LOTRO on Steam vs. Regular

[Falaris]

I installed LOTRO from steam, but I noticed that when I started LOTRO it wanted to do further updates. That tells me:
A: The steam download isn't updated.
B: Automatic updates through steam - which is the main reason to DL it on steam - is a bad idea to keep on.

Is that just about right? Or is it okay to keep automatic updates on?

[76561198077869228]

Multiple pieces to the answer.

1- There is no difference between the "data" download by Steam and form {ODKAZ SMAZÁN}LOTRO.com. Neither is "current." The Client will always check for the latest updates/patches and apply them before launching the game.
2- Typically Turbine provides "patches" on a Monthly or bi-weekly bais.
3- ALL patching is done by Turbine by the Launcher once you have downloaded it.
4- Turbine's "patches" typically take about 20 minutes. "Updates" take around 45- 90.
Updates can be both simple additional content, or major expansions. Every Client gets all content all the time -- no matter if you have paid to access it or not.

Steam is primarily an alternative to downloading from {ODKAZ SMAZÁN}LOTRO.com where you use the Pando Media Boster (PMB). The Steam downlod is significntly faster than the PMB download -- especially for the MacClient.

Once the basic client is downloaded (nominally 20GB) from either source. You fire-off the "Launcher" which checks the status of your version against the current version and then patches accordingly. Once patching is completed, the Launcher verifies your userid and password and launches the actual Game Client.

Continuing to play through the Steam interface can have benefits and problems. It tracks your login time, and provides an "overlay" which allows you to use the Steam "stuff." However, this Overlay has proven to be problematic recently, causing strange problems for people. Launching the client without going through the Steam interface has solved those problems. The Steam download and the {ODKAZ SMAZÁN}LOTRO.com download are IDENTICAL -- the difference is strictly in where they are stored on your hard-drive.

[Rinri]

Although I have not experienced the problems mentioned with launching the game from Steam, I would concur with the rest of what was mentioned and reiterate that there is no difference between what you get from Steam and what you get from LOTRO, LOTRO's launcher (regardless of whether you start it from Steam or from your desktop) always checks for the correct updates and versions (so if you don't play for a while you might indeed have some updating to go through)....you will get the whole map that LOTRO is; you will just have to pay for the quest packs as you go if you are not VIP. (btw, I've been VIP since LOTRO went live, and it has been WELL worth it. But, if you're new, try it out free and see how you like it. But VIP definitely has it's advantages and it's a daggone good price.)

[virpyre]

I tried to play the game friday...fresh install an everything....it's faster to download the game via steam, however once the game actually loads your downloads could take forever I had almost 12k files of extra downloads from LOTRO sadly I got bored around 4K files and uninstalled the game any game that has that many files is not worth waiting for imo.

I like a game that has quick, an easy file patching/distrbution, that won't take all day, then wait a day just to play.

I have downloaded games via steam that are 25GB+, however they're the full games, the ones that aren't are about 1GB more which is easy.

[Victim of the Demiurge]

same s*** different package

[AgeOfBacon]

I've played both versions, and on steam, i had many crashes after the character screen, and the game had more lags.
Now that i got the client through lotro.com, i doesn't crash anymore.

[Falaris]

Guys, thanks for your responses so far. My problem has changed somewhat, though.

I do have an account with Turbine allready, let's call that Icecream. I would prefer to use one account for both DDO and LOTRO, and that does seem to be both an option, and recommended.

I have an old cd-key used on the codemasters servers, that came with the retail game on release.

I try to log on with Icecream. It says there is no subscription.
I go to the lotro page and try to register Icecream for a free subscription. It says it allready has two subscriptions.
I try to log on with Icecream. It says there is no subscription.
I try to add the cd-key in the account page for Icecream. It says it's not valid.
I try to check if I have another account name with that cd-key registered, but it would have the same e-mail address, so I can't.
I try to check with support, but they say they can't do anything with old codemasters accounts.

*sigh*

Any advice?

[The Imp]

I think that old Codemasters cd keys are no longer valid. You can contact turbine for a new f2p key that you can activate on your current account. I did the same when I wanted to try out DDO a while back.

[oreyos]

Yes, Sou1forged is right; the Codemasters keys are not valid anymore.

[Řitíř_rozkoše]

Ok, thanks guys

[aesadai]

Mine is patching now. I'm hoping that running it through stream will make it work. I've had some issue with the regular client. I know everyone on this thread is saying that the games are the same but I'm hoping steam helps it along to some degree. Sounds crazy but this worked for Stronghold 2. My normal Stronghold 2 install was very buggy to the point of being unplayable. Then when I bought it through Steam hoping it would just work I was pleasantly surprised to find that it now works perfectly on my desktop.

Hoping to have the same luck with LOTRO.... am I crazy here or might this work?

[76561198077869228]

Some games may have different versions between those they supply and the versions from Steam.

For LOTRO, however, there is only ONE versions.
As soon as the Steam download completes and the Launcher Runs, the Steam download (which is more than 18 months old) is completely replaced by the patching process to bring it current. There have been two Expansions and multiple updates since the Steam version was packaged.
All updating and patching for LOTRO is handled by Turbine, and NOT by Steam.

[R3450N]

LOTRO on Steam imo is better than none; you have steam overlay, screenshots and other things too. Also, buying turbine points is easier through LOTRO steam because you can use your steam wallet to purchase the points, or top up the specified amount. Since your card details are stored with Steam you don't have to store them on Turbine's own servers directly.

[PorkChopExpress]

you dont have to log into steam to play the game. just find the launcher in the folder it is in and create a shortcut.

[allylavanda]

virpyre původně napsal:

I tried to play the game friday...fresh install an everything....it's faster to download the game via steam, however once the game actually loads your downloads could take forever I had almost 12k files of extra downloads from LOTRO sadly I got bored around 4K files and uninstalled the game any game that has that many files is not worth waiting for imo.

I like a game that has quick, an easy file patching/distrbution, that won't take all day, then wait a day just to play.

I have downloaded games via steam that are 25GB+, however they're the full games, the ones that aren't are about 1GB more which is easy.

Believe me or not the game is well worth the wait

[Nerwena1]

I think it was worth waiting. Considering the content you`ll get it has to take time, besides it`s not that you have to stare at progress bar all the time.