I'm only speaking of my problems with the game and what i personally think would draw a new crowd in from the faults that i saw. The Noob experience is very very poor and most new people come into the game then play 20 mins and quit because it just isn't fun. so all these enhancements are purely for the first impressions people will have of the game and not for the people at end level so much.


1. Enhance the noob experience via making fun quests and showing off features that Vanguard has to offer like player housing and flying mounts + giving noobs a boat or something. All this can be done by one time quests that require you to use these items and then you lose them after. Vanguard can give you a mini tutorial in them and tell you what level you'll expect to gain them. Also they could put for effect into teaching you Crafting and diplomacy which i think a new player atm would have a hard time with.

2. Reduce the amount of races then enhance the ones left, i don't see the need for all those races of humans that look the same? I'd rather have like 8-10 really kool looking races that are all different.

3. Reduce the amount of classes cause atm it's hard to decide what you want to play and you'll run through like 10 classes and be bored of them all then quit the game. I don't see the need for 4 types of each archetype because they all really do the same thing.

4. Enhance classes.... like above large amounts of classes make them pretty bland and boring so reduce and enhance would be nice. Games like WOW may haver fewer classes but i think anyone would say they'd rather have all the kool stuff WOW classes have.

5. Fix the character models because atm they're very very ugly at the start when they don't have much armor and their bums look really saggy. Towards a later level it looks better due to the armor for some reason changing your body shape or something. Also characters look pretty lifeless and don't really have any idle animations so they stand there like a doll + they don't blink.

6. improve combat animations and spell effect cause atm they're pretty boring and just put you off combat. I'd play a monk to see the very cool fighting animations but it really doesn't have any and it's a real bummer also with say a Druid i'd want to see kool spell effects but they just don't exist you just get a dull cloud half the time.

7. Performance imperovements and do w/e it takes (don't instance it) just don't see how a game that doesn't look so good can have such bad peformance. The average joe can't afford a AMAZING pc it takes to run the game smoothly on a reasonable graphical setting. This is where Vangaurd obviously loses most of it's potential subscribers.

8. Focus on PVP alot more and reducing classes will do more than make them more fun but also help with balancing. A really kool idea WOW has is the Arena which would be very kool to have on all servers for people to go to and PVP.

9. Merge PVP and PVE servers together. This is done alot like how SWG has it where you can go overt or covert and switch between the two when you want to PVP or PVE. People complain about this but i don't see a difference cause you'll still be pvp'in with the guys who want to and have the option for a break if you want and just lay back and do some PVE without looking over your shoulder. This also brings the community together on one server.

10. Put more life and ecology into the world cause it feels real dead for some reason and lacks that feeling of being a living world like some other mmorpgs.

I have alot more but that should keep em busy for awhile lol.

I can agree with everything you stated  EXCEPT #9 I do not PVP I will not be fodder for those who do. I dont want to have to deal with PVP or PVPers.

#1. I agree fully. People should be allowed to see what they can expect from the game.
#2. Ehm... no... You don't delete races that has already made it into a game, instead they should wipe all thoughts about races that they maybe want to add in the future. However, I do agree that the races need to become abit more unique.
#3 & #4. I don't agree with this one either,  you don't delete classes that has already made it into the game. The classes are unique (IMO) however "abit" unbalanced :)
#5. I can agree that at the beginning characters are very ugly.. but I hope for God's sake that they don't pull a WoW with armors that makes you look like the f*cking Hulk (RL knight armors ftw).
#6. No comments here, the few ones I've seen was quite cool.
#7. They are fixing the performance issues atm... the few people I know that are playing the game says that it's getting better and better..
#8. No thanks, Arena is instances and instances sucks... at least when it comes to PvP. the Battlegrounds killed the World-PvP in WoW and it would probably do the same to VG.
#9. No
#10. I agree here but performance issues, content issues + lore first and THEN they could maybe look into this.

IVE GOT AN GENIUS IDEA LIKE ZOMG IT MIGHT WORK!!! FREE TRIALS!!!!  I was thinking of trying the game out, but as much bad stuff ive heard about this game I refuse to pay anything intill i see it for my self. and none of this newb island crap where its 99% better than the rest of the game like EQ2's trial is.

Originally posted by Unive

IVE GOT AN GENIUS IDEA LIKE ZOMG IT MIGHT WORK!!! FREE TRIALS!!!!  I was thinking of trying the game out, but as much bad stuff ive heard about this game I refuse to pay anything intill i see it for my self. and none of this newb island crap where its 99% better than the rest of the game like EQ2's trial is.

