Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsCataclysm sells 4.7 million copies in one month
by Matthew Rossi 
Jan 10th 2011 at 4:00PM
Blizzard Entertainment Press Releases"We created thousands of new quests, introduced new lands to explore, and extensively revamped the game world for World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, making it our biggest and most ambitious expansion yet," said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. "We've been floored by the community's response so far, and we'd like to thank them for their continued passion and support for World of Warcraft, and for helping Cataclysm reach this incredible milestone."
This pretty much cements Cataclysm's position as a huge seller for Blizzard and brings this expansion up above Wrath of the Lich King, the previous best seller. It's unlikely that anyone is exactly surprised by this news, but it bodes well for the game and its current success.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm has destroyed Azeroth as we know it; nothing is the same! In WoW Insider's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from leveling up a new goblin or worgen to breaking news and strategies on endgame play.Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)
Angelyne Jan 11th 2011 12:03PM
Blizzard did a phenomenal job revamping the old quests. I wonder though what's going to happen to the new people who are skimming through the new content, happy as a clam and then hit Outland ....ouch. That expansion feels so dated now, after you have experienced the new quests. Even Northrend is feeling a bit tired.
Bossy Jan 10th 2011 5:05PM
Wrath of the Lich King sold 4.000.000 in its first month. So Cata raised that with 700.000 more.
Also:
China doesn't have expansion sales - just hourly pay to play mechanism.
About the guy above who said lies: Blizzard can't because it is a stock rated company with audited and controlled financial reports. They risk sentences up to life emprisonnement if they would do that.
A new player is not even into buying Cata as it is only needed for level 80-85.
These are only the first month sales. As Wotlk is still in the top 15 of PC games sold, it is odd that people think Cata will only sell in its first month.
Conclusions: Cata has clearly out sold Wrath by 15%
The non Chinese market is probably around 6.000.000+ today. That's taking into account that Cata will sell a lot of new boxes in the coming weeks/months.
That's awesome. Other western MMO's never came above the 350K sustained subs after 6 months.
After 6 years WOW not only grew but shattered every record in the western PC game market.
razion Jan 10th 2011 5:07PM
What? Not surprised? ME? Nawwwww... No, I'm... uh, VERY suprised! See? ... Yeah who am I kidding.
xenite46383 Jan 10th 2011 5:21PM
What I would be curious to see is how many accounts have been canceled since Dec. 7th
I know of about a dozen so far of people who either returned and left again or canceled after being unhappy with the dungeon changes.
Draknareth Jan 11th 2011 6:10AM
You mean they can't faceroll anymore so they quit because it isn't EZ mode?
carebear Jan 10th 2011 5:32PM
Where is the discrepancy between 13 million subs and 5 million copies sold?
ashkaryo Jan 10th 2011 5:44PM
This may come as a huge surprise to some, but not everyone rushes out to get the xpac right away. I know people who are still playing with just the first box.
carebear Jan 10th 2011 5:49PM
Lets say 2 million people just started playing. That's still a difference of 6 million. After 4 weeks are there really 6 million people paying their sub and not lvling past 80?
ashkaryo Jan 10th 2011 5:58PM
While admittingly odd, it's still not unheard of. Like I said, I myself know people still playing just original wow.
Possible reasons as to why:
~ People just don't have the money right now.
~ People want to wait till after school.
~ They want to wait till the first major patch is out.
~ They don't care to buy it yet.
This list could go on and on.
carebear Jan 10th 2011 6:18PM
"I myself know people still playing just original wow."
Friends of yours that just bought the game?
ashkaryo Jan 10th 2011 9:06PM
I'm part of the "big brother" thing on the wow forums. People that don't mind setting aside some time to assist new players and teach them a few things.
That and I like talking with the people on my server.
ashkaryo Jan 10th 2011 9:10PM
Here is the link: http://us.battle.net/wow/en/forum/topic/981608215
cbachelot Jan 10th 2011 5:42PM
And thanks for the achievement asshat. WHERE IS MY COMPANION!!
MusedMoose Jan 10th 2011 6:03PM
It's Blizzard's game's anniversary... why should you expect a gift?
http://www.thedailyblink.com/2010/12/role-reversal/
ashkaryo Jan 10th 2011 5:48PM
Why are some people being so negative about this? I really don't get it
If Blizz lied: It doesn't effect you
If they didn't: They keep on working and making this great game.
Seriously people need to stop being so jealous, they worked hard for this, and grats to them!
AMS Jan 10th 2011 8:45PM
That's awesome. Other western MMO's never came above the 350K sustained subs after 6 months.
For the sake of variety and evolving the MMO genre,no that it not awesome.
paul Jan 10th 2011 8:51PM
Why rush to buy an expansion when there's a ton of new 1-60 content available at no extra cost? I'd probably still be playing with alts if I hadn't got given Cata for Xmas?
Contrary to popular belief, the game does NOT start at level cap.
carebear Jan 10th 2011 9:52PM
You don't play on a pvp server do you?
I was one of the few people that didn't rush to 85. I made a worgen and just hit 85 yesterday. Thanks to blizzard for handing out free honor with win trading at TB I now feel like I've been left behind as I get steamrolled in pvp. It's no fun.
Jordan Jan 10th 2011 10:39PM
so wait....how can cataclysm possibly be a more successful game than wrath of the lich king? You have to own wrath to play cata! So unless the world is dumber than I previously estimated, there should always be more (or equal number of) copies of wrath sold. Right? Am I missing something? (Or by more successful do they mean it sold more copies at release?)
trefpoid Jan 10th 2011 11:10PM
it's sold 700k more copies than Wrath IN THE FIRST MONTH. That's what's relevant here, Cataclysm has already destroyed every record Wotlk broke in the first place. And this number will keep growing.