That explains the "on-the-spot firings" reported earlier. Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) has acquired Vanguard developer and co-publisher Sigil Games. There are going to be job losses in this kind of full acquisition: in an interview with Next-Generation, Sony PR confirms the job cuts and notes that they are in the "redundant" positions such as customer service and marketing, as well as a consequence of the post-release slowdown at the developer.

So, what will happen is that Sigil becomes one of SOE's studios, retaining its Carlsbad offices, and continue to be in charge of Vanguard. Brad McQuaid, Sigil CEO and the game's executive producer, will continue his duties to Vanguard as Creative Director and serve as a consultant with SOE.

A small group of Sigil employees will move to SOE-San Diego to work on "a prototype for a new MMO." And finally, the Sigil brand itself will be dissolved, with SOE having absorbed practically everything else.