Even so, I think that there is a lot to be excited about.  Take Warhammer for instance.  It’s been called nasty names like “WoW Clone” and “Cartoonish”, but just look at what this game is going to do for the MMO world.  No, I don’t expect Warhammer to outperform WoW.  From my standpoint, that is a good thing.  I think that the public quests are really going to change the expectations of gamers.  From a smaller standpoint, if you want to call something next generation in gaming, this idea is a good example.  For me, the worst part about playing a MMO is the negativity towards looking for group.  About half the time anymore if I ask someone if they want to group, they simply do not answer.  How did we get to this point?  I know that many people in my guild would rather solo than do anything but a guild group.  This selfish attitude is what kills the fun in a MMO.  How can a guild possibly expect to grow if they do not adventure and recruit with pick up groups?  These questions need to be answered in traditional MMOs if they expect to compete.

Another idea that I heard about in a podcast that will remain unnamed, is an MMO in which there are no classes.  Please, take no offense, but I can’t think of anything more vanilla and boring.  My prediction is that any MMO like this would fail miserably.  To me, I like having to level up a new character if I want to play another class.  In this manner I am able to hit content previously missed and see places I would otherwise have no reason to see.

When I say that there will be no “Next Generation” MMO, I’m not being pessimistic.  I think that there will be many things to be excited about in the future, it just isn’t going to happen in one shiny package.  These changes will have to take place in small increments.   Games with novel mechanics like Warhammer and games like Vanguard which push the limits of current technology, will lead the way to change.

One other piece of information that some may not be aware of is that sometime soon Vanguard will have a mentoring system.  I really hope that it isn’t too late for this feature, as I know many have been wishing for it for quite some time.  Anyway, I am hoping that those disgruntled, crusty old gamers can find the silver lining and keep a positive attitude.  For me, I am looking forward to Game Update 6 and all that will come with it.  I can’t wait to do my review!

          Since I haven’t been a high level crafter until recently, I will have to go from memory.  As I recall the original system for the rare, high level recipes was from adventuring drops.  These recipes were tradeable.  This system was considered unfair because players didn’t have to do any work to get recipes, just dish out some dough.  Additionally, players that did not prefer to adventure, didn’t have the opportunity to get their own recipes.  Consequently, we were presented with the Sigil system and the previous system was abolished.  Originally, Sigils were tradeable between players.  Once again, this was deemed to be unfair.  I would guess that the reasoning would be that it was too easy to get Sigils.  So that takes us to the current system in which Sigils are no longer tradeable.   For those who do not know, Sigils can only be gotten from doing grade “A” batches.  Every time a player turns in a Tier 4 + grade “A” batch, they have a “chance” to get a silver Sigil.  Well, I’m sorry, but not only is that not good enough, it’s also even more unfair than any of the other previous systems.  In my circumstance, I have gotten a grand total of 9 silver sigils and my character is on the verge of getting level 50.  I would call that the dirty end of the stick.  That’s pretty rotten, but I have a feeling that there are plenty of other players have been just as unlucky as myself.  If I wanted to rely on “lady luck” I would visit a casino instead of playing Vanguard.

          So what should be done?  Firstly, don’t go changing the system again.  People really get fed up when every time they turn around, the rules have totally changed… again.  What I suggest is that in addition to the current system, players should be given an alternative opportunity to gain their recipes.  How about offering a separate quest for each rare, high level recipe?  But we don’t want it to be too easy do we?  Therefore, require the players to reach a certain amount of faction, let’s just say 7,500, before they get access to the quests.  Still too easy?  Fine, then only allow certain recipes to be available from one of the three factions.

                    My second concern was the fact that crafted gear does not noticeably outperform crafted gear.  And why shouldn’t it?  We’ve worked our asses off spending hours upon hours grinding just so that we can get the opportunity to create an item that probably won’t sell at any appropriate price.  And why would anyone pay more for gear, when they are able to quest an entire set of gear within a few sessions?  Take the bounty hunter quest for instance.  Most adventurers are able do complete all the quests in this series alone, with the exception of the last two missions.  I know that the last time I did this quest it took me one evening.  For the last two fights, I had two friends help me finish it out and the whole thing was over within two hours.  I do think that these types of quests are fun and great for the game.  My opinion is that crafted gear should always be a cut above quested gear.  Top end raid gear should be greatest of all.

