In a move that took a little longer than we initially planned, myself and two close friends left the VAMP alliance and joined Blood, following in the footsteps of three others who about a month ago made a similar move. The decision was solidified for us when the initial three spoke so highly of Blood and how the clan/alliance was run, not to mention our general discontent with VAMP and how the alliance functioned. It’s telling however when all three of us, after just one night in Blood, independently came to the conclusion that this change is going to make DarkFall a lot more enjoyable for us, and motivate us to really get involved and into the mix of things.
The differences are many, but can be summed up that Blood is there for the benefit of its members, while VAMP uses its members to further the name. Differences in how city resources are handled, how organized PvE trips work, and the approach to PvP trips is all evidence of this. And it’s not as simple as “Well Blood is more casual/relaxed”, because it’s not. The PvP is tightly run, people are responsible for their roles, and the goals are, if anything, even bigger. But it’s how those goals get accomplished, and how Blood prepares its members that is the key difference, evident even on the first day.
Which brings up a larger point overall about MMOs, and especially ones of the sandbox variety: without a single line of code changing, our enjoyment of DF increased significantly because we took action and made a change. We very well could have remained in VAMP and, most likely, eventually gotten so worn down and bored that we would have quit, or been left waiting for Aventurine to add something to ‘fix the game’. I think many players fall into similar traps, unwilling to act on their own to fix a situation. Even for us, without the initial three making the move, we might never have left. Leaving something established, even if it’s not exactly working out, is never an easy move to make.
But I’m glad we made it, and I’m more excited about the game now than I have been for quite some time. With this move, and what looks like a rather on-point June expansion, things should get very interesting shortly.
Hardcore Casual 
It’s rather surprising that you don’t blog about Darkfall for ages only to admit that your most beloved game in your most beloved guild might become BORING unless things change.
That’s quite a new tone I hear and it surprises me. So you’re no tourist but an au pair staying for a year?
The idea of players changing the game for themselves is absolutely right. The clan I run with in DF had some leadership issues, dropped to 4 members and looked in danger of disappearing completely. A little focus, some effort and a change in how we approached things (tightening up our group play, spending more time on working together rather than grinding skills solo) dramaticaly improved both our enjoyment of the game and pretty much quadrupled our roster.
Just don’t go spending all your time in Eve, I hear those nulsec dwellers are nothing but a bunch of bullies anyway. Log into DF every now and again so that you can admire the butterflies, ride your pony, and, if you’re lucky, trample the remains of your enemies underfoot as you raid their holding.
Haha, while I appreciate everyone’s concern with regards to my gaming time, rest assured that DF is still my main MMO. A little variety is a good thing though, and with SC2 being a total bore, EVE is just going to fill in that spot as a secondary game, and I don’t need to play it as actively to still get involve with and observe what’s going on.
I cant believe what I am reading. You have really brought the bs here this time.
Blood is just like how you describe vamp. They are only out for themselves, period. They will use their alliance members for their benefit, only being gracious when its convenient.
For an alliance that bought mercs enough to control like 11 mines, to say that they are gracious with their nodes is laughable. Any alliance that controlled as much property as they do would be just as gracios.
Blood buys gold. Thats coming from a former member.
You just hop alliances and seem to join only the powerful. Now that Vamp is wainign you are jumping on the TCA bandwagon.
Love your writing on darkfall, but your propoganda for your allies wears thin.
There is a reason why Blood was the most hated clan on EU and NA, and its not because they are good.
Inquisition disbanded?
No, Inq itself is still in DF, but the majority are currently inactive, and our 6, being the most active, decided to make the switch to Blood. Both the SGs in Inq (Maggnus and Paragus) still have active accounts and log on for major events or to play casually, and the ones who left only left Inq in DF, not Inq overall (I still play BC2 with them, and still post often on the forums).