The Arda Post - The Insider

Question: What do you like most about working on The Lord of the Rings Online?

Catfisch (Lead Animator):
For me, the best thing is seeing it all come together. Everyone is working super hard, and the results have been stunning at times.

It's amazing what can be accomplished when everyone is pushing hard in the same direction.

Barasdir (Designer):
I like the fact that I finally get a chance to use all that Tolkien trivia I've been amassing over the years... and get paid for it as well!

Chris "Hakai" Clay (Artist):
The knowledge that we're creating a game that not only brings to life the world of Middle-earth, but also will continue to grow for a long time to come.

Floon Beetle (Artist):
Working with a great team of people in recreating the world of my favorite books.

Chris "NobOrBob" Foster (Designer):
Getting to immerse myself in such a rich, imaginary world. I can just picture myself standing on the marble steps of Hogwart's!

Serious answer: My favorite part of working on LOTRO is working with this team of individuals. They get games, they get Tolkien, they're professionals, and they're nice people. We have shared respect for The Lord of the Rings, and for each other.

Mat "Teos" Imregi (Designer):
That's a toss up between Wednesday Bagel Day, Friday Gordon Donut Day or sitting within scent-radius of NobOrBob... dreeeeeamy...

Jeff Murchie (Concept Artist):
My favorite aspect of working on The Lord of the Rings Online is to work on designing a fictional world into myth, something that you can almost believe.

Annuvin (Designer):
The people, really. My coworkers are friendly, trusting, naïve... Never really suspecting the viper in their midst.

October (Artist):
I've only just joined the team, so it's hard to say... so far I would say the ability to call a Hobbit a Hobbit. I've been on other projects where similar player characters are called Halflings... It's very cool to be able to actually call them Hobbits!

Dwynna (Technical Artist):
I like to make orcs, goblins, and worse creatures do silly things while I am setting them up to be animatable. (Don't worry, they will always be deadly serious in the game and will never wield flaming chickens or disco-dance).

Mike Seal (QA)
Being able to help make one of the worlds most beloved fantasy series come alive.

That's it! We hope you enjoyed this Thursday Insider. Have a question you'd like The Insider to ask the team? E-mail it to lotro@turbine.com!