Most MMOs launch big with sizzle and promise. Inevitably, we see reports that players are leaving Activision Blizzard’s behemoth to check out the new stuff. Then, almost as inevitably, we hear whispers of server merging, of server shutdown, and of developer and player exodus. It’s a cyclical thing. As 1UP notes, titles like Tabula Rasa, Warhammer Online, and Age of Conan have all failed in some way (others in bigger, more impressive ways).

But not Lord of the Rings Online, Turbine’s obviously venerable MMO based on Tolkien’s original trilogy. While other big name MMOs not named World of Warcraft suffer, LOTRO keeps chugging. In fact, its user base is on the rise. In a conversation with VG247, live producer Aaron Campbell said as much when asked about server merging or dwindling player activity.

“If anything, The Lord of the Rings Online is growing. We have no plans to merge servers,” Campbell said.

Nice. It’s good to know that quality MMOs can thrive in the same space as the almighty World of Warcraft. We were getting worried.