Every true MMORPG needs fishing. This is a fact that cannot be disputed without me sticking my fingers in my ears and shouting, "I can't hear you , lalalala!" While Vanguard has long been fishless, now test servers have been updated with the skill, which utilizes a rather bizarre system for snagging seafaring snacks. Once a fish is caught on your lure, you have to use your arrow keys to mimic its movements. Success drains the fish's health, while failure regains it. Once the fish is defeated, you automatically reel it in. This isn't just fishing folks - it's Fish Fish Revolution. You could totally hook up a dance pad for this to make it more interesting.

Along with fishing comes various less-important improvements, like new class / race combinations, Galleons, Enchantments, and much more. Hit the link for full details on the upcoming changes.

Update Coming to Test [Vanguard Forums via Massively]
image

As I've said before, Vanguard has some very good things going for it, and my time in the game was certainly enjoyable to a point. I'd check in again if I had the time, but with the end-of-the-year gaming spectacular in full swing I won't have the time. Anyone still playing out there that can give us the down-low? Worth the reinstall, or no?

Also included in the update will be the eagerly anticipated new character models, which promise to make the men manlier and the women not-quite-as-manly, which is always a good thing, unlike releasing an update for your floundering MMO weeks before the release of Warhammer Online, and while thousands of bug fixes sounds like a good thing, it does pretty much indicate thousands of bugs to be fixed. Hrm.

Get Ready for Game Update 6! [Vanguard Players via Eurogamer]

A turtle.

The dark elves are rocking a spider, the wood elves get...whatever the hell that giant bug is supposed to be, and the half elves get a damned turtle. I suppose it could have been worse. They could have only gotten half a turtle.

Vanguard FREE Play December 18th to January 3rd [Curse.com]

Sigil Games Founder Brad McQuaid, who co-designed the original EverQuest, updated Vanguard players about the current state of the game and where it's headed. In short, co-publisher Sony Online Entertainment is going to be more heavily involved in Sigil and its game, but to what extent, Brad's not telling.

Following up on SOE's "discussions with Sigil regarding the future of Vanguard and Sigil Games in Carlsbad" McQuaid writes:

It means that right now Vanguard is doing decently but not as well as we hoped. If you haven't read my last long post that outlined some of the things that went wrong during development, etc., please do. So the bottom line is that SOE is going to be getting more involved with Sigil and Vanguard - our relationship is going to become even tighter - much tighter. At this point I can't say much more than that.

Brad goes into GREAT detail about the upcoming changes and how they got their in his forum post below. Invested parties and MMO armchair analysts should peruse. Michael McWhertor

Update on the future of Sigil and Vanguard coming soon... [Vanguard Forums]

A few good titles out this week including Rouge Galaxy, Mario Kart for the VC and Sony opens the curtain on it's new MMO, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. With the exception of possibly grabbing Mario Kart, games won't be on my shopping list this week. I'll be nursing my poor credit card back to health after a week in NYC. Flynn De Marco

• Rogue Galaxy (PS2) Level 5's new RPG space opera. Wait, is that Crecente on the cover?
• Battlestations: Midway (PC, X360)
  More WW II strategy fun.
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes (PC)
  Sony Online entertainment's entry into the MMO melee.
• Sonic the Hedgehog (PS3)
  The most famous blue hedgehog ever speeds his way on to the PS3.
• Fuzion Frenzy 2 (X360)
  Spastic Party games: Now for the Xbox 360!
• City Life: World Edition (PC)
  Build a city using landmarks from around the world
• Monopoly Here and Now (PC)
  The all new updated version of the famous game that no one ever finishes.
• Earache Extreme Metal Racing (PS2)
  Race to the dulcet tones of death metal.
• Mario Kart 64 (WII VC)
  FINALLY!
• Comix Zone (WII VC)
  Help Sketch Turner escape from his own comic.
• Bonanza Bros (WII VC)
  You and your brother get together and steal stuff. Just like real life!

Just a week after announcing the open beta for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, SOE and Sigil have set a release date. The game will be released on January 30th across North America and Europe, with retail prices of $49.99 and $89.99 for the regular and limited editions respectively. Players who opt to preorder the game will receive beta access, a three day head start once the game goes live, and a special in-game scroll that allows players to sprint for longer periods of time.

