Frequently
Asked Questions
FAQ
General Game
Information
What is The Lord of
the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™ (LOTRO)?
Is The Lord of the Rings Online (LOTRO)
based on the movies or the books?
What about The Silmarillion?
Why does LOTRO look different from the
movies?
What is an MMORPG?
When will The Lord of the Rings Online™:
Shadows of Angmar™ be released?
When is the Beta?
Will a regular fee be required to play?
Do you have to have an internet connection
to play LOTRO?
What are the system requirements for
The Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™?
Will LOTRO be released for the Mac
/ Xbox / Playstation / Gamecube?
Middle Earth
Where in Middle-earth
will the game take place?
Where does the game start?
When does the game take place?
Will we be able to meet some of the characters
from The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit?
What about Tom Bombadil?
Will there be mounts in LOTRO?
Is there a way to travel across long
distances quickly?
Gameplay
Can I play as a member
of the Fellowship?
Does LOTRO follow the story of the Fellowship?
Which races can we play?
What about High Elves and Dúnedain?
Can we play evil races?
Is there PvP in LOTRO?
What classes are there?
Can I play a mage or wizard in LOTRO?
What can you tell me about grouping?
Can I still solo the game?
What’s a Conjunction?
Does LOTRO have player housing?
I’ve heard that LOTRO uses instancing
technology. What is it, and how is it used?
How much of the game is instanced?
Is there a level cap in LOTRO?
Is there a crafting system in LOTRO?
When does the game take place?
Which classes can I play as a Man?
Which classes can I play as an Elf?
Which classes can I play as a Hobbit?
Which classes can I play as a Dwarf?
Beta
What is the LOTRO Beta
Program?
Where can I sign up for the Beta Program?
When will the Beta Program start?
How much does participation in the Beta
Program cost?
Who can participate in the Beta Program?
I already subscribe to another Turbine
game. Does this help me get into the Beta Program?
I heard that guilds have a better chance
of getting into the Beta Program. How does this work?
If I'm accepted into the Beta Program,
how will you let me know?
If I'm accepted into the Beta Program,
how will I get the game client?
Will I be able to keep my Beta Program
characters after the game launches?
If I preorder the game, will I get into
the Beta Program?
Beta Application
Do I have to submit
an application to register for the Forums?
What kind of people are you looking for?
Can I change my Beta Program Application
after I've already entered it?
How can I find my Processor Type?
How can I find my System RAM?
How can I find my Processor Clock Speed?
How can I find my Video Card?
How can I find my Video RAM?
What should I enter for my Video Configuration?
How can I find my Sound Card?
How can I find my Operating System?
What should I enter for my Internet
Connection?
What should I enter for my Router Brand?
What is a DxDiag.txt? Why do you want
it? How can I upload it?
General Game Information
What is The
Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™
(LOTRO)?
The Lord of the Rings Online™:
Shadows of Angmar™ will be the first massively
multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in
the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings™.
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Is The Lord
of the Rings Online (LOTRO) based on the movies or the
books?
Turbine owns the rights to produce
massively-multiplayer online games based on the written
works, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
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What about The
Silmarillion?
At this time, our license does
not include The Silmarillion.
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Why does LOTRO
look different from the movies?
Both the recent The Lord of the
Rings™ movies and The Lord of the Rings Online™:
Shadows of Angmar™ are based on the trilogy by
JRR Tolkien. However, the two projects are not related
directly to each other and do not share art, music,
or settings.
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What is an MMORPG?
MMORPG stands for massively multiplayer
online role-playing game. MMORPGs allow thousands of
players to adventure and socialize together at the same
time. In The Lord of the Rings™ Online, you will
be one of the thousands of players interacting with
each other every day. This creates a living environment
populated by people across the world.
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When will The
Lord of the Rings Online™: Shadows of Angmar™
be released?
We are anticipating
a 2006 release.
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When is the
Beta?
The beta period will begin as we move closer to releasing
the game. You can apply to the Beta Program here.
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Will a regular
fee be required to play?
Yes, but the amount of the subscription fee has not
yet been determined.
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Do you have
to have an internet connection to play LOTRO?
Yes.
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What are the
system requirements for The Lord of the Rings Online™:
Shadows of Angmar™?
We have not yet determined the
system requirements for LOTRO.
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Will LOTRO
be released for the Mac / Xbox / Playstation / Gamecube?
LOTRO is currently only in development
for Windows-based PC platforms.
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Middle Earth
Where in Middle-earth
will the game take place?
The initial launch of the game
will cover the region of Eriador, including the Shire,
Rivendell, Breeland, and other landmarks from The Lord
of the Rings.
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Where does the game start?
