I will try and put this as simple as possible for the mathematically challenged here. Last quarter I had 80,000 players, 25,000 canceled, I get 10,000 new players I end up the quarter with 65,000 players, This quarter I lose another 25,000 players, but I get 15,000 new players. Now for the hard part did I have a increase in new players...think hard..ok since you look confused the answer is yes, did I have a increase in population...Now think hard again.... still looking puzzled there so I will help you...the answer is no. See that wasn't so hard to figure out now was it ? Now boys and girls we all see how AoC can have a increase in new players and still lose population.
Now you can see why FC wrote in their quarterly report they had a increase in new players and did not write they had a increase in population. Tune in next quarter for further education in the wonders of mathematics
There were a lot more then 80,000 players.
AoC had over 400k Q3 2008 before they started dropping off.
At only a 50% then 11% loss since then + Q1 2009 gain it can't be much lower then 200k at present.
160k at the very least.
This also goes hand in hand again with the Xfire numbers in Feburary and a few weeks after their contest when the number settled down again.
I love having Unfinished blocked! Ignore trolls is the win!
You seem to be having math issues again. Lets say AoC went into the third quarter with 400K, Looking at the above screenie In June it started in excess of 60K, lets call it 75 K since each of those lines is 25K. Wow and today it had 7209. Hmmmm that would put it at right about 80K assuming it had 800K the 1st of June last year.
So lets say it probably more like 70 to 75K, giving it the benefit of the doubt might put it at 80- 85K. Xfire numbers pre contest and post contest are meaningless except for propaganda. using your Xfire figures that would mean WAR, Eve and LoTRO have had population increases of plus 250 K each since their contests. No way that happened either. AoC came into this quarter with about 75K and probably has a tad less than that now.
Just be happy it quit hemorrhaging and it is now only a minor cut rather than a severed carotid artery.
All the pumping of the numbers can't save it. That tactic has been failing for months now. You know what they say abput repeating tha same actions and expecting different results. Astro turfing and number pumping isn't working. Instead try making the game fun, quite the concept isn't it? here's the rub though, server merges did not save the game but it di decrease theitr operating expenses allowing the game to turn a small profit.. Free trials have not saved the game, way to small of a turnover and the new player to departing player ratio is still negative.. Funcom has one last rabbit left in it's hat and that is 1.05.
If and when the expansion releases, that should draw people back at least long enough to check out new classes and zones, but that would be mostly people that liked the game but quit because they got bored, not people that quit because of how bad Funcom screwed up the launch.
I do find it funny that Anarchy Online is usually factored into the Funcom suckage equation . It is usually intended as some portent as to why AoC will be shut down. Strange...to bring up a game that Funcom runs...that is still active over 5 years after it's "failed launch"....this is not a "con"...it is a " pro " that supports the potential longevity of AoC.
Guess you really aren't very familiar with that game, 8 years.
No one drops $40 Million in Dev costs hoping to end up with an un-heard of, under-rated and under-subscribed game like Anarchy Online. (As a wise man said, " I coulda stayed home and broke even ")
As much as I loved Anarchy Online, 'the servers haven't gone dark yet' is not a way anyone measures a success. (The lights are still on over at The Matrix Online last I heard)
FC has almost completely ignored AO for years to work on AoC, guess what that will happen as they gear up toward launching TSW .... we'll see exactly how big a fan the AoC people are when FC's focus shifts again.
Um...?...you're right I'm not extremely familiar with AO...but last time I checked ....8 years....is over 5 years...which is what I said.
..and I wasn't measuring the success of AO or AoC with my statement.....merely saying that Funcom...based one of it's other game AO (which I played only briefly 4 years ago..did not like it)....will not likely "pull the plug" on AoC anytime soon.....and yes...of course ...if they stop supporting AoC...many fans will dissent. Is that a surprise?....no...because this will eventually happen for all mmos when their developers/distributors divert their attention to their next anticipated "big thing" under development. I imagine even the big "B" will stop feeding it's 500lb gorilla eventually. Look how many "If X game had classic servers..i'd play" posts that appear on mmorpg.com at regular intervals...everyone wants their favorite games/mmo to remain the same..from the exact point it became their favorite game. People like what they like. It all comes back to that fact. I imagine that there are players of AO..regardless of how few there may be..that are glad they can play the game they like...regardless of the games condition. Different strokes, brothers and sisters...different strokes. Can you dig it!! CAAAAANNNNN YOUUUUU DIG ITTTTTTTT!!!!!!...ahem...sorry for the speech.