          My last concern was the fact that crafting is extremely grindy and has no guarantees that all the hard work will pay off.  Call me sick, but I don’t mind crafting being grindy.  I don’t want just any player to be able to grind to level 50.  However, if they put in the hard work to get there and do all the factioning, they should be rewarded.  There needs to be a level playing field here and there just isn’t.  Worse than that, if your fortune is poor, crafting can become a very bitter experience.

          One thing that has changed for me and Vanguard is that I’m no longer willing to sit by silent and not do my part to help make this game as great as it can be.  I’m beginning to see that the developers at Sony need bloggers and podcasters to get the feedback they need to make the game better.  For that reason, I plan to continue blogging about such things and apologize to those that have read in the past for my hiatus.

ClientScript Open
    ClientScript.RegisterClientScriptBlock(Me.GetType(), “scriptname”, “<script>window.open(”,’_self’);</script>”)

Set Default Button (for TextBox)
    Public Sub setDefaultButton(ByRef Page As System.Web.UI.Page, ByRef objTextControl As TextBox, ByRef objDefaultButton As Button)
        Dim sScript As New System.Text.StringBuilder()

        sScript.Append(“<SCRIPT language=”"javascript”">” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“function fnTrapKD(btn){” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(” if (document.all){” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“   if (event.keyCode == 13)” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“   { ” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“     event.returnValue=false;” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“     event.cancel = true;” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“     btn.click();” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“   } ” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(” } ” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“}” & vbCrLf)
        sScript.Append(“</SCRIPT>” & vbCrLf)

        objTextControl.Attributes.Add(“onkeydown”, “fnTrapKD(document.all.” & objDefaultButton.ClientID & “)”)
        Page.ClientScript.RegisterClientScriptBlock(Me.GetType(), “ForceDefaultToScript”, sScript.ToString)
    End Sub

SQL Select Method
     Private Sub sqlSelect()
        Dim strConnection As String = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“[DBKEY]“)
        Dim strQuery As String = “SELECT * FROM [TABLE] WHERE ID=@ID“
        Try
            Using sqlConn As System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection = New System.Data.SqlClient.SqlConnection()
                sqlConn.ConnectionString = strConnection
                Using cmd As SqlCommand = sqlConn.CreateCommand()
                    cmd.CommandText = strQuery
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@ID”, )
                    sqlConn.Open()
                    Using Dr As SqlDataReader = cmd.ExecuteReader()
                        Do While Dr.Read

                        Loop
                        Dr.Close()
                    End Using
                End Using
            End Using
        Catch ex As Exception
            Dim msg As New Mail
            msg.Mail_error(ex.Message, ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“ErrorEmail”), “EACG Intranet”, Page.Title.ToString(), System.Reflection.MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod.ToString(), Context.User.Identity.Name)
            DisplayMessage(ex.Message)
        End Try
    End Sub

SQL Insert Method
     Private Function sqlInsert() As Boolean
        Dim strConnection As String = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“[Database]“)
        Dim AdMail As New Mail
        Dim CreatedBy As String = AdMail.GetUserInfo(Context.User.Identity.Name, “samaccountname”, “displayname”)
        Dim MySQL As New SQLlib
        Dim MyID As Integer = MySQL.getMaxID(“[IDFIELD]“, “[TABLE]“, “[DATABASE]“) + 1

