At a panel titled ‘The Future of MMO,’ Zack Karlsson, Director of Business Development for Sigil Games (the people behind Vanguard: Saga of Heroes let slip that user-generated content would be included eventually in the game. When a panel-listener asked about the importance of user-generated content in the MMO space, Karlsson said that the developers who come up with a way to really energize user generated content “has the golden checkbook.”

LGC 2006: User-Generated Content in Vanguard? news from 1UP.com

The article goes on to say that, even though they’re not going to have user-generated stuff in there at launch ‘they do have a plan’ for it. Bah.

It’s interesting, to be sure, but it sure would be nice to know what content they’re planning to be user-generated. Will it be huge-tastic, like Ryzom Ring or more superficial like the flags and boats in Pirates of the Burning Sea? Considering the hardcore nature of the game, I can’t imagine they’ll give up a lot of control as regards important game elements. Fascinatingly frustrating.