Just re-subbed after being away for quite some time. I have to say, I'm glad to be back. Leveling all three spheres and really enjoying the content. So nice to be back in a wide open world with complete freedom to go in any direction. Its a shame this game is being neglected.
I just started my free trial for the first time, already level 10, and probably am going to sub, I have no clue what everyone is talking about! I haven't experienced one glitch/bug/lag since I started. I've played TONS of mmos, wow, lotro, AoC, WAR, Aion, and Vanguard is the most different and funnest experience I've ever had in an mmo so far. The first 10 levels were awesome, and the server was surprisingly populated even from people say the games dieing. Quested with tons of people, and easy to find a group, awesome PVE, and a amazing story line. Love it.
There are few MMO's which are able to keep growing after their first year. Aside from WoW, those mmo's relied more on new features than new content in order to keep attracting new subscribers - But Vanguard is getting neither. Old subscribers are leaving and new potential subscribers see that they will eventually get bored with the game (which usually takes a few months of play first). The game will be cancelled within a year, 18 months at most. I don't think it will see 2012.
That said, i just put 5 bucks down to try it. For what it has it's at least worth a month of playing... Or so i hope. May aswell just take a little trip and see where i end up - I tried it during the later beta stages (where it was god awful), but after hearing so many good things about it recently i might aswell see where it ended up.
Though, i've bought games for 50 bucks more than one and haven't played them for more than an hour or two. I think i'll be safe with 5 bucks for Vanguard :>
I just popped on there forums today it seems they have merged all US servers and are going to merge the EU with the US aswell :S, really is a shame. I agree its an awsome game now but most of my friends have left and wont go back shame it was released so unfinished.
So how much longer do people think Vanguard has? I ask because I'm enjoying the trial and was thinking of subbing. But just reading through a bunch of forums it looks like Vanguard is on its last legs. So... worth the money and time or will it be dead by Xmas?
Difficult to say at this point. But if it was NCsoft, instead of SOE it would have long since have been closed down. As long as it pads SOE's Station Pass system, I suspect it will continue. But one never knows. Personally, while I enjoyed it, I do not see much future for it. With these games being long term commitments of time and effort, I'd rather not invest that in a game with a questionable future. YMMV.
I'll bet anyone here a $60.00 certificate at any game store that this game goes the way of MxO.
Anyone wanna take this bet?
Since every MMO has to close eventually and you've made sure not include any limit or conditions to your prophecy, you've pretty much guaranteed yourself a win. Well done!
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
The last remaining VG playerbase consist of people who never can see anything wrong with the game. They are the die-hards, the most loyal of loyal playerbase left. So when you ask the question if Vanguard will get shutdown anytime soon, of course you'll get answers like "oh it'll be around for a looong time".
Let's just look at the facts:
-The game started out in a mess, Sigil quickly went bankrupt and got bought by SOE. 200k players bought the game.
-6 months after launch the VG team got cut down by 50%. No problem, there's still hope.
-Roughly 8 months into launch, game receives its first server merges. No problem, there's still hope.
-12 months after launch, VG team got cut again, by an unknown amount of people. No problem, there's still hope.
-1 year and half into launch, the game finally receives raid UI and visible player helmets, everyone rejoice.
-Some time ago, VG playerbase says "the population is on the rise! vanguard is reborn!".
-Some time ago, Sartok, the last remaining Vanguard PvP server, had roughly 50-60 players on during prime time hours. But the Sartok players still said, no, the server is fine, the game is fine, don't touch Sartok.
-Some time ago, VG playerbase says "the population is on the rise! everything is fixed, join the game!"
Fast forward to recent months...
-All servers got merged into 1, no more PvP server. Soon the euro server will get merged as well, which would create huge lag issues to all foreign players.
-The remaining handful of devs just got cut by at least 2 staff members, 1 was raijinn well known on the VG forums, the other unknown.
-SOE publically announced it has pulled Vanguard from all discussion panels at the SOE Fan Faire. Vanguard will not be mentioned, not showcased, not discussed, and the person that was going to run VG live quest (raijinn) is gone. Remember this is SOE Fan Faire, not E3 or anything that costs SOE extra money to buy a booth.
