SOE to own VG - Sigil fires employees

[Istros]

Originally Posted by Nino

I promised not to be publically scornful, but I will say this: I hope those truly responsible for the deep rooted failings of the company lay in bed tonight and relive the events that transpired today in their heads, over and over. For not ONE of you is without your job come tomorrow morning.

Well said--and best of luck to you on the new project Nino!

[Cybsled]

What the hell did you think company press releases are for anyways? They're designed to make things look at awesome as possible so investors don't start to bitch.

[Zarcath]

What's Michelle Butler doing?

And I think it's kind of sad that Brad was here harping about VG when he hadn't even been in the office. Must have some serious mental problems.

[cockles]

Nino - my props to you. It takes a real man to be that blunt yet still stay classy doing it. From what I've heard, you definitely aren't the only one feeling this frustration, and as someone potentially entering the business you're in quite soon, I feel for you.

Good luck on your new project.

[Istros]

And here's the most retarded post on this development in all the internets:

Just a quick thank you to Brad for your vision and what you tried to accomplish. I hope no posts here will flame you, but I felt it appropriate to give you a big THANK YOU..

I have followed this game developement since I first heard the rumor 5 years ago. You my friend accomplished one hell of a task ..

Beebs, Rebeebs - Aelron

http://forums.station.sony.com/vg/po...?topic_id=9197

[Laerazi]

SONY ONLINE ENTERTAINMENT ACQUIRES LEADING ONLINE GAMES STUDIO -- SIGIL GAMES ONLINE

SOE Strengthens Portfolio with State-of-the-Art Development Studio & its Marquee Game Vanguard: Saga of Heroes

May 15, 2007 San Diego, CA – Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that it has completed a transaction to purchase key assets of Sigil Games Online, Inc. Through the deal, SOE now owns Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Sigil’s only property, a low-rated unsuccessful massively multiplayer online game. The Sigil acquisition also builds on SOE’s questionable strategy of cultivating game development studios around the world to further boost the company’s income and sheer size. The announcement was made by John Smedley, Devil, Sony Online Entertainment.

As part of the acquisition, a majority of the Sigil team will join SOE, integrating into SOE’s worldwide group of studios which includes offices in San Diego, Seattle, Austin, Denver, Los Angeles and Taiwan, while the remainder of the company will be curb stomped in the Sigil parking lot. The acquisition will bloat SOE’s position as an online gaming space by expanding the company’s portfolio of mediocre gaming offerings.

“With a misguided team and mediocre product, Sigil has been a disappointing force in the online games space. We look forward to continuing the vision for Vanguard and to continue to fix everything about it,” said Smedley.

In May 2006, SOE acquired the title’s rights and the two companies agreed to co-publish Vanguard. The MMO launched in a stillborn-like state late January of this year and has sold nearly 200,000 retail and digital units worldwide. Sigil CEO and Vanguard creator, Brad McQuaid will unfortunately become a consultant with SOE as Vanguard Creative Advisor.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes takes place in the generic fantasy setting of Telon, a vast and empty world of LFG, grinding and boredom where hundreds of players from around the world have formed a deteriorating community exploring the overwhelming emptiness of a world envisioned by the seminal fantasy artist Keith Parkinson. The game introduced many groundbreaking new features from previous games and an art direction second to most.

Fixed.

[Elidroth Renato]

There's a lot of things that many of us would like to say I'm sure, but venting my frustrations over what happened won't fix it, won't get my job back, and ultimately would likely just burn bridges.

Or perhaps I'm just too numb to let loose at the moment. A lot of good people lost their job today.

[...]

For not ONE of you is without your job come tomorrow morning.

that shit's fucked up.

[Rayne]

Originally Posted by Elidroth Renato

There's a lot of things that many of us would like to say I'm sure, but venting my frustrations over what happened won't fix it, won't get my job back, and ultimately would likely just burn bridges.

Or perhaps I'm just too numb to let loose at the moment. A lot of good people lost their job today.

IMHO, anyone who held it against you would likely be wtfbbq'ed webwide if you did. But kudos to you as well. I'd be walking around with McQuaid's head on a fucking stick by this hour if it were me.

This shit is just, beyond foul.

[Plorkyeran]

Originally Posted by tad10

If so, why the fuck did Smed let it get released in Jan when everyone knew it wasn't even close to ready?

He already went through the EQ2 experience why would he deliberately put himself through it again?

Well, the obvious answer (other than hurr soe is retarded) is that he didn't think they'd be able to fix the problems in a reasonable timeframe. At a certain point, you just have to stop sinking money into something that isn't working.

[Lost Ranger]

Brad may have a job to return too tomorrow morning but I personally think we have seen the last of him here. I cant imagine him having the balls to show his face here and try to spin more of his bullshit. My guess is that he lays low for awhile.

I cant imagine him being at the helm of any more MMOs at this point either. Not just because people wont want to play them but who the fuck would want to work for him after this? This just proves that when shit goes south because Brad is a fucking retard... it is the employees that will be sent packing while he continues to get a paycheck.

[Sini]

Not to sound like an a-hole, but can any of you in the known comment on who was let go and who wasn’t? specifically on the dungeon/class teams. Don’t think that list is taboo or anything now that the dust has settled.
While Vanguard wasn’t all that it could be, there are few things in the game that really shine, even among the turmoil that the team has evidently been through. It would be reassuring for us current subscribers to know the whole “A team” hasn’t been let go.
*hint hint SOE*

[Faille]

I'd imagine the ex-employees are are in a tough position atm. Much as they would love to vent out and give those tell all stories, they know that they need to be looking for work soon, and no employer likes to hire people that have aired laundry in public, no matter how justified.

[Hachima]

It is pretty easy to just make some anonymous blog and get the word out without harming your name though.

[Mithrull]

Originally Posted by Elidroth Renato

There's a lot of things that many of us would like to say I'm sure, but venting my frustrations over what happened won't fix it, won't get my job back, and ultimately would likely just burn bridges.

Or perhaps I'm just too numb to let loose at the moment. A lot of good people lost their job today.

I hope the Sigil staff do ok. I get a little too sentimental thinking about this I guess because I've seen it happen at companies where 99% of the people laid off worked their butts off and were great at what they do.