Long time no see! I played this game a few months ago. I liked the simple and sleek client. It was also, thankfully, devoid of clickfests and dice rolls determining my fate. In a word - a very refreshing space game! Heck, i just love the thrill of flying around in zero G, using my godgiven skills to win the day (as opposed to having skillpoints determine it for me.. I'm a man dammit! give me the controls!)

Hehe im sure I dont have to lecture why VO is pretty sweet.

However, I was wondering how active VO is at the moment? What is the average players online (low,high,peaktime weekend)? I havent found any server statistics. I would be warey about rushing right back in, only to find out that the project is ending and there are only a couple of janitors left cleaning up.

Is the game beginning to thrive? Community still alive?

Still alive! Although no major progress has been made in the realm of player base. Lots of new players, lots of old players gone.... but the numbers for the most part hover just below 50 at the best, and just above 20 at the worst.

But as has been said over and over and over, Guild has yet to market the game, so....

It's definately going through some growing (pains) and there are some neat new features, and some exploited bugs that have done some damage to gameplay. But all in all its still a great game with a great community.

I really need to find some of my old space buddies (ace of angels ring a bell?) and try recommending this around more.

20-50 is neighbourly. Not crowded or mainstream, but not too desolate. I remember playing Jumpgate when it hit a slump and on a good day seeing 5 people in space ha ha!

I'd like to get a feel for the ships and weapons.. and find out what's new. I read something about a railgun (WTF?) heheh so you see, im a little out of touch. Any links to a site which breaks down the ships and items? that'd be appreciated!

http://vo-wiki.com/wiki
or
http://www.vo-wiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page

That's the Vendetta Wiki, lots of stats there.

Of course, the community sites page (http://www.vendetta-online.com/h/links.html) has additional links -- to point out the obvious.

The game has been picking up in daily player population in my recent experience. That's a very good thing. Additionally, some folks are organizing group events. This past weekend, there were 60+ folks online for a capital ship battle. While that's not a lot of players for a MMORPG, but it's a pretty good number for [the still unadvertised] VO. :-D

I think this game will really hit it off once they get a few playerowned capital ships into it.

And a real economic system & crafting.