Interview with Nicole "Awenyddion" Hamlett
By Lady Sirse
What a month! We had E3, ground shaking announcements, and lots of new screenshots, videos and interviews all across the Vanguard: Saga of Heroes community. If you didn’t keep an eye out, you may have missed some important and wonderful information. You can catch up on all of Ten Ton Hammer’s E3 coverage, or just catch up on all things Vanguard at E3.
I had a chance this weekend to talk with the former Community Manager of Vanguard Ten Ton Hammer, Nicole "Awenyddion" Hamlett. She may no longer be our Community Manager, but she sure is keeping a close eye on this game. She told me that she is “very jaded now with these games but I'm really really excited for Vanguard. I feel like it will bring that feeling of community that so many games are missing now.” I couldn’t agree more!
Keep reading to see what she has to say about Vanguard at E3, flying mounts and more.
LadySirse: What have you been up to since you left us back in October of last year?
Nicole: I've been doing a lot of work for the main site as well as taking on the Industry Relations Coordinator for Ten Ton Hammer.
LadySirse: Industry Relations coordinator?
Nicole: I work with publishers and developers to help provide unique and exclusive content to our communities. I make sure that we have a good solid relationship so that we can make sure our readers have the latest and best information. I schmooze and wink.
LadySirse: Ahhh so you're the one we can thank for all the goodies we get like screen shots and interviews with the Devs?
Nicole: Well, I try to make sure we have those things yes. No thanks necessary. I love what I do.
LadySirse: Speaking of what you do... weren't you on the Team that went to E3? What did you do there for Ten Ton Hammer?
Nicole: Yeah, I was fortunate enough to make it this year. E3 is such a circus that it was my job to go through and make sure that we had the right appointments set up. While I was there I had a few interviews, Vanguard being one of them. Mostly I went from booth to booth making sure that we had everything that we needed and that we were on good terms with those publishers.
LadySirse: So lots of winking and schmoozing?
Nicole: LOL definitely winking and schmoozing, a few big hugs as well. It was great to see some of the people that I've been talking to for years.
LadySirse: I bet! You mentioned Vanguard, and I know from reading all of Ten Ton Hammer's awesome coverage that you got to speak with some of the people behind the scenes at Sigil. Did winking and schmoozing help you get any secret sauce?
Nicole: I wrote all of the sauce in my preview, however, I was told that we'd hear more good stuff this summer.
LadySirse: What were a few things about the devs, the game or Sigil in general that really stood out to you at E3?
Nicole: You know they all look a bit less stressed right now. I think that the deal with SOE really helped a lot on the stress front. They have a lot more control over the game now. Jeff was the one who did our demo and he was so fantastic with it. I think that they all get that feeling that they're on the last half of the development journey so they're getting really pumped up. It made me want to get into the game so much more than I ever have. Also I noted that the screenshots don't do the game justice. Until you get into the game and can see all of the depth and lighting you don't realize how absolutely beautiful it is.
LadySirse: The May screenshots released on the official site were a real hot topic for a bit with the level of detail, the vibrant colors and just general goodness. We all drooled over the 42 screenshots that were released during E3 as well. Did that vibrant quality and level of detail come through in the game as well?
Nicole: It absolutely did. I also hear that they're going to put a game play trailer out to the public so people can really see the game. I think that the most poignant thing for me was looking at the box. Keith [Parkinson] knew that he wouldn't be able to finish it so they hired someone that Keith wanted (I can't remember the name) and he did the front in Keith's style and melded into his own on the back. I got a little misty.
LadySirse: It was really touching to see Keith actually in the art as well. I think it was a wonderful tribute to him. Was there anything you saw at E3 that you could point to that was the most memorable ...about Vanguard that is.
Nicole: I LOVE the flying mounts! I've wanted flying mounts for as long as I can remember and just the simple fact that I'm going to be able to have one just tickles me.
LadySirse: For those unable to see the videos that are out in the community now, can you tell us a bit about them? What types of animals are there? What is involved in flying... you know… the important stuff!
Nicole: Jeff said "If it looks like you can ride it, it can be a mount." They didn't go into detail on how you make them mounts from the wild, but it looks just like a regular mount you'd have in a game such as EQ2 or WoW. You control their direction and they have a set speed. With flying mounts you also have the ability to go up and down. It makes the game completely 3D. There are no areas that are off limit now.
LadySirse: Now if only we can swim with the dolphins! That sounds wonderful though. Did you get to see it in action? How is the animation of flying?
Nicole: Who said that you can't swim with the dolphins? *wicked grin* The animation is beautiful, it's so smooth and very realistic. The wing animation is breathtaking.
LadySirse: I think you're hiding some sauce there Awen! Now I'll have to run to the sea when the game launches and go looking for dolphins! But anyway... Since you were once our Community Manger, we'll exempt you from the traditional questions of what class you'll be playing and why. But inquiring minds want to know... cake or pie?
Nicole: Definitely pie *grin* and chances are that I'll be a cleric. I'm a cleric-y kind of girl.
LadySirse: Thank you so much for taking time out of your weekend to talk with me and our readers Nicole! Is there anything you'd like Vanguard Ten Ton Hammer to know?
Nicole: Just stick it out. I know that a lot of people have doubts right now but from what I've seen, the game will be so worth it. I can't wait to get into this world!
As you can see, Nicole is just as excited about Vanguard: Saga of Heroes as ever. I must say from reading her preview and the other Vanguard information from E3, you can’t help but be very excited. Soon, we will all be able to be excited together as we take our first steps in Telon!
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our Vanguard: Saga of Heroes Game Page.