-So far, the devs have been quiet, with no news, nothing about what's upcoming, nothing about how they will fix the issues from the server merge, etc..
So, you be the judge, is Vanguard on its last leg? Personally, I think so. Now just to show you I'm not biased, I'm going to suggest you to play the game if you find it fun & interesting. I mean why not, the average longevity of a MMO these days is just a few months for players anyway before they move on to something else. But if you do subscribe, you at least do so knowing the facts about the game. No it's not in a good shape, no you won't expect much content releases let alone fixes to existing issues. No the population isn't on the rise and there really isn't anything worth mentioning about what's coming next. Anybody that tells you otherwise are just day dreaming. Nobody knows when VG will get shutdown. Before Matrix Online was shutdown, I would've probably said SOE wouldn't do it. But since MxO did get shutdown, I do fear VG will have the same fate sooner or later.
Hope that helps, have fun
This post sums it up nicely.
With SOE you'll never know, it might be just that they keep VG around the coming time just for station pass filling.
So to OP I would like to say :
If you find current VG to be fun, play it. But if you feel like waiting for better times then you are wasting your money.
I played for a couple months , I was a member of a fast growing guild called After hours, is that guild still around? we seemed to have over 300 members but every time I logged in there was no more then 20 -25 at a time. Now with the server merge are theere more players around? It is a good game although I think leveling takes a bit to long , but the 3 spheres are engrossing
After Hours guild is doing well, in World of Warcraft, google them!
The End of this sorry game can't come soon enough, I despised EQ1 and everything Brad half did in the game. It caught up with him in this game thats for sure.
I can't find the link but someone talked to Smedley at Fan Faire, and he said while development is pretty much at a halt; the game should continue for at least a couple of years.
The last remaining VG playerbase consist of people who never can see anything wrong with the game. They are the die-hards, the most loyal of loyal playerbase left. So when you ask the question if Vanguard will get shutdown anytime soon, of course you'll get answers like "oh it'll be around for a looong time".
Let's just look at the facts:
-The game started out in a mess, Sigil quickly went bankrupt and got bought by SOE. 200k players bought the game.
-6 months after launch the VG team got cut down by 50%. No problem, there's still hope.
-Roughly 8 months into launch, game receives its first server merges. No problem, there's still hope.
-12 months after launch, VG team got cut again, by an unknown amount of people. No problem, there's still hope.
-1 year and half into launch, the game finally receives raid UI and visible player helmets, everyone rejoice.
-Some time ago, VG playerbase says "the population is on the rise! vanguard is reborn!".
-Some time ago, Sartok, the last remaining Vanguard PvP server, had roughly 50-60 players on during prime time hours. But the Sartok players still said, no, the server is fine, the game is fine, don't touch Sartok.
-Some time ago, VG playerbase says "the population is on the rise! everything is fixed, join the game!"
Fast forward to recent months...
-All servers got merged into 1, no more PvP server. Soon the euro server will get merged as well, which would create huge lag issues to all foreign players.
-The remaining handful of devs just got cut by at least 2 staff members, 1 was raijinn well known on the VG forums, the other unknown.
-SOE publically announced it has pulled Vanguard from all discussion panels at the SOE Fan Faire. Vanguard will not be mentioned, not showcased, not discussed, and the person that was going to run VG live quest (raijinn) is gone. Remember this is SOE Fan Faire, not E3 or anything that costs SOE extra money to buy a booth.
-So far, the devs have been quiet, with no news, nothing about what's upcoming, nothing about how they will fix the issues from the server merge, etc..
So, you be the judge, is Vanguard on its last leg? Personally, I think so. Now just to show you I'm not biased, I'm going to suggest you to play the game if you find it fun & interesting. I mean why not, the average longevity of a MMO these days is just a few months for players anyway before they move on to something else. But if you do subscribe, you at least do so knowing the facts about the game. No it's not in a good shape, no you won't expect much content releases let alone fixes to existing issues. No the population isn't on the rise and there really isn't anything worth mentioning about what's coming next. Anybody that tells you otherwise are just day dreaming. Nobody knows when VG will get shutdown. Before Matrix Online was shutdown, I would've probably said SOE wouldn't do it. But since MxO did get shutdown, I do fear VG will have the same fate sooner or later.
