Vanguard and it's population issue...

bluemagi · May 2010

Okay folks, this is not to start a flame war but a serious question; but why is it that population RAVE about how wonderful the game is now but always complaining about the low population. I feel like it's the smart, nice, pretty kid in the playground but all the kids refuse to play with her/him because no one else is. If everyone who has raved about Vanguard's recent changes join the darn game, wouldn't then the population rise up again? I'm personally going to re-sub once I'm done with searching for a new job (cause you all know how hardcore gamers tend to get obsessed with good games) to explore this game again.

Maybe if we all subbed, we can show game companies that mmorpgers have a voice and we damn well know how to use it.

Just my two cents. Sorry again, not inciting any flame war but this really just boggles me.

somonekilwow · May 2010

Honestly, the population isn't that bad at all during primetime. It's just the world is really freaking huge.

bluemagi · May 2010

Even on the PVP server?

somonekilwow · May 2010

lol, that's a different story, seradon and xeth however are no bigger then a mid sized wow server.

bluemagi · May 2010

Ahhhh lol. I wish everyone would join the pvp servers

Maliv · May 2010

After reading the Vanguard: Returning to Vanguard story today, my wife and I are re-subbing to the game. It's downloading and updating as I type this.

Vanguard has always held a special place in our hearts because it's the only game we've played in the past 3-4 years that has truly grabbed us and given both of us that "I'm now leaving my living room and the frustrations of today...headed to the WORLD of Telon for awhile" feeling.

We miss that...and nothing else on the market has been able to provide that feeling. We've been on and off players for a long time now, but there is still so much of the world and content we haven't seen. So, we're two more people to add to the population. We have an advantage because we always play together, but we love hanging out with others and getting to know people. Some of the best people I've met while gaming I met while playing Vanguard.

The community is number one, bar none. It's the most helpful, mature, sensible community I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing and I'm extremely excited to log back in, pick a race and class I've never done, and start exploring the world once again!

Sovrath · May 2010

Originally posted by Maliv
After reading the Vanguard: Returning to Vanguard story today, my wife and I are re-subbing to the game. It's downloading and updating as I type this.

Vanguard has always held a special place in our hearts because it's the only game we've played in the past 3-4 years that has truly grabbed us and given both of us that "I'm now leaving my living room and the frustrations of today...headed to the WORLD of Telon for awhile" feeling.

We miss that...and nothing else on the market has been able to provide that feeling. We've been on and off players for a long time now, but there is still so much of the world and content we haven't seen. So, we're two more people to add to the population. We have an advantage because we always play together, but we love hanging out with others and getting to know people. Some of the best people I've met while gaming I met while playing Vanguard.

The community is number one, bar none. It's the most helpful, mature, sensible community I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing and I'm extremely excited to log back in, pick a race and class I've never done, and start exploring the world once again!

yessss, do eeeeet!

raystantz · May 2010

Also after reading the returning to vanguard article. I showed a friend who is currently playing EQ2.. and we simultaneously put our discs into the disc drive. I knocked the dust off my collectors edition box! I wish there was a way to rally more players. This is one of those games that has always stuck with me.. one day hoping people would play it.

crunchyblack · May 2010

I have some questions. Mostly in comparison to EQ2.

So the population is sparse on the pvp server....how is the pvp?

Is this game, more or less, a more complex EQ2 with less players?

How does it run? CPU heavy and laggy like EQ2 or does this game make great use of your graphics card?

Race/class setup... i didnt find much info on their site about the diffrent classes and races. I tend to prefer the glass cannon mage class. What are my options and how do the mage classes hash out in game?

How is it for a new player? Lots of alone time untill endgame (what the hell is there to do at endgame btw?) Is the community new player tolerant? Is the games population (for lack of a better term) set in stone? for example little to no random chatting or going out of your way to recruit a new player into a guild (not random invites with no dialoge ect).

I kind of just started EQ2, i seem to be bouncing around servers and classes unable to find something that feels right. I prefer playing in a ffa pvp world, just for the thrill of having to watch my back. EQ2 is horrible, from what ive seen in the ffa pvp department, its very difficult for me to say this. Still i cant take the boring life of a pve server.

