Sigil Drops Microsoft, Publishing With SOE
Posted by
Zonk
on Sat May 06, '06 03:28 PM
from the hahahahahahahaha dept.
from the hahahahahahahaha dept.
Labyrrinth writes "'As the development process is ongoing and constantly shifting, it became clear that MGS and Sigil had varying visions and direction for the title's development,' said Brad McQuaid, CEO of Sigil Games Online. 'In the best interest of Vanguard, it was decided that we would buy back the publishing rights from Microsoft.'" They've hooked up with Sony Online Entertainment, publishers of EQ and EQII, and Brad McQuaid's old employer. Aggro Me has commentary on this union.
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Sigil Drops Microsoft, Publishing With SOE
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So torn...
(Score:2, Interesting)WTF?
(Score:4, Insightful)(http://hillpeople.us/ | Last Journal: Thursday October 13, @01:16AM)
Too Bad
(Score:3, Insightful)However, after my past experiences, I've vowed to never again play an SoE game. The fact that SoE has started to embrace real-world sales of in-game items just further cements this.
It looks like I needn't worry about Vanguard any further, as I won't touch it with a 10' pole now. It's not worth getting attached to another MMORPG that, 2-3 years down the road, will end up as bad as EQ became (or EQ II always was).
This is a Good Thing
(Score:5, Informative)1) Sigil now has complete control over production, release, and funding -- they didn't before. (Microsoft was pushing for an earlier, unfinished release)
2) Sigil now makes a greater profit from the game, as they now own the IP rights. Expansions will be released on THEIR schedule, not at SOE's.
3) SOE will ONLY be handling marketing and technical support. They are probably the best in the business at both, even if they suck at developing.
4) Sigil will provide in-game customer service; GMs will be Sigil employees and Guides will be part of a volunteer program.
5) Any attempts on the part of SOE to bully Sigil will be considered breach of contract, and Sigil will move to a different datacenter. They have stated this in the face of so much 'player' opposition -- I really doubt anything is going to happen.
In summary: The game belongs more to Sigil now than it ever has, and this partnership is going to benefit the game greatly. Brad and company have been very forthcoming and honest about this over at the Vanguard boards, and that's a trend that's going to continue.
owned
(Score:1, Funny)http://tinypic.com/ilzxx4.jpg [tinypic.com]
Good news for me
(Score:2)(Last Journal: Friday May 26, @09:12PM)
Yes I have heard that SOE keeps billing CC accounts after you stopped your account but I never had problems with them. Finally a MMO I can pay for with my bank account.
I just hope they keep smedley far removed. Let him handle the billing. That he does well.
They killed EQ2, I liked it but a patch that increased running speed also increased the running animation. It looked like a Charlie Chaplin movie. I can live with bugs, unbalacing and whatever but I got to look at that running animation every second of gameplay. Get it right.