Humans begin the game in the town
of Archet, on the edge of the Chetwood Forest. The other
races' starting points are being finalized and will
be revealed later.
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When does the
game take place?
LOTRO is set in the Third Age,
during the War of the Ring. The game begins approximately
after Frodo leaves the Shire with the One Ring. The
launch product will essentially cover the time and many
locations of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Will we be able
to meet some of the characters from The Lord of the
Rings or The Hobbit?
You will encounter many of your
favorite characters from the books on your journey through
LOTRO. They will at times be directly part of your adventure.
What's the Prancing Pony without Barliman Butterbur?
The Old Forest without Tom Bombadil?
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What about Tom
Bombadil?
We think he's cool. He's a good
friend to have when exploring the Old Forest or the
Barrow-downs.
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Will there be
mounts in LOTRO?
Mounts will not be available at
launch, but will be included in a future expansion (probably
Rohan).
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Is there a way
to travel across long distances quickly?
There will be fast travel options,
but the first time you arrive at a destination it must
be on foot.
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Gameplay
Can I play as a
member of the Fellowship?
You will not be able to play as
a member of the Fellowship. You will, however, meet
the Fellowship and many other important characters from
the books, and participate at times in important events
that take place in parallel to the main events of The
Lord of the Rings. The goal for LOTRO is to allow each
player to create and grow their own Tolkien hero within
an authentic Middle-earth mythology and environment,
and to task them with their own heroic quest.
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Does LOTRO
follow the story of the Fellowship?
While you will not travel with the Fellowship in their
quest to destroy the One Ring, your character will follow
his/her own heroic path within the same time and place
and in some places, will actually participate in events
that aid the Fellowship on their journey.
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Which
races can we play?
Players may choose from Humans,
Elves, Dwarves,
and Hobbits.
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What about
High Elves and Dúnedain?
Because these races are particularly powerful, they
will not initially be available for play. The playable
Elven race is the Wood, or Silvan, Elves.
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Can we
play evil races?
For many reasons, we have concluded
that alignment would not be appropriate to the world
of LOTRO at launch. Your choices when creating a character
are restricted to the races of the Free Peoples of Middle-earth:
Humans, Elves, Dwarves, and Hobbits. The themes of this
world center more around different races banding together
against a common evil.
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Is there
PvP in LOTRO?
While there is some (but very
little) precedent for PvP in the lore, it doesn't fit
into Tolkien's world in the usual way that PvP fits
into MMORPG's. In light of this, the design team is
looking at PvP alternatives that will satisfy those
who enjoy competitive play, while preventing scenarios
such as Elves "ganking" Hobbits in the Shire.
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What classes
are there?
Currently, we plan to have seven
cardinal classes: Champion,
Captain, Guardian,
Hunter, Minstrel,
Burglar, and Lore-master.
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Can I
play a mage or wizard in LOTRO?
From what is known, there were
very few wizards in the whole of Middle-earth through
the ages. You will not be able to play a Wizard, but
a mage-like class will be available to you. As Magic
plays such a special role in the Tolkien lore, we are
taking great care to provide players with the abilities
they expect, within an appropriate context for the Tolkien
mythology.
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What can
you tell me about grouping?
A traditional party in LOTRO is
called a fellowship and will be supported by the features
you would expect like multi-channel chat, locate, and
group rewards. In addition, LOTRO will provide fellowships
with unique and powerful group attacks that increase
in strategic complexity with player skill.
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Can I
still solo the game?
Our goal is to make the game playable
for both solo players and those who choose to form Fellowships.
Fellowships will of course provide certain advantages
in some situations, but a fastidious Solo player can
always buff up enough over time to make it through.
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What’s
a Conjunction?
A Conjunction is a group combat
maneuver which is executed by multiple members of a
Fellowship. Conjunctions reward teamwork and organization
within Fellowships. They start simply, but can increase
in complexity for players who wish to fully exploit
group tactics.
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Does LOTRO
have player housing?
At this time, individual player housing is not in the
plan for launch. We absolutely see this as an important
part of the evolving world after launch and have plans
on how to execute this type of system.
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I’ve
heard that LOTRO uses instancing technology. What is
it, and how is it used?
We're using instancing in two basic ways in the game.
As has become more common in other MMO's, instances
place fellowships (parties) in an environment that is
private to them, so we can craft a compelling adventure
that will not be interrupted or interfered with by other
players. We have also developed a more complex use of
layered instancing, to "change the world"
as part of special moments in the story. In layered
instances, the player will encounter an area that during
the course of a series of adventures will be forever
altered in the "public" persistent world.
For example, an attack on a town might result in the
town being consumed in flames during a battle –
returning to the town later, the player will discover
the buildings are burnt to ashes. This will remain the
open, public world from that point on for any player
that had experienced those events in the game. We'll
explain this exciting mode of gameplay in further detail
in the future.
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How much
of the game is instanced?
The majority of the game will occur in open, persistent
scape. We anticipate 10-20% of the world will be instanced
in one fashion or another.
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Is there
a level cap in LOTRO?
The current plan is to cap the levels at 50 in the launch
version of the game.
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Is there
a crafting system in LOTRO?
Yes! There are nine professions in our crafting system;
they are Prospecter, Forester, Scholar, Cook, Weaponsmith,
Woodworker, Metalsmith, Leatherworker, and Jeweler.
More information on crafting is coming soon!
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When does
the game take place?
LOTRO is set in the Third Age,
during the War of the Ring. The game begins approximately
after Frodo leaves the Shire with the One Ring. The
launch product will essentially cover the time and many
locations of the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring.
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Which
classes can I play as a Man?
The seven classes available to
the Race of Man are:
Champion
Guardian
Captain
Minstrel
Hunter
Burglar
Lore-master
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Which
classes can I play as an Elf?
The five classes available to
Elves are:
Champion
Guardian
Minstrel
Hunter
Lore-master
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Which
classes can I play as a Hobbit?
The four classes available to
Hobbits are:
Guardian
Minstrel
Hunter
Burglar
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Which
classes can I play as a Dwarf?
The four classes available to Dwarves are:
Champion
Guardian
Minstrel
Hunter
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Beta
What is
the LOTRO Beta Program?
The LOTRO Beta Program is an opportunity
for members of the gaming public to play the game before
its official release. For Turbine, it's a crucial opportunity
for us to get feedback on what works and what doesn't
work, and to make appropriate changes before the game
comes out.
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Where
can I sign up for the Beta Program?
You can sign up for the Beta Program
through the LOTRO Community Forums at http://forums.lotro.turbine.com
If you already have a Forum account, just log in and
click the Beta Program Application link in the menu
bar. If you don't have a Forum account yet, you must
register for the Forums in order to submit an application.
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When will
the Beta Program start?
The Beta Program will commence
in the summer of 2006. Keep an eye on http://lotro.turbine.com
for announcements regarding specific dates.
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How much
does participation in the Beta Program cost?
There are currently no plans to
charge players for participation in the Beta Program.
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Who can
participate in the Beta Program?
Admission to the Beta Program
is on an invitation-only basis. You must be a resident
of the United States or Canada and 18 years of age or
older in order to be accepted.
If you are a
resident of Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova,
the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Serbia & Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, or the United
Kingdom, you may be eligible to participate in the European
Beta Program. Please visit http://www.lotro-europe.com
for more information.
If you live in
another part of the world, there may be an upcoming
Beta Program in your region – keep an eye on the
official website at http://lotro.turbine.com
for future announcements!
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I already
subscribe to another Turbine game. Does this help me
get into the Beta Program?
Current Turbine subscribers can
increase their chance of receiving an invitation to
the Beta Program by joining the Turbine Rewards program.
For more information, log into your account at http://billing.turbine.com
and click the Turbine Rewards link in the menu bar.
Once you've signed up for Turbine Rewards, make sure
you enter your billing.turbine.com username when prompted
in the Beta Program Application.
Full benefits
of the Turbine Rewards program are for customers with
a game subscription that has been active for six months
or longer, but newer customers can still improve their
chances of being accepted into the Beta Program by joining
the Turbine Rewards program.
Please note that
membership in the Turbine Rewards program does not guarantee
a Beta Program invitation.
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I heard
that guilds have a better chance of getting into the
Beta Program. How does this work?
We recognize the value of playing
with people you already know, so we're giving you the
opportunity to specify your current guild's name, website,
active game, and size when you sign up for the Beta
Program. When we select players who are in your guild
for the Beta Program, there's an increased chance of
you getting in, and vice-versa. So in order to maximize
your chance of getting into the Beta Program, make sure
you fill out these fields, and encourage your guildmates
to sign up as well. Please note that membership in a
guild does not guarantee a Beta Program invitation.
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If I'm
accepted into the Beta Program, how will you let me
know?
We'll be sending out Beta Program
invitations via email – if you have a spam filter,
please make sure you add [email protected] to
your address book. This will ensure that any invitations
do not get blocked by your spam filter. This is important,
as we will not re-send blocked or bounced Beta Program
invitations.
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If I'm
accepted into the Beta Program, how will I get the game
client?
The game client will most likely
be distributed via download. Due to the size of the
download, we strongly recommend that you use a download
manager in order to minimize the chances of having a
corrupted download. We will have more information on
this topic available at the start of the Beta Program.
