I quit as well. This game obviously needs to be geared towards solo play while leveling. Groups are hard to find and i don't like to  wait around for too long in a game. 

This game has no future.

Originally posted by exilio

 If we are going to use Xfire as a resource, which is a good idea, here are some numbers to consider:

Average Xfire users playing per day. Keep in mind that not every person that plays a game, uses Xfire.

 

Aion:  3,830

LOTRO:  1,510

Age of Conan:  646 

Anarchy Online:  61 (came out years before Vanguard and 300% more players on Xfire)

WoW:  57,130 (disgusting, good game, but man, what a beast to ever possibly topple; only Blizzard will be able to kill WoW)

Warhammer:  611 (impressive numbers, I think the pvp keeps em coming back)

Everquest: 67 (grand daddy of em all, still 300% more than Vanguard years after release)

Everquest II:  263 (decent numbers but expected higher)

Vanguard:  21 (ouch)

EVE:  3,379 (not surprised at all; fantastic game with good devs)

Dark Age of Camelot: 97 (totally was surprised by this, but not really--an awesome game)

Champions Online:  129 (downward spiral for sure; is suspect due to lack of depth)

 

These numbers help put it in to perspective for me. I too was considering a return to Vanguard. But if SOE won't take the game seriously and invest its time, why should I?

 

The way you are using x-fire numbers is not accurate.

People who play SOE games are a bit different than people who is always jumping into new MMOs, people who play Guild Wars and people who play EvE.

Most EQ2 players and Vanguard players do not use x-fire and usually are older, I am saying this after years playing SOE games...

A lot of Age of Conan and Warhammer players are younger and probably uses  x-fire. You will probably see more EvE players using x-fire than EQ2 players using it too.

I am not saying my theory is totally right, but it would need more data to use these numbers in the way you used. I can be wrong, but to be accurate you would need to know at least the porcentage of x-fire gamers in all those communities.

The way you used these numbers originated an illusory result.

I understand X-Fire can show some trends about MMORPG population but nothing beyond that.

Vanguard unfortunatelly does not have a bright future when we talk about development anyway.

...

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

It seems that they are attempting to shift the end game focus away from raiding and back to group content, at least for the forseeable future.  This week a new (magi hold revamped to high level) group dungeon will be patched to test server and presumably will go live by next week.  Revamp of hillsbury is planned for sometime later this year, and there is also new craft and diplo content planned for sometime soonish.

 

Svann, c'mon.  There is no way magi hold is going live within a week.  Or if it does, it will be so full of bugs. 

You're wrong on both counts.

Originally posted by svann

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

It seems that they are attempting to shift the end game focus away from raiding and back to group content, at least for the forseeable future.  This week a new (magi hold revamped to high level) group dungeon will be patched to test server and presumably will go live by next week.  Revamp of hillsbury is planned for sometime later this year, and there is also new craft and diplo content planned for sometime soonish.

 

Svann, c'mon.  There is no way magi hold is going live within a week.  Or if it does, it will be so full of bugs. 

 

You're wrong on both counts.

./nod. You're absolutely right. </sarcasm on> If you set the bar low enough, even the VG Devs can actually accomplish something.  You must thank Jansan for his hard work on that.  Solo content for lvl 50-52 is exactly what the game needs. </sarcasm off>

 Edit: Edited for clarity, but perhaps too late :(

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

It seems that they are attempting to shift the end game focus away from raiding and back to group content, at least for the forseeable future.  This week a new (magi hold revamped to high level) group dungeon will be patched to test server and presumably will go live by next week.  Revamp of hillsbury is planned for sometime later this year, and there is also new craft and diplo content planned for sometime soonish.

 

Svann, c'mon.  There is no way magi hold is going live within a week.  Or if it does, it will be so full of bugs. 

 

You're wrong on both counts.

 

./nod. You're absolutely right.  If you set the bar low enough, even the VG Devs can actually accomplish something.  You must thank Jansan for his hard work on that.  Solo content for lvl 50-52 is exactly what the game needs.

 

Its true that many raiders are unhappy with the new focus, but its also true that ever since the release of APW to kdq to IoG to all the overlands raids and even pota there were casual players that thought that the end game was too focused on raider content and content requiring raid gear to complete.  They have been asking for more casual content in end game for something like 2 years.  Now it is their turn. 

Originally posted by svann

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

It seems that they are attempting to shift the end game focus away from raiding and back to group content, at least for the forseeable future.  This week a new (magi hold revamped to high level) group dungeon will be patched to test server and presumably will go live by next week.  Revamp of hillsbury is planned for sometime later this year, and there is also new craft and diplo content planned for sometime soonish.

