We've previously reported that Sony Online Entertainment has (Gold)
December 24th, 2007
We've previously reported that Sony Online Entertainment has acquired Sigil Games, the company responsible for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game, Vanguard.
We've previously reported that SOE has reassured that they won't dumb down Vanguard for its fans. Well, here's a bit more from Sony regarding Vanguard. This time, the reassurance comes from Sony Online Entertainment's John Smedley.
Speaking to Shack news, John Smedley says that the reality of the situation when it comes to Sony's acquisition of Sigil Games is that they "stepped in at the last second when Sigil couldn't get funding."
He reassured that they see Vanguard as a very strong game, and that they'll do their best not to make a repeat of Star Wars Galaxies. Yes, Sony admits that they screwed up Star Wars Galaxies. Here's Smedley's words:
Absolutely, you know, performance improvements, bugs, definitely at the top of our list. We're not going to go in and make some broad-sweeping changes. We tried that with Star Wars Galaxies, we screwed it up, and we're not going to do it again. [laughs] It really is as simple as that. We try to learn from our mistakes. Maybe we're not always perfect, but in this particular case let's fix the things that are broken, not the things that aren't.
While Smedley is a bit mum on the specifics of their plans for the game, he does note that they have performance and bug issues on the top of their list. He also notes that they have a content plan that they're currently outlining, and that subscribers to the game should expect a lot of free updates.
As for an expansion pack, he hints that they have that in mind. However, he does say that they're "not even really discussing that part yet".
Feel free to head to the complete interview via our "read" link below.
SOE to fans: We won't dumb down Vanguard 
So it has been settled that MMO video game title Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and Sigil Games are now wholly-owned by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE).
There have been reports that some employees were fired on the spot because their positions are quite redundant. The question now is what happens to those who were not fired? We know that former head Brad McQuaid was retained in an advisory role, how about the others?
Jeff Butler, on the other hand, is being transferred to SOE's San Diego office to lead a team of five developers and create a new prototype MMO. However, this project is not on a full scale basis and it's still uncertain if it will ever see the light of day.
Also, SOE Director of Corporate Communications and PR Courtney Simmons said that fans shouldn't be worried by the recent acquisition because SOE is going to take care of Vanguard. She explained,
People who purchased Vanguard knew what they were purchasing. There is no doubt that Vanguard is a hardcore game, for hardcore MMO fans and SOE is very much committed to that vision. They have no plans to dumb it down for a mass audience.
Well, this is actually the second time that it came to Sigil's rescue when it comes to Vanguard. Before all of these happened, Microsoft partnered itself with Sigil Games to published the product. However, that didn't push through and the reins were picked up by SOE May of last year.
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