The Lord of the Rings Online Preview

GameDaily brings us a detailed preview of The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, based on some firsthand time they were able to spend with Turbine's upcoming MMORPG.
One last thing the team is doing, and is probably most is probably most often asked about, is the true, original fellowship. Where are they in the game, and will you be able to party with them or at least speak with them? The answer is "somewhat". Because the game takes place during the storyline set down in the novels (and where else would it take place, really?), some of the characters will have to be at certain places as world events happen. However, others come and go from the party, running errands and disappearing from the novel's discerning eye for a time. For example, due to the novel following Frodo and Sam almost non-stop, it is very unlikely they will ever be seen in the game. They are required to be in set places at certain times. However, Strider, Gandalf, and Boromir each have many little tasks they head out to take care of. Many of these tasks have become quests that players may embark upon by meeting these heroes in set locations throughout the world at any time. Thus, within the game there are many Strider NPCs that happen to be in whatever location they have a task needing doing by players.