        Try
            Dim strInsertQuery As String = “INSERT INTO [TABLE] ” & _
            “(ID, DateSubmitted, SubmittedBy, UpdatedBy, DateUpdated) ” & _
            “VALUES ” & _
            “(@ID, @DateSubmitted, @SubmittedBy, @UpdatedBy, @DateUpdated)”
            Using sqlData As New SqlConnection()
                sqlData.ConnectionString = strConnection
                Using cmd As SqlCommand = sqlData.CreateCommand()
                    cmd.CommandText = strInsertQuery
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@ID”, MyID)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@”, MySQL.evaluateSQLParameters(“”, “String”).Value)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@DateSubmitted”, Now)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@SubmittedBy”, CreatedBy)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@DateUpdated”, Now)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@UpdatedBy”, CreatedBy)
                    sqlData.Open()
                    cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
                    sqlData.Close()
                    Return True
                End Using
            End Using
        Catch ex As Exception
            Dim msg As New Mail
            msg.Mail_error(ex.Message, ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“ErrorEmail”), “EACG Intranet”, Page.Title.ToString(), System.Reflection.MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod.ToString(), Context.User.Identity.Name)
            DisplayMessage(ex.Message.ToString() & “\n Email Notification has been sent to IT…”)
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

SQL Update Method
     Private Function sqlUpdate(ByVal MyID As String) As Boolean
        Dim strConnection As String = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“[DATABASE]“)
        Dim AdMail As New Mail
        Dim CreatedBy As String = AdMail.GetUserInfo(Context.User.Identity.Name, “samaccountname”, “displayname”)
        Dim MySQL As New SQLlib

        Dim MyString As String = “”

        Try
            Dim strInsertQuery As String = “UPDATE [TABLE] SET [MyField]=@[MyField]” & _
            “DateUpdated=@DateUpdated, UpdatedBy=@UpdatedBy ” & _
            “WHERE ID=@ID“
            Using sqlData As New SqlConnection()
                sqlData.ConnectionString = strConnection
                Using cmd As SqlCommand = sqlData.CreateCommand()
                    cmd.CommandText = strInsertQuery
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@ID”, MyID)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@[MyField]“, MySQL.evaluateSQLParameters(MyString, “String”).Value)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@DateUpdated”, Now)
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@UpdatedBy”, CreatedBy)
                    sqlData.Open()
                    cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
                    sqlData.Close()
                End Using
            End Using
            Return True
        Catch sqlEx As SqlException
            DisplayMessage(sqlEx.Message)
            Dim msg As New Mail
            msg.Mail_error(sqlEx.Message, ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“ErrorEmail”), “EACG Intranet”, Page.Title.ToString(), System.Reflection.MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod.ToString(), Context.User.Identity.Name)
            Return False
        Catch ex As System.InvalidCastException
            DisplayMessage(ex.Message)
            Dim msg As New Mail
            msg.Mail_error(ex.Message, ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“ErrorEmail”), “EACG Intranet”, Page.Title.ToString(), System.Reflection.MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod.ToString(), Context.User.Identity.Name)
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

SQL Delete Method
     Private Function sqlDelete(ByVal MyID As String) As Boolean
        Dim strConnection As String = ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“[DATABASE]“)
        Dim AdMail As New Mail

        Try
            Dim strInsertQuery As String = “DELETE FROM [TABLE] WHERE ID=@ID“
            Using sqlData As New SqlConnection()
                sqlData.ConnectionString = strConnection
                Using cmd As SqlCommand = sqlData.CreateCommand()
                    cmd.CommandText = strInsertQuery
                    cmd.Parameters.AddWithValue(“@ID”, MyID)
                    sqlData.Open()
                    cmd.ExecuteNonQuery()
                    sqlData.Close()
                End Using
            End Using
            Return True
        Catch sqlEx As SqlException
            DisplayMessage(sqlEx.Message)
            Dim msg As New Mail
            msg.Mail_error(sqlEx.Message, ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“ErrorEmail”), “EACG Intranet”, Page.Title.ToString(), System.Reflection.MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod.ToString(), Context.User.Identity.Name)
            Return False
        Catch ex As System.InvalidCastException
            DisplayMessage(ex.Message)
            Dim msg As New Mail
            msg.Mail_error(ex.Message, ConfigurationManager.AppSettings(“ErrorEmail”), “EACG Intranet”, Page.Title.ToString(), System.Reflection.MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod.ToString(), Context.User.Identity.Name)
            Return False
        End Try
    End Function