That being said, i would be interesting in trying the vanguard pvp server out, however if im going to get the same experience, pvp and pve, as i am in EQ2, ill just continue with that.

Perhaps some links to some game resources will do.

jezvin · May 2010

Right now im giving it chance #2 of the tiral.

I started a character and was very underwhelmed the first time(yesterday) but my attention wasn't that focused on the game maybe it will go better this time.

raystantz · May 2010

Originally posted by crunchyblack
I have some questions. Mostly in comparison to EQ2.

So the population is sparse on the pvp server....how is the pvp?

Is this game, more or less, a more complex EQ2 with less players?

How does it run? CPU heavy and laggy like EQ2 or does this game make great use of your graphics card?

Race/class setup... i didnt find much info on their site about the diffrent classes and races. I tend to prefer the glass cannon mage class. What are my options and how do the mage classes hash out in game?

How is it for a new player? Lots of alone time untill endgame (what the hell is there to do at endgame btw?) Is the community new player tolerant? Is the games population (for lack of a better term) set in stone? for example little to no random chatting or going out of your way to recruit a new player into a guild (not random invites with no dialoge ect).

I kind of just started EQ2, i seem to be bouncing around servers and classes unable to find something that feels right. I prefer playing in a ffa pvp world, just for the thrill of having to watch my back. EQ2 is horrible, from what ive seen in the ffa pvp department, its very difficult for me to say this. Still i cant take the boring life of a pve server.

That being said, i would be interesting in trying the vanguard pvp server out, however if im going to get the same experience, pvp and pve, as i am in EQ2, ill just continue with that.

Perhaps some links to some game resources will do.

Vanguard nor EQ2 were designed with PVP in mind. I'm in the same boat as you, and I would look elsewhere.

Neiko · May 2010

It's a great PVE game though. I love the mixture of telling you where to go, but with minor dots and directions. Not just. It's here. Now there. It's, "Northeast of the the mark on your map" I enjoy that a lot. So I don't get extremely lost. But I'm not just spoonfed the directions.

Fulcanellius · May 2010

After Playing MMO since the NwN days, I can honestly say that Vanguard is my alltime fav. It may not kill in all areas but the areas it does do well in it dominates.

After reading the MMO article I decided to get back into it. Being a player that played from launch up until GU4 I can say that they have fixed almost all of the issues with the gameplay systems.

Content from a new player persepective is massive (maybe not for those that have been playing since launch straight threw).

Population (which isnt dead just low) and a small Dev team are my only concerns with the game, and hopefully with all these new MMO veterens coming back or trying it out hopefully some will stick around @ least until FF14 comes out.

Enjoy the World of Telon, ingame name is Geebus in Xeth server msg me for a veteren bard tour! (we run @ 350% speed and can levitate off mountains while running that fast very fun for new players)

Maliv · May 2010

Saw the Seradon server hit "High" population last night. There were probably 20-25 people in Veskal's Exchange alone. The place was full of people chattering it up and visiting. Some great people indeed!

(For those of you who aren't familiar with the game, Veskal's Exchange is a small village centrally located on Thestra. It's in a 10-14 level area and serves as a major quest and dungeon hub for the area with some awesome dungeons and group adventures. I personally haven't seen that many people there in quite some time.)

Just my observations, but, man, I'm excited!

Solude · May 2010

Originally posted by crunchyblack
Is this game, more or less, a more complex EQ2 with less players?

I don't craft or diplo so.... no VG is not more complex combat wise. It is more refined in that you have chains and reactions but less abilities, fewer cooldowns, fewer counters than EQ2. Also no AA to balance across 4 trees.

How does it run? CPU heavy and laggy like EQ2 or does this game make great use of your graphics card?

More GPU dependant but still not well threaded. EQ2 is a pig, VG is a piglet.

Race/class setup... i didnt find much info on their site about the diffrent classes and races. I tend to prefer the glass cannon mage class. What are my options and how do the mage classes hash out in game?

