Welcome to our new feature highlighting the game world and experience of Sony Online Entertainment's Vanguard: Saga of Heroes. I come at this with a keen interest in the history and immersion of MMORPG games.

Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was developed by Sigil and published by SOE, and went live in January 2207. It is a subscription based game that charges $14.99/month USD. Subscriptions can be purchased monthly, or bought in package deals with other SOE Station games at a value. Other premium features can be added to accounts including the ability to view your character's stats and experiences on the web.

Vanguard is a massive game, built from the ground up to awe the player with lush visuals and with almost unfathomable scale. Anyone who has played World of Warcraft will feel right at home with the user interface; The game takes elements from other successful MMORPGs and kicks everything up a notch. There's a little bit of WOW, EQ, and Ultima Online. Vanguard is a premier subscription based fantasy MMORPG. MMORPG design has really been an evolution as each new game is released. Following are some of the main features of Vanguard, and what sets it apart. With the variety of MMOG games out there right now; players can really choose the right one for them. Therefore these features should just be considered a guide to what is possible, not whether they are good or bad. We'll get into that more specifically in future articles.

-Gigantic persitent world: Explore everything from the tallest mountain to the deepest cave all in real time with players around the world while traversing kilometers of terrain. 3 distinct continents offer different adventures. Thestra is set in a medievel theme, Kojan's sparse islands are met with an Asian flair, and Qalia is a massive desert continent. Players choose from one of 19 races and can meet up and travel to any continent and city so long as they have the money, ability, or faction standing to do so. Hundreds of different factions' favor can be won or lost through in game actions and racial predisposition. Thousands of monsters, and hundreds of NPCs join the player characters to create a world that seems endless.

-Built with legs: The game was designed to last for seven years at least, with expansions and upgrades to come. At launch only the beefiest computers could handle it. If you've ever played Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion, imagine those visuals but even more amazing. A year and a half after launch the game still looks 'next gen' visually. A powerful PC will allow a player to see over one kilometer of terrain from a high vantage.

-Go anywhere: Flying mounts provide the ability to fly, which opens the possibility for cities in the sky in future updates. The game world was created to go down as well, so underground areas will also be added. The game was built around the mantra of 'if you can see it, you can explore it.' Summiting a peak that was just a speck in the distance earlier in the game is truly breathtaking. 

-Focus on group play: Many areas require a group effort to complete. This allows players to really get in to their character and show their stuff. This is also a great way to meet new players and friends. Group play is not just an option in Vanguard; it is a requirement.

-Track record: SOE's MMOG games have been hit or miss, but no one can deny that they have experience serving games. These people have been at it for a decade and are the most prolific American MMOG publisher. The game's development team was comprised of former Everquest and SOE members, so their history speaks for itself.

-Unique diplomacy system : Vanguard has a collectible card game built in that is as complex and deep as the adventuring mode. Diplomacy is integrated into the game and not just a gimmick including quests, NPCs, and areas only for diplomats.

-Passport: SOE offers discounts to players who subscribe to multiple Station MMOGs.

-Player housing: Vanguard allows players to own property that can be decked out with player made items and furniture. Armor and trophies can be mounted to the wall and rearranged at will. Real estate in the game has value, allowing players to buy, sell, and trade for a better home or better locale.

-Class Specialization: A good player not only has to know how to play the game, but also how to play their character. A sloppy tank or healer can get their group killed. Honor and discipline in handling situations is necessary to stay alive and progress. Players take great pride in their class, as it embodies the player's role in the game. With 15 classes to choose from, there is something for everyone from the kind Clerics to the greedy Rogues. Vanguard's classes break down into 4 main types: healers, tanks, dps (damage per second), and arcane/offensive casters. There are several classes of each type, offering a different gameplay experience with every class. Strategy and focus are needed to work together and succeed.