SOE | Feiertag in den USA

Wer sich heute an den Kundensupport von Sony Online Entertainment wenden will wird fest stellen, dass niemand erreichbar ist. In den USA ist heute Memorial Day und dort ist es nicht anderst an einem Feiertag wie bei uns, die Firmen haben geschlossen. Morgen steht der Support wieder in neuer Frische für alle Anfragen bereit.

Taigabaer aus der Gilde "Das sechste Haus" hat ein tolles Fan Movie direkt aus Vanguard erstellt und zeigt es natürlich der Community. Das Video ist ein Zusammenschnitt aus mehreren Szenen und ist untermalt mit der Musik von "Kungfu Fighting". Einfach genial, zieht es euch rein.

Download: Hier gehts zum Download des Videos

Laut einer Mitteilung im offiziellen Forum gehe das Vanguard Team nun die doch störenden Serverlags an.

We are experiencing some network issues right now that are causing much higher lag than normal on the US servers (Halgar remains unaffected). We're aware of the issues and are working to get them resolved as quickly as possible -- but for the time being, if you log in tonight and get more lag than usual, that's why. We'll try to keep everyone updated as we make progress. Thanks!

Zwar waren die meisten Informationen zu dem Update #4 bereits bekannt, aber dennoch möchten wir noch einmal auf die offiziellen Patchnotes für diese Aktualisierung hinweisen.

Update 4 we have added the first two permanent flying mounts into Vanguard. Griffons and wyverns are now available for players to attain. Head to Southwatch to begin the griffon quest and to Ancient Port Warehouse for the wyvern. 2. Riftway Revamp Also featured in Update 4 is a revamp to the riftway system. At level 10, once arriving at the first outpost after the newbie experience, the player will encounter the first riftway stone. These riftways are placed within all similarly leveled outposts, and are available immediately as options for travel. In addition, there will be a quest-giver at each riftway with ‘region introduction quests’, giving an overview of what content is to be found in each region as well as a delivery quest to visit a main quest giver in that region located near the riftway. UI Riftway locations are represented on the map. When moused over they will show an outpost name, region name, and level range. If the riftway is available to the player it will show up in color, and if not then it will be grey. When an available riftway location is clicked and the player has required cost, the player is teleported to that location. Cost Riftways will be tiered and color coded by level range and each tier will have a different cost to travel. This will ensure that lower level players should always be able to afford to get to where they need to go while at the same time not trivializing the cost for higher level players.

SOE | Zusammenschluss: SOE und Sony Computer Entertainment

In einer neuen Pressemitteilung wird der Öffentlichkeit mitgeteilt, dass sich duie Struktur für Sony Online Entertainment etwas geändert hat. Bislang unterstand SOE Sony Pictures Entertainment. Nun aber bedeutet der Wechsel, dass sich zwei Firmen mit ihrem Know-How ergänzen. Die neue enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen SOE und Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) soll die Entwicklung vorantreiben. An der eigentlichen Struktur wird sich nichts ändern und Mitarbeiter werden auch keine Entlassen.

Link: Hier gehts zur Pressemitteilung

Im offiziellen Forum hat Silius, Lead Game Designer einen Vorgeschmack auf das Update #4 von Vanguard : Saga of Heroes gegeben. In dieser Liste, voll von Änderungen wird klar, dass sich Vanguard stetig wandelt und immer Neues und Verändertes bringt.

1. Flying Mounts With Update 4 we have added the first two permanent flying mounts into Vanguard. Griffons and wyverns are now available for players to attain. Head to Southwatch to begin the griffon quest and to Ancient Port Warehouse for the wyvern. 2. Riftway Revamp Also featured in Update 4 is a revamp to the riftway system. At level 10, once arriving at the first outpost after the newbie experience, the player will encounter the first riftway stone. These riftways are placed within all similarly leveled outposts, and are available immediately as options for travel. In addition, there will be a quest-giver at each riftway with ‘region introduction quests´, giving an overview of what content is to be found in each region as well as a delivery quest to visit a main quest giver in that region located near the riftway. 3. Veteran Rewards Veteran Rewards have been added to the /claim window. Rewards include titles, special items (such as vanity pets) and a set of furniture to place inside your house. Veteran rewards are available for players who have had active accounts for six months or more. Additional rewards are available every two months after that. Enjoy!