age of CONan and funCON are making money? lol it is clear aoc will be sunset in the next 4 months
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
age of CONan and funCON are making money? lol it is clear aoc will be sunset in the next 4 months
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
hey now, cut him some slack, he said 4 months, its better than the other several analysts we got around here, especially that
march 3rd guy...and that super February person that went back to wow.
change your forecasts daily folks, we'll be seeing you all in the next season
age of CONan and funCON are making money? lol it is clear aoc will be sunset in the next 4 months
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
The fact is that FunCom is at least doing better than EA, check out their financial report. And EA fired a whole lot of people and are still losing more cash then ever.
AoC could have done a lot better if they just waited another 6 months with the launch (as I and many others said in the beta forum just before launch) but the game will stay for the next 5 years. Just face it.
I am actually more worried about WAR, I am starting to hope that EA will sell Mythic because they are doing a death spiral right now (EA) and they are just doing more of the same when they need something new and better.
The more MMOs that are around the better and both AoC and WAR have some really nice points even though both still needs more work.
age of CONan and funCON are making money? lol it is clear aoc will be sunset in the next 4 months
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
The fact is that FunCom is at least doing better than EA, check out their financial report. And EA fired a whole lot of people and are still losing more cash then ever.
FC's worth is in the Millions, EA's worth is in the BILLIONS. You may want to re-think your assertion.
I love seeing a shady company get hurt because of their shady business, I's my luck that same company is the owner of the game i like.
Oh If this game ever has an increase in subs believe me you will know. Funcom PR will personally ring your bell and tell you the news with bold letters and in your native language.
note. Good ownage there Unfinished but dont get cocky, your adversary wasnt that smart to begin with.
good news for te stockholders, it is almost a US dollar again $ .9912876 to be exact
So a few hardcore gamers (Below 70K now) still believe in Age of Conan. But sadly the stockholders dont, not even Funcom next product the future Secret World MMO can get there attention. What a........yea guess what.
Spoils of War - The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.
good news for te stockholders, it is almost a US dollar again $ .9912876 to be exact
So a few hardcore gamers (Below 70K now) still believe in Age of Conan. But sadly the stockholders dont, not even Funcom next product the future Secret World MMO can get there attention. What a........yea guess what.
Look, another butt number puller...where did you get that 70k again?
What is funny is I don't know how many scrips AoC has, but I sure am not going to reach where most haters do and pull some numbers out.
Try to be logical next time, and just say "No" to butt number pulling.
The doom and gloom crowd has already predicted AoC's death 3 or 4 times now, and have all been wrong. Why not just think it to yourself, so you can then pounce once it DOES close. Maybe it will make you feel better...
Can anyone name an mmo developer..that released an mmo as promised....with all mentioned features ...requiring no patches for bugs and no additional content?...just wondering. Due to the ever changing nature of mmos...in part to external and internals forces...like technological changes(software..hardware) and the expectations and moreso..demand of consumers... I just don't think it's all that easy to accomplish. This is why I find it hard to hold eternal grudges towards companies like Funcom and yes...even SOE. People act like developers prison-raped their first-born... I'm curious how you can watch the nightly news..with all the true injustice that exists in the world...wait...I think I understand...since you apparently feel helpless to change real world issues...you focus on combatting the little things that make you cry. Well then...good for you.
So barcrow if you saw some some jackass mugging some guy or a con artist on the corner selling fake Rolexes for 15 bucks you would not bother trying to stop them? Cheating someone out of 15 bucks through misrepresentation sucks any way you cut it.
I miss DAoC
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
Originally posted by Jackdog
So barcrow if you saw some some jackass mugging some guy or a con artist on the corner selling fake Rolexes for 15 bucks you would not bother trying to stop them? Cheating someone out of 15 bucks through misrepresentation sucks any way you cut it.
You know Jack there is the other side to your argument, something which you don't even consider from your last few posts today. Acknowledgement in personal preference and tastes from those actually playing the game have to count for something as it is these people that are paying $15 over and over for a reason.
Let me assure you these people are not shills, fanbois, asshats, people that visit the website, all xfire users and so on.
What is better in asking the guy who just brought the watch from a fresh batch stock or asking the guy who brought the model a year before with the flawed bits? That one time review won't hold any weight now. As can we see the outcright against mmorpg.com review score.
