I recently went looking for a space-based MMO, I run linux exclusively at home and found Vendetta by searching the net. I was extremely happy with the install though for reference I ran it from a terminal as I am a long-time Unix/Linux user (since 1985).

Starting up was simple and everything worked. I created an account and logged in with zero effort. The 8 hour trial started though I barely knew it. The first message I noticed about a the trial was at 2 hours to go before expiration. I really like this as it allowed me to just poke around and explore.

When I first logged in I ignored channel 100 as I wanted to learn how to play. The tutorial is well written and easy to follow. I poked around with some missions, then decided to try a different nation. I ran the tutorial a second time and noticed a few things I missed the first time. So that was good. The tutorial didn't bother me the second (or third) time. It is easy to cruise on past. With my second character I poked around a bit with some courier missions and went off book a few times trying to see other sectors. I saw my first Ion storm which was quite a bit of fun.

A side note, I love the jump/wormhole graphics as well as the current Ion Storm graphics.

I have yet to try and stay in an Ion Storm for any reason and I haven't tried mining at all. But I poked around and got to the point where I had a Revenant and was running missions with confidence.

I like the controls and the flight abilities. At this point I use a mix between FFA and physics mode for my controls. I fly with FFA most times and in battle switch briefly to physics modes to allow firing at targets not inline with my current flight vector. I also like the vertical strafe buttons, an excellent addition to a 3d game. Having been killed mercilessly by actual combat pilots in Decent back in the day, I know my 3d thinking and fighting will be weak compared to experts but the controls are simple and well thought out even for inexperienced people such as myself.

So far I find myself enjoying the courier missions for their cloak and dagger drama with a mix of combat and travel. Eventually I need to figure out how to trade but overall I was able to acquire over 300k credits without much effort during my trial so I doubt money is a hardship in game. So far during my trial I ignored talking to anyone as I wanted to get a feel for what I wanted to do before I talk to anyone.

At this point my trial is over, I have three characters, one in each nation. I have the basics down of fighting, navigating and running missions. I ignored mining though I want to try it. Each of my characters are at license levels 1/1/0/1/0 and I feel like I got a good view of what you can do. I think that if I had spent time in chat I would have burned up more of my trial before I got a good idea on what is what. But having played other MMOs I avoided that trap.

I found the client very stable and well performing. I signed up for 1 month and am looking at skins and huds though the current setup is fine for me at the moment.

I am pretty happy though never plan to be more than a casual once in a while player.

Welcome to VO! A nice thing about this game is that you can enjoy it as a "casual once in a while player". You don't have to invest a huge amount of time in order to get anywhere like some other MMOGs. I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it so far.

You are a lot sharper than most newcomers. Especially for ignoring 100.

Sometimes I wish I could have the part of my memory that holds my vo experience wiped out. So I could pursue the adventure all over again.

"Sometimes I wish I could have the part of my memory that holds my vo experience wiped out. So I could pursue the adventure all over again."

I believe Gerty and Ryan used to proform this service....

I have been poking around on the wiki and other sites. It is very interesting and should be a lot of fun to explore. I found the viper guild history page to be fun reading. It paints an interesting history of the game from a particular point of view.

Welcome to VO.

If you haven't discovered the key that resizes the hud yet (F5 I believe) you may want to press that a couple times to see what you prefer. When I first started playing I thought the hud looked really stupid for some reason. Then one day I discovered that key, and that made all the difference.

Well a sensible and solid start, Welcome to VO.

"I am pretty happy though never plan to be more than a casual once in a while player."

Er, aye. I only smoked one cigar and now I own BAT ....

also... plugins ftw!! especially http://targetless.com/ ;)

Welcome, djwatson. Echoing what Strat said, this is a casual gamer's mmo (although there are some insane accomplishments to go for as a hardcore gamer... still working on Veteran Hive Hunter III). Accounts like the one you gave are both interesting to read and helpful to our community as a whole.

Hope you enjoy your first month!

"I believe Gerty and Ryan used to proform this service...."

We still do. In fact... we have upgraded the process so it now legal in TWO systems! Also, it now no longer relies solely on the Probulator™! We have added to the process a new surgical grade twenty pound mallet as well as surgical grade spikes and a surgical grade belt sander.

Remember, all this and more available only through Doctor Ryan MD and Doctor Gerty MD.

Also... welcome to VO.

Welcome to VO, djwatson. Glad to hear you're enjoying the game.

Welcome to VO! Become a pirate, it's fun! :)

If you think you have a grip on combat, you haven't really had any combat yet. PvP is where this game really shines and it takes months, if not years to truly get good at. Like all the really good things in life: it's easy to learn, difficult to master.

Oh, Welcome to VO.

DBZ - I am not up to pvp standards by a long shot, I am happy killing a few bots and completing missions. What I am happy is how the controls are well thought out and have a lot more depth than is obvious without being horribly obtuse to beginners.

The physics mode is great and using a keyboard with mouse look (the default) is easy to get the basics down while still having a lot of room to grow.

I am very impressed by the developers, it is proving to be a fun game to play so far.

You can customize controls to your preference in the ESC menu -> Options -> Controls -> Keyboard, too.

Just a follow-up. I have been enjoying my first month. I am working my way up the licences trying to get more ship/weapon access. I started playing with Mining since I want to get a Behemoth. My main guy is now at 5/7/3/5/6 and I have started to get more of a feel on which ships do what. I want to get my heavy weapon up a bit so I can experiment with dropping mines.

I have started playing with the skirmishes and have done some PvP. Mostly I get destroyed by experienced Serco when I see them in combat. I have learned to fear the Prom. Overall my issue is that I am overly aggressive and need to learn to use the hit and run tactics that fast light ships offer more.

All in all a game that is proving interesting and with unexpected depth.

Thanks to the devs, DJW

Awesome the real fun aspect of vo starts when you get into pvp, specially large furballs where you need group tactics and good flying skill.

Been playing vo for the past 4 years and its never let me down, I always come back to it. VO's a space FPS gem that's kinda rare to come across, Its a keeper.

@DJW
Itani are supposed to prefer light and agile ships, while Serco should prefer heavier gear. Their main battleship shows clearly that: Valk vs Prom.

Make your Itani alt focus in packing light, keep changing direction vector. More important is not be hit while placing many hits.
Dream ship: Valk X1, sunflare+2xN3

Create an Serco alt, aggresive, get the heaviest weapons and trust your armour to hold while you bite hard!
Dream ship: Prom SCP, PlAnh + 2xPlasma3

Later, make an UIT alt who tries all ships aiming profit. Maybe a pirate who predate grayspace... Or a boring miner who avoids people... or a humanist paladin who helps everybody... a racer pilot challenging the chronometer...
Dream Ship: All, the proper tool for each job

That is why you have 6 slots ;)

Anyway, welcome aboard!

@Alloh
Thanks for the ship pointers. That helps a lot, I keep experimenting and there are a lot of options. At the moment I fly warthogs mkII a lot, I love the AGT too much.

danke