SoE to publish Vanguard

[Faille]

Originally Posted by Smed

I'll step up on this one Ut. On the business side I can assure you Microsoft had (and still has) confidence in Vanguard. I've spoken to them myself, and that certainly isn't the issue. I've been in this business a long time and I've seen (and I've been a part of) plenty of games that move elsewhere at the last second. I would only point out that Microsoft is about to get locked into a severely protracted battle with my compadres that make the PlayStation 3... and even though they are Microsoft, they have budgets. If the right deal comes along and they can get a return on a smart investment... well everything has a price.. that's the way I'd put it. I happen to respect the MS guys a lot. I play a lot of their games (most notably the Age series) and I know they are committed to making great games.

The same applies to us getting into the deal to co-publish it. I have to say I'm incredibly impressed with Vanguard. The game is awesome, and I think from our perspective it's going to be something we're very proud to be associated with. As to your other points, you have made them before and only time and hard work will prove you'll be happy with the quality of Vanguard and the other stuff we're releasing (can't wait for people to see our PS3 title at E3... I was just playing it and it's damn awesome!).



Smed

Will there be any cross sharing of ideas or technology or will it be a strictly hands off relationship?

I'm sure there's many things in SoE stables that could benefit Vanguard, Mentoring in EQ2 comes to mind, will those be made available to Sigil to use in Vanguard? Obviously nothing stopping them from using it, but will SoE be proactive and show Sigil how it was implemented in EQ2?

I'm sure there's many other things that are similiar applicable. If nothing else, SoE has been around for a long time and made many mistakes, which they've had to learn the hard way.

[Smed]

Originally Posted by Khorum

Can we expect a swank Vanguard display at E3 then? In MS's or SOE's booth?

Swank indeed. We've got lots of good stuff at the booth!

Smed

[Marauder]

ignore this

[Laek]

You decide to become involved in a game that has to send out a survey to figure out why no one wants to play it and you think its a good thing?

[Reolien01]

Human beings may all be equally capable of pleasure but not know of the knowledge of artistic experience. Thus, after everyone is fed, overall happiness may be increased by the end result of prior decisions.

imo

[findar]

Originally Posted by Reolien01

Human beings may all be equally capable of pleasure but not know of the knowledge of artistic experience. Thus, after everyone is fed, overall happiness may be increased by the end result of prior decisions.

imo

get back in irc we need you.

ps: smed dodging elfs now =x

[WillzZz]

Originally Posted by Darph

Im all for it.

Countless games have been destroyed by demanding publishers. If Vanguard needs room to breath, then that's a ballsy move by Brad and he deserves applaud.

Congrats to Smed and Brad.

I'm glad some of us are still sane, and see that this move is a good thing. I guess you really need to feel the pressure from a producer or client who is demanding unrealistic things of your creation until you can really understand. What a great feeling it must be; to be out from underneath a shadow like M$, and to be done with the pressure they must apply.

I'll wait until 2008 or 2010 if I have to. I'm tired of prematurely released games =/

Besides, then I can work for a few years and save up to take a year off to play ;P

[Smed]

Originally Posted by Faille

Will there be any cross sharing of ideas or technology or will it be a strictly hands off relationship?

I'm sure there's many things in SoE stables that could benefit Vanguard, Mentoring in EQ2 comes to mind, will those be made available to Sigil to use in Vanguard? Obviously nothing stopping them from using it, but will SoE be proactive and show Sigil how it was implemented in EQ2?

I'm sure there's many other things that are similiar applicable. If nothing else, SoE has been around for a long time and made many mistakes, which they've had to learn the hard way.

Well, our front end stuff (including a completely new patching system we're unveiling at E3) will likely be something we'll work with the Sigil team on integrating.

As for gameplay stuff.. it's precisely because of the gameplay that we're interested in Vanguard. Like the old saying goes "If it ain't broke.. don't fix it". I realize I'm setting myself up nicely by saying that, but hey.. it applies.

Smed

[Cuppycake]

Originally Posted by Laek

You decide to become involved in a game that has to send out a survey to figure out why no one wants to play it and you think its a good thing?

Its a good thing for SoE no matter how you look at it. They're not going to lose nearly as many EQ1 or EQ2 subscribers now due to the Station Access. (among other advantages.) I fully support this partnership and I'm excited =)

[kashmir]

Thank God Brad made this decision, rather than let his game be bastardized by MGS. This had to be a pretty tough decision for Brad, with so many mouths to feed. I think this was the right decision, for the sake of his game, and his "vision" that so many of you are quick to butcher.

Edit: Between the two, Brad chose the far lesser of two evils. SOE will, inevitably (only time will prove otherwise, Smed, regardless your fat-fingered spin) bastardize the game for the almighty dollar; after all, the bottom line is, in business, the bottom fucking line. However, I suspect there are people at SOE with enough foresight into Brad's past, how his vision affected the install-base, and the profitability of the game he intends to build.

To Microsoft, it's all about making the seasonal release to cash in on the added revenue seasonal sales bring (seasonal sales account for a considerable percentage of annual sales for any game). Their failure was in not having the patience with Brad to allow him to see his vision to fruition, for better or worse. SOE is willing to do so.

[Caocao]

To be honest I hope the best for them. Don't know why so many want a game to suck.

[Duppin]

Now Utnayan is gonna have to cut the eyes out of pictures of Brad too

[Marauder]

No one wants the game to suck - brad has a vision - he is sticking to it. It is brave of him to do so. Perhaps to a fault, but only time will tell that, and certainly with an unfinished product, no one has the time to say anything other than perhaps a bad/good beta experience. I've got money on the outcome though. 1g?

[Ain-Soph-Aur]

Now we know why SoE bumped up the price of the Station Access Pass.

[Olio]

The purpose of MGS is primarily to make sure that the games are developed for MS platforms and are as difficult to port off as possible. If the game is written in DX9(10) and has even moderate success then they can chalk it up as a success reguardless of who publishes it.

Olio