Finally! FINALLY I hear something about LotRO that seems interesting. Damion pointed it out; there’s an update on the official LOtRO site about PVP Monster Play:

Players will have a chance to take on the role of a minion of darkness, a dark creature such as a goblin, orc, troll… or maybe even something fouler!  Your monster player character is temporary – as a monster player, you have quests to complete, but you don’t level up as an orc.  At launch, this is the only method by which players will be able to play as a member of an evil race.

This seems much more interesting that the fascinating, but ultimately poorly concieved, ‘monster quests’ added to Everquest with the Depths of Darkhollow expansion. I have to give the Turbine folks credit, this seems like a really great idea. It definitely fits with the world, is a new twist on the standard, and allow players tired of the grind to shake things up a little bit. Good deal.

Now, what would be interesting was if they’d allow players to participate more fully on the evil side of things. They mention the concept of ‘monster points’, earned during play time as a monster. You can turn in points to get access to more powerful creatures, and to improve your main character. Now, spending your time in the game leveling up as a monster, that would be excellent. You start off as a goblin, say, and work your way up to a cave troll.

I’m reaching, obviously, because I want to like this game.  /me shakes his fist.