I need other bloggers assistance. Mind does not compute as it did not when SWG announced the NGE.

(source)

VANGUARD: SAGA OF HEROES FINDS A NEW HOME
– Sigil Games Online and Sony Online Entertainment In Talks To Co-Publish Sigil’s Ground-Breaking New Game –

May 5, 2006 – Carlsbad & San Diego, CA – Sigil Games Online and Sony Online Entertainment LLC (SOE), a global leader in the online games industry, today announced that Sigil is working with Microsoft Game Studios on an arrangement to acquire the rights to its highly anticipated massively multiplayer online (MMO) game, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. These efforts have resulted in a tentative agreement for Vanguard to be co-published by both Sigil Games Online and SOE. All three companies will be showing the game at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) as they work closely together for a successful transition. Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is scheduled to launch this winter.

“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.”

As co-publisher of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Sigil assumes greater control of marketing and PR, while maintaining responsibility for game development, community relations, media relations, customer support, and quality assurance. Under the terms of the agreement, SOE will provide distribution, marketing, hosting and back-end support — including billing and technical support — for the game. Additionally, SOE is tentatively planning on adding Vanguard, upon its release,to SOE’s Station Access™ subscription plan. Station Access allows players to enjoy all of SOE’s MMO titles for one low monthly price.

“We are very excited to be working with so many old friends at Sigil,” said John Smedley, president, Sony Online Entertainment. “Vanguard looks beautiful and has an incredibly rich game world. It’s the type of game that will appeal directly to SOE’s hundreds of thousands of players and should fit in perfectly with the current line-up of games available in Station Access.”

”This decision was made mutually by Sigil and Microsoft, in the best interest of the long-term goals for the title,” said Phil Spencer, General Manager at Microsoft Game Studios. “As a key Windows development partner, we will continue to work with Sigil to ensure Vanguard’s ongoing success.”

First guess: Vanguard is nowhere ready and Miscrosoft decided to bail. I wouldn’t be surprised if this will lead to a one-year delay.

Second guess: It makes absolutely no sense for SOE to keep three identic games competing between each other. Two were already too much. This could lead to two scenarios. The first is that Vanguard will never release and the development reabsorbed into EQ2, the second is that it will release but it will fail so loudly that it will be shutdown shortly after.

But then I know that SOE never does anything logic. They bought and still support Matrix after all. They are really mimicking NCSoft’s portfolio strategy and absorbing all potential competitors. Even if they suck.

Instead there’s one thing I’m pretty sure: right now Microsoft is regretting to have dumped Mythica in favor of Vanguard, if someone remembers what I mean.

And one thing is ABSOLUTELY sure: Vanguard will be delayed indefinitely.

Smed: I have to say I’m incredibly impressed with Vanguard. The game is awesome, and I think from our perspective it’s going to be something we’re very proud to be associated with.

This will be pasted again in bold when the game will be released. If it will be released.