The Best Game You Are Not Playing

Greyhawk4x4

I am a gaming veteran of over 30 years.

I started playing in the "MMO" genre with the original Neverwinter Nights on AOL back in the early 90's. I have tried more MMO's than I can remember.

I tried Vanguard at launch and quit because of the bugs and horid state of the game at that time like everyone else.

I am here to tell you that Vanguard is excellent now.....period. I am enjoying the 3 "spheres"  of adavancement as well as the stunning graphics now that the glitches and lag problems seem to be a distant memory.

All in all I am comfortable in saying that Vaguard in its current state is probably the best PVE MMO available today.

I am hopeful for the future of the game, however, I felt the same way about SWG and The Matrix Online at one point as well. I hope that I don't get burned again by SOE.

Shoju

Originally posted by eagle4x4

II am hopeful for the future of the game, however, I felt the same way about SWG and The Matrix Online at one point as well. I hope that I don't get burned again by SOE.

Get the burn cream out.

No development or updates for over a year now doesn't bode well for any game.

Greyhawk4x4

Originally posted by Shoju

Originally posted by eagle4x4

II am hopeful for the future of the game, however, I felt the same way about SWG and The Matrix Online at one point as well. I hope that I don't get burned again by SOE.

Get the burn cream out.

No development or updates for over a year now doesn't bode well for any game.

The only hope that I can cling onto is the possibility of Sony making it FTP ala EQ2. I can tolerate the whole "Smed Bucks" cash shop thing if it keeps the game around and brings in new players.

**crosses fingers**

Mardy

Originally posted by eagle4x4

The only hope that I can cling onto is the possibility of Sony making it FTP ala EQ2. I can tolerate the whole "Smed Bucks" cash shop thing if it keeps the game around and brings in new players.

**crosses fingers**

You got to think like Smed.  He's the one that won't fork over the money to upgrade EQ1's character models.  The last char model upgrade the game received was back in 2001.  Now this is EQ1 we're talking about, the game that made SOE the company they are today.  The game that still has 14 servers, with each server being more populated than the single Vanguard server at each given time.  EQ1 is also the game that SOE has been milking for years, with tons of cash shop items added to it. 

 

Now if Smed won't fork over the money to upgrade EQ1 character models, do you think Smed will fork over the development money, manpower, and resources necessary to upgrade Vanguard to "EQ2 F2P" model?  In order to go EQ2 F2P model, they'd have to revamp how the game works.  They'd have to add cash shop items, they'd need to add content to the game for people to buy, they'd need to revamp pricing models just to make it fit.  That's a lot of money & time to spend upfront for a game with 1US server that has less population than EQ1's servers.

 

So chew on that for a sec, you gotta get in the mind of Smed.  And chances are, he's not on your side.  All indications show SOE won't be doing anything further with Vanguard, otherwise they would've said so or done so by now.  It's now going to be 1+ year since Vanguard has received even a small patch.  Jansan, Vanguard's only crafting dev, is now on the EQ1 team.  Silius, Vanguard's only lead developer/producer was just working on EQ1's House of Thule expansion, and now I'm sure he's working on either EQ2's expansion or Everquest Next.  There really is nobody left to work on Vanguard, SOE isn't shy about it.  Just that for some strange reasons players have been holding onto some imaginary hope, even to the point of posting a fake buzz thread that says "Is it true, that VG will be getting developers?" on the VG official forum.  That's just desperation when the playerbase has to make something up just to get hopes up.

 

You said you don't want to be burned by SOE again since SWG NGE?  Well then why are you playing this game?  You're asking to be burned.  Just imo.  Personally I think the leftover VG playerbase should make a statement to SOE and just stop paying for Vanguard.  It's the only way Smed will notice the outcry from the playerbase.  Otherwise you're just fighting an uphill battle with a bleeding playerbase.  As long as you are paying for Vanguard, Smed has an excuse to not do anything because he'll say "hey look, they're paying and playing, there's nothing wrong with it".

Greyhawk4x4

Originally posted by Mardy

Originally posted by eagle4x4

The only hope that I can cling onto is the possibility of Sony making it FTP ala EQ2. I can tolerate the whole "Smed Bucks" cash shop thing if it keeps the game around and brings in new players.

**crosses fingers**

You got to think like Smed.  He's the one that won't fork over the money to upgrade EQ1's character models.  The last char model upgrade the game received was back in 2001.  Now this is EQ1 we're talking about, the game that made SOE the company they are today.  The game that still has 14 servers, with each server being more populated than the single Vanguard server at each given time.  EQ1 is also the game that SOE has been milking for years, with tons of cash shop items added to it. 