You mention the critiques in another post earlier, yet they often get paid for that as well as reviewing from a set point in time, wouldn't it be better for periodic re-evaluation? something like the recent Eurogamer review shows correction for many wrongs with the game, or even all these I came back and things are better posts, than Tom, Dick and Harry "I played 8 months ago nothing has changed I promise you, because out of common courtesy from the bottom of my heart I really don't want you to give FC a monthly sub."
Difference is with your watch scenario, people can just DL the free trial and make sure things are ticking.
The fact that every website that carries this particular story all come to the same conclusion which is different from the fella's that pop up on these forums every 3/4 months pouting.
So barcrow if you saw some some jackass mugging some guy or a con artist on the corner selling fake Rolexes for 15 bucks you would not bother trying to stop them? Cheating someone out of 15 bucks through misrepresentation sucks any way you cut it.
You know Jack there is the other side to your argument, something which you don't even consider from your last few posts today. Acknowledgement in personal preference and tastes from those actually playing the game have to count for something as it is these people that are paying $15 over and over for a reason.
actually what I thought we were discussing was a press release from some one who presumably has a MBA and worded the press release so it appears that the game has a hell of a lot more subs than even the most optimistic fanboy would ever toss out.
I miss DAoC
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
Originally posted by Jackdog
Originally posted by AmazingAvery
Originally posted by Jackdog
So barcrow if you saw some some jackass mugging some guy or a con artist on the corner selling fake Rolexes for 15 bucks you would not bother trying to stop them? Cheating someone out of 15 bucks through misrepresentation sucks any way you cut it.
You know Jack there is the other side to your argument, something which you don't even consider from your last few posts today. Acknowledgement in personal preference and tastes from those actually playing the game have to count for something as it is these people that are paying $15 over and over for a reason.
actually what I thought we were discussing was a press release from some one who presumably has a MBA and worded the press release so it appears that the game has a hell of a lot more subs than even the most optimistic fanboy would ever toss out.
And to say that conclusion is false based on:
Pride in the workplace and products in promoting them in a business sense
Acknowledgement that people are playing longer
game is now seeing an upturn in new subscribers
Improved retention "longer average subscription periods "
Funcom cites positive improvements to the game based on player feedback
Improved client stability
"more players are experiencing 'Age of Conan' " is pretty self explanatory
The technology behind the game has also advanced significantly
"The positive indications on subscriber retention from January 2009 has been reinforced and strengthened in the following months for the Age of Conan game." (Q1 specific)
Specifcally - "an increase in new customers in Q1 2009 "
Or is it more
website traffic proves otherwise?
Xfire stats prove otherwise?
"I haven't played lately so I am not sure on how many people I see in game, but if it was like it was last time I played..."
"I just have a different opinion because of original dislike and that is all I can think about"
These are just general observations about no one in particular.
I am not and will not say that the game has huge heights of population, but there really has to be a line drawn in that it is hard to disagree for me in that the game (financial figures aside) is a better product now which in turn is probably the best reason for getting new people to the game and FC seeing the ones already playing, playing for longer. I think that stands for something and shouldn't be easily dismissed no matter what the motive.
All I can see is things getting better and more people eager to see what is happening. Part of this is actually seeing 2/3rds more interest in this forthcoming patch on test live based on say patch 3, measured in metrics for posts and thread views.
Something is up with the game, might not be explosive but there is general interest around and that to some degree is being acted upon which results in this "I cam back" posts that tend to put some people in a miffed state.
Why is the dissection for AoC so important for those few whom don't play and the games that they do play don't get equal attention? The reasons are obvious for some, you know those that really want to know whats up, and then for others the tin foil hats come out every quarter.
Why is it the same things are said by the same people every quarter since release and those same things never materialize? I think there is an equal amount of wishful thinking on both sides of the fence. If your the type of person who picks the middle ground then you really aren't going to go wrong by logging in and seeing for yourself (just general statement).
At somepoint people will come to their natural end with a game, AoC is no different. Remember that quote of "we will have enough content for 900hrs play" - that kinda sums up to around 9 mnths for me.
You will always have a revolving door with people coming in and going out, what the statement implies is that over the last quarter they are seeing more people coming in based on this and this and this.
So barcrow if you saw some some jackass mugging some guy or a con artist on the corner selling fake Rolexes for 15 bucks you would not bother trying to stop them? Cheating someone out of 15 bucks through misrepresentation sucks any way you cut it.