Hope that helps, have fun
Lags been gone for about a week now. I haven't had any problems at all lately. Plays smooth as butter.
I can't find the link but someone talked to Smedley at Fan Faire, and he said while development is pretty much at a halt; the game should continue for at least a couple of years.
Good old Smed... You do know that this translates to the game will likely close down around the first of the year? Smed isn't exactly a source many of us would consider reliable, or crediable...
Its too bad things turned out the way they did. Vanguard could have been a great game, if it had been released in even a semi finished form. But the bad launch, coupled with all of the foot dragging has pretty much killed it for most people. I'm not even sure that a major marketing push would be enough to get people to try again.
People that played on Sartok didn't want the server messed with, because to do so, would mean no more PVP....Thats pretty much the reason they put up with the population numbers.
The population plummeted, because they came out and said that with the reduced staff that they were going to focus on PVE first, and get it working prefect, before they would address PVP...which meant, they were never going to work on PVP, and what made PVE work good, broke PVP.
If I had started on a PVE server, I may still be playing, but lost intrest when they can't be bothered to fund it. The game has come a long way, plays much better, and the PVE is actually very good... IF they would put money into the game, they could easily have a top 5 game imo.
It' s not the end of Vanguard. If you play the game and connect to Telon you can see a lot of players everywhere.Channel is really active.
As I m starting a new sub and a new char, i am ftm in Ksaravi Gulch (levl 15/20): plenty of players in this area, really nice, you can see groups of players attacking rats from the sky with their wyverns (riding wyverns) So impressive and beautiful. It's the 1st time i can say I have really fun with VG. It's easy to group.
Groups of players in the sky riding wyverns is the most beautiful thing i saw in a mmorpg.
It' s not the end of Vanguard. If you play the game and connect to Telon you can see a lot of players everywhere.Channel is really active.
As I m starting a new sub and a new char, i am ftm in Ksaravi Gulch (levl 15/20): plenty of players in this area, really nice, you can see groups of players attacking rats from the sky with their wyverns (riding wyverns) So impressive and beautiful. It's the 1st time i can say I have really fun with VG. It's easy to group.
Groups of players in the sky riding wyverns is the most beautiful thing i saw in a mmorpg.
Very nice. Really great. )
That is simply not true. I have been playing since launch and am pained to see this slow death of VG. I recently started a new character and Kasvari Gulch had to be spooled up <meaning no players in zone for a period of time>
You can use /who all count 1 30 and 31 54 to get all players levels 1 to 54 then you can count the 55s with /who all count 55 healer etc to get the number of 55s. Since the merge telon has around 500 to 600 players online during prime time.
It' s not the end of Vanguard. If you play the game and connect to Telon you can see a lot of players everywhere.Channel is really active.
As I m starting a new sub and a new char, i am ftm in Ksaravi Gulch (levl 15/20): plenty of players in this area, really nice, you can see groups of players attacking rats from the sky with their wyverns (riding wyverns) So impressive and beautiful. It's the 1st time i can say I have really fun with VG. It's easy to group.
Groups of players in the sky riding wyverns is the most beautiful thing i saw in a mmorpg.
Very nice. Really great. )
That is simply not true. I have been playing since launch and am pained to see this slow death of VG. I recently started a new character and Kasvari Gulch had to be spooled up
Not true ? I was in this area 2 days ago and saw many players. Everyone has to wait for repop. + I stopped playing Vg 10 mn ago and chan was VERY Active . Stop trolling please. I was in the game 10 MN Ago. OK ? Telon is ok. Halgar is dead and ALWAYS be a dead server. I'm not saying VG is full of players as Wow ,i'm saying it's playable thx to the merge and playable on the last us server. Chan is actually ACTIVE and very active. Ancient players coming back (as they explain on the channel).
See you in 15 min in Caverns (next Dailuk). I'll be in the cavern, you 'll find me.. If you have an account...
Not true ? I was in this area 2 days ago and saw many players.
I stopped playing Vg 10 mn ago and chan was VERY Active
Stop trolling please. I was in a game 10 MN Ago. OK ?
Telon is ok. Halgar is dead and ALWAYS be a dead server. I'm not saying VG is full of players as Wow ,i'm saying it's playable thx to the merge and playable on the last us server.