/* Search Database Collection for Column Name. Returns a Collection of Names. */
SELECT name FROM sysobjects WHERE id IN ( SELECT id FROM syscolumns WHERE name like ‘%MyText%’ )

/* Search a Table Collection of Columns. Returns a Collection of Names. */
SELECT COLUMN_NAME FROM information_schema.Columns WHERE table_name=’[MyTable]‘ AND COLUMN_NAME LIKE ‘%MyText%’

/* Create a copy of a table with structure (No PK) */
SELECT * INTO [NewTable] FROM [ExistingTable]

/* Create a copy of a table from another database with structure (No PK) */
SELECT * INTO [NewTable] FROM [DatabaseName].dbo.[ExistingTable]

/* Create a copy of a table from another database with structure (No PK) */
SELECT COUNT( * ) as TOTAL_RECORD FROM [ExistingTable] WHERE [ExistingField]=’[Constraint]‘

/* Update Column(s) in the target table based upon a different table with a common index(s) */
UPDATE [MyTable1]
SET [MyTable1].[ColumnName]=[MyTable2].[ColumnName]
FROM [MyTable1], [MyTable2]
WHERE [MyTable1].[PKColumn]=[MyTable2].[PKColumn]

Updated Harvesting System – This is change that a lot of people do not like, because now, there is no visible difference between a rare node and a regular harvesting node.  The opportunists do not like this change because now, they will have to do the hard work like the rest of us.  No more following me around and jumping on my rares… In your face!

Experience Ability – This was done to quell the complaints (valid complaints) from people who were unable to enjoy game content as a result of out leveling content too quickly.  Overall, I think that this feature was a great addition.  I really look forward to day that we can switch experience into alternate advancement to the same effect and at the same time continuing to develop our characters in a meaningful way.

            If I wasn’t busy enough, some of the other officers at Revelry and Honor have decided to start a brotherhood of toons with the purpose of getting together with the newer, lower leveled players in the guild.  This has been a big problem for me in the past, as my characters have all been in the +40 range.  My new alter ego is Theosar, a level 18 High Elf Paladin.  Other members include Nute, level 20 Halfling Bard, Cyndr, a level 17 Monk, and Masumii, a level 20 Cleric.  If anyone happens to read and is not in Revelry and Honor, we would be glad to include you in our adventures as we will be working on the CIS quest lines and other more obscure quest lines that some of us have missed in the past.

Quote from Silky Venom Forum  posted by Kurron Nye - Stop whining about making the game ‘easier’ Why?Because you folks who do not like the game changes to make access easier have a choice..they can choose to NOT use these features and functions.

You do not like the riftway? Then get on your mount and ride everywhere. You do not like the inter-continental teleporter? Then get a caravel and sail via the sea portals. You do not like corpse summon at altars? Then choose not to summon and instead do a CR every time.

You do not like Rest XP or the ease of XP gain? Then rack up twice as much XP debt so each level takes twice as long to complete.You want more challenging encounters? Then take on 4/5 dots with less than a full group, and do not use groups at all for 3-dots.

The point here is these ‘accesibility’ options are OPTIONAL, so if you are a person who truly believes in make the game harder, then yo would choose NOT to use them. However, I seriously doubt that any of the ‘anti-dumbing down’ crowd have boycotted these new features, and in fact use them in every play session. That to me says that part of the vocal minority has no legs to stand on..they are saying one thing while doing the opposite in practice.

They post about how ‘easy’ the game is while at the same time taking full advantage of the game’s ease. One could respect their arguments if they actually practiced what they preached and played this game in the manner they wish to force on everyone else. Thats also the rub…the methods of gameplay they want have NOT been taken away, but instead alternative forms of gameplay have ben offered. The ‘hardcore’ could choose to make their gameplay adhere to the standards they alledgedly support but do they? How can their arguments be taken seriously when they themselves will not play the game ‘hardcore’ when the ability is sitting right in front of them? (and there are gigabytes worth of posts over the years in the hardcore vs. casual debate which show what ‘hardcore’ MMO gamers seem to want)

To me, it proves that the core argument in favor of ‘hardcore’ gameplay is NOT to make their own gameplay harder, but to make everyone’s else’s game harder so they can appear superior in comparison.