I understand your argument...as amazingavery stated....you can always wait for the trial. That's what I usually do...I never buy the first year of any model car....for the same reasons. That aside...i tend ignore what any company says a game provides....they always tend to bite off more than they can chew. That's why I usually wait. If and when I do decide to purchase...I always read the EULA....some statements contained within terms of agreement include...in most i've read...any responsibility of the company for "loss of goodwill" as well as their right to change ...well...pretty much anything at anytime. These Eula have been around for a while...anyone that doesnt agree with them...should stop buying games/mmos.
We make the decision as to which games we play....we need to research those decisions...even if that means waiting until after the launch of any game. If I like a game and it changes from what is desired...I stop playing/paying....simple. I played AoC...i like AoC...however I'm on hiatus until the new patch...because It sounds like it may change ...taking it into a direction I do not prefer. It may still be excellent and I will resume...or I may leave it altogether. The changes are within funcoms rights and according to the EULA. I have the power...at all times...to say "No".
Thankfully....con artists and muggers don't have the luxury of an EULA...because they're criminals....and though you have the power to say "no" to them as well...it may cost you more than a watch or a wallet. You voluntarily buy a game...but I know of no one who has volunteered for a mugging or con-job. In the case of game developers ....so far...disappointing consumer expectations is not a crime...despite wishful thinking. As for the financial postings...I just don't see any blatant dishonesty.
Funcom themselves are saying that revenues will drop from 7.7M down to 5-7M (20% drop)... how is it possible that AOC will have more subscribers this quarter than last quarter.
The percentage drop in revenues for Funcom is very close to the percentage drop in subscribers to AOC. Even if AO shut down completely this quarter (800k revenues to 0 revenues), it is mathmatically impossible for AOC to gain subscribers and Funcom to lose 20% revenues.
And it is rediculous to say that AOC is 'profitable' this quarter. They wrote off the game last quarter (23M loss)... so they got 1.4M of that back. Here is the analogy. I buy a car for 10,000 I deliver a pizza and get tipped $5 and spent $3 on gas. Can I really brag that I made a $2 profit off my car? The profit they made this quarter and in 3Q08 are tiny compared to the amount they spent to make the game. When the wrote off the game last quarter, they were basically saying they were never going to earn back that investment.
Comments
There were a lot more then 80,000 players.
AoC had over 400k Q3 2008 before they started dropping off.
At only a 50% then 11% loss since then + Q1 2009 gain it can't be much lower then 200k at present.
160k at the very least.
This also goes hand in hand again with the Xfire numbers in Feburary and a few weeks after their contest when the number settled down again.
I love having Unfinished blocked! Ignore trolls is the win!
You seem to be having math issues again. Lets say AoC went into the third quarter with 400K, Looking at the above screenie In June it started in excess of 60K, lets call it 75 K since each of those lines is 25K. Wow and today it had 7209. Hmmmm that would put it at right about 80K assuming it had 800K the 1st of June last year.
So lets say it probably more like 70 to 75K, giving it the benefit of the doubt might put it at 80- 85K. Xfire numbers pre contest and post contest are meaningless except for propaganda. using your Xfire figures that would mean WAR, Eve and LoTRO have had population increases of plus 250 K each since their contests. No way that happened either. AoC came into this quarter with about 75K and probably has a tad less than that now.
Just be happy it quit hemorrhaging and it is now only a minor cut rather than a severed carotid artery.
All the pumping of the numbers can't save it. That tactic has been failing for months now. You know what they say abput repeating tha same actions and expecting different results. Astro turfing and number pumping isn't working. Instead try making the game fun, quite the concept isn't it? here's the rub though, server merges did not save the game but it di decrease theitr operating expenses allowing the game to turn a small profit.. Free trials have not saved the game, way to small of a turnover and the new player to departing player ratio is still negative.. Funcom has one last rabbit left in it's hat and that is 1.05.
<buys a fresh bag of popcorn>
I miss DAoC
I wonder how many subs Age of Conan has
If and when the expansion releases, that should draw people back at least long enough to check out new classes and zones, but that would be mostly people that liked the game but quit because they got bored, not people that quit because of how bad Funcom screwed up the launch.
Guess you really aren't very familiar with that game, 8 years.