On TELON ten minutes ago
And FYI as of this post - 275 online
26 levels 15 to 20 inclusive
0 in Ksavari Gulch
Listen I understand what you are trying to get people to try the game. In doing so you can be truthful.
"The truth is that the remaining developers are shared with other games (EQ2, EQ Next etc…) and they allocate time for them to work on Vanguard as the schedule permits."
Not true ? I was in this area 2 days ago and saw many players.
I stopped playing Vg 10 mn ago and chan was VERY Active
Stop trolling please. I was in a game 10 MN Ago. OK ?
Telon is ok. Halgar is dead and ALWAYS be a dead server. I'm not saying VG is full of players as Wow ,i'm saying it's playable thx to the merge and playable on the last us server.
On TELON ten minutes ago
And FYI as of this post - 275 online
26 levels 15 to 20 inclusive
0 in Ksavari Gulch
Listen I understand what you are trying to get people to try the game. In doing so you can be truthful.
"The truth is that the remaining developers are shared with other games (EQ2, EQ Next etc…) and they allocate time for them to work on Vanguard as the schedule permits."
New players don't need new content. It is the level 50+ that need it,so after a couple years they can start bitch about it,like we other do. Tho SoE sucks,worst game company ever. I would like to see them lose all their money...just because they didn't invest more in Vanguard.
Fed1 I was in Qualia . Not in forums bashing VG. I saw what I saw, many players attacking rats from the sky and it was
beautiful. Trust me or not I DON'T CARE. If you prefer , you can wait for SWTOR with this ridiculous rail shooter. VG is alive, server is ok, I can play Vg, I don't care if the game dies in 2 years, i 'll be on World of Darkness. (and maybe on EQ3 ) FTM I can play VG and Imo it's one of the best mmos in the market.
Who cares about SOE ? They are not evil, they do exactly the same things than the other cies. Blizzard: nothing new in the gameplay for years, only bashing for stuff, you can have Wow applis on IPhone (omg), they make money with a basic stuff game. NCSOFT: AA, TR closed. Turbine: now, F2P with a CS. Cryptic ? only heavily and paste copy mmos. Bioware ? Doing a low interest mmo (railshooter, basic craft etc)
it's only a game. Not the love of my life. i'm a player, not a fan/hate boy. I have fun = I pay. I think a game is unplayable or boring ? I cancel my account. No more no less. FTM VG on Telon is playable, if's enough. And nobody can imagine we'll have an extension one of these days. Of course. I never said VG has millions of subs, i described what i saw. 2 days ago.
Originally posted by atticusbc So how much longer do people think Vanguard has? I ask because I'm enjoying the trial and was thinking of subbing. But just reading through a bunch of forums it looks like Vanguard is on its last legs. So... worth the money and time or will it be dead by Xmas?
Does it really matter when it might die if you enjoy the game? Even if it closes by Xmas, you can at least say you had fun in one of the best PvE MMOs to date. Play the games you enjoy. That's all that matters.
Current: None Played: WoW, CoX, SWG, LotRO, EVE, AoC, VG, CO, Ryzom, DF, WAR Tried: Lineage2, Dofus, EQ2, CoS, FE, UO, Wurm, Wakfu Future: The Repopulation, ArcheAge, Black Desert, EQN
Comments
Just re-subbed after being away for quite some time. I have to say, I'm glad to be back. Leveling all three spheres and really enjoying the content. So nice to be back in a wide open world with complete freedom to go in any direction. Its a shame this game is being neglected.
I just started my free trial for the first time, already level 10, and probably am going to sub, I have no clue what everyone is talking about! I haven't experienced one glitch/bug/lag since I started. I've played TONS of mmos, wow, lotro, AoC, WAR, Aion, and Vanguard is the most different and funnest experience I've ever had in an mmo so far. The first 10 levels were awesome, and the server was surprisingly populated even from people say the games dieing. Quested with tons of people, and easy to find a group, awesome PVE, and a amazing story line. Love it.
