Activision Blizzard revealed its quarterly results and they are still making plenty of money. However, most of that cash is coming from Call of Duty, Hearthstone and Destiny. World of Warcraft is slowly proving to be the only thing capable of killing World of Warcraft, hemorrhaging subscribers and scrambling to release more content. But it’s not all doom and gloom, right?
World of Warcraft finished the quarter with 5.6 million subscribers, down from the 7.1 million subscribers at the end of the first quarter of the year. However, Activision Blizzard was quick to point out that WoW is still the top subscription-based MMORPG in the world. While 5.6 million is a pretty low number for them (a nine year low, in fact), it’s still better than the likes of Final Fantasy XIV, which is estimated at about one million active players and four million registered accounts, although that MMO appears to be growing as compared to the shrinking WoW.
In a true sign of desperation, we already know that WoW is getting another expansion. It makes sense considering that Warlords of Draenor brought in a ton of new and return subscribers. Still, that’s a pretty quick turn around time for more new content, but I suppose they’re hoping that the double whammy of expansion and movie release will bring new and older users to the game. It just seems a bit desperate for them to be announcing the expansion at Gamescom instead of their usual Blizzcon platform.
WoW fans are still a passionate bunch, and it’s not that I think that the game will totally die off anytime soon. However, most players seem to be moving on to other things, and the subscription model means that there has to be something worthwhile to do every day/week/month to justify the continuing expense of the game. Sure, expansions help, but when you also have to pay for those it just seems to be a rather expensive proposition. Not that fans seem to mind.
Last Updated: August 5, 2015
Ottokie
August 5, 2015 at 12:06
The funny thing is that I am/was a big WoW fan, until WoD (facebook game and selfies) dropped. Now I am actually having a lot more fun in a Free to play game called Trove…
They really cocked up bigtime towards the fans of WoW. It will probably become good again if they rip out that Activision parasite.
HairyEwok
August 5, 2015 at 12:08
WoW is like a old man….. It’s death will come for sure but just as he’s getting ready to push daisies he goes and gets a new heart or hip replacement. But you can only replace things and add new things a number of times.
SmurFyZA
August 5, 2015 at 12:44
I would still be playing WoW if my lifestyle allowed it. 3 Hours a day is just not worth the money we are paying for gametime.
Greylingad[CNFRMD]
August 5, 2015 at 12:49
You! Sir! Have struck the nail squarely on the head!
Frik van der Hewerskink
August 5, 2015 at 13:13
Imagine how many people would play this game, if it went free to play, Just imagine
VampyreSquirrel
August 5, 2015 at 13:23
Subs are too pricey, I’d rather put R300-R350 into a new (read on sale) game and put my hours into that.
Ottokie
August 5, 2015 at 13:32
I wholeheartedly agree
VampyreSquirrel
August 5, 2015 at 13:23
Subs are too pricey, I’d rather put R300-R350 into a new (read on sale) game and put my hours into that.
Ranting Raptor
August 5, 2015 at 18:40
With a subscription model you need more fresh content and changes to the game. CCP games have realised this with the way they handle Eve Online content now. Regular updates every quarter or more currently. If it feels like the world you are playing is constantly changing then you’ll stay.
The updates aren’t that massive either. But the point is it feels like your money is doing something other than keeping you in a stagnant world.
That all being said, F2P is slowly choking the life out of the subscription model. I don’t see a monthly sub model lasting much more than another 3 or so years