No one drops $40 Million in Dev costs hoping to end up with an un-heard of, under-rated and under-subscribed game like Anarchy Online. (As a wise man said, " I coulda stayed home and broke even ")
As much as I loved Anarchy Online, 'the servers haven't gone dark yet' is not a way anyone measures a success. (The lights are still on over at The Matrix Online last I heard)
FC has almost completely ignored AO for years to work on AoC, guess what that will happen as they gear up toward launching TSW .... we'll see exactly how big a fan the AoC people are when FC's focus shifts again.
Um...?...you're right I'm not extremely familiar with AO...but last time I checked ....8 years....is over 5 years...which is what I said.
..and I wasn't measuring the success of AO or AoC with my statement.....merely saying that Funcom...based one of it's other game AO (which I played only briefly 4 years ago..did not like it)....will not likely "pull the plug" on AoC anytime soon.....and yes...of course ...if they stop supporting AoC...many fans will dissent. Is that a surprise?....no...because this will eventually happen for all mmos when their developers/distributors divert their attention to their next anticipated "big thing" under development. I imagine even the big "B" will stop feeding it's 500lb gorilla eventually. Look how many "If X game had classic servers..i'd play" posts that appear on mmorpg.com at regular intervals...everyone wants their favorite games/mmo to remain the same..from the exact point it became their favorite game. People like what they like. It all comes back to that fact. I imagine that there are players of AO..regardless of how few there may be..that are glad they can play the game they like...regardless of the games condition. Different strokes, brothers and sisters...different strokes. Can you dig it!! CAAAAANNNNN YOUUUUU DIG ITTTTTTTT!!!!!!...ahem...sorry for the speech.
age of CONan and funCON are making money?
lol
it is clear aoc will be sunset in the next 4 months
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
hey now, cut him some slack, he said 4 months, its better than the other several analysts we got around here, especially that
march 3rd guy...and that super February person that went back to wow.
change your forecasts daily folks, we'll be seeing you all in the next season
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
The fact is that FunCom is at least doing better than EA, check out their financial report. And EA fired a whole lot of people and are still losing more cash then ever.
AoC could have done a lot better if they just waited another 6 months with the launch (as I and many others said in the beta forum just before launch) but the game will stay for the next 5 years. Just face it.
I am actually more worried about WAR, I am starting to hope that EA will sell Mythic because they are doing a death spiral right now (EA) and they are just doing more of the same when they need something new and better.
The more MMOs that are around the better and both AoC and WAR have some really nice points even though both still needs more work.
Oh look...another Doom and Gloom, that is spouting death of AoC, kind of like the others who said it would close in November of 2008, then January of 2009 and then May of 2009.
Amazing how those predictions have turned out....so sad!
The fact is that FunCom is at least doing better than EA, check out their financial report. And EA fired a whole lot of people and are still losing more cash then ever.
FC's worth is in the Millions, EA's worth is in the BILLIONS. You may want to re-think your assertion.
And EA's stock is certainly doing a hell of a lot better than FunCom's quotes.nasdaq.com/asp/SummaryQuote.asp
I love seeing a shady company get hurt because of their shady business, I's my luck that same company is the owner of the game i like.
Oh If this game ever has an increase in subs believe me you will know. Funcom PR will personally ring your bell and tell you the news with bold letters and in your native language.
note. Good ownage there Unfinished but dont get cocky, your adversary wasnt that smart to begin with.
I need more vespene gas.
good news for te stockholders, it is almost a US dollar again $ .9912876 to be exact
I miss DAoC
So a few hardcore gamers (Below 70K now) still believe in Age of Conan. But sadly the stockholders dont, not even Funcom next product the future Secret World MMO can get there attention. What a........yea guess what.
Spoils of War - The quickest way of ending a war is to lose it.
So a few hardcore gamers (Below 70K now) still believe in Age of Conan. But sadly the stockholders dont, not even Funcom next product the future Secret World MMO can get there attention. What a........yea guess what.
Look, another butt number puller...where did you get that 70k again?
What is funny is I don't know how many scrips AoC has, but I sure am not going to reach where most haters do and pull some numbers out.
Try to be logical next time, and just say "No" to butt number pulling.
The doom and gloom crowd has already predicted AoC's death 3 or 4 times now, and have all been wrong. Why not just think it to yourself, so you can then pounce once it DOES close. Maybe it will make you feel better...
Anyways
Thanks
Can anyone name an mmo developer..that released an mmo as promised....with all mentioned features ...requiring no patches for bugs and no additional content?...just wondering. Due to the ever changing nature of mmos...in part to external and internals forces...like technological changes(software..hardware) and the expectations and moreