Sony Online's Vanguard launch party

Sony Online Entertainment held their launch party for the MMO Vanguard: Saga of Heroes on Wednesday in San Francisco, so I decided it best to snap a few pictures and let you see them. Perhaps you blow them up to life-size and pretend you were there.

Unlike most industry events, this party wasn't catering to the press like they were a collection of extreme thrill-seekers, hip-hoppin' clubbers, or complete nerds to the Nth degree. Held at the very versatile open space Terra near the Bay Bridge in San Francisco, SOE took the opportunity to combine the launch of the game with the onset of an art tour, featuring the work of late Keith Parkinson, fantasy artist extraordinaire (okay, so maybe it had some geekiness). If you've ever seen D&D books or bought an EverQuest game, then you've almost certainly seen his work.

But the real question is: What was the food like? There was a strong Mediterranean theme, but there was also sushi, tri-tip, and some surprisingly delicious chocolate cake that Craig Beers pushed on us.

--Tim Surette