There are few MMO's which are able to keep growing after their first year. Aside from WoW, those mmo's relied more on new features than new content in order to keep attracting new subscribers - But Vanguard is getting neither. Old subscribers are leaving and new potential subscribers see that they will eventually get bored with the game (which usually takes a few months of play first). The game will be cancelled within a year, 18 months at most. I don't think it will see 2012.
That said, i just put 5 bucks down to try it. For what it has it's at least worth a month of playing... Or so i hope. May aswell just take a little trip and see where i end up - I tried it during the later beta stages (where it was god awful), but after hearing so many good things about it recently i might aswell see where it ended up.
Though, i've bought games for 50 bucks more than one and haven't played them for more than an hour or two. I think i'll be safe with 5 bucks for Vanguard :>
Playing: WF
Played: WoW, GW2, L2, WAR, AoC, DnL (2005), GW, LotRO, EQ2, TOR, CoH (RIP), STO, TSW, TERA, EVE, ESO, BDO
Tried: EQ, UO, AO, EnB, TCoS, Fury, Ryzom, EU, DDO, TR, RF, CO, Aion, VG, DN, Vindictus, AA
I've been re-subbed for a month now, and having a blast even with the lag (which was just fixed). Not here to White Knight
Vanguard but the game feels awesome and alive. The economoy is picking up which is making crafting even more
fun. So no, it is def not the end. Ive been doing my T4 Crafting quests which brings me to the most remote back woods places
in the game and I am actually seeing ppl there as well. Its a damn good game, nuff said. On another note, sometimes I do
wonder if SOE has some master plan to kill it.. Such potential imo.
I just popped on there forums today it seems they have merged all US servers and are going to merge the EU with the US aswell :S, really is a shame. I agree its an awsome game now but most of my friends have left and wont go back
shame it was released so unfinished.
Difficult to say at this point. But if it was NCsoft, instead of SOE it would have long since have been closed down. As long as it pads SOE's Station Pass system, I suspect it will continue. But one never knows. Personally, while I enjoyed it, I do not see much future for it. With these games being long term commitments of time and effort, I'd rather not invest that in a game with a questionable future. YMMV.
Since every MMO has to close eventually and you've made sure not include any limit or conditions to your prophecy, you've pretty much guaranteed yourself a win. Well done!
There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
"Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre
This post sums it up nicely.
With SOE you'll never know, it might be just that they keep VG around the coming time just for station pass filling.
So to OP I would like to say :
If you find current VG to be fun, play it. But if you feel like waiting for better times then you are wasting your money.
I played for a couple months , I was a member of a fast growing guild called After hours, is that guild still around? we seemed to have over 300 members but every time I logged in there was no more then 20 -25 at a time. Now with the server merge are theere more players around? It is a good game although I think leveling takes a bit to long , but the 3 spheres are engrossing
After Hours guild is doing well, in World of Warcraft, google them!
The End of this sorry game can't come soon enough, I despised EQ1 and everything Brad half did in the game. It caught up with him in this game thats for sure.
I can't find the link but someone talked to Smedley at Fan Faire, and he said while development is pretty much at a halt; the game should continue for at least a couple of years.
Lags been gone for about a week now. I haven't had any problems at all lately. Plays smooth as butter.
Good old Smed... You do know that this translates to the game will likely close down around the first of the year? Smed isn't exactly a source many of us would consider reliable, or crediable...
Its too bad things turned out the way they did. Vanguard could have been a great game, if it had been released in even a semi finished form. But the bad launch, coupled with all of the foot dragging has pretty much killed it for most people. I'm not even sure that a major marketing push would be enough to get people to try again.
The End I'm not sure. I did the trial on Telon (Halgar is a dead server) and i saw players everywhere. So I took a sub. This game is really great.
People that played on Sartok didn't want the server messed with, because to do so, would mean no more PVP....Thats pretty much the reason they put up with the population numbers.
The population plummeted, because they came out and said that with the reduced staff that they were going to focus on PVE first, and get it working prefect, before they would address PVP...which meant, they were never going to work on PVP, and what made PVE work good, broke PVP.
If I had started on a PVE server, I may still be playing, but lost intrest when they can't be bothered to fund it. The game has come a long way, plays much better, and the PVE is actually very good... IF they would put money into the game, they could easily have a top 5 game imo.
It' s not the end of Vanguard. If you play the game and connect to Telon you can see a lot of players everywhere.Channel is really active.
As I m starting a new sub and a new char, i am ftm in Ksaravi Gulch (levl 15/20): plenty of players in this area, really nice, you can see groups of players attacking rats from the sky with their wyverns (riding wyverns) So impressive and beautiful. It's the 1st time i can say I have really fun with VG. It's easy to group.
Groups of players in the sky riding wyverns is the most beautiful thing i saw in a mmorpg.
Very nice. Really great.
)
That is simply not true. I have been playing since launch and am pained to see this slow death of VG. I recently started a new character and Kasvari Gulch had to be spooled up <meaning no players in zone for a period of time>
You can use /who all count 1 30 and 31 54 to get all players levels 1 to 54 then you can count the 55s with /who all count 55 healer etc to get the number of 55s. Since the merge telon has around 500 to 600 players online during prime time.
And FYI as of this post - 275 online
26 levels 15 to 20 inclusive
0 in Ksavari Gulch
Not true ? I was in this area 2 days ago and saw many players. Everyone has to wait for repop. + I stopped playing Vg 10 mn ago and chan was VERY Active . Stop trolling please. I was in the game 10 MN Ago. OK ? Telon is ok. Halgar is dead and ALWAYS be a dead server. I'm not saying VG is full of players as Wow ,i'm saying it's playable thx to the merge and playable on the last us server. Chan is actually ACTIVE and very active. Ancient players coming back (as they explain on the channel).
See you in 15 min in Caverns (next Dailuk). I'll be in the cavern, you 'll find me.. If you have an account...
On TELON ten minutes ago
And FYI as of this post - 275 online
26 levels 15 to 20 inclusive
0 in Ksavari Gulch
Listen I understand what you are trying to get people to try the game. In doing so you can be truthful.
"The truth is that the remaining developers are shared with other games (EQ2, EQ Next etc…) and they allocate time for them to work on Vanguard as the schedule permits."
Source http://www.completeheal.com/
Why not of made Vanguard the f2p game and left eq alone.
New players don't need new content. It is the level 50+ that need it,so after a couple years they can start bitch about it,like we other do. Tho SoE sucks,worst game company ever. I would like to see them lose all their money...just because they didn't invest more in Vanguard.
Fed1 I was in Qualia . Not in forums bashing VG. I saw what I saw, many players attacking rats from the sky and it was
beautiful. Trust me or not I DON'T CARE. If you prefer , you can wait for SWTOR with this ridiculous rail shooter. VG is alive, server is ok, I can play Vg, I don't care if the game dies in 2 years, i 'll be on World of Darkness. (and maybe on EQ3 ) FTM I can play VG and Imo it's one of the best mmos in the market.
Who cares about SOE ? They are not evil, they do exactly the same things than the other cies. Blizzard: nothing new in the gameplay for years, only bashing for stuff, you can have Wow applis on IPhone (omg), they make money with a basic stuff game. NCSOFT: AA, TR closed. Turbine: now, F2P with a CS. Cryptic ? only heavily and paste copy mmos. Bioware ? Doing a low interest mmo (railshooter, basic craft etc)
it's only a game. Not the love of my life. i'm a player, not a fan/hate boy. I have fun = I pay. I think a game is unplayable or boring ? I cancel my account. No more no less. FTM VG on Telon is playable, if's enough. And nobody can imagine we'll have an extension one of these days. Of course. I never said VG has millions of subs, i described what i saw. 2 days ago.
Does it really matter when it might die if you enjoy the game? Even if it closes by Xmas, you can at least say you had fun in one of the best PvE MMOs to date. Play the games you enjoy. That's all that matters.
Current: None
Played: WoW, CoX, SWG, LotRO, EVE, AoC, VG, CO, Ryzom, DF, WAR
Tried: Lineage2, Dofus, EQ2, CoS, FE, UO, Wurm, Wakfu
Future: The Repopulation, ArcheAge, Black Desert, EQN
Reading comprehension not your strong suit I see.
1. When did I bash the game?
2. I sent you a tell - I t was easy as you were the only person in the Dailuk zone level 15 to 20
3. Please do a /who all count and post your numbers if mine are wrong.