I just tried to reactivate my Vanguard account ... first step: reactivate the Station Account. But it didnt worked, I get a weird error "Failed to provide a CAS service ticket to validate" - what ?!? I have no clue what's going on - has SOE been hacked again ?

I think I got this same error when I used their official method of changing my password after the service came back online. I eventually just reactivated by the "forgot my password" button.

Judging from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Authentication_Service

And the fact that I get "timeout" from the game itself (which shouldnt work because I havent reactivated the account, but nevertheless of course I could already install), I suppose that means their authentication / login services are simply down.

Oh well.

I've managed it now !

Simply used the webbrowser of the game, demanded to create a new account but instantly went for the "login" page on the create account page instead.

After that it was basically just a smooth ride.

Game is now patching ... this will take a while ... *twiddles his thumbs*

Originally posted by Adamantine

Judging from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Authentication_Service

And the fact that I get "timeout" from the game itself (which shouldnt work because I havent reactivated the account, but nevertheless of course I could already install), I suppose that means their authentication / login services are simply down.

Oh well.

I had to do it through the website too. I'm not sure if they intended the process to be completable from the game clients, but this happened to me over Everquest.

Station Accounts may offer access to any SOE game, with Station Pass even to all SOE MMOs ... so yeah, EQ would have the same problems as Vanguard.