Information on the closure of our 32-bit game worlds:

We are writing to share important information with you about the closure of our 32-bit game worlds after August 31, 2025. In recent months we have been deploying new 64-bit game worlds and offering free transfers for players to continue their journey on these updated game worlds. This message will update you on the future of our 32-bit worlds, free transfers, current and future “dark worlds”, the old forums, what to do as a Kinship leader and more.

Many players have already transferred, and you can learn more about free character transfers in an article on LOTRO.com here.

Players can continue to transfer their characters to our 64-bit game worlds until 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025. After this time, our 32-bit game worlds will close.  Please note that we intend to reopen these 32-bit game worlds as “dark worlds” for a period of two years, during which time players will be able to transfer their characters from these worlds to our 64-bit worlds. However, we do not yet have a confirmed timeline for when these transfers will become available, and we are unable to share further details at this time.  Therefore, we strongly encourage all players to transfer their characters from our 32-bit game worlds to our 64-bit game worlds through 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025. It is also important that you prepare for transfer prior to the end on August 31st, since you will not be able to log into your game world when these worlds return for “dark worlds” transfers.

What is happening:

The following 32-bit game worlds will close after 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025:

• Arkenstone
• Belegaer
• Brandywine
• Crickhollow
• Evernight
• Gladden
• Gwaihir
• Landroval
• Laurelin
• Sirannon
• Treebeard

After this time, further character transfers from these game worlds will not be available for some time, and you will not be able to log into these game worlds in order to organize and prepare for transfer. We strongly encourage everyone to transfer their characters, Kinships, Shared Items and anything else of value to our new 64-bit game worlds prior to 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on August 31st, 2025.

Further Questions:

What is happening to free transfers after August 31?

Our free transfer period will come to an end after 11:59pm Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Additionally, our temporary 100% housing writ return rate will end and be restored to its standard 90% return rate.

How long do I have to make characters on the worlds being closed?

We will disable character creation on these 32-bit game worlds on Wednesday, July 30, 2025 during our regular weekly downtime. After this time, through the end of August, no further characters will be able to be created. We encourage players to make any characters they may wish to use for storage and transfer reasons prior to July 30th.

What do I need to do as a Kinship leader prior to August 31, 2025?

All Kinship leaders need to Abandon/Sell their kinship housing while the worlds are still available to log into. Make sure to Abandon/Sell your kinship housing prior to 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on August 31, 2025. We intend to do work to automatically abandon any remaining housing, but this work is not guaranteed to be possible, so we want you to Abandon/Sell your kinship housing before the worlds close.

What do I need to know if I have an outstanding Kinship escrow storage issue from an earlier transfer I am discussing with Customer Support?

We are working to correct this issue in a way that will return missing items to their origin worlds. We will have more information when this work is complete, but we will let you know when your items are available to re-transfer. At that time, you will be able to do a new Shared Items transfer to your destination game world and receive your items.

What will happen to the level cap on Treebeard?

We are setting Treebeard to its final level cap 130 on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. This will become available when our game worlds reopen following their typical weekly maintenance. Thank you to everyone who has experienced our slower-paced Treebeard Legendary World!

Which world should I transfer to?

We have three worlds based in the United States and three worlds based in Europe in addition to our 64-bit Angmar and Mordor Legendary Worlds:

US:

• Sting
• Glamdring
• Peregrin (US-RP)

EU:

• Grond
• Orcrist
• Meriadoc (EU-RP)

Our role-play-designated (RP) worlds are meant to give guidance to fellow role-players as they consider their destination world. We do not enforce role play appropriate naming nor require players on the server to role play. Anyone can and does play in these worlds.

You can read more about character transfers in our FAQ on LOTRO.com.

If you are currently on a European-designated 32-bit game world, you must transfer to a European 64-bit game world, and if you are currently on a US-designated 32-bit game world, you must transfer to a US 64-bit game world. Otherwise, you may choose from any world within your designated US or EU region.

Does this change anything about current transfers from previously-closed worlds?

No. We are currently offering free transfers from previously closed "dark worlds" to our 64-bit game worlds on an as-is basis.

The following worlds are currently available for players to transfer their characters from:

• Anduin (EU)
• Dwarrowdelf (US)
• Eldar (EU)
• Elendilmir (US)
• Estel (EU)
• Firefoot (US)
• Gilrain (EU)
• Imladris (US)
• Maiar (EU)
• Meneldor (US)
• Morthond (EU)
• Nimrodel (US)
• Riddermark (US)
• Silverlode (US)
• Snowbourn (EU)
• Vanyar (EU)
• Vilya (US)
• Windfola (US)
• Withywindle (EU)

These transfers will continue to be available until 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Please note that Customer Support is unable to assist with any tickets about missing items, missing Kinships, unavailable characters, or other issues seen following transfer from these closed worlds to our new 64-bit worlds. The characters will arrive in their final state, and no customer support assistance can be provided related to these transfers. After August 31, 2025, these “dark worlds” will close permanently and no further character or item transfers from these
worlds will be possible.

Will I be able to transfer my characters from a closing 32-bit game world after August 31, 2025?

Initially, no. Players can continue to transfer their characters to our 64-bit game worlds until 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025. After this time, our 32-bit game worlds will close. Please note that we intend to reopen these 32-bit game worlds as “dark worlds” for two years, during which time players will be able to transfer their characters from these worlds to our 64-bit worlds. However, we do not yet have a confirmed timeline for when these transfers will become available, and we are unable to share further details at this time.  Therefore, we strongly encourage all players to transfer their characters from our 32-bit game worlds to our 64-bit game worlds through 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025. It is also important that you prepare for transfer prior to the end on August 31st, since you will not be able to log into your game world when these worlds return for “dark worlds” transfers.

End of Service Notice: forums-old.lotro.com:

Our previously-closed and read-only forums need to be sunset as part of our overall server and technology work. The forums at forums-old.lotro.com have been available in a read-only state for some years, but we are no longer able to maintain this service. Please make sure to update your links and grab any text you wish to preserve before 11:59 PM Eastern (-4 GMT) on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Thank you! Our current forums are available here: https://forums.lotro.com/

We want to thank everyone who has made The Lord of the Rings Online a success all these years! Whether you have been on our 32-bit worlds for more than a decade or just joined us recently, we want to welcome and encourage you to continue your journey on our 64-bit worlds. We look forward to seeing you in-game!