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Will I
be able to keep my Beta Program characters after the
game launches?
No. All Beta Program characters
will be deleted before the game's retail launch.
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If I preorder
the game, will I get into the Beta Program?
We have not yet announced the
details of the preorder program. The only way to get
into Beta Program at this time is to submit a Beta Program
Application.
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Beta Application
Do I have
to submit an application to register for the Forums?
No. The Beta Program Application
is an optional part of the Forum registration. If you
change your mind later, you can always fill out an application
by logging into the Forums and clicking on the Beta
Program Application button.
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What
kind of people are you looking for?
We want our game to appeal to
as broad a range of players as possible, and we're looking
for a similarly broad range for the Beta Program. We
want people who speak Sindarin and people who think
Middle-earth means Nebraska; people whose computers
cost $5000 and people whose computers cost $5000 ...
in 1999; people who started playing MMORPGs when they
were still called MUDs and people who have no idea what
an MMORPG is but know that mud is what happens when
dirt gets wet. In short, we want everyone. So fill out
your application truthfully and hope for the best.
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Can
I change my Beta Program Application after I've already
entered it?
Yes. Most Beta Program Application
fields can be updated at any time. So if you marked
an answer as "Not sure/don't know", or if
your contact information or system profile changes,
you're allowed (encouraged actually) to update your
application. You can do this by logging into the Forums
and clicking the Beta Program Application button.
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How
can I find my Processor Type?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the System tab if it isn't already selected.
Your Processor Type and Clock Speed are listed under
"Processor".
In your Beta Program Application, select the Processor
Type option that most closely matches your system.
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How
can I find my System RAM?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the System tab if it isn't already selected.
Your System RAM is listed under "Memory".
In your Beta Program Application select the Memory option
that most closely matches your system. For your reference,
1024MB = 1GB, 1534MB = 1.5GB, and 2048MB = 2GB.
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How
can I find my Processor Clock Speed?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the System tab if it isn't already selected.
Your Processor Type and Clock Speed are listed under
"Processor".
In your Beta Program Application, select the Processor
Clock Speed option that most closely matches your system.
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How
can I find my Video Card?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the Display or Display 1 tab.
Your Video Card is listed under "Chip Type".
In your Beta Program Application select the Video Card
option that most closely matches your system.
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How can I find my Video
RAM?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the Display or Display 1 tab.
Your Video RAM is listed under "Approx. Total Memory".
In your Beta Program Application select the Video RAM
option that most closely matches your system.
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What should I enter for
my Video Configuration?
The vast majority of systems have
a single video card. Multiple video cards are generally
found only in high-end boutique or custom-built systems.
If you're not aware of multiple video cards in your
system, in all likelihood you have a single video card.
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How can I find my Sound
Card?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the Sound tab.
Your Sound Card is listed under "Name".
In your Beta Program Application select the Sound Card
option that most closely matches your system. If your
sound card says something like "integrated audio",
select the "Onboard sound" option.
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How can I find my Operating
System?
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Select the System tab if it isn't already selected.
Your Operating System is listed under "Operating
System".
In your Beta Program Application select the Operating
System option that most closely matches your system.
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What should I enter for my
Internet Connection?
Most internet connections will
be either "Dial-up modem (56Kb or greater)",
"DSL", or "Cable modem". Modems
connect via your phone line and have to explicitly place
an outgoing call to connect to the internet. DSL is
an always-on connection that connects over your phone
line – common providers include Verizon and SBC.
A cable modem is also an always-on connection that connects
over your cable line – common providers include
Comcast.
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What should I enter for
my Router Brand?
A router connects your broadband
internet connection to the computers and other internet-enabled
devices in your house. Your router may be separate from
your DSL or cable modem, or it might be integrated.
It may also provide wireless access.
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What is a DxDiag.txt?
Why do you want it? How can I upload it?
As part of the Beta Program Application,
you will have the option of uploading your computer's
DxDiag.txt file. This file contains a thorough list
of your computer hardware and drivers – it contains
no personal information.
When you upload
your DxDiag.txt file, you help ensure that the Beta
Program covers a diverse range of hardware configurations.
This improves game stability for launch and increases
your chances of getting into the Beta program.
To upload your
DxDiag, please follow these instructions:
Click on the Start menu.
Click on the Run option.
Type "dxdiag" and click the "OK"
button. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open up.
Click the "Save All Information" button.
Save the DxDiag.txt file to your Desktop.
Close the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Find the DxDiag.txt file on your Desktop and double
click it to open it.
Select all of the text in the file and Copy it to your
clipboard, then paste it into the Beta application.
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