A glorious cooperative day to you all!
For all of those that watched the recent stream on the FFIGames Twitch channel, we're sure you're aware that this week's blog will be focused on none other than coop mode!
We were amazingly pleased with the reception that the new mode had during our Twitch stream. If you've not had a chance to check this out, then we highly recommend that you take a few moments to head on over and see it for yourself. You can do so by clicking the link below:
If you haven't already learned this crucial and wondrous piece of information from watching the stream, then we're happy to inform you that we now have a date for the launch of the cooperative mode in Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game! Without much further ado and cheer in our hearts we are pleased to finally announce that the date cooperative mode will be launching is January 30!
We're ready, are you?
THE DEVELOPMENT ROADMAP
In addition to the previously discussed coop mode, we wanted to give you a quick update regarding the game's development road map. We are currently working on multiple improvements that are intended to assist in both accessibility and make the UI more readable.
NEW PLAYER EXPERIENCE
One of the main complaints we have been seeing regarding new player experience is the difficulty they are exposed to as soon as they begin playing. We are currently working on improving the opening quests to create a narrative experience that better teaches new players, improving their experience. This will not only teach the game flow and how to play, but it will now also include an introduction to deck building.
Our ultimate goal with this revamped tutorial for Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game is to have users fully versed in the game's flow and mechanics before the end of the first campaign. Part of this will also include a small rework to the rewards system, showcasing how the unlocking of valor cards and other content works.
ACCESSIBILITY: BALANCING, UI IMPROVEMENTS AND REWARD SYSTEMS
As well as the new player experience being a core goal for us to improve before the official launch of Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game, we are also working on specific improvements towards accessibility to aid both new and veteran players alike.
We will be doing this via three specific routes; Balancing the difficulty curve, reviewing our reward systems and improving the UI.
The first step for this is the most important to us as it is currently something that scares away many new players, the difficulty curve. We will be adjusting the level of difficulty you encounter in the opening missions to ensure a smooth learning curve, rather than a cliff as steep as those of the Misty Mountains. Another system we are exploring to ease the experience of all players is the introduction of a save system during quests, providing players with more opportunities for exploring their play and being able to guarantee shorter sessions if you are unable to commit to longer play.
The second step will be ensuring an improved reward system that provides the appropriate compensation for those willing to explore creative deck building. This will give players more reasons to attempt quests with more inventive and wild deck styles that will challenge even the most veteran of players! We are also investigating the quality of the Valor Points system, card rewards and the overall systems for player progression. We will provide more information on this at a later date.
Lastly, improving the UI. This will involve a variety of changes that we cannot go into too many details on at this time, but our aim is to make the game more approachable and readable by clearly stating what is happening on the board at all times and how it impacts play. Incorporation of your feedback—while very important in all of our changes—is especially vital for us regarding this topic, so be sure to let us know your thoughts on the forums.
Economic Model Changes
As most of you are aware, we have been planning for changes to the economic model of the game. Initiating this was our recent implementation of an upgrade bundle for all current Founder's Pack purchasers that allowed you to upgrade to the Mithril Pack. We wanted to alert you that we are currently finalising the economic model changes and will be deploying the new one-tier payment model to purchase the base game of Lord of the Rings: Living Card Game.
This model will more closely emulate that of the physical version with there only being a single tier which unlocks all base game content. Additional content will of course become available at later dates, both free of charge and via DLC.
If you're wanting to guarantee your access to all of the Founder's Pack bonuses, we highly recommend that you jump on the opportunity to get your Mithril Bundle soon! Some of the cool exclusives you can get are unique avatars and Player Tag Frames and Card Backs, as seen below:
Player Avatars
Player Tag Frames
You still have time to upgrade to the Mithril Bundle here:
https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/9190/Lord_of_the_Rings_Living_Card_Game_Founders_Bundle/
We're looking forward to getting all these changes into your hands and moving ever closer to the elusive goal of full release. In the meantime we hope you enjoy the all new coop mode, and keep your eyes open for more information about the next campaign release; The Shadow's Fall!
-Asmodee Digital and Fantasy Flight Interactive