 

Svann, c'mon.  There is no way magi hold is going live within a week.  Or if it does, it will be so full of bugs. 

 

You're wrong on both counts.

 

./nod. You're absolutely right.  If you set the bar low enough, even the VG Devs can actually accomplish something.  You must thank Jansan for his hard work on that.  Solo content for lvl 50-52 is exactly what the game needs.

 

 

Its true that many raiders are unhappy with the new focus, but its also true that ever since the release of APW to kdq to IoG to all the overlands raids and even pota there were casual players that thought that the end game was too focused on raider content and content requiring raid gear to complete.  They have been asking for more casual content in end game for something like 2 years.  Now it is their turn. 

Perhaps I am not reading you correctly, but you sound like the change in focus to vanguard was a choice by the development team. 

Even silius isn't happy about the change in direction and it is only being changed, because the vanguard team doesn't have the resources to create raid level content anymore.  They are going to waste half of the next year "squashing bugs" and revamping a few zones that were mostly created already.  That is not something any development team would be proud to post as their focus for the upcoming year. 

Originally posted by Hoobley

Over the past few days I've had quite serious cravings for Vanguard again.

 

To play I'd have to download the entire client again and all that.

 

I've said in some other threads recently that the reason I'm not playing is because I don't have faith that the game will last.

 

Someone either stop me or tell me that it's worth the time investment. 

Vanguard *could* have been a great game. It has elements of such a game. But potential isn't reality.  After the most recent staff/resource cuts, I'd say that its just a matter of time before SOE finally pulls the plug.  MMO's tend to be quite time intensive. If you decide to play,  you need to realize that the game can end unexpectedly. If you enjoy it enough to make up for the uncertain nature of the games future, then thats your choice to make.

Originally posted by Daffid011

Originally posted by svann

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

Originally posted by Shaedes

Originally posted by svann

It seems that they are attempting to shift the end game focus away from raiding and back to group content, at least for the forseeable future.  This week a new (magi hold revamped to high level) group dungeon will be patched to test server and presumably will go live by next week.  Revamp of hillsbury is planned for sometime later this year, and there is also new craft and diplo content planned for sometime soonish.

 

Svann, c'mon.  There is no way magi hold is going live within a week.  Or if it does, it will be so full of bugs. 

 

You're wrong on both counts.

 

./nod. You're absolutely right.  If you set the bar low enough, even the VG Devs can actually accomplish something.  You must thank Jansan for his hard work on that.  Solo content for lvl 50-52 is exactly what the game needs.

 

 

Its true that many raiders are unhappy with the new focus, but its also true that ever since the release of APW to kdq to IoG to all the overlands raids and even pota there were casual players that thought that the end game was too focused on raider content and content requiring raid gear to complete.  They have been asking for more casual content in end game for something like 2 years.  Now it is their turn. 

 

Perhaps I am not reading you correctly, but you sound like the change in focus to vanguard was a choice by the development team. 

Even silius isn't happy about the change in direction and it is only being changed, because the vanguard team doesn't have the resources to create raid level content anymore.  They are going to waste half of the next year "squashing bugs" and revamping a few zones that were mostly created already.  That is not something any development team would be proud to post as their focus for the upcoming year. 

 

edit: wrong person

Im disappointed that further raid content is on hold, but that doesnt make me want to bash vg for releasing small group content.  Let the casuals have a bone for once.  sheesh.

Well I didn't reactivate my account although I still miss Vanguard quite a lot, or at least the idea of it.

I've got a big move coming up so I'm taking a little breather from MMOs until I get settled again, it'll be a nice change.

I'll certainly be taking a look at the state of things a few months down the road and make a decision about it then.

Thanks to all for your thoughts.

Originally posted by svann 

 

edit: wrong person

Im disappointed that further raid content is on hold, but that doesnt make me want to bash vg for releasing small group content.  Let the casuals have a bone for once.  sheesh.

I'm not sure if you are addressing me or not, but there is nothing wrong with VG releasing non-raid content.  At the same time this isn't a willful shift in focus for the game to appease a different segment of players or to attract new players to the game.  It is purely a cost cutting measure and this is the best effort the developers predict that they can deliver over the next 12 months. 

The reality of the situation isn't pretty, but that doesn't mean it is bashing the game.  It just isn't sugar coating the game taking a giant step in the direction of closure as something positive.  Even saying raid content is on hold is a stretch, because truthfully raid content has ceased to be developed.  It might resume development sometime next year, but if the team doesn't have the resources now to do it, then there is no reason to believe they will get more resources next year. 

Ive always wanted to play this game but lack of players is keeping me from it.

(BBBBBBBWWWWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH fires plungers at SOny for what happened to SWG!)