So why exactly isn't this game being made open source?

(Sorry to off topic, but)
I haven't played for nearly two years now, but it was still disheartening to hear about it's sun-setting. I always have some really great memories of the game.

Goodbye Vanguard. (RIP)

On topic
I wonder if anyone here ever considered using an engine like Unity to recreate the game as close as possible. A fan project of that kind of scope would very likely take years, and would require some experienced programmers to direct the effort. But if enough people (several hundred) where to at least give the same effort as at least say part time job, with some of the employees who originally worked on the game, giving direction, and perhaps a kickstarter to provide some extra funds. Yes it's a more then just a long shot, but they did attempt something similar with an emulator with former shadowbane players. I never heard if it was successful or not.

Wonder if Brad kept a copy of the source code? Well as it is, I am enjoying P1999 and EQ the way it should be played, "old school".

I think the most well-known example of this is SWGEmu, which has been in development for almost ten years and will likely stay in development for at least 2 or 3 more. It's sort of the A Song of Ice and Fire of MMOs, if you're familiar with George R.R. Martin's heavily delayed novels.

Bumping my thread seemed appropriate today as a reminder that SoE could have thrown the community a bone by making VG open source but chose not to. Vote with your feet and your wallet, never purchase anything this company will benefit from again.

Farewell Friends

Until Epic games makes Unreal 2.0 open source, there isn't a choice for SoE to make, they do not own the engine. This has been repeated so many times, how long does it take to sink in?

Now if you offer to pony up the royalties SoE will owe for every seat....well then maybe it can happen!