What is Sigil Games Online?
Sigil Games Online is the developer of Vanguard. It is a new developer composed of industry veterens. Find out more about Sigil at their official website.
What is Vanguard: Saga of Heroes? *
It is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game in development by Sigil Games Online. Visit the official Vanguard website.
Vanguard's purpose is to become the premier third generation massively multiplayer RPG. Given the significant success of games such as EverQuest, Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot, and Asheron’s Call, it is clear that a strong demand for fantasy based MMORPGs exists. To meet the growing demand for a game that advances the multiplayer fantasy genre, Sigil is using the combined experience and creativity of its team to bring players a new and challenging feature set with deep, involving game content.
Vanguard is a High Fantasy themed Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) with a heavy focus on character development, an immersive world, player interdependence, and which strives to meet the following goals:
• To lead the next generation of massively multiplayer RPGs by using Sigil’s unparalleled expertise and experience in the field. Our team consists of original EverQuest team members, EverQuest expansion team members, as well as team members from EverQuest 2 and EverQuest Online Adventures (PS/2).
• To lead the next generation of massively multiplayer RPGs by implementing unparalleled static and dynamic content using advanced approaches including, but not limited to: advanced encounter systems; meaningful travel; a detailed and interesting seamless world; advanced immersive gameplay and graphics, and pre-planned expansions for both the short and long term health of the game. We also have quite a few ideas and preliminary plans that we consider revolutionary. These innovations, although they will be under wraps for some time to come, should take the genre to the next generation and beyond.
•To bring back to the genre a challenging and rewarding environment -- removing tedium and frustration (which we certainly aim to do) does not mean a game necessarily has to be easy.
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
What is an MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Role-Playing Game)? *
While many computer games support multiplayer gaming, few are designed to support thousands of simultaneous players. Most online games allow for 16 or 32 players to connect to a server that is usually controlled by one of the players. This is called a client-server network for online games.
Massively multiplayer games work in a similar way but on a much larger scale.. The player runs the 'client' program (a client is a program which has been downloaded onto the player’s computer) which then connects over the Internet to servers administered by the company that hosts the game (the servers are the computers located at the company).
Imagine logging into a virtual fantasy world, creating your own character, and then being free to explore that world, to meet friends, and to learn new skills and acquire items of power.
Vanguard: Saga Of Heroes is that game and that world. Whether you are logged on or not, thousands of others most certainly are, and the world persists and evolves regardless of who is logged on and when.
If you think about the huge graphical Internet described in cyberpunk novels like Snowcrash or the holodeck in Star Trek, MMORPGs are really the logical predecessors to these virtual worlds of the future.
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
What do you mean by a ‘third generation MMORPG’? *
We usually use the word ‘generation’ more like an 'era'... when a group of games come out around the same time, were in development mostly around the same time, and therefore couldn't use each other as reference nearly as much as older games, we call that a generation.
Under that definition, M59, UO, AC, EQ, etc. were all first generation. They pretty much just had MUDs to look back on and be inspired.
When you get to AC 2, SW:G, EQ 2, and WoW, all of the developers are able to look back not only at MUDs but also at what worked and didn't work with the first generation of MMOGs.
Vanguard will have the advantage of looking back at both generations, learning again from what worked and didn't work with all of those games. In other words, we will be able to analyze EQ 2, WoW, etc. too.
That doesn't mean our definition of 'generation' is 'right' or 'official', but that is the rationale we use when we refer to Vanguard as a 3rd generation massively multiplayer role-playing game.
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
Why should I play your game? I already have a guild and massive time invested in another MMOG. *
All games age, even massively multiplayer games with content that can be patched and updated. Economies grow old and inflated, the 'newness' and reward for exploring the world wears off. Technology also continues to advance and games probably can't be updated indefinitely, especially if that level of flexibility wasn't built in from inception.
Really, though, you, your friends, and your guild need to decide if you're ready for a change. Our goal with Vanguard is to take everything we've learned ourselves in the last 8+ years and by watching and playing other MMOGs and take the genre to the next level. We're certainly ready for a new game, and we hope many of you are as well and will give Vanguard a try. If what you learn about Vanguard from this FAQ and elsewhere intrigues you and sounds like something you might enjoy, we don't think you'll be disappointed..
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
Does it cost money to play Vanguard: Saga of Heroes? *
Yes. Most likely the game will follow the traditional model of buying the box in the stores, receiving a free trial period, and then paying a monthly subscription fee. Other payment plans and options may be made available.
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
Who is the game's publisher? *
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
What are the technical requirements for the game? *
The Vanguard client will be built to take advantage of the average gamer's machine at the time of release. The graphics engine is also very scalable, so a below recommended spec machine should be able to run the game, albeit with less graphics goodness than a more powerful PC. Likewise, as newer and more power systems and cards come on the market, the Vanguard client will take advantage of them as well, scaling upwards. It's too early to announce Vanguard's hardware, memory, or storage requirements.
From the Official Vanguard FAQ (original entry).
Where can I find that leaked screenshot from April 2003?
Sorry, but we can't say. We can link to you Brad McQuaid's official response to the issue, however.
How long has Vanguard been in development?
Design work started in April 2002, with true development of Vanguard beginning aroundJuly/August, so you do the math.