This gives them two and a half weeks to add the final polish to the game, a process that will hopefully keeps servers from crashing every 5-10 minutes, balance the quest creature VS. player ratio, and hopefully make the game interesting enough to warrant spending a monthly fee to play it. Good luck with that. Michael Fahey

VANGUARD: SAGA OF HEROES" MAKES THE JOURNEY INTO RETAIL STORES ON JANUARY 30, 2007

San Diego, CA - January 11, 2007 - Sony Online Entertainment and Sigil Games Online today announced that the upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes" will be released to retail outlets across North America and Europe on January 30, 2007, for the suggested retail price of US$49.99. A limited edition is also available for a suggested retail price of US$89.99.

Currently in beta, "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes" features vibrant environments reminiscent of oil paintings, a robust character customization tool and three distinct spheres of advancement in a seamless world without zoning or instancing. The immersive fantasy world is comprised of three massive, uniquely-themed continents for players to discover new creatures, new items and unlimited adventure. Players have complete freedom to roam the world whether flying dragons to islands in the sky or riding swift steeds to exotic lands.

"We are excited about delivering an MMO with immersive gameplay features that bring new depth and fun to the genre," said Brad McQuaid, CEO, Sigil Games Online. "Vanguard gives players the chance to live in a breathtaking world and try new things such as our diplomacy system and our unique approach to crafting. We're proud to be delivering this level of great gameplay for years to come."

"SOE is pleased to be working with Sigil to bring the eagerly anticipated Vanguard to fruition," said John Smedley, President, Sony Online Entertainment, "Vanguard not only broadens our product portfolio in the online space, but will also be a welcomed addition to our already value packed all-in-one Station Access subscription line-up."

Players can pre-order "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes" now through a variety of methods including digitally and at retail, and by doing so, obtain an invitation to entrance into the live beta and, with purchase, access to the live servers up to three days prior to the official release. In addition, players that pre-order and purchase at retail will receive an exclusive in-game scroll that will allow their character to sprint for longer periods of time due to an endurance buff (one per account). For more information or to order "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes" visit www.joinvanguard.com/buy/

About "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes"
The only limits are your own in Telon. The adventurous can choose from multiple paths of exploration within the three spheres of advancement: adventuring; crafting; and diplomacy. Players can delve into the mysteries of Telon, and embark upon quests to slay monstrous beasts locked deep inside rugged mountain ranges. Those with a quick mind can use diplomacy to convince kings to move armies and change the course of history. With player-crafted boats, flying mounts, and customizable player housing, "Vanguard" offers players a world of their own choosing.

Key Features of "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes"
No boundaries: Explore an epic seamless world. From the smallest dungeon to the highest peak. If it can be seen it can be explored.
Limitless customization: In a world of thousands, carve your own unique destiny and appearance with an unparalleled character creator and by choosing one of 19 different races from Orcs and Goblins to Dwarves and Elves.
Forge your own path: Choose from one of 15 exciting professions including Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Psionicist, Bard and Rogue.
Immersive and interactive: Vanguard's unique, dynamic, reactive, combat system allows you to build chains of special attacks and reactions with Openers, Bridges and powerful Finishing moves.
Ride or sail around the world: With dozens of unique mounts to collect, you can race into battle on your warhorse, command the skies on the back of your dragon or join friends and embark on a sea-based adventure to discover faraway lands.
Play your way: Advance your character as an adventurer, set up your own shop as a crafter, talk your way to the top as a diplomat or do all three with the same character.
Open Market: Collect essential materials and use skills such as blacksmithing and artificing to create valuable and powerful items as well as ships and housing.
Home for sale: Make Telon feel like home by staking your claim on a piece of land and furnishing your own house with unique items.