Classes in VG are quite different from one another, unlike EQ2. More like, WoW where you have less overall skills but they are focused and tooled for your class.

How is it for a new player? Lots of alone time untill endgame (what the hell is there to do at endgame btw?) Is the community new player tolerant? Is the games population (for lack of a better term) set in stone? for example little to no random chatting or going out of your way to recruit a new player into a guild (not random invites with no dialoge ect).

Only two NA servers and pretty active guild recruitment so getting into the chat should be easy. But expect to solo a lot. VG seems to be about the journey not the destination, kind of like CoX. Just not a game you bumb rush to 55 in.

Either way your go SOE just doesn't do PvP. WoW, WAR, AoC would be better choices for that.

Raav · May 2010

Originally posted by crunchyblack
I have some questions. Mostly in comparison to EQ2.

So the population is sparse on the pvp server....how is the pvp?

Yes, the pvp server population is lean. I'd join a guild right away and start on the Isle of Dawn.

Is this game, more or less, a more complex EQ2 with less players?

VG is more complex than EQ2 but it starts solo based and grows to grouping at lvl 18+

How does it run? CPU heavy and laggy like EQ2 or does this game make great use of your graphics card?

It really pushes your computer set up. I recommend hopping on the free trial Island of Dawn and seeing what is does for you.

Race/class setup... i didnt find much info on their site about the diffrent classes and races. I tend to prefer the glass cannon mage class. What are my options and how do the mage classes hash out in game?

Roll a Sorcerer, they are the glass canons in VG.

How is it for a new player? Lots of alone time untill endgame (what the hell is there to do at endgame btw?) Is the community new player tolerant? Is the games population (for lack of a better term) set in stone? for example little to no random chatting or going out of your way to recruit a new player into a guild (not random invites with no dialoge ect).

The VG Community is warm, mature and helpful. The past year the devs have pushed out end game content. Good stuff for raiders, groupers and soloers. They introduced EPICs and I still don't have mine. Lately we are getting a surge of new players. OOC is busy with questions and answers and humor. The world is just huge and the focus of the game is on you. You are the main character in your adventure. This differs from other MMO which have a clausterphobic feel to it and teaming with people racing about. Even if it was packed with people, it is still spaced out and a very open feel.

I kind of just started EQ2, i seem to be bouncing around servers and classes unable to find something that feels right. I prefer playing in a ffa pvp world, just for the thrill of having to watch my back. EQ2 is horrible, from what ive seen in the ffa pvp department, its very difficult for me to say this. Still i cant take the boring life of a pve server.

VG is primarily a PvE game. PvP server (Sartok) is the leanest population-wise but Piratelords guild is still thriving there and recruiting.

That being said, i would be interesting in trying the vanguard pvp server out, however if im going to get the same experience, pvp and pve, as i am in EQ2, ill just continue with that.

Play both

Perhaps some links to some game resources will do.

VGtact.com for diplomacy.

Sebali · May 2010

is tehre any PvP at all on the PvE servers?

Sovrath · May 2010

Originally posted by Maliv
Saw the Seradon server hit "High" population last night. There were probably 20-25 people in Veskal's Exchange alone. The place was full of people chattering it up and visiting. Some great people indeed!

(For those of you who aren't familiar with the game, Veskal's Exchange is a small village centrally located on Thestra. It's in a 10-14 level area and serves as a major quest and dungeon hub for the area with some awesome dungeons and group adventures. I personally haven't seen that many people there in quite some time.)

Just my observations, but, man, I'm excited!

I was finishing the levelign of an alt off the trial island and did a /who at about 11:00 or sometime after and there were 40 people. At about 3:00 am there were 37 people.

So yes, the game seemed very alive last night. I have no illusions that all these people will want to stay but it does help generate some word of mouth and maybe a player who is more like me will try it and elect to stay.

Cik_Asalin · May 2010

Originally posted by bluemagi

Maybe if we all subbed, we can show game companies that mmorpgers have a voice and we damn well know how to use it.

