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Running LOTRO in 4K or Custom Resolutions (DRAFT)
Marancil
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Posted on 28 Jul 2024, 09:22
Customizing Resolutions and UI Scales in Lord of the Rings Online

A Step-by-Step Guide aimed at 4K

DRAFT

Introduction
Lord of the Rings Online, launched in 2007, has aged gracefully, but its original design predates widespread high-resolution displays. While it may not natively support every modern resolution, careful tweaking can enhance your experience. This guide empowers you to optimize LotRO for your setup, from straightforward in-game adjustments to advanced configuration options.

In-Game Settings: Resolution and UI Scale

Step 1: Access Graphics Options
  1. Launch Lord of the Rings Online and log in to your account.
  2. Click the Options button (or press Esc on your keyboard) to open the Game Menu.
  3. Select Graphics from the menu.



[img]Screenshot 1: Game Menu with Graphics Option Highlighted[/img]

Step 2: Choose Your Resolution
  1. In the Graphics Options, click on Resolution.
  2. Check you native Screen Resolution and select it from the dropdown list, such as "3840 x 2160 (4K)" or another option that fits your screen. If you don't see your exact screen resolution, choose the closest match.


[img]Screenshot 2: Resolution Dropdown with Examples[/img]

Step 3: Refine UI Scales and Chat Customization

UI Scale

  1. Drag the slider left (smaller) or right (larger) to adjust the overall interface size.
  2. Smaller: Ideal for high resolutions (like 4K) or detailed workspaces.
  3. Larger: Suitable for lower resolutions or players who prefer bigger text and icons.


Optional Separate Scaling for Select Elements:

  1. Check Scale minimap independently to customize the minimap size, useful for preserving its clarity at high resolutions.
  2. Toggle Scale floating windows independently to adjust the size of floating elements (e.g., skill windows, bags) separately from the main UI.


Enlarging Chat: Font Size Adjustment
  1. Click on the Chat tab, usually adjacent to Graphics Options.
  2. Increase or decrease the Font Size dropdown for each text item (tedious, I know), ensuring readability in your preferred resolution.



[img]Screenshot 3a: UI Scale and Independent Scaling Options[/img]
[img]Screenshot 3b: Chat Font Size Adjustment[/img]

Step 4: Preview and Confirm
  1. Click Apply to see your new settings in action.
  2. Reposition layout elements as required using the keyboard combination for that, [Crtl + #] UK or [Ctrl + \] US or [Ctrl + *] Nordic depending on keyboard layout.
  3. Preview your game to ensure the resolution, UI scales, and chat customization feel comfortable. If needed, repeat Steps 2-3 until satisfied.


[img]Screenshot 4: Applied Settings with a Happy Player (Optional Humor)[/img]

Advanced Configuration Options via userpreferences.ini

For those seeking further refinement or custom resolutions not listed in-game.

Locate your userpreferences.ini file, typically found in /Documents/The Lord of the Rings Online/UserPreferences.ini (Windows) or equivalent.

Edit with a plain text editor (e.g., Notepad):

Add custom resolutions: Follow the format ResolutionWxH=<width> <height> (e.g., Resolution3840x2160=3840 2160).

Fine-tune UI scales: Adjust values for UIScale, MinimapScale, and FloatingWindowScale to precise decimal numbers (e.g., 1.25, 0.8). Research recommended ranges online or experiment cautiously.

Save changes and relaunch LotRO to apply your tailored settings.

Tips and Considerations

When pushing beyond native resolutions, performance might be impacted. Balance graphics quality and resolution for a smooth experience.

Windows DPI scaling (Display Settings > Scale and layout) can interact with LotRO's UI scaling. Experiment with both to find harmony or disable DPI scaling specifically for the game.
Edited by Marancil on 28 Jul 2024, 17:39
 
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