| Vanguard: Saga of Heroes | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Sigil Games Online Sony Online Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
| Producer(s) | David Gilbertson Brad McQuaid |
| Designer(s) | Salim Grant Darrin McPherson Bill W. Fisher |
| Programmer(s) | Amanda Tarr |
| Artist(s) | Keith Parkinson Lee Harker Ben Thompson |
| Composer(s) | Todd Masten |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 2 |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release | January 30, 2007 Early access: January 26, 2007 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was a high fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Sigil Games Online and published by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE). The game was released on January 30, 2007 and initially sold around 242,000 copies, while the number of active subscriptions (those who play longer than the free month included when buying the game) was estimated to be around 130,000,[1] to drop in the next months to about 40,000.[2] In May 2007, Sony Online Entertainment acquired key assets from Sigil Games Online, including all rights to Vanguard.[3][4]
Following the acquisition by SOE, the focus shifted to bug fixes and gameplay improvements, allowing the game to reach a more presentable state by July 2008.[5] Game Update 6, released two months later in September,[6] introduced the trial island, the Isle of Dawn, which also became the standard starting area for new regular characters. The trial version was subsequently released on October 8.[7][8] Vanguard transitioned to a free to play model by August 2012. The game was officially shut down on July 31, 2014.
- ^ "Interview with anonymous Ex-Sigl member". Retrieved 2007-05-16.
- ^ "MMOGCHART". Retrieved 2008-05-05.
- ^ Sony Online Entertainment (May 15, 2007). Sony Online Entertainment Acquires Leading Online Games Studio -- Sigil Games Online Archived 2007-05-28 at archive.today. Press release.
- ^ "Official Forum Message: SOE and Vanguard, by Smed, from the SoE Management". Archived from the original on 2007-05-23. Retrieved 2007-05-15.
- ^ "Vanguard Producer's Letter". Retrieved 2008-07-03.
- ^ "Vanguard Game Update 6 Patch Notes". Retrieved 2008-10-02.
- ^ "Isle of Dawn - When will it be stand alone?". Retrieved 2008-10-09.
- ^ "Vanguard - Trial Download". Retrieved 2008-10-09.