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While we're not usually keen on shouting out every rumor that comes our way, there's a Vanguard rumor that seems to bear reporting. It was mentioned first (as far as we know) at Vanguard Flames: New, current rumor is that SoE will announce next week they've agreed to buy out Vanguard from Sigil based on its declining population, since Sigil cannot afford to continue. Further information is that SoE will merge servers shortly thereafter.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rumor
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That might be true. On the other hand I heard from very good inside sources in both SOE and Blizzard, that Blizzard is going to buy both Vanguard and SWG and develop a SWG 2 game based in the vanguard engine.
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Tonev
Novice Member
Joined: 3/11/06
I use to actually think advanced graphics made a game great. |
I tell you what, if this falls true I will definantly be throwing Vanguard in the dusty area of failed games. I have been playing and really enjoying the exploring/mining/crafting portion of Vanguard (even after guild and friends left) but I will not and I repea,t will not support this game if $OE takes it over, matter of fact if that happens I would like to get my next two months of money back, so I can go buy the WOW expansion (since Blizzard seems to be the only worthwhile gaming company nowadays).
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Unfortunately, the link above just goes to that website and not the post. I would presume (dangerous as that might be) that this is yet another unsubstantiated rumor. If it is true, then it would be in SOEs best interests to keep the take over under wraps until they are ready to announce a major (and free of charge) content update. This would allow them to cast the take over in a much more positive light. When the tyrant has disposed of foreign enemies by conquest or treaty, and there is nothing to fear from them, then he is always stirring up some war or other in order that the people may require a leader. |
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If this rumor turns out to be true, I for one will not be in the least surprised. And any thought that I might have had on trying this game will be right out the window if SOE takes over. If it doesn't turn out to be true then it's just a matter of time (say 1-2 years) when it WILL come true, or SOE might pull the plug on Sigil anyways if there are any plausible breech of contracts..who's to say. Rather pitiful that this game didn't live up to expectations and hype. Release is the most critical time for a MMORPG.
Never be afraid of choices. More choices are always good things. |
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After reading this post I had a good cry.
But after allowing my head to clear a moment ;i think maybe it is time for Brad and Co. to cut their losses and run. *sniffle* I hope it's not true. "sniffle* |
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Is there any validity to this?
 MMORPG.com Spotlight Blog Writer (190,000+ Views)
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Originally posted by Paragus1 The facts certainly point in that direction. Brad admitted, among many things, that the population of the game isn't what they had hoped for. The problem there is that with growth already in question after a poor initial launch, the future already looks grim. We already know that Sigil had to launch early because of financial reasons. Without a solid launch, the financing isn't there to support what basically amounts to commercial beta/development of the game. |
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I don't think it would be in their interest to make VG like EQ2 therefore they would only fix the game and then make some smart decisions to make the game fun. I see this as a good move if it does happen. It is the only hope. Otherwise VG will go the way or Horizons. This can not be a surprise. I knew this was going to happen when I saw the game in Beta3. This is not shocking. |
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Finally everyone can see.........THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES. see you at the July 4th Tea Partys |
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Does this surprise anyone? Take a game that took 5 years and $30 + million dollars to develop. Then release it 3 - 6 months to early, lackluster box sales, and declining subscription base, and it's not hard to imagine that Sigil can no longer afford to support or run the game. Look at this from SOE perspective. They get to buy a new MMO that has a great base system in place with tremendous potential. SOE has the money to fix it and pump out new content, just like they did with EQ2. Let's no forget that EQ2 was considered a mess by many when it was released, and now it is considered by a large part of this community to be generally the most solid MMO offering out right now. At least if SOE buys out Vanguard, there is a change they will invest in the game, fix it, and we my finally get the game we hoped for, a year from now. I just reupped my subscription to Vanguard, and if SOE takes it over, the game has the potential for a much better future then what it does now. You can say what you will about SOE, but their track record with EQ2 is pretty solid of you ask me. The question is really this. If they buy it, will they support it like EQ2 and invest in it, or treat it like The Matrix Online? I quess time will tell.
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Although I do NOT believe this rumor in the least, I will say this: If SOE is EVER running VG, the game is dead. Our whole guild would quit instantly, we're not going through another NGE. That said, I just don't believe Sigil would sell the game. It's worth more to Sigil then SOE can afford. If Sigil were in such bad shape, they would sell Sigil, not their only income source. I'll start my own SWG... with Black Jack... and Hookers!!! In fact, forget the SWG!!!!
