female. There are no differences or penalties in this option. Your choice is purely esthetical and will not affect your gameplay.
2. Choosing your race: After your gender is selected you should concentrate on your race. 4 races are available in the game. You can choose being a:
   1. Race of man: Just like in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, the race of man is an honorable race. However, Isildur was deceived by the One Ring, which means that the race of man can also be week. In the game if you pick this race you will be able to play with all the races except the rune-keepers.
   2. Elves: Long time ago this race was divided in 2: the western elves (also known as Eldars) and the eastern elves. They were tall, gracious and always admired the beauty of the natural world. Living in forests, they never grew old and their favorite weapon as a bow. Many elves from Lorien were eastern elves and the most noble was Lady Galadriel. Her brother, Finrod Felagund was the King of Nargothrond.
   3. Hobbits: This small race lived around the land known as Shire. There are little information’s about them, because the liked to live peacefully and never interfered with other races. The Hobbit term was used in their area for all the peoples looking like them. They were called midgets by humans or periannath by elves. It is said that the Hobbit term was given to a Harfoot family member by a Stoor (another hobbit family) and the word was degenerated from a Rohan word: Holbytla which means underground hole maker.
   4. Dwarves: Living under the great mountains, Dwarves are expert miners. It is known that Dwarves names were given by other races, but a Dwarf never shared his real name with another race. Not even on his grave, you can’t find a Dwarf real name. In the game this race displays unique toughness making him a great warrior.
3. Choosing your class: 9 classes are available for you to choose from. Each class will determine your role in the game. You can choose to be a:
   1. Burglar: - if you enjoy using cunning and trick your enemies. You can use stealth and attack your enemies from behind, stunning them. This will allow your party members to concentrate their attacks and defeat him quickly, but if you play this class alone you should use caution. This class is available to Man and Hobbits. Some of the skills available are: Sneak, Surprise Strike, Riddle, etc... http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/104-burglar
   2. Captain: - is available only to the Man Race. A captain’s role in a party is to inspire the group as a leader, offering hope and leadership while participating in melee combats. Some of the skills are: Battle-shout, Devastating Blow, but you can also call Heralds to help you in the battle. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/103-captain
   3. Champion: - if you would like to concentrate on fast-paced combat. Available only if you choose to be a Man, Elf or a Dwarf, this race will grant you: Wild Attack, Blade Storm or Savage Strikes. However, as a champion a closed melee fight is not a problem as long as you face one enemy but survival is not your specialty and you should avoid fighting big groups. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/98-champion
   4. Guardian: - is a class that focuses on hard battles and hand-to-hand combat. As a guardian you have to protect your party drawing the opponent’s attention to you. Using shields and heavy armor, you will be able to use: Challenge, Bash or Protection and you can block and parry incoming attacks. To play this class make sure your race is: Man, Elf, Dwarf or Hobbit. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/102-guardian
   5. Hunter: - if you prefer ranged combats. As a hunter you will be able to set traps, use bows and arrows and guide your party through the forests. A Man, Elf, Dwarf or a Hobbit can pick this class and use: Quick Shot, Rain of Arrows or Barbed Arrow. Just like the Burglar, a hunter should be very cautious when is trying to solo enemies, because of his weak armor. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/114-hunter
   6. Lore-master: - you can use your knowledge to attack your enemies or heal your party members. Some of the abilities you can use are: Blinding, Flash, Cracked Earth, Raven Lore, but you can also call animals to help you on your journey. Only a Man or an Elf can choose this class. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/117-lore-master
   7. Minstrel: - will concentrate on restoring the morale to party members using songs and tales. A Minstrel will prefer using a song instead of a weapon and through their abilities they can cause the enemies to freeze in panic. They are accessible only to: Man, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and they can use: Inspire Fellows, Song of Distraction, Song of the Dead and more… http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/116-minstrel
   8. Rune-keepers: - are able to change their role from healer to offensive casters. Using rune-stones they are able to control the elements and turn them against the enemies. While their magic attacks are powerful they are vulnerable as targets. This class will allow you to switch roles in the game, as long as your race is Elf or Dwarf. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/118-rune-keeper
   9. Warden: - is available to Man, Dwarves and Hobbits and is a class focused on the strategic approach of this game. Using spears and javelins, wardens can build different Gambits to help other players and harm the enemies. Their main role in a party is to ambush and demoralize the attackers. http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/classes/119-warden
4. Choosing your appearance: After you decided what race suits you, is time to customize your appearance. Lord of the Rings Online offers different ways to create a unique character to play with. You can modify almost any part of your body: skin and hair color, body type, etc… By clicking on the Land of Origin you will modify the palette of your character’s eye, skin and hair color. Every time you decide that you would like to keep an attribute without altering the others click Lock.
5. Choosing your name: Is the last part on this step. You can choose any name you like, but be careful because you have to respect the policy and if you choose an inappropriate name it will be rejected.