I like the encouragement, but aint gonna happen. SOE has let it go, and the masses have voted by not subbing. Take the best of EQ and best of Vanguard, combine them into one big non-instanced world influenced by a player-centric ecosystem with warring factions and community/city building, and they might get some attention. But for all intensive purposes, Vanguard is on life-support.

thefreaklord · May 2010

So much truth in the OP... I will join again and see how it goes.

Neiko · May 2010

Originally posted by Cik_Asalin

Originally posted by bluemagi

Maybe if we all subbed, we can show game companies that mmorpgers have a voice and we damn well know how to use it.

I like the encouragement, but aint gonna happen. SOE has let it go, and the masses have voted by not subbing. Take the best of EQ and best of Vanguard, combine them into one big non-instanced world influenced by a player-centric ecosystem with warring factions and community/city building, and they might get some attention. But for all intensive purposes, Vanguard is on life-support.

One can hope, eh?

Raav · May 2010

Originally posted by Sebali
is tehre any PvP at all on the PvE servers?

You can /dual people and there is a PvP arena.

Cieri · May 2010

After all the positive feedback to this game recently, I today found an old copy at a game store shelf and bought it. Downloading the updates as we speak. I used to love eq1 so i really hope this will be what i have been looking for, been playing mmo's for quite many years but since bc upgrade to wow haven't really found any that catches my interest in the same way it used to.

The reason I'm not playing eq1 is the shitty combat compared to other mmo's like wow.

A few things i'm wondering about, I've always liked glass cannon classes, but since i dont know of the population on lower levels in the game, how good can the sorc solo in this game? and is necro any good at late game? since that is the second class i've been wondering about.

and one more question can bards kite hordes of mobs, as they used to be able to do in eq1 with great difficulty mind :P

Sovrath · May 2010

Originally posted by Cieri
After all the positive feedback to this game recently, I today found an old copy at a game store shelf and bought it. Downloading the updates as we speak. I used to love eq1 so i really hope this will be what i have been looking for, been playing mmo's for quite many years but since bc upgrade to wow haven't really found any that catches my interest in the same way it used to.

The reason I'm not playing eq1 is the shitty combat compared to other mmo's like wow.

A few things i'm wondering about, I've always liked glass cannon classes, but since i dont know of the population on lower levels in the game, how good can the sorc solo in this game? and is necro any good at late game? since that is the second class i've been wondering about.

and one more question can bards kite hordes of mobs, as they used to be able to do in eq1 with great difficulty mind :P

I'll tell you what I know.

Sorcerers are very powerful and very glass. Last night I helped a guildy zip through the trial island so they could get to the mainland.

I used a lvl 10 sorcerer which is the highest one can be on the trial. Essentially I could kill just about everything. However, if I couldn't get my aoe's off fast enough I went down like laundry. From what I'm told they do very well against one and two dot mobs. three dot obviously harder. They could be a challenge.

The necro seems to be a neat class. The only thing I can tell you about the necro is that you can, after a certain lvl, not too high, harvest parts off of bodies and graft them to your pet (which look pretty cool in my opinion) to give it extra abilites. I think it's like armor or extra damage or whatever.

the bard is definitely a song class so I dont' know about kiting. Apparently you can some how craft your own songs. I'm not sure what this entails (or if there is any actual music, maybe a little pre composed musical blurb?) but you can some how alter bits to create your own stuff.

Hellscream07 · May 2010

I've wanted to give it a try back when it came out, but soon after the reviews started rolling, I just dropped it in the backburner. After all the coverage it has received lately, I've decided to finally download the trial and give it a try. To be honest, I found it surprisingly fun. The graphics are just beautiful, especially after you tinker with them a bit. The character customization is neat, lots of interesting races and classes. The diplomacy and crafting are both insanely fun, I found myself playing with them as much, if not more, than what I've spent adventuring. Even the quests were interesting. All in all, I think the game really deserves for people to give it a try. Maybe SOE will notice that the game they royally *bleep* up is worth more than a handful of devs.

As for the low pop, the starting zone seems quite populated on Seradon, seems people are indeed coming back to try it. So the best time to start again would be probably now.

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