So here I am in CA on vacation with Wren. I find myself unable to avoid looking into the Sigil/Vanguard situation more. It looks like the game didn't have much of a chance from the get-go, in spite of having talented staff. You know where to look in any given company for the real source of the problem. Yep - the now "Creative Consultant" and former CEO, Mr. McQuaid.

With the morbid fascination usually reserved for car crashes and coverage of Paris Hilton's latest glossy, spray-tanned brush with the law, we are all looking at the smouldering wreck of Sigil and saying eeeewwwww!

Let the forensics begin.

As usual, there is a huge difference between the official statements and what is really going on. I don't have to speculate to know that a lot of loyal employees of Sigil are feeling like they've just been kicked in the gut. Hard.

Here is the shiny happy press release from SoE on their aquisition of Sigil.

THE LEAST I COULD DO - I don't have a lot of contacts in the industry yet, but here are a few links where you can read the facts and assertions as presented by others:

Some of the early news/speculations from the Ancient Gaming Noob, and his well-written followup when the meltdown happened.

F13.net followed up their initial coverage of the issue with an interview with a former Sigil employee. It makes for interesting, if somewhat depressing reading.

The Grouchy Gamer infers that Brad McQuaid was at best an absentee manager and at worst a negligent boob.

In a surprise plot twist, F13.net snags a telephone interview with Mr. McQuaid himself.

I am not sure if I should make some popcorn, or get some antacids. I think I'll settle on BEER.

Wanna talk about it some more? Sure you do. It's the first step in the grieving process.