Status Update:

Hey Everyone, as you all are keenly aware, the blog has been quiet and there is no Episode 12 out. I'm here to tell you why, and why the why is good news!

Let's start with Episode 12 being MIA. We recorded it as scheduled, and I then got busy editing everything but the Episode and before I knew it I was out of time to get any editing on it done this week. On the other hand, I finally caught up on the segments and Finished most of the editing for the Behind the Scenes of Lotro Reporter Segments 1-10.

This leads into the second question, if you finished editing the Behind the scenes, where is it? Well I said "most" of it. Matthrim, Drilorin, and myself still had to record our commentary for the segments and we only finished that up Friday night. So i haven't been able to finish that up, but it's close to being done.

The last question would naturally be about the blog itself, after all we promised new "pages" about your hosts and other fun things didn't we? Yes we did and you can blame Matthrim for the host bios not being finished. Drilorin and I both wrote our own bios for everyone while Matthrim did not, but once he writes his we will take our three works (which were all written completely separately mind you) and blend them into cohesive, whole pages for the hosts. Our other pages will follow soon after, especially since we had our discussion about what the Segments are during our making of Segment.

So basically I've told you that all this stuff is close to being done but not yet done, how is that good news? Well it's good news because it means we are on the verge of catching up on all this stuff! But even more important are the ramifications for Episode 12, which was supposed to feature a guest. When we recorded it we were unable to get a guest on short notice and were, naturally, disappointed. But, because the editing has been delayed 1 whole week . . . we have a guest!!! Just today, Matthrim and I conducted the interview with our guest (who will remain anonymous until the Episode is released) and that entire section will be put into Episode 12!

Some of you may still be doubting that this was good news, but you'll just have to decide for yourselves over the next week as we get this stuff rolled out.

-Ivaneus

Lotro Reporter Bundle 1: Segments 1-10

The first 10 lotro reporter segments are now up in an easily accessible package! The warranty is good until you remove the shrink-wrap, so feel free to mount this as a trophy or add it to your arsenal of hand-powered ballistic weapons!!! Batteries not included, terms and conditions apply.

You can download this bundle right here.

Some extra stuff coming soon

Well unfortunately we have been delayed in recording Episode 12. We postponed last weekend so that we could talk about the fall festival instead of just the festival dev diary, and this weekend there were some sudden schedule changes that kept us from being able to record.

But in the interim we do have the first bundle of Lotro Reporter Segments coming (just as soon as we fix an erroneous skill name in Segment 11) and we are also working on a behind the scenes of the segment recording process! Currently, we have not decided whether or not we will combine the segments and the extras in one bundle. We will most likely release them separately, do another version where they are together, and allow all of you guys to pick which format you prefer.

In addition to this, I have something special planned for Episode 12, but I'm not going to say anything more about it at this time.

One final note is that I am currently looking into a way to put up additional blog sections and/or links in the history area so we can write up some general information about stuff and leave it in a easily accessible location (while still being part of the blog). If any of you know how to do this with blogger (we are not moving to a different platform at this time (AAAAHHH!!! Marketing Speak!!!)), please let us know.

*Edit I already figured this out. But if anyone knows how to increase the 10 page limit that would still be usefull information to possess*

So where does this leave you? Well in summary: 1) Episode 12 is delayed and will be recorded (not released) next weekend

2) There is something planned for Episode 12 but it's a secret

3) Before Episode 12 is out you will have the first Lotro Reporter Segment and our special Behind the scenes/making of for the first bundle, complete with bloopers and other fun stuff.

4) We are working on putting some more stuff into the blog along the lines of "About Matthrim", "About Grimmfungle" or "About Drilorin talks about Drilorin."

And for those of you wondering, the first episode of Drilorin talks about Drilorin is slated for release S00N. =P

And please fill out the polls.

-Ivan

Episode 11: Tea in Rivendell

What do Tell the Community Team threads, physics, elves, and the new forums have in common? No! Not bistronomics! It's Episode 11 of Through the Palantir! Join our crew of three as they tackle some game news, the lack of player news, and the next part of the Combat Mechanics focus: Target Assisting. And continue to keep supporting The Fellowship Walk and Child's Play over on CstM!

You can download Episode 11 here.

-Ivaneus

You can create an alias by following these simple steps:

Which will be added by Drilorin later.

Episode 10: Free 2 Play Pirates of Ecuador!

Prepare to be boarded as Through the Palantir comes through Free 2 Play and September 19th bearing audio swag! Learn the secrets and exploits of Matthrim, Drilorin, and Ivaneus as they reveal much! Learn that even though Drilorin's router is constructed from old radio parts and a flip flop, his real name is *not* MacGyver. Learn just how well Matthrim can talk like a Pirate! And learn what can cause Ivan to unleash an Ugrant! But mostly, you will learn of the opinions of these three scury ridden podcast hosts on Free 2 Play and the changes it has brought. Finally we wrap up by dragging some letters out from below deck before hoisting anchor and leaving port. So strap in, grab yer' cutlass an' pegleg and get ready for a ride like none other. Yar!

You can download Episode 10 here.

The silence is broken

Sorry we haven't been doing anything here in a while. Just thought I'd let you guys know that we have been pretty busy lately and it has affected my ability to get the Episodes edited and out quickly. We did record Episode 10 on schedule and will record Episode 11 this weekend, but due to my busy schedule and the need to go hunting for some extar music and sounds for Episode 10 it is VERY late. But it is coming!

And in Episode 10 we say that the Lotro Reporter Segment bundles will be in a pack of 8, then 7, and then 5s. This has changed. We are probably going to release the first 10 segments all together and then release subsequent segments in sets of 5.
-Ivaneus

Episode 9: So Much for the Rush Job

Recording just prior to the Lotro F2P headstart; Ivaneus, Matthrim and Drilorin were confident of their chances of getting the Episode out before F2P. Unfortunately reality had a slightly different agenda. Join Ivaneus, Matthrim, and Drilorin as they go through the final news and attempt to get you ready for the free to play headstart and launch which have already happened. We also plough through several listener questions and comments and give you the first part of our new Combat Mechanics section: Armor Rating and what it does. So sit back, relax, and get ready for some Lotro dissection.

You can download Episode 9 here.

*Once again we ran into a problem uploading the Episode, but I have definitively nailed down how to prevent this from happening again so this won't be a problem again. Once again I suggest you use the guide to make sure you have the correct version if you are using iTunes.

Apologies,

Ivaneus*

The Duels are Up!

I have finally finished Editing my version of the Duels from Episode 7 (Drilorin was done a few weeks ago) and you can now watch them! Links have been included in the Episode 7 show notes and the videos are embedded in this post.

Episode 8: Beach Sports and Martinis in the Necromancer's Tower?

For once we are on schedule and under our time limit! It must be Superior Editing™!!! Join Ivaneus, Matthrim and Drilorin as they continue to sift through the major changes that F2P will bring and express their thoughts and opinions about anything and everything. We also want to wish Casual Stroll to Mordor well on the anniversary of their podcast and their 50th Episode! Congratulations Merric and Goldenstar. You guys are outstanding.

You can download Episode 8 here.

Episode 7: We've Created a Paradox! (Matthrim Edition)

Follow Ivaneus, Matthrim, and Drilorin as they start recording exactly two weeks after recording Episode 6. But will they be able to reach the 2 hour Episode goal? Not if our procrastination has anything to say about it! Join us as we crunch our way through game news, beta news, the NDA, pickles, and the space-time continuum itself! In this Episode we go through a slew of tell the community teams finishing off the free people's classes, discuss the major class changes from the Beta and the lifting of the NDA, and dissect the dev diaries on the upcoming instance revamp. And we will succeed in making next episode only 2 hours long. Maybe.

You can download Episode 7 here.

Watch Drilorin's view here or you can watch Ugmog's perspective here.

*Edit

We ran into some problems uploading the Episode and the first version linked here was 5 hours long and contained loops of the same content, probably from the multiple disconnection hiccups. That problem is now fixed but you'll probably need to look at that helpful guide again to get the appropriate version of the Episode.

*Re-edit

Still more problems, but as Bilbo would say, "Third time pays for all."

-Ivan