After you login into the game your adventures through the Middle-Earth will begin. This step will show you how the basic moves are performed and what the game interface displays.

Moving in Lord of the Rings Online:

In order to move your character you can either set your own keys or use the default keys that are already assigned:

1. To move forward press W;
2. To move backward press S;
3. To turn left press A;
4. To turn right press D;
5. Q and E will make your character strafe left and right;
6. Press Spacebar to jump and I to toggle between running and walking.

Lord of the Rings Online Game Interface:

The game interface features several windows, bars and buttons. Here is the list with each of them and what they mean:

1. Health and Power Bars: are located in the top left corner on the screen, near your character’s portrait. There are 2 bars: a green bar (displays your current health) and a blue bar (displays your current power points). When your green bar is empty you will be incapacitated. The power points are required in order to perform special attacks and abilities. Both bars will slowly regenerate over the time. If you select a party member by clicking on it, his portrait will appear under yours and will display the same bars. This will help you cast your healing spells on him if needed. If your character is under a spell (poisoned), or a buff (i.e. morale boost), they will also be displayed under your power bar, along with countdown timer showing how long they will affect you.
2. The Mini-Map: displays your location and closest areas. You can find it top right corner of your screen. At the edge of the mini-map you will find several arrows: gold arrow indicates the nearest town and blue indicates resources. There are others points of interest displayed on your map. Such as: quest-givers (represented by a gold ring), trainers (scrolls), Fellowship members, date and time and many more. Take some time and hover the mouse cursor over them for more information’s.
3. The Full-Map: can be displayed if you press the “M” key. It will show you the entire map of the area your character is visiting at that moment, as well as the points of interest you discovered. Zooming in and out is also possible and you will get a better view on the Middle-Earth.
4. 'The Target: will appear once you select it. His portrait will display the same bars as yours, but the color of the health bar will change: red for an enemy, yellow for neutral and green for a friendly target.
5. Quests: can be found on the middle right section of the screen under the mini-map. Only five quests can be displayed at a time. Once you finished a quest it will be automatically replace with another one from your quest-log.
6. The Chat Window: is located at the bottom left corner of the screen. On it you can chat with other players, see the battle results, ask for help or talk to your team mates.
7. Pet Bar: is only available if you have a pet. It will show up under your chat window as soon as your pet is summoned. From this bar you can issue commands to your pet: Attack, Stop, Follow, etc…It can also be used to access your pet’s special abilities.
8. The Game Bar: can be seen near the Pet Bar”, to its right side. It has 8 buttons. From left to right, you will find:
   Main menu button – use it in order to change the game option, log off or quit the game.
   Crafting button – will allow you to access your crafting skills such as Weaponsmith or Jewell Maker.http://www.lotro.com/gameinfo/oath-of-the-rangers-features
   Social button – allows you to verify your friends list, keep an eye on when they log out or search for a certain person.
   Deed Log – is tracking your Deeds (achievements) while you advance in the game. There are many achievements to be earned: killing a special monster, visiting areas, completing a certain number of quests.
   Quest Log - tracks all the quests you accepted and also brief description on them.
   Character Journal – displays your character’s statistics such as: skills, equipped gear, titles, etc. It can be accessed quicker by pressing the default key: C.
   The Trait Set button – brings up a window displaying the tree paths your character can follow. From this window you can customize his abilities.
   Item Advancement button – will display a window from which you can customize the legendary items you find. In order to do this you have to reach level 50.
9. The Quickslot Bars: are located at the bottom centre of the screen. The bars will allow quickly access skills, items, or potions without opening the whole inventory. In order to add an item to a slot just open your inventory or your skill panel and drag it to the slot. You can have 6 bars and they can be added from the game menu.
10. The Bags: are located in the right side of the Quickslots Bars. While you adventure in the game and complete quests or defeat monsters, you will find or receive different items. All of them are stored in your bags. To open the bags just click on one of them, or press the default button I to open your entire inventory.

The game interface is your playground in Lord of the Rings Online, so you should take some time to understand and check all the features before starting the game.