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From a strategy point of view, I would think with the soon to be released expansions of WoW ( Burning Crusade ) and EQ2 (Echoes of Faydwer), that Sigil would not want to release their new game during or close to this time. To do so would put them into direct competition with new products from older games that have a following already.
A WoW player who know's of Vanguard but isn't dying to play per se, would more than likely stay with WoW during it's new expansion to check it out. The time frame for new content to be explored and levels gained is usually 2-4 months for an expansion (variations depending on game and playstyle). After that time players will again enter the waiting phase for something new.
It's at that phase that Vanguard should be released. Both EQ2 and WoW players will have done the newer content of their games and again crave something new, so it makes sense for a VG release at this time in order to offer something that players will be willing to "jump ship" for.
Also, the wait between expansions are long in most cases. Therefore, say WoW and EQ2 players jumped ship to Vanguard and have been playing it for say 4-6 months (the time when EQ2 or WoW has been working on a new expansion), by this time you have solidified your playerbase, people have grown used to your new system, and the chance that they will jump back to their older game is less. More than likely they will stay and continue to play your product, unless the product itself is horrid (which I don't think VG will be).
The new expansions are releasing Nov/Dec. So look for a Feb/March release from VG, (assuming they see the strategy that I see).
Ellestil
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