 

Now if Smed won't fork over the money to upgrade EQ1 character models, do you think Smed will fork over the development money, manpower, and resources necessary to upgrade Vanguard to "EQ2 F2P" model?  In order to go EQ2 F2P model, they'd have to revamp how the game works.  They'd have to add cash shop items, they'd need to add content to the game for people to buy, they'd need to revamp pricing models just to make it fit.  That's a lot of money & time to spend upfront for a game with 1US server that has less population than EQ1's servers.

 

So chew on that for a sec, you gotta get in the mind of Smed.  And chances are, he's not on your side.  All indications show SOE won't be doing anything further with Vanguard, otherwise they would've said so or done so by now.  It's now going to be 1+ year since Vanguard has received even a small patch.  Jansan, Vanguard's only crafting dev, is now on the EQ1 team.  Silius, Vanguard's only lead developer/producer was just working on EQ1's House of Thule expansion, and now I'm sure he's working on either EQ2's expansion or Everquest Next.  There really is nobody left to work on Vanguard, SOE isn't shy about it.  Just that for some strange reasons players have been holding onto some imaginary hope, even to the point of posting a fake buzz thread that says "Is it true, that VG will be getting developers?" on the VG official forum.  That's just desperation when the playerbase has to make something up just to get hopes up.

 

You said you don't want to be burned by SOE again since SWG NGE?  Well then why are you playing this game?  You're asking to be burned.  Just imo.  Personally I think the leftover VG playerbase should make a statement to SOE and just stop paying for Vanguard.  It's the only way Smed will notice the outcry from the playerbase.  Otherwise you're just fighting an uphill battle with a bleeding playerbase.  As long as you are paying for Vanguard, Smed has an excuse to not do anything because he'll say "hey look, they're paying and playing, there's nothing wrong with it".

I know you are right, but still.........

LOL

Shadanwolf

I read all of this discorse about..."the game has no developer support" to move the game forward.And my answer is....at the rate I'm xp-ing and crafting with all my characters and crafters...and my house building project and my boat building project......I could be in VG for a very long time and still not reach max level  55.Actually the longer it takes...the better.So.....your concerns about the game continuing to evolve......doesn't mean a thing to me.In 2-3 years I'll think about what to do.Until then...I'm having fun with a fantastic community and a great guild.This not a game ...like so many...that you can expect to blow through content.Ain't going to happen .For the current player base...many feel that's a good thing.

centkin

One thing has been happening later that never seemed to happen to MMOs

Games with small but non-zero populations are closing.

In the past games used to hobble along and not close -- it is actually kind of odd to me.

At any rate -- I think when everquest next goes into alpha testing they will close vanguard.  I also think there will be a lot of aspects of vanguard that will be included in everquest next.

My guess is EQN will be an EQ1/Vanguard hybrid in an EQ1 world with modern amenities and modern graphics and a few surprises thrown in.  It wont be enough to overthrow WoW although it may draw some players from WoW/Rift/Star wars when it comes out.

Thing is it will have enough features that are in vanguard to influence SOE to close the door on the game.  They have too many going anyway.

EQ1 might even go away sometime after EQNs release.  This assumes a lot of EQ1 players migrate as EQN will definitely be more an EQ1 sequal than EQ2 ever was.

DIR3W0LF

It's a shame really

I never really 'played' Vanguard all the way. I started a character and had a TON of fun with it but due to some real life issues i was forced to go to a single subscription. My brother was a WoW addict so we chose for that.

Right now i lack the funds to subscribe to any mmo, if I had the money i'd definitely go for this one while it still lasts.

Xthos

If they would sell this game to someone willing to put time and money into it, me and my wife would come back very quickly (would like a rebirth of the pvp server).

 

If they would do this, I think the game could be revived...I don't know if its true or not, but I have heard people have approached them about this and they would not entertain the idea.

japo

I actually love Vanguard....my favorite MMORPG ever....but I will not pay $15 a month to support DCOU, Free Realms, EQ2, and the development of The Agency. 

Really....the money apparently isn't going to Vanguard since nothing has happened in that game in about 2 years.  It's obvious, to me at least, that the sub money is used for those other games.

