Blizzard remains optimistic about WoW subscriber numbers
by Fox Van Allen 
Aug 30th 2011 at 8:00PM
The company isn't worried that it's all downhill from here, however, according to The Market for Computer & Video Games interview with Blizzard Entertainment's VP and executive MD of internal operations Michael Ryder. Citing the game's impending launch in Brazil, growth in China, and the new free-to-play aspect of WoW (at least, free-to-play up to level 20), Ryder insists that the world's most successful MMORPG has room to become even more successful.
Spin? Perhaps. But still, even if subscriber numbers continue a slow decline, there's no question that WoW will be profitable -- and thus, still around -- for a long time to come.
Brace yourselves for what could be some of most exciting updates to the game recently with patch 4.3. Look at what's ahead: new item storage options, cross-realm raiding, cosmetic armor skinning and your chance to battle the mighty Deathwing -- from astride his back! Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
RuzGofDI Aug 30th 2011 8:12PM
I wonder if Blizz will include the free till 20 players in their active subscription counts. It's usually just been people with paying accounts right?
Donhorn Aug 30th 2011 8:17PM
They won't and they didn't. The old trial accounts were always left out of the counts.
fallemwarrior Aug 31st 2011 9:05AM
Yea they only include paying subscriptions, (Quite Admirable)
Donhorn Aug 30th 2011 8:16PM
I near continuously hear people on my server talking about the game going downhill and the end of WoW, and while it's no different than in Wrath the naysaying seems to be becoming more widespread with Cata. I say whatever, I'm still having fun, and I'm not the only one. If people leave and subscriptions decline that'll push Blizz to try different interesting things giving myself and my fellow players that continue to enjoy the game bigger and better things to do. Do I feel that Cata has been great so far? Blizz did allot this expac to give the players what they said they wanted, and while allot of the changes needed to be made I feel that things fell a bit short of player expectations and that's where the decline comes in. I think we are going to see quite a few interesting things come out of the next expac that won't be expected, and I'll let Blizz do their thing and trust that they'll bring something to the table that I'll continue to get enjoyment from.
Zune Aug 30th 2011 8:19PM
Very nicely stated!
Carune Aug 30th 2011 8:57PM
I think you hit the nail on the head. Especially with giving what the players the vocal ones at least the things they said they wanted. Granted quite a few in that group realized they didn't want what they said and quit. Such as hard heroics at release and what not.
Sally Bowls Aug 30th 2011 11:13PM
They made raiding a lot less accessible (maybe 10% of the people I raided with in TBC/LK are raiding in Cata.) And with phasing, 5 levels, and ridiculously linear quest lines, there was not as much for non-raiders to do.
@Carune, no, IMO, Blizzard gave what the bloggers and forum warriors wanted for Cata. However, this is *not* what the customers wanted. Ergo, subscriptions decline.
Narshe Aug 30th 2011 11:20PM
5% loss isn't as bad as naysayers make it tout o be, especially considering the sales records for PC games that Blizzard made with Cata launch. Can't expect to keep 100% of those players who bought the new "hot" game of the moment.
Noyou Aug 30th 2011 11:55PM
I was getting frustrated by the grind. Especially having 8 85s and 2 more on the way. Finally, I said screw it. Haven't been in hyjal since. Not saying it's not fun or it's not worth it. I just got burned out. I am happily leveling my 2 lower toons and enjoying my guild and online friends. I am looking forward to the new changes and the holiday events. As many things in WoW that keep changing, it's good to have lots of toons to fall back on. It's also a curse but as long as you can prioritize a little it's not too bad. It's hard sometimes but if you take a step back (maybe a week or 2 off if you need) and look at what you really like doing, you enjoy it more and concentrate on it. I know one thing, I will never get caught up in the gear grind. If that doesn't mean I will never run current end game stuff, I am ok with that. Finally.
