From the Vanguard FAQ

[Whisper]

Alternate Rule set Servers


15.1 Will you have different servers for different play styles?

We think an MMOG needs to choose a focus and stick to its guns... say cooperative PvE, ala EverQuest, or PvP, ala Shadowbane. BUT, we think a LOT can be done via alternate rules servers, including exploring PvP in an otherwise PvE game, RP servers, etc.

Before Brad McQuaid left Sony Online, one of the last things he worked on was Firiona Vie, the RP server, and we think it turned out pretty well (in fact, he leveled a Ranger there to 47). At Sigil and with our first MMOG, we plan on really pushing alternate ruleset servers to their limits.


15.2 Will there be Player vs. Player servers?

Yes, and hopefully several variants. How many might be available at launch is up in the air at this point.

15.3 Will there be Premium Servers?

We realize this is a complicated and controversial subject and are still debating the issues internally. More on this later.

15.4 Will there be Role-play servers?

There will definitely be PvE servers with alternate rule sets. Some sets might be perceived as more 'RP' than others, but because people have different definitions of what 'RP' means, we will likely label these server types with more specific names.

15.5 Will there be ‘iron man’ servers with permanent character death?

Perhaps at some point. We are certainly intrigued by the idea and know it's been experimented with recently. It is not a priority, however, to launch the game with one.



Anyone else keeping an eye on this?

[Maj]

I was a while ago but lost track of it. Recently Koltas contacted me and informed me that alot of the original EQ team are working on it which Impressed me.

He said their goal is to bring challenge and competition back to PVE based games much like oldschool EQ instead of todays totally instanced BS.

Sure they will have PVP servers but so did EQ. Id say that this game is going to be pretty amazing for what it is but not exactly a game that TSP would try as a guild.

[Whisper]

Why is that? PvP servers vs open PvP environment? My thought is that we have enough carebears to sustain both if the balance exists in any one game. There's never going to be another SB, unless they do a "2" which is unlikely, so using it as a measuring stick seems self-defeating. I catch myself doing that all the damn time.

Are you concerned about a WoW type scenario repeating itself if any one game coming out doesn't have that mass TSP appeal? It makes me nervous to put all the "future game" eggs in the DF basket only.

[Maj]

I see your point, however Vanguard is a game that has been in development for a while now and they havnt even mentioned any type of Sieging or even territory control.

Id be interested in finding out how many people in TSP ARE willing to look at a game that is going to have item based PVP.

The big issue here is balance. This game is going to have many many different types of servers basicly split between PVP and PVE. So while the PVE kids cry balance because their lvl50 warlord cant pwn a mob fast enough the PVP comunity is going to get the ass end of it.

I personally would like to give the game a try but I dont want to be on a half ass PVP server.

If you read some more about it and really sit back and consider all facts I think you'll come to realize why I made the statement I did.

Games in our basket right now Id say would be Darkfall and Age of Conan. Both games that promise territory conflict and siege warfare with a minimal amount of PVE farming.

Keep in mind that Wolfpack is announcing their new MMO project before E3 '06. I doubt they will call it Shadowbane 2 but I highly doubt they would abandon the type of MMO that they are most experienced with.

[Koltas]

I, personally, am very interested in Vanguard. There's alot of new and innovative aspects of the game that sound very cool - but I don't expect it to be a game that TSP plays as a whole. We might have a small branch of interested people playing it, but I doubt most of the guild would want to play it for the reasons Maj listed.

If they announce more info on PvP and how the game is actually going to work, maybe we can gain more interest in it as a whole.

[Aradorn]

Vangaurd is definately a game that would not keep TSPs attention, it is much worse in the PVP dept than WoW is.

They ahve stated multiple times taht they are more on the PVE aspect of gaming than PVP and that alternate ruleset servers would be the only way to do PVP.