Vanguard: Saga of Heroes doesn't get as much attention as other SOE games, but it clearly has a dedicated community of players. It's also a game that has seen a significant amount of change since it launched, and the developers are continually improving Vanguard through player input.
Steam has marked down MMORPGs from 20-75% off. Not only that, but they still come with a free month of play, meaning trying out games like Age of Conan and Everquest II will only cost about $10.
Massively:
To celebrate the release of the latest Vanguard update, Halls of the Pantheon, Sony Online Entertainment has released eight new screen shots of the game.
Vanguard has been patched with its "Halls of the Pantheon" game update, which marks the first level cap increase for the game. The new level cap is 55, and Massively is already hearing from the community that getting through the five extra levels is going to take a bit of work. The titular Halls of the Pantheon will have players proving themselves to the gods of Telon in return for great rewards.
Sony Online Entertainment's MMO, Vanguard, is to have Real Money Trading added for its players using the same system as the other MMO owned by SoE, EverQuest 2.
EverQuest®, EverQuest® II, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes®M and Pirates of the Burning SeaTM Available Now.
Massively: "The Vanguard test server is hopping with the release of additional classes for most races and a host of other new features including galleons, fishing and a games arena. The lore behind the updated classes is that some races have been trained by others in practices needed for war while others have taken it upon themselves to learn and adapt."
When Vanguard launched, hopes were high that the game would be a breath of fresh air in the MMO market. Unfortunately, the game didn't meet the expectations of many gamers, who lamented its unfinished state and subsequently left. Sony Online Entertainment hasn't given up on Vanguard though, and they're now offering an incentive for players to return.
One thousand. That's how many bug fixes are in Vanguard's sixth game update, which has now gone live. In addition to the fixes, there's a new newbie area for levels one through ten called the Isle of Dawn. Word is that it will eventually serve as a free trial setting. For now, though, it's just an easy place to get a new character started.
GamingShogun writes: "Vanguard: Saga of Heroes®, fifth game update titled "Telon Rides On", introduces unique land mounts customized for each one of the player races in the game. With the launch of the game update, a citizen's favor can now earn them great rewards and is of high importance to those throughout Telon. Residents of each town are seeking adventurers to help spread the city's influence across the land..."
Sony has informed us that Game Update 4 has been released for Vanguard: Saga of Heroes and brings the permanent flying mounts in addition to an extensive list of game play features. Players will notice a significant revamp of the Riftway system, the addition of an overland raid for high-level players, updates to three classes, bug and performance fixes and the inclusion of Veteran player rewards.
Bruce Woodcock's MMOGChart.com has updated with his latest tracking of MMO subscriptions.
IGN: Online titles will host a variety of in-game Valentine's Day events, including EverQuest II's Erollisi Day.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Most MMO players know the story of IGE and Affinity Media by now, (the owners of WoWhead, Allakhazam, Thottbot and WoWinterface), and their relationship. A really interesting article popped up on Radar Online today which highlights some of the dodgy characters that are involved in the Affinity Media business which had claimed to have no involvement with IGE. Brock Pierce who is an advisor and a board member of Affinity Media, is highlighted in the above article and I have to say there's some pretty unsavoury stuff here pointing at child abuse. This has been brought up before regarding Brock Pierce who has apparently denied charges but there are filed legal cases which he has tried to settle.
PSN@Home has decided to go on a journey. One that will take us quite a bit of work, one where we may have to "bribe" some companies! Although luckily we have spoken with a Rep for Sony Online Entertainment and they made it very easy for us to know what is going on with them at E3 this year.
Saga of Heroes MMO sees first major update next week.