Pyromelter Aug 31st 2011 1:03AM
"and while it's no different than in Wrath the naysaying seems to be becoming more widespread with Cata."
I do not remember any real naysaying about WoW during wrath. I remember a certain amount of people being curmudgeons about how ezmode the game is, but I don't really remember people talking about how the game was dying. Near the end, people were excited for cataclysm.
I still maintain that Wrath of the Lich King was and is the pinnacle of MMORPG'ing. It made it the most accessible while maintaining the interest of the uber-hardcore. It had great stories, great questing, and a lot of interesting lore. Also, it had what I believe to be the best video game story arc that has ever been invented (the Arthas/LK story).
It also had the best PvP experience I've ever had in any MMO-type game ever, that being Wintergrasp.
I'm not going to bring up the downfalls of cataclysm, but I will say that the "naysaying" so to speak is much more prevalent, and the subscriber losses are bigger than what the article writer reports. Their subcription numbers dropped under 11 million based on ATVI's last quarterly report. This is not just the general whining of a few loudmouthed curmudgeons - it's definitely more than that.
Noyou Aug 31st 2011 1:28AM
I predict people will be just as excited as the next expac. Especially with so many not liking cata. I don't think we will be getting pandas as a race to play but I think Blizz knows what to keep our interest. To anyone who thinks WoW is going away anytime soon: Sorry.
Pyromelter Aug 31st 2011 1:58AM
correcting myself - sub numbers dropped to 11.1 million, not under 11 million (sorry for the error).
Chromebus Aug 31st 2011 4:10AM
"Also, it had what I believe to be the best video game story arc that has ever been invented (the Arthas/LK story)."
Oh you mean the Lil' Anni -> Darth Vader -> Cremated Pimp Daddy storyline? Remember when Arthas killed Obi Wa... I mean Uther and then joined with the Empero... I mean Lich King?
As far as video games go Blizzard does a fairly decent job, but then that's probably because others already wrote it. The just (barely) tweaked some names and passed it off as an homage.
pancakes Aug 31st 2011 5:00AM
I hope you're not suggesting that Star Wars was entirely original: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars_sources_and_analogues
On topic: Ulduar was, IMO, the perfectly designed raid. It looked cool, it tied in to the overarching wrath story, had innovative encounters (regardless of whether you loved or hated FL, it was certainly different), had progressively harder bosses, & had a more interesting "hard mode" system than the current one.
Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying Cataclysm, & am having a great time in Firelands, but Ulduar was something else.
Luis Alluren Aug 31st 2011 5:03AM
@chromebus
that was so spot-on ! Hahaha
thepiratester Aug 31st 2011 7:54AM
Its all talk, you cant expect them to say anything but positive spin. Let the numbers speak for themselves every passing quarter.
Urza Aug 31st 2011 8:08AM
Blizz has no incentive to "try something different." At this point they're milking WoW for money, that's all it is. Their top people are focused on Sc2, D3, and Titan. Up to this point every promise they made about Cata has remained unfulfilled and why is that? Lack of money? No. Lack of time? Time was never an issue before. Then what? I say lack of man power on WoW.
Chromebus Aug 31st 2011 8:55AM
@pancakes
It doesn't take wikipedia to know that Potter Wars and The Rings of Oz isn't original. But let's not kid ourselves about Blizz, they barely even try to give it their own flavor. Toshey Station? Uldum? I'm sure some uber-nerd could list everything, and there is plenty.
ecwfrk Aug 31st 2011 10:26AM
I know Everquest was considered a massively successful cash cow of a MMORPG in it's day.
And when it was announced, Blizz said they were hoping to "eventually" match EQs best subscriber numbers.
At it's peak, EQ had 470k subs.
WoW subscriber base is still in excellent shape.
Xantenise Aug 31st 2011 10:40AM
I blame hype backlash. Everyone thought Cata would be THE expansion pack, and had impossibly high expectations... it's only natural it crashed and burned.