People seem to assume it is going to go back to EQ1 style tedium. They have clearly stated bringing back the challenge is not the same as bringing back long ass spawn times.
The game is going to be a niche game without a doubt - they even said that. But there is nothing wrong with that.
I don't think EQ1 was awesome because of nostalgia, I love it because more or less every game since then has been shit and a race to the end for where the game apparently begins.
As for those concerned because of Brad's last venture....yeah, it was a failure, yet if you were lucky enough to have a system that could cope with the terrible coding, it was still the best gameplay in an MMO to date. Taking the principles of EQ1, removing the tedium and making very indiidual classes with great mechanics. The only reason I eventually quit the game was because I knew nothing new was realistically coming out, so once I got to the end (which was a very enjoyable journey) I called it a day (actually I did it with a couple other chars too first). So a game that was unsuccessful managed to keep my attention for 18 months - 2 years. No other MMO has managed that so far
So yeah, Vanguard failed to deliver, yet if Brad's turds can offer a gameplay experience superior to other games spending $100s of millions to try and find the next gold nugget, heck sign me up. In fact, the game managed to last what, 5 years before going F2P? and is only closing now in its 7th? Not bad for a game famously known for its failings.
I can only afford $100 atm, but given that I can afford it, I threw it in, I won't miss the money now and if the game does release I already have a copy for me and the wife as well as a few other perks