Vendetta Online is a space based mmo made by Guild Software, Inc. that has its work cut out for it - at least in the sense of escaping the shadow of EVE Online. Therein lies the irony as Vendetta Online is quite unlike EVE in many aspects and stands on its own as a quality space combat simulator. Interestingly enough, the differences between the two games shouldn’t be held in comparison to each other but rather that they compliment the full spectrum of the oft ignored Sci-Fi mmorpg genre. So with that in mind, let’s stick to talking about what Vendetta Online is and what it offers.
First off though, when Temploiter suggested this game for review, I must admit that I was hesitant because space shooters are not really my cup of tea. I mean outside of Space Raiders for the Atari 2600, a brief stint with Wing Commander and of course the expected stint with SWG’s Jump To Lightspeed, I am more noob than seasoned space vet. The whole dozen buttons, multidirectional combat scenario aggravates me to no end. That and the fact that most of these kinds of games deny you the ability to jump out of the ship and have a land based life with your avatar on the side...
The Group: Channel Z was started by two guys watching too much Transformers: The Animated Series in an unfinished basement. In a cabin fever that occurred sometime during Optimus Prime's death and revival, they had an epiphany: "Make Sketch Comedy". Some rumor that it was the very face of Prime that uttered these lines to our heroes, a blessing from the Robot Gods of Robot Olympus. Most people just agree that it was too much alcohol consumed and the horrific accidents that followed by trying to transform into common household items. Whatever it was, it was deemed a good idea so here we are!
The Scenario: Some time after the apocalypse, a small group of people have managed to survive thanks to a TV Station's fallout shelter. In an effort to keep sane during these dark times, they'll use the leftover tv equipment and unexplainable holographic technology to make tv shows and segments in the hopes that someone somewhere out there will hear them. Transmissions for the very survival of humanity have never been so entertaining!
The Genre: We are self-described as "Post Apocalyptic Geek Sketch Comedy" mainly because we think the acronym PAGSC is an awesome acronym and you can't have it. Besides, we're totally using it to pretend we're top-secret government agents in clubs and stuff. We got fake badges and everything! Nothing is going to stop us now!
Many more videos are available on the site. Look for us wandering about in a convention near you (Especially if that convention is named Dragon*Con!)
Troneas : Thank you for taking your time to shed some light on the events which took place Monday last at the SWG forums, which brought about the emotional breakdown of that game's new Community Manager, Draakull.
Troneas : How did you think the community received Draakull's introduction post on May 19th at the official boards?
GreyPawn : With giant, hungry teeth. It isn't just bad luck that has caused SWG to churn through as many CMs as it has. As I mentioned in my post (which you caught before I thought better and took it down, sneaky bastage), the SWG community is poisoned. Ever play the earlier Final Fantasy games? There was a spell black magic users could cast, Doom or Death or some such. When cast, the animation was of a little grim reaper materializing and rising up into the sky away from the target, and a little digital read-out of how many seconds were left before the target just up and frikken died. You could hear the little reaper sound effect "wahh-wah-wah" and then the "tick tick tick". I can think of no greater metaphor for the role of CM for SWG.
Troneas : Is there such a thing as a "honeymoon" period between the community (of any game) and a new CM?
GreyPawn : Yes, actually. You get a little bit of time to prove your worth, to find your tone, and to establish a nice rapport with the community notables. I didn't have much of the benefit of one when I was SWG CM. I was dropped in the deep end and had to rep SWG at the Fan Faire before my character was even off of Tatooine.
