Interview: Alan Crosby on Community & Vanguard

Talking Community with
Brenlo



Shayalyn sat down with Alan "Brenlo" Crosby, Director of Global
Community Relations for Sony Online Entertainment, to learn
his thoughts on
managing expectations, dealing honestly with players, and fansite
communities. They also discussed Vanguard: Saga of
Heroes--the MMORPG that SOE co-published and launched in partnership
with its developers, Sigil Games Online--and the stories and rumors
circulating around claims that SOE is about to become “more
involved” with the forward progress of Vanguard.

“If I was going to manage that
situation,” Crosby
said, “I would be honest with the players. I would open up
discourse and stop talking about names and visions and start talking
about practicalities.”



“Are you going to be able to sell that?” I asked.



“I think it’s going to be a tough
challenge,” Crosby replied, his expression resolute.

Read the entire
interview for all the details.