[magill]

Turbine has a SERIOUS memory management issue with RoR. They have had it since Beta 1.

The simple explanation is -- the LOTRO Client (both Windows and Mac) is a 32 bit client.

A 32 bit client cannot address (legitimately) more than 4 GB of memory.

Prior to RoR, the client was below the threshold where it became an issue, unless you were trying to run Ultra-High Graphics...

With RoR the issue has become acute. The client skates very close to the 3.7 GB limit (the other 3 meg goes to OS "stuff"). Issues exist with Zoning -- moving from one land block to another; going inside from outside; entering towns; swift travel; Session Play. These are when people crash pretty routinely.

Plugins use memory. One assumes that the Lua environment is not a static memory allocation, but a dynamic one. AltInventory can use a LOT of memory, depending on how many toons you have and how much information you are letting it keep. So it does't surprise me that people have fingered it as a "problem."

RoR is basically a completely new client. Awesomium is now being used to*display all of the NPC dialogs, Store Windows, Quest windows, etc. Mounted Combat requires a lot of overhead that was not required before. Graphics have been enhanced and converted to OpenGL.

Turbine is going to have to come up with a new set of "minimum system statements", which are likely going to be defined by things like... if you run XP you can't use more than Medium Graphics, can't use DX10 or DX11 no matter what graphics card you have ... If you want Very High or Ultra High graphics, you need a 64 bit OS... if you want DX10 or DX11, you need a Viper... etc.

Will Turbine come up with a new 64 bit client? -- meaning it can ONLY run on a 64 bit OS... it might have to. Will they admit that LOTRO no longer runs on a 32 OS? .... stay tuned.