 

Azzataky

I tried only trial and it coutgh me as hell. Just when I saw classes, races and diplomacy or crafting? Omg I like it, realy. But almost noone plays the game and also as someone said.. nothing is happening with that game which is sad.. Most developers thinks like that: Hey my game is not making money lets shut it down - Tabula Rasa and Auto Assault - two almost most original MMOs which were out there are ended.. wtf? They just need to try harder thats all, but they want fast money and now. Screw em!

helthros

This game could have been great. I played it for about a year. I absolutely loved my rogue, he was a lot of fun. The game has some of the best classes I've seen.

hcoelho

Just bought the game from steam, i'm having a blast ! this game is fucking awsome !  The World is HUGE, full of npcs, contructions (where you can open doors and such) , the crafting is pretty good, much better then the mainstream ones. Its a shame this game is almost dead... with more players it would be one of the best !

i'm looking for a guild... if there's any and you know about it, tell me.

 

fodell54

One of my favorite MMO's ever. I just wish it had more support.

terroni

Really good game with one foot in the grave. Not sure the point of playing a game that isn't going anywhere.

Baiame

Originally posted by kuhronusu

Just bought the game from steam, i'm having a blast ! this game is fucking awsome !  The World is HUGE, full of npcs, contructions (where you can open doors and such) , the crafting is pretty good, much better then the mainstream ones. Its a shame this game is almost dead... with more players it would be one of the best !

i'm looking for a guild... if there's any and you know about it, tell me.

 

There are a few solid guilds in VG who are recruiting.  Click on the social button and go the guilds tab to have a look.  Just start asking around in game for an active guild.  Have fun!

Adamantine

Meh.

The last change to Vanguard happened a year ago.

My guild left 1.5 years ago.

In the months afterwards, the game was very, very, very empty.

Plus I'm european. Does Halgar even still exist ?

Gardavil2

I am a "glass 3/4 empty" kind of guy about MMOs nowadays, I admit that freely.

However...

If there was one MMO I would love to subscribe to it's Vanguard. It is by far the MMO I long to play the most, it has the features and design I appreciate.

Now don't get me wrong... I am still in a Hate/Hate relationship with SOE.... but dangblastitall Vanguard is too good to pass up just because SOE owns it.

So yes, this IS the best game I am not playing.

($250 of new prescriptions per month has ended my MMO hobby for now, hurry up Income Tax Refund Check)

nethervoid

This game is very, very good. So many great things about it. The group play. Fun healer classes. Awesome dungeons. Crafting was one of the best.

Too bad they let it die.

therain93

Originally posted by japo

I actually love Vanguard....my favorite MMORPG ever....but I will not pay $15 a month to support DCOU, Free Realms, EQ2, and the development of The Agency. 

Really....the money apparently isn't going to Vanguard since nothing has happened in that game in about 2 years.  It's obvious, to me at least, that the sub money is used for those other games.

 

 Sadly, this is the truth.

Greyhawk4x4

I am glad to see that there are still other folks out there that agree with me about this game.  I re-subbed my Station Access so that I can enjoy EQ2 and Vanguard if they don't pull the plug on it.

RavZterz

Just started playing the game today.  Doesn't seem that bad but I'm having some issues with stuttering and the works.  Pretty clear the game doesn't have much of a future in terms of delevlopment but I intend to enjoy the open world

jaxsundane

Originally posted by eagle4x4

I am a gaming veteran of over 30 years.

I started playing in the "MMO" genre with the original Neverwinter Nights on AOL back in the early 90's. I have tried more MMO's than I can remember.

I tried Vanguard at launch and quit because of the bugs and horid state of the game at that time like everyone else.

I am here to tell you that Vanguard is excellent now.....period. I am enjoying the 3 "spheres"  of adavancement as well as the stunning graphics now that the glitches and lag problems seem to be a distant memory.

All in all I am comfortable in saying that Vaguard in its current state is probably the best PVE MMO available today.

I am hopeful for the future of the game, however, I felt the same way about SWG and The Matrix Online at one point as well. I hope that I don't get burned again by SOE.

 Whoops thought this was a poll or something asking what folks thought the best game they aren't playing is.  For me don't think it could be Vanguard though.

pawmaul

I am bored so i think i will finally give this game a try. It is downloading now

grimal

If you want a better game along similar lines but with a working development staff, play Fallen Earth.  Best sandbox type MMO out right now.

Sovrath

Originally posted by pawmaul

I am bored so i think i will finally give this game a try. It is downloading now

My advice is to do two things.

Start off on the island so you can see people, do the tutorial, and you get decent gear at the end of it.

Then, start an alt in one of the race's starter zones. Good story and you get a real feel for the world.

However, know that the island is not indicative of the world. The world is rather huge whereas the island acts as a tutorial.

And by all means once you are in the world, just go exploring.