Tales Of Middle Earth

Brief History TomeNET was based on the old ‘rogue-like’ games such as

rogue, hack, moria, angband, and many others. From the era where video games were comprised of only text.

The TomeNET project was initiated by Darkgod, a gamer from France, back in 2002.

Darkgod gathered a few programmers from around the world to create TomeNET, a multiplayer angband or mangband game. The original team consisted of Darkgod (FRA), Evileye (GBR), Jir (RUS), Zz (USA) Blue (DE)

Since TomeNET was created, it has been a free game, with a small community.

Basic InformationGame title TomeNET (Tales Of Middle Earth NET)

Company & Author Coded by a team of programmers from around the globe. Darkgod, Evileye, Jir, Zz, Blue.

Type of game MMO RPG (Small Community)

Price FREE

Minimum stated hardware requirements Since this isn’t a commercial endeavor none have been stated.

Actual hardware required 1MB hard drive space4MB RAM33.6k modemInternet AccessPentium 60

Installation Download and run

Game SummaryQuick Overview:

You roll a character in the classic D&D style, and get ready face the world of middle earth.

You must kill Sauron, the Sorcerer, and then Morgoth, Lord of Darkness.

Story line:World based on the

works of J.R.R. TolkienYou create your own

story.

World Map -- European Server

Game SummaryPlayer’s Role:

The player assumes the role of a hero that must eventually defeat Morgoth.

The player’s exact role has many possibilities.

Character Creation Screen

Game SummaryUser Interface:

The user only interacts with the main terminal.

The keyboard is the only input method. Numpad for direction Letters for special

tasks Function keys for

macros

Starting Town - Bree

Game SummaryGame Play:

Typical of a 'rogue-like', however in real-time. - Chase down monsters and destroy

them. - Run away from things that will kill you. - Shop in town when needed.

(Just like most RPGs)

Game SummaryScoring:

Ranked players get scored based on how far they have gotten until they died.

Time is not a factor, only level advancement is. Leaderboard

Game SummaryArtwork:

Old School ascii graphics (as you can surely tell)

Game SummarySound and Music

TomeNET doesn’t actually have sound or music. System beeps can be used to notify you, but that’s about it.

So you are free to listen to whatever you like.

This makes noise.

Game SummarySpecial Features:

Some effects, such as rain, have been implemented for users’ pleasure.

Manual:There is a very large

(roughly 170 page) guide which can be found at: http://www.c-blue.de/rogue/TomeNET-Guide.txt

Game ReviewGood BadVery challenging. Hunter/gatherer aspect

as well as quests to keep one occupied.

A very different system allows flexible character control.

Reminiscent of older games.

Sometimes discouragingly difficult.

No graphics.No sound.Steep learning curve.

Game ReviewTomeNET Diablo 2Community

Small- allows for a tight knit group of friends

Difficulty Constant challenge

Graphics Leaves more to

imagination

Sound Alerts user occasionally

Community Large- less belonging

Difficulty At the beginning,

providing a rough start followed by monotony

Graphics Easy to start and know

what’s going on

Sound Keeps user entertained

Game ReviewBetter than similar games

Worse than similar games

Difficult – Less forgiving than most games, so it’s not too easy.

Very lose restrictions – Gives user nearly complete character control.

Graphics – Require some getting used to.

Combat – Targeting system can be difficult to use.

Game ReviewAppropriate Audience:

The appropriate audience would exist in the intersection of this venn diagram.

Game ReviewDesign Mistakes:

The design has been refined over a period of 7 years, and is very well done, however there are a few issues such as: Targeting Field of view Level Generation

The walls of the room were generated oddly.

SummaryOverall strengths

and weaknesses:Strengths:

User has extensive control.

Provides a sufficient challenge

Extremely low requirements

Weaknesses: No graphics Complex

Is TomeNET worth purchasing?Yes, but it’s free anyway! Everyone should give TomeNET a serious go and see if it’s the type of game they like.

How could it be improved?An easier game mode could be implemented to attract more users.