Der auf der offiziellen Seite erschienene Artikel über das Grab von Lord Tsang gibt einen Einblick auf das, was einen tapferen Abenteurer dort erwarten wird.

The Kojan continent is ripe with things for young adventurers to do. From your first steps on the sands of the Tanvu shores, you´re already learning the ways of the Lao´Jin Knight, harnessing the power of Jin in both battle and life. The Tomb of Lord Tsang is hidden within the north eastern hills of Kojan. Its stone walls were erected ages ago around a dense forest, and are still guarded by an army of defenders who keep an eye out and a blade ready for trespassers. If you´re in the 18-22 level range, and have an eerie urge to go tomb raiding for legendary treasure, then Tsang´s is a place you need to explore!

SOE | Bezahltes Praktikum bei Sony Online Entertainment

Wer hat nicht schon einmal davon geträumt bei einer riesigen Spieleschmiede, wie SOE es ist, zu Arbeiten oder zumindest ein Praktikum zu vollziehen. Aktuell bietet SOE einige Plätze an, um primär Studenten die Möglichkeit zu geben sich beruflich und persönlich zu entwickeln. Das praktikum an sich wird voraussichtlich neun Wochen dauern und wird bezahlt sein.

Link: Lies hier mehr über diese Praktika

Nicht nur in der realen Welt steht der Tag der Liebe bevor, sondern auch in den virtuellen Welten. So werden ab heute die wichtigsten Städte in Telon festlich geschmückt sein. Wer sich nun denkt, das sei nur was fürs Auge, der irrt! Die Macher von Vanguard haben einige Geschenke untergebracht, die viel Spaß und Freude bereiten werden.

Valentine´s Day is right around the corner, and if you forgot to get something special for your someone special, fear not! To celebrate the holiday of love, Vanguard will be decorating the major cities within Telon complete with gift wrapped packages that contain an abundance of fun Valentine´s Day goodies. Beginning Tuesday of next week, travel to Tanvu, New Targonor or Ahgram and find many gifts to open. Inside, you´ll discover items you can use to set the mood in your home or Guild Hall. Stuffed heart-shaped pillows or wall adornments, a variety of flowers – long stemmed or in a vase, chocolates and gifts galore!

Jetzt schon einmal alles gute zum einjährigem Geburtstag von Vanguard Saga of Heroes, denn am 30. Januar ist es soweit. Als Dankeschön für die lange Treue wird es neben einem Kuchen eine Tasche geben. Diese Tasche repräsentiert die einzelnen Sphären, in denen der Held sich aufhalten kann. Wähle aber sorgsam, denn pro Account wird es nur eine geben.

• Avarem´s Messenger Bag (Erhöht die Laufgeschwindigkeit) (Abenteuer)
  
• Silius´ Enchanted Utility Pouch (Erhöht die Handwerksattribute) (Handwerk)
  
• Jansan´s Valise of Ages (Erhöht die Präsenz um 40) (Diplomatie)
  

SOE | Frage Sony Online Entertainment

Fast jeder hat sich bestimmt schon einmal die Frage gestellt, wie es bei Sony Online Entertainment ausschaut. Wir haben die Gelegenheit erhalten und werden uns dort einmal umschauen, Fotos schießen und Fragen stellen. Wir wollen unser Glück mit euch, der Community teilen und fordern euch deswegen auf Fragen zu stellen, die wir mit nach San Diego nehmen werden und versuchen diese dort an die entsprechenden Personen zu stellen. Wir freuen uns auf eure Fragen zu EverQuest 2 und Vanguard Saga of Heroes.

Fragen für EverQuest 2 sammeln wir hier und Fragen rund um Vanguard können hier (0) gestellt werden.