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IF the rumor turns out to be true, the graph is a greater indicator of the state of the game than
anything Brad could possibly say. There is no way to spin the conclusions that are derived from that graph. The graph says that regardless of the fixes and improvements to the game, the game has not recovered from the initial release debacle. Any new people joining the ranks are being more than offset by the number of people leaving. In short, people fell for the hype and when they realized they had been misled, they cut their losses. The gaming public has spoken on games that are broken or work for a select few at release. They won't stick around long for the game to be fixed. For those who are having fun, continue enjoying the game. The rest of the world has moved on. |
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Originally posted by MX13 Indeed. I would imagine Sigil is in so much debt right now that they couldn't sell Vanguard without all sorts of legal and financial repurcussions. If the rumors are true, than I'd suggest looking for a bankruptcy announcement from Sigil in the near future. Suddenly the people worried SOE would take over the game when they first entered the picture last summer don't seem so ridiculous, huh? ---------- |
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Originally posted by MX13 .. and what if Sigil has not choice? The game has not met sales expectations. Servers already have population issues. All of this affects the cash-flow coming into Sigil; money they would need to fund future development and yet they can't really develop future content as they are not even done with fixing the game to where it SHOULD have been at release. |
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A buyout wouldn't surprise me much but nevertheless I would hate see it happen. Regardless of ups and downs it would be pretty heavy on Brad and Crew. Also it is $OE at the end of the day throwing the bucks. The ugly hydra grows another head. Shame, really.
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Well regardless of what I think of the game itself or Brad McQuaid and his Vision. At least now Sigil has the chance to fix the problems with the game and make the game fun for those hanging in there and still playing. |
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eagle4x4
 Hard Core Member
Joined: 1/26/06
-Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Ben Franklin |
I have been waiting for some of the bugs to get worked out on this one, however, if SOE takes over, I will not touch it.
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premierebori
 Apprentice Member
Joined: 8/20/05
"If you are not part of the solution, there is profit to be made by prolonging the problem." |
I really feel bad for Brad. The dude basically wasted 30 million dollars on a Vision that he couldn't deliver.
I think it wouldn't be bad thing if SOE took over. They did a nice job with EQ:2. NGE was a mistake, but hey, everyone makes mistakes. |
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Where did that graph come from? Is that another rumor?
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How is this SOE's fault anyway? Sigil and Microsoft went their separate ways, most likely because Sigil weren't going to meet agreed release dates, and then signed up with SOE as the publisher, which probably only came about because Brad still had contacts within SOE and managed to persuade them they he could make it work. Sigil are now probably running out of money as VSOH hasnt picked up as many subscribers as they had hoped for and investors are probably after a return on their investment in Sigil. There is no way VSOH has recouped its production costs so far and with a falling subscriber base I doubt it will, again investors will probably want to cut their losses and recoup as much as they can by selling it to someone else. I dont think SOE taking it over would be a big problem, the MMOs where SOE had complete control have actually had reasonable success, EQ was number one in its prime and is still going, PS did well and is still fairly unique, EQ2 lost out to WoWmania originally but has since recovered and is now a very well done and run product (overtaking WoW in my opinion since the release of EQ2:EoF and WoW:TBC). SOEs main failing was SWG, but a large part of that was that they didnt have complete control over it, they had to run every change past Lucas Arts/George Lucas, even so it was successful until the release of WoW after which point they took desperate measures to try to recover some of the lost player base (i.e. CU and NGE). I think the real question should be, would SOE want to take VSOH over? Seriously, it isnt popular enough as it is at the moment so they would have to make changes, and this forum has shown that any changes they would make would be treated negatively. Maybe the best move would be for Sigil to shut the servers down and sell the code to the highest bidder. |
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Originally posted by morpin Pulled that off one of their fan sites this morning. MMORPG.com Spotlight Blog Writer (190,000+ Views)
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let's hope soe does take it over i believe thats the only way "the potential" will ever be reached. i'd rather see soe take it over and iron out the issues than to see it just die.
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Originally posted by Korusus
Again, I just don't believe this. If they sold the game, what would they do? What other games are they developing? Why would they sell their ONLY game & income source, and KEEP all their debt, operational costs & employee obligations? It just doesn't make sense. I'll start my own SWG... with Black Jack... and Hookers!!! In fact, forget the SWG!!!!
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