Server merges are a fairly touchy subject with just about any MMO community. For some, they're a sign that a company is putting a game on life support. For others, it is viewed as a way for a company to pool resources and effort in maintaining a smaller server structure so they can redistribute funds and manpower into improving the game. In either case, it still beats having one's favorite MMO shut down altogether.
That's why we were interested to note a somewhat cryptic post on the official Vanguard forums made by Salim "Silius" Grant, the game's Lead Developer. While he doesn't state that he is definitely talking about server merges, the thread is named "the big merger" and merges are the primary topic in the thread. The post in question reads: "[w]e are still working out the details on this. We are finalizing the process and running it through QA while working on the marketing side so we can get the word out to people and a good bit of forewarning. Hopefully we can get the official word out soon. Sorry for the lack of updates but it really has just been constant QA of the process so we can have as few bugs as possible once this occurs. This combined with getting the other content releases out the door has made things rather hectic around here."
We contacted Sony Online Entertainment for clarification, but were told that there are currently no plans on the horizon for server merges in Vanguard. What precisely Grant could have been talking about in his forum posting if this is the case is something we're going to have to wait and see.
Reader Comments (19)
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 7:11PM aurickle said
Vanguard is already on life support. It has been for over a year now. Despite the fact that the game has made huge strides since launch, Sony refuses to promote it and has been cutting back on its budget. From the last I read, all new content for the game has been put on indefinite hold.
The server merge at least has the potential to let everyone have more fun by having more people to play with. But don't get any hopes up that this (now very good) game won't go the way of the Matrix in a year or so.
The server merge at least has the potential to let everyone have more fun by having more people to play with. But don't get any hopes up that this (now very good) game won't go the way of the Matrix in a year or so.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 7:22PM karnisov said
ok matrix shut down, whatever is left of the SWG player base will be taken to its knees next year by the SW:TOR launch, and Vanguard is merging servers. no big projects in the pipe that I am aware of. SOE looks to be imploding. is EQ2 their last card?
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 7:40PM Dandmcd said
Vanguard servers are probably merging into EQ2, hahaha. I can't believe SOE has never pulled the plug on this game yet, it is shocking it is still making enough money to break even.
As for what SOE has going on, their Facebook game development and Free Realms I imagine are raking in some cash right now. The Agency I assume is still humming along, and they surely have to have some other big MMO hidden under wraps they aren't telling us about.
As for what SOE has going on, their Facebook game development and Free Realms I imagine are raking in some cash right now. The Agency I assume is still humming along, and they surely have to have some other big MMO hidden under wraps they aren't telling us about.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 7:52PM wjowski said
...I didn't know they had anything left to merge.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 8:35PM Lateris said
I wish I had the funding to buy Vanguard from SOE and relaunch it.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 8:53PM Daelen said
Server mergers don't make much sense given the QA thing. Wouldn't be the first time so shouldn't need new process. Merge of travel or area flow or starting areas or or or... could be anything. Given EQ2 is merging travel types, VG could be headed the same way. Travel in VG isn't exactly noob friendly.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 8:59PM Wisdomandlore said
I tried it last year and was surprised how much I liked it. But I couldn't justify investing time in a game that is obviously on life-support.
Posted: Apr 27th 2010 8:56AM blix2006 said
agreed,i had so many fond memories of vanguard..being the second guy in my server with a boat...taking a guild full of people in it and jumping on other peoples boats to raid it.bugs and unpolish sank it before it had a chance.its very sad how this brilliant game was handled.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 9:58PM (Unverified) said
truly sad to see this game go, but too bad SOE care more about EQ2 and didn't want VG to succeed.
If i have money I'd buy the product and start my own company and make it works.
If i have money I'd buy the product and start my own company and make it works.
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 10:11PM Daelen said
No one buys a product to sink it. nVidia bought 3Dfx for its tech, AMD bought ATi for its market, HP bought Compaq for its support chain... SOE bought Sigil to bring VG to market not because it would compete directly with EQ2, but because it doesn't. EQ2 != VG and vice versa, never was never was going to be. SOE has a ton of MMOs, none of them compete with each other since they all try for a different market.
And more to the point if your wealth of business savy, marketing power and investment prowess is limited to surfing MMO forums... you can't save VG =P
And more to the point if your wealth of business savy, marketing power and investment prowess is limited to surfing MMO forums... you can't save VG =P
Posted: Apr 26th 2010 10:45PM ultimateq said
I love you Vanguard, Please don't go anywhere.
Posted: Apr 27th 2010 9:47AM (Unverified) said
just make it F2P and ppl will come
Posted: Apr 27th 2010 2:48PM (Unverified) said
Yep, this game is screaming for a DDO model upgrade. Pots, classes, races, mounts, and custom housing could all be viable cash shop items in this game.
Reply
Posted: Apr 27th 2010 4:13PM (Unverified) said
I actually would love this. I've tried this game 2-3 times and absolutely love it, except for the part where I go for hours and hours without seeing another player.
I promise here and now SOE: you merge all these servers, I'll re-sub.
I promise here and now SOE: you merge all these servers, I'll re-sub.
Posted: Apr 28th 2010 5:01AM silvertemplar said
This game actually really NEEDS a server merge. When i tried this game earlier this year it was dead, compounded by the fact that the game world is -huge-. There's just no point playing an MMO with a world larger than a planet and never seeing any people...
Posted: Jun 4th 2010 7:15PM (Unverified) said
Make the game free to play....and you would be adding servers