For more information about "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes" please visit: www.joinvanguard.com

About Sony Online Entertainment
Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE) is a recognized worldwide leader in massively multiplayer online games, with hundreds of thousands of subscribers around the globe. SOE creates, develops and provides compelling entertainment for the personal computer, online, game console and wireless markets. Known for its blockbuster franchises and hit titles including EverQuest(R), EverQuest(R) II, Champions of Norrath(R), Untold Legends(TM), and PlanetSide(R), as well as for developing Star Wars Galaxies(TM), SOE continues to redefine the business of online gaming and the creation of active player communities while introducing new genres on various entertainment platforms. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, with additional development studios in Austin, TX, Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, and Taiwan, SOE has an array of cutting-edge games in development. SOE is owned by Sony Pictures Digital and Sony Computer Entertainment America.

About Sigil Games Online
Based in Carlsbad, California, Sigil Games Online is a studio dedicated to creating massively multiplayer online (MMO) games. Founded in 2002 by Brad McQuaid and Jeff Butler, key figures in the development of award-winning EverQuest, the company plans to be a driving force in the continued evolution of this unique genre. Sigil Games Online is comprised of an all-star team of experienced developers with an impressive pedigree of commercially successful and critically acclaimed online games. The company's first game, "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes", will be co-published with Sony Online Entertainment and is scheduled for release Q1 2007. For more information, visit www.sigilgames.com.

###

The open beta Sigil's Vanguard: Saga of Heroes begins today, with the beta client up on FilePlanet as we speak, though only available to subscribers and preorder folks for the first week. With the beginning of this final phase of testing the NDA has also been lifted and tongues are wagging, including my own. I've been in the closed beta for the past several weeks now, having spent more than enough time to give you some basic impressions of the game.

Vanguard is an MMO created by Brad McQuaid, one of the creators of the original Everquest, who left the company to explore possibilities. Possibilities like creating a game that plays like the missing link between EQ1 and EQ2. You get the relatively simplistic (in most cases) gameplay of the first game with graphics halfway between the two. In part I blame the overall lack of character and the generic fantasy setting for failing to keep my interest. While the variety of class and race combinations is impressive, but I am getting tired of plastic looking characters that only truly shine if I push my computer to its limits.

I wish MMO developer would focus less on the look and instead focus their energies on creating something fluid and entertaining. Even in the trailer from GameTrailers.com below you can see the framerate stuttering.

Now I do enjoy the quest system, which encourages you to explore the world, propelling you across the countryside engaged in a variety of tasks. I also like the variety between class mechanics, which is much like you find in World of Warcraft. The monk character, for instance, accrues points as he uses abilities, which can be used to unleash even more powerful ones.

In the end, I'm just a guy writing on a gaming blog, and this is just my opinion, which carries just as much weight as yours does. Try the game out for yourself, see how you like it. It isn't shaping up to be my cup of tea, but I certainly wouldn't want you to avoid something just because I didn't like it. Check the press release below for info on downloading and forming an opinion for yourself! Michael Fahey

OPEN BETA BEGINS ON JANUARY 5th FOR VANGUARD: SAGA OF HEROES
Sony Online Entertainment and Sigil Games Online today announced that open beta will begin tomorrow, January 5th, for the upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. Tomorrow players that are participating in the pre-order program will be able to access the open beta. Other adventurers interested in exploring the world of Telon can head over to www.fileplanet.com to begin their journey. Vanguard: Saga of Heroes will immerse players in a classical fantasy setting filled with magic and intrigue beginning in Q1 of 2007.

About Vanguard
The only limits are your own in Telon. The adventurous can choose from multiple paths of exploration within the three spheres of advancement: adventuring, crafting, and diplomacy. Players can delve into the mysteries of Telon, and embark upon quests to slay monstrous beasts locked deep inside rugged mountain ranges. Those with a quick mind can use diplomacy to convince kings to move armies and change the course of history. With player-crafted boats, flying mounts, and customizable player housing, Vanguard offers players a world of their own choosing.

To join the North American open beta please visit: http://www.fileplanet.com/promotions/vanguardbeta/landing.aspx
For the first week the offer is only open to File Planet subscribers, to subscribe visit www.fileplanet.com

The European beta will open on January 8th. European customers who have pre-ordered Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and received their key can also join beta on January 5th.

For more information about Vanguard: Saga of Heroes please visit: www.vanguardsoh.com and www.joinvanguard.com

###