Damnation or Redemption? Sigil and SOE
An Interview with April Jones



It was the shock felt 'round the gaming world: on May 5, 2006, the developers of Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, Sigil Games Online, severed ties with their publisher, Microsoft Game Studios, and announced a co-publishing partnership with Sony Online Entertainment in the name of creative freedom. Whether Sigil sold Vanguard's soul to the devil, or bought it back, is a debate that rages among Vanguard's fan base and the gaming public at large. We peppered Sigil's April Jones, senior manager of marketing and public relations, with hard-hitting questions about the co-publishing agreement, the decisions behind it, and the direction of Vanguard in its partnership with SOE.

We did talk to several other potential co-publishing candidates and SOE truly came out on top. Since so many of us used to work there, myself included, we know better than anyone what their strengths and weaknesses are. They also know the same about us. We were able to structure a deal that takes advantage of everyone’s strengths. SOE certainly knows how to bring an MMO to market. They know how to host a beta, launch the game, and then keep it running for year after year after year. That expertise is exactly what we need and that is what SOE will supply for Vanguard. We feel that we have particular strengths: community relations, PR, and customer service. Both parties easily agreed that the game design remains under Sigil’s direction.

Read the interview that will answer all your burning, itching questions right [here]!