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The MMOG industry has more drama than Planters has peanuts, but I suppose that is to be expected when you put millions of anonymous players in virtual worlds where they can wield weapons and speak freely.

The Vanguard community continues to polarize with the "Vanbois" remaining entrenched despite the growing number of bad reviews and venomous message board threads. I hold to my stance that the game has incredible potential, but that it is at least three months away from being finished enough to compete in the current market. In the meantime it would make sense that public relations took the bull by the horns and contained the seething mass of potential customers before they look elsewhere never to return. That hasn't been the course taken so far, perhaps with good reason, though I can't think of one.

Without effective communication the players are left wondering where the game is going and when it will get there. I'm a proponent of the affiliate system that Sigil setup, but each affiliate site, or at least the big three really need a Sigil representative to handle the questions of the players. The community at Ten Ton Hammer is very different than the one at Silky Venom; a boon that could not be accomplished with one central official forum. That said, if you don't cater both groups what are you telling the thousands of players who are asking questions that remained ignored?

GDC is just around the corner and with it a trip to San Francisco. It will be good to see the development teams again. The most influential names in our industry will be there. Expect to read some fantastic articles on normally untouched subjects next week.

If you have questions that you would like myself or one of our other editors to ask on your behalf please fire them off to me or comment in the blog.

[Vote, rank, share, comment!]

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Exclusive TenTonHammer.com Content!

02.28.2007

• 9Dragons Preview
  "As Acclaim's 9Dragons nears release and finishes up the last few weeks of open beta, players are flocking to the test servers in droves. Cody "Micajah" Bye visits the world of 9Dragons, spends some time with the clans, and learns just how much mouse-clicking is involved in balancing your Chi. All this an more inside the 9Dragons preview!"
• EverQuest 2: GU32 Night Of The Living Patch Notes
  "As punishment for not reading the Test server patch notes, Coyote and RadarX are once again forced to endure viewing them. In a situation like this, there is only one thing you can do, make fun of them. Join Ten Ton Hammer as they take a "unique" look at what is to come in EverQuest 2."
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Interview With Mike Goslin
  "Mike Goslin, Vice President of VR Studio, Disney Online (creators of Pirates of the Caribbean Online, scheduled for release later in 2007), was kind enough to answer a few of our follow-up questions from the recent Pirates Online press event. Topics included possible movie franchise tie-ins, the challenges of implementing an active combat system in an online environment, and keeping the game's younger demographic safe from online predators."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Necromancer Spell List Updated
  "It's our ongoing quest to keep Vanguard players informed. That's why we've updated our necromancer spell list with all the latest information."
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Bard Creation Guide
  "Changul lives the life of the troubadour, traveling Telon for adventure and singing songs to recount her experiences. We've got her techniques for leveling a bard to 10."

Hot Content

• Pirates of the Caribbean: Interview With Mike Goslin
• 9Dragons Preview
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Wiki Contest Winners
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Kojan Spawn Map
• Vanguard: Saga of Heroes - Wiki Contest Closing
• 2Moons Closed Beta Account Contest
• World of Warcraft: Arena Guide
• Op/Ed: GameStopped
• World of Warcraft: Thrall's Escape From Durnholde Keep
• Aion: New Art

Real World News - You Can't Make This Up

• Not Married? You Can't Live Together In N.Dakota
  Amish government shakes fist.
• Washingon To Allow Dogs In Restaurants
  That Poodle-Ka-Bob will be $8.99
• Roman Catholic Diocese Goes Bankrupt
  God needs a better financial advisor.
• UN Saves 29 Minors From Sex Trade
  Indian police return them to brothels.

Vin Diesel Fact: Vin Diesel wakes up his alarm clock. [Thanks Pat]

Thanks as always for visiting TenTonHammer.com

- John "Boomjack" Hoskin

You can read previously enjoyed editions of Loading... in the blog archive.