Yea..wonderful eh? Rather than raise themselves up, they choose to lower everyone else. Sounds more like Communism than anything.

SO really hardcore folks, what is limiting you from playing ‘hardcore’ like yo claim to want on VG? I do not see how SOE has prevented you from playing the game the wa you want. You seem to simply advocate forcing everyone else to play the game the way *you* want.

P.S. Please bear in mind I am not against making games more challenging, the point is if challenging gameplay is so important to you, why do you not make the game more challenging for yourselves, rather than browbeat SOE and people who play differently than you? Why is it the game cannot be ‘fun’ for YOU unless everyone else if forced to conform to your worldview?

Do you REALLY want to group with people who are only with you because they HAVE to be there? Seems to me you would be trying to dungeon dive with people who would leave you to rot the first chance they got.

     I can’t say enough how glad I was to see this post on the Silky Venom forum.  Silky Venom has long been the top place for many people to post thier discontent about Vanguard.  Occasionally, posts or replies like these are made to add some perspective and balance to the norm.  I can certainly understand that some are genuinely discouraged and have had negative experiences in the game.   However, many of the posts at Silky Venom are blatant attacks on the game and employees at SOE ( both past and present ).  What I see on the forums is a lot of pissing and moaning from disgruntled individuals… The question most obvious to me would be, “So where are all the positive posts?”.   For me, rather than wasting my time posting on a forum in which I would most certainly dog piled upon, I choose to enjoy the game.  My positive outlet is through blogging.  Hopefully, the developement staff at SOE takes the forum posts with a grain of salt and realizes that these posts come from the “Vocal Minority”.

For anyone who is interested, you can see Head GM Moonlite‘s profile here.

     Instancing – Instancing is going to become a reality, whatever SOE wants to call it.  Although people will complain about it, SOE knows from experience that when done correctly, instancing can do miracles in terms of adding dynamic game content that can offer an easier way for players to band together in more a central location.   Instancing will become a huge part of Vanguard and I think that this time, SOE will get the job done right.

     World Content – While I don’t expect to see much done here, I think we can expect some more content to become available in areas that currently are not well utilized and will mostly be made available to levels in the 40-50+ range.

     Increased Level Cap and Alternate Advancement – The biggest complaint that I normally hear from my fellow players is that there is nothing to do once they reach level 50.  Aside from raid content, that is a point I can’t really argue with.  That is why in addition to increasing the level cap, I expect some form of AA to be released in the next expansion.

     Return of Guild Mates Passed On – Most of your friends that have moved on from the game will be back to check out the changes.   Whether these mysterious people will stay in the game will depend on the quality of the expansion.

     Negativity – Whether or not I am right about my predictions, negativity will continue to surround Vanguard.  Reality is that some people just have to have something to complain about.   At least for the next year or two, it will continue to be fashionable to bash Vanguard and predict it’s impending doom, mostly by people that no longer play the game. 

    Success – Vanguard will never become as popular as WoW, but I do expect it to be just as popular as Everquest and Everquest II.  I think that there is a huge opportunity for SOE to make a move with Vanguard in the upcoming year, but only if they seize the opportunity.  I think that the people at SOE have plenty experience with the production of MMOs to recognize that fact as well as the ability to deliver.

      Shut Up, We’re Talking – After the release the increasingly hyped Warhammer and Conan, the entire cast will spend all of their time playing Vanguard after a hugely successful expansion.  In retaliation, Brent will change the name of the Podcast to “Shut up, We’re Talking About Vanguard”.  Karen and Troy will return to Vanguard, where Troy will two box a Monk named 55378008 (type it in a calculator and read it upside down) and a busty, blonde cleric named ILuvULngTiiiime MeezaHorneey.  Karen will play a Halfling Bard, whose armor will be dyed all the colors of the rainbow.