Die Designer von Vanguard haben sich auf gemacht um das Juwel der Wüste Khal ein wenig aufzubessern. Die Vorher-Nachher-Screenshots sind beeindruckend.

Erneut präsentiert SOE zwei von Spielern eingesendete Screenshots.

In einem Frage-Antwort-Interview stellt sich Chris Akesson vor. Er erzählt ein wenig was über seinen Job als Art Lead bei Sony Online Entertainment.

What are you currently working on? That is super secret. Just kidding, I am answering these questions…errr…seriously, we are currently working on optimizing our player characters. It´s one step in a multi-stepped campaign to get better performing and better looking player characters, which, besides (much) better performance will also make it easier for us to implement other things like helmets etc. There is, of course, never just one thing going on, so we are also spicing up the APW shaders, and doing various fixes to that raid dungeon and Khal. There has been a lot of excitement over the revamping of Khal. Players have posted numerous stunning screenshots from the Test server as well as reports that FPS has increased quite a bit. Is this going to be a trend for other big cities within Telon? We were definitely excited over the fact that we were able to get Khal to run better and also at the same time make it look better. Right now our main focus is with the PCs. It is possible that we spend time to get more performance out of, and give "art love-time", by doing optimization and polishing pass on other big cities on the planet. We have to evaluate what will give us the most bang for the buck after we complete the PC work.

Netzwerk | Geburtstags Gewinnspiel

Höret her ihr Leut,

es gibt was zu Gewinnen. Unsere Netzwerkseite zu EverQuest 2 feiert das 5 Jährige Bestehen und aus diesem Anlass vergeben wir gegen eine kleine Gegenleistung in Form von einer Geschichte ein mal die neue Erweiterung Rise of Kunark (inkl. Basisspiel), ein mal eine 30 Tage Game Time Card und für Nostalgiker eine Charakter Creation CD.

In einem Brief vom Entwickler an die Community, wird der aktuelle Status von Vanguard Saga of Heroes beschrieben. Aktuell werden die letzten Handgriff für das Update #3 getätigt. Aber nicht nur das wird erwähnt.

Let Yourself Free and Make This Game Great! These are pretty exciting times for Vanguard right now. The team is currently putting the finishing touches on Phase 2 and 3 of Update 3 after having launched an astounding performance update in Phase 1. We received a lot of great feedback from you on Phase 1, and we´re going to continue our focus in delivering consistently high quality, engaging and in-demand content in each update. I´d like to introduce myself to many of you that do not know me. My name is Thom Terrazas, Producer for Vanguard. In a few words, I´ve been with Sony Online Entertainment over 9 years (unofficially). During that time, I have and still do work, with some of the greatest people in the MMO world of whom I intend to solicit feedback from and use to my advantage. One of the best things that I have learned in this industry is to work closely with your team, while at the same time allow them to do their jobs and show off their talents – and we have some amazingly passionate and talented developers working on Vanguard. I give them a lot of credit for launching an MMO of this caliber, and you´ll continue to see their talents shining through in our future updates. The Team´s Current Focus In the past few weeks, the team has been examining all of the fundamental game mechanics and discussing what we think it is fun to play and what is not. The great thing is we are not holding anything back – everything is fair game!. So something that may have been perceived as off limits in the past, is now an open for debate and is able to be measured on the fun-factor-scale. At the end of the day, we all want to say we created a great game that is fun to play – and of course, we want you to be the measuring stick of whether or not and to what extent we meet that goal. Without you, we wouldn´t be here. One of our current priority tasks is setting the Vision for Vanguard. We´ve come up with dozens upon dozens of elements that we believe will factor into determining the future path of Vanguard but it will take a few more weeks of fine tuning within our internal departments before we distill it down to the vision and have an agreed on list of critical success factors by which to measure all new development against. I´m not able to share the details at the moment but what I can say is that the desired end result of this exercise is to ensure that we produce high-quality game content and features that first and foremost fun to play.