Vanguard video tour with Brad and Jeff from Sigil
Nov 02, 2006 23:12:20
Submitted by Brent on Nov 02, 2006 23:12:20 CST (comments: 13)
Nov 02, 2006 23:12:20
| This is a guided tour through Vanguard, voiced by Brad McQuaid and Jeff Butler. It is almost 20 minutes long, but well worth the viewing especially if you're not lucky enough to be in the beta. This gives a very good overview of what it will all be like and certainly is more valuable than any screen shot or prepared movie could be. This is much like watching a friend play, except Brad's computer is way better than mine or any of my friends'. |
Submitted by Brent on Nov 02, 2006 23:12:20 CST (comments: 13)
Comments:
'Hmm.' by Bman
Submitted on 2006-11-03 01:11:01 CST
I've seen several Vanguard videos already, but this is the best "Intro to Vanguard" video I've seen so far. I saw some things to like and some things I didn't really dig all that much.
The big, seamless world idea is great, but it seems to lack the vibrance of a game like Ryzom, and the frame rate is way below par, even on the self-aware Sigil monster PC. The character models need work too. Memo to Sigil: hire some Korean character artists. They know wtf they're doing.
It's good (for me) to hear Sigil in full backpedal mode on their "hardcore" posturing. Now they're claiming to support short play sessions and solo content across the entire level range? How the mighty have fallen! Though, if the combat all the way up is as dull as it looked in the video, I think a lot of people will get bored quickly.
I wish McQuaid and Butler would've had a few Red Bulls before they recorded the commentary; their voices started to make me sleepy.
'redbull' by Brent
Submitted on 2006-11-03 01:15:08 CST
Yeah, its weird hearing someone more sedate than me.
'Hmm' by Iccanui
Submitted on 2006-11-03 04:53:37 CST
Here is what i dont get about Vanguard. The lore behind its creation goes if i remember. founding members of the EQ1 team, decided that SOE had taken EQ in the wrong direction when verant was aquired. They struck out on their own to create vanguard to bring the world a game that was more like EQ. Now i dont know when this happened, but obviously SOE is back in the deal.
Anyone got aback story on this ?
I mean i know SOE has changed a lot in many positive ways and im not upset that SOE is handling vanguard, but im just confused cause of all people SOE was not who i thought would be involved with vanguard.
'The SOE Question' by Streamweaver
Submitted on 2006-11-03 12:58:31 CST
Iccanui asks a good question above, exactly what is SOE's involvement here? The backstory of developers aside, SOE usually seems to want a lot of input into MMOs they distribute so what is their involvement with Vanguard? What will this mean for the direction of the game, does this mean it will be included in the All Access package? Doesn't SOE run and takes a cut of auctioning in game items for money, will they be doing the same with Vanguard?
I hope to hear more about this soon.
'The SOE Question Indeed' by Wilhelm2451
Submitted on 2006-11-03 14:22:32 CST
I do not think we will ever really know what the true chemistry between Sigil and SOE is unless there is a split between them because of it. A couple of times it has been mentioned that SOE's primary role lies in its expertise with infrastructure management, marketing ability, and muscle in the retail distribution channel, all of which is certainly plausible.
As to how much of Sigil's change of course over the last two years is because of its partners (Microsoft then SOE) and how much of it them trying to sync themselves with the reality of the MMO marketplace they expect to find in 2007... that would be an interesting answer to hear.
'Visual Cues' by Wilhelm2451
Submitted on 2006-11-03 20:52:59 CST
I watched the video and at a number of points my brain picked up certain visual styles or cues that reminded me of other games. The strongest were:
-On seeing the UI of the game for the first time, my brain said "EverQuest II." Windows, buttons, text, all seemed to fit that. Though, to be fair, the video was in a very small window, so this might just be the magic of visual closure.
-On seeing NPCs with their names floating above them, EverQuest came right to mind. The names, even though they are in red rather than EverQuest aqua, had that same flat feel to them. Again, tiny window, but still.
'where is the video at?' by hughnme
Submitted on 2006-11-05 23:24:09 CST
is there a link or summit?
might be going blind in my old age
'above' by Brent
Submitted on 2006-11-05 23:30:36 CST
It is right above after the text. maybe you do not have scripts on or flash or something?
'Looks promising' by hughnme
Submitted on 2006-11-06 05:50:30 CST
My bad, I was viewing the page at work, I’m at home now and have watched the video.
I’m ashamed to say I’ve never played eq or eq2 so I have no point of comparison as the above have.
This game excites me a great deal, the promise of a seamless world, my own house! My own ship! So long as it can be played in chunks and is not too difficult I think this game for me may be a winner.
'liked it' by Dathmar
Submitted on 2006-11-06 07:59:21 CST
Looks very promising...
Glad to see that the animation of the flying mounts is done correctly.
One thing that REALLY gets me in EQ2 is the animation of the Griffons...its like I am riding a giantic floating stuffed bird...I guess it was a Friday afternoon when they did the work on the animation for this. at SOE.
Also...glad there are no Guns in the game (Steam Punk reference) like WOW...
If the game is Sci-Fi / Fantasy thats fine with me - but in a Fantasy only type game it spoils it for me.
'I don't know...' by darrenl
Submitted on 2006-11-06 08:26:16 CST
The more I look at Vanguard, the more I think that this game is really EQ3, or maybe EQ2.5. I really see nothing there that isn't already offered in some form in EQ2.
The environments seem very drab and lack colour...a lot of the models seem to be taken right from EQ2 (i.e. that one dark elf at character create looks strangely familiar). The graphics overall do not look 3rd generation at all.
And yes, the commentary was not very inspiring either. It would be nice if these guys at least sounded excited for their game.
Of course, this is just a video and its not released yet, so I could be wrong in my impressions. I personally am going to wait about a year for this one. If EQ2 was any indication, it'll take them that long to come into their own.
'Question about SOE' by QforQ
Submitted on 2006-11-22 03:34:29 CST
SOE will not have any influence on the development of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. SOE only handles the distribution, hosting, and marketing of Vanguard. Sigil has FULL control over the development side of things.
'Over and Over and Over...' by Leonai
Submitted on 2006-12-20 17:53:41 CST
I've seen several comments about the EQ2... 2.5... 3... 2? It seems that from the beginning of the community pondering, this has been the sentiment from even before Vanguard had an announced name. I've read quite frequently that Vanguard is to be, "... the EQ2 that we wanted when EQ2 came out..." Also mentioned is the "style" being similar to EQ1 as well as EQ2, and I think that has an aweful lot to do with the artists themselves and the people behind the development. As an artist and web designer, I notice that everything that I do and touch has a distinct, yet unintentional "signature" attached to it that I just can't help. It's just the way my style runs. On that same note, I think that's exactly what you're going to see in Vanguard. The people who created EQ and many of the developers and some of the people behind EQ2 scooted over to Vanguard at one point or another which is just naturally going to leave a similar and perhaps unintentional signature on the look and feel of the game.
As far as Brad and Jeff's serene voices - from meeting them personally, I'd have to disagree. They speak of Vanguard and show it through their presentation like one talks about a beloved and cherished wine. When talking about a wonderful wine, you don't pitch it with bumpin' music and a football announcer's voice. You talk about it with a smooth voice that's very similar to how your tongue is saying, "mmmmmm...." to. Vanguard is their baby and is sort of a "hushed" treasure.
However, that being said: As much as it is an honor to hear the presentation from the 2 "gods of Sigil" themselves, maybe marketting should get involved and get some people who have "pitch" voices to well... pitch the game in a more excited and presentable manner.
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