I also agree on giving newbies a boat, just a smally dinky one would do.  It's a REALLY unique feature I imagine I would have had to buy it if they had allowed me to use on during the beta. :X  The few times I got to ride on one, I was really amazed at how awesome it felt.  I cant imagine actually piloting one, no matter the size.  For what happened at launch I'm glad they didn't let me get in one and thusly hook me into the game, but assuming they really do fix Vanguard into a really good game I have the feeling the boats would hook a lot of people. 

Flying mounts...I can see maybe giving you one that only works on the trial isle, because I do think that might as well stay a high level thing.

There's a much smaller, and simpler answer for what SOE needs to do to get more players.

Finish the damned game.

Originally posted by foulu625

There's a much smaller, and simpler answer for what SOE needs to do to get more players.

 

Finish the damned game.

haha, finishing the game would be nice, along with fixing all of the horrible performance problems.. sure, they've made some improvements.. but it's still pretty bad.

Originally posted by Unive

and none of this newb island crap where its 99% better than the rest of the game like EQ2's trial is.

Holy crap, if that's true I'm canceling my EQ2 like, pronto. It took me 2+ weeks just to get through that horrid noob isle and into Freeport because that trial was absolutely one of the worst new MMO experiences I've ever had, and I just didn't want to login and be on that noob isle. If the rest of the game is worse than that, I'm outta there.

They need to shut this game down and redo everything and name it EQ3.  Who the hell would go back to the same car dealer after they got ripped off once?

If they want me to come back, they'll need to add a lot more casual content.  Reduce the horrid exp grind before level 20, can't imagine what it must be like after level 20.   Please, oh please, don't make the game's focus on raiding and crafting, both are niche.  The majority of players are adventurers and that is where SOE's focus should be going.

(1)  I think that is a great idea.  A temporary noobie house such as a hut or tent or whatever the theme might be would be a great introduction for players.  As to the boat, I could not agree more.  I think boats should be obtainable via quests, even if it is a simple one.

(2)  Good idea.  I love the lore and variety of races, but the world is so large and all the cities so spread out it feels emptier than it is.  Therefore, a more common starting area or having other races start in the same area is a great idea.

(3)  I strongly disagree on this matter.  The classes are very fun in Vanguard and offer more diversity.  I would expand the classes to include the berserker and inquisitor. 

(4)  Actually, I agree and disagree on this point.  I find the class system in Vanguard superior to the WoW classes.  I think what Vanguard desperately needs is more class and character customization.  I agree the classes need to be enhanced, but I would enhance them to offer greater customization.  An AA point system, I think, would serve this game greatly.

(5)  Totally agree.  The character models seem largely generic.  It could (should) be a lot better.

(6)  I am happy with the combat animations.

(7)  Performance is crucial, and I think the performance is mostly more than good for most today. 

(8)  People do enjoy PvP.  We need a workable PvP system for Vanguard.  I am not holding my breath on this one.

(9)  I love how you can place a bounty on people's heads in SWG.  SWG has some amazing features to that game.  I am very happy I was able to buy it for $20.00, which is a steal for what the game offers.  I might be alone in stating the following:  The WoW PvP model, I thought, pre TBC, worked great.  Environmental.  You could turn it off and on.  When bored, you could go PvP and pick fights.  I raided several times in environmental PvP and had a great time virtually every time.  Vanguard, to be straight forward on the matter, is not a PvP game and I think never will be.  Therefore, I think arenas, perhaps PvP castles or something that is an instance and so forth are worth considering.  You are right that people enjoy PvP today.  I do not think that people necessarily want their game to be focused on PvP, though, but more of an aspect and feature to a game.  It is a reason why I am not as excited as some are for AoC and WAR because of the attention to PvP.

(10)  Yes.  I generally agree.  More life to the game would be nice.  I think it is pretty good, though.

Overall, I agree with your suggestions. 

Ok, from a VG playing guy, biased as I am.

1. Nice idea with the quests to try things out. Starting off as a orch or a goblin, you do get a really nice intro and a ride on a shadowhound that you can later aquire. I have not tried any of the other starting areas but if they are half as good as the Orch/goblin area, it's good. I have dabbled in crafting and diplomacy, and they are hard to get into.

2. Why? Who cares, diversity is not bad in an sandbox game. It is bad if you are going to do a 6vs6 CT_Def_Map fight and see who is  the best, but in a non-instanced big game, I like as many as possible.

3. Nooo... please, the faster we get rid of the old and mossy, dps, heal, tank, buff and random dude, booooring setup, the better! Get rid of classes and let us put points where ever we wan't.  Use ingame methods that makes it stupid (not impossible)  to do stuff like wield a two-hand greataxe and cast firebolt XI at XX lvl mob.

4. Nope, I wan't, as explained above, either one hell of alot of different classes or none and let us choose freely.

5. Yepp, alot more "life" in the characters would be nice. Atm, they have a certain, hmm, NPC:ish feeling over them.

6. Yepp, more combat animations would be nice.

7. Well, if you don't have the comp for it it the graphics probably is crappy, I got a nice mid+ computer, dual core, 7950xx, 2 gig ram, yatha yatha, and it' runs well, looks beautiful.

8. Agree, PvP AND rewards/losses for it is what makes a game last, not raid content.. *hides and let the raiding zerg mob with torches pass*. Arenas could if implemented nice bring something good.

9. That is not an option. Nothing is more griefier friendly then a place where you can not on the grounds of some stupid button, bash someone. PvP and PvE merge, no, no, not in a game not built for it. Perhpas they will pull something nice out of AoC. Time will tell.

10. Yepp, little cute butterflies and such would make it feel more alive.

Thats my opinion on Your opinions!

Three months free to play.

In my view that is what they need to do - fess up that VG is way off the mark in terms of where it should be and give away 3 month no-sub passes to anyone who bought the box.

Would I return to VG and keep on crafting while they tinker with the combat systems?  Sure, but at the moment only if it was free to play.

Besides, if they really believe their own press about their abilities to turn VG around and into something better, then three months from now people should want to stay and be happy to pay for it.  If they know 3 months won't do it, make it free for what might, 6 seems more realistic for that.  But I know few people who are happy to commit to an SOE game on faith any more, and I won't pay to play a beta quality game where server mergers and other radical changes could wipe out my playstyle and/or names without any warning.

But overall if they do not get their player numbers up, then VG is doomed.  A big world with what, 40%?, designed for group play only works if there are a lot of people in it.

I believe the forumula was 60% group, 20% raid and 20% solo, although I have strong doubts about the percentage of solo content.  Feels more like 10% to me and a majority of it is unrewarding when it comes to loot or exp per hour.

Unfortunately, after it's premature release and lackluster reception, I don't see this game roping in any significant amount of new players. It was released to appeal to a niche market, so SOE risks losing the only players moderately interested in this lemon if they try to switch things around. They turned EQ2 around into a success, but that franchise had a good reputation and a powerful license behind it. I think the fact that V:SoH can be accessed from their station pass is the only thing that will keep this game alive.

Originally posted by Lucifrank

Unfortunately, after it's premature release and lackluster reception, I don't see this game roping in any significant amount of new players. It was released to appeal to a niche market, so SOE risks losing the only players moderately interested in this lemon if they try to switch things around. They turned EQ2 around into a success, but that franchise had a good reputation and a powerful license behind it. I think the fact that V:SoH can be accessed from their station pass is the only thing that will keep this game alive.

I don't think Vanguard will ever recover just like EQ2 never recovered as it still has a very low population compared to what the EQ name should have had. When your previous game is more popular than your 2nd then thats a sign of failure IMO. However EQ2 has been turned around somewhat though i still think the bad plastic graphics and zoning let it down + poor PVP. Vanguard i don't think will ever be turned around and not even as much as EQ2 in terms of subscribers, however it does have a much better potential than EQ2 to be a unique and great game.

Some things i feel that are needed like new character models i doubt will ever happen and it's a sad fact cause they're pretty gamebreaking.

I have got an idea that might just work.

What if SOE paid people to play Vanguard. Ok OK so maybe not by the hour but  like $25 a month. What do you think?

Originally posted by RedwoodSap

I have got an idea that might just work.

What if SOE paid people to play Vanguard. Ok OK so maybe not by the hour but  like $25 a month. What do you think?

I'd still have to pass.

Originally posted by Lucifrank

Originally posted by RedwoodSap

I have got an idea that might just work.

What if SOE paid people to play Vanguard. Ok OK so maybe not by the hour but  like $25 a month. What do you think?

I'd still have to pass.

What i'd prefer is to get a group of players who are happy with the game and a group of former players like me down to where it's developed and then all come to some sort of agreement on what needs to be done to make current players happier and former players come back. I believe things like New player tutorials and new character models would do wonders for the game. Also things like ilde animations and expressions to bring life into them, instead of the models standing there like dolls.

I think alot of people have realised that they lost there mmorpg virginity and now can't handle the "honeymoon" being over, so they bash on all the nextcoming boyfriends because they do not live up to that blurry, drunken, memory the first real penetration into a game gave them.

But that is perhpas a bit cynical of me... maybe it's all the trees that make folks not see the forest.

But then again, I'm quite the fanboi