With Visual Studio 2012 shipped, the news from a year and a half ago that Visual Studio Deployment Projects would no long be supported is finally hitting home with developers.
They generally aren't happy.
FWIW, I've converted hundreds of these projects to other project types using tools such as Windows Installer XML and InstallShield. I have this process down to a science and I'd love to have an opportunity to work with anyone needing assistance in moving forward.
You'll find that I have tools and methodologies that keep my costs very low while greatly improving the quality of your product's installer.