Come Back to Vanguard - for Free!

It's hard to come *back* to a game you never played (or heard of), but if you've forgotten, Vanguard was an ailing fantasy MMO that was released just shy of two years ago and which fell miserably at the first hurdle of being, well, not very good at all (look how nice I'm being 'cos it's nearly Christmas).

Vanguard sold initially fairly well, but like so many MMOs that came after (coughs Warhammer Online) subscriptions fell faster than Heather Mills' morals after Sir Paul McCartney mentioned the possibility of a Beatles reunion on Facebook. Vanguard stumbled, then faded into obscurity.

But it IS still going. And, if the rumours are to be expected, it's actually rather good these days.

Anyway, they've got their festive seasonal patch underway at the moment, and it's got reindeer! Check out the press release:

Come back to Vanguard for Free through January 31, 2009 and check out the Festival of Gloriann, Evil Snowmen, Flying Reindeer, and... Fishing!?

Cities across Telon have had their halls decked and Randolph the Flying Reindeer is back just in time to celebrate the winter holiday events, the Festival of Gloriann! Your account has been reactivated beginning December 17, 2008 at 12:01 AM PST through January 31, 2009 at 11:59 PM*. To join the action simply log into your account! Check out all the decorated houses and guild halls or simply take part in collecting the gifts and goodies spread across the land.

Celebrate all that the Festival of Gloriann has to offer:

* The return of Randolph the Flying Reindeer
* A new raid encounter for characters level 20 and up
* Festive holiday themed presents and gifts!
* Festive decorations for your house and guild
* A new costume!

So, there you go. You can try out Vanguard if you're bored / mildly curious / desperate for a fix of a new MMO. It'll at least get you through the interminable visits from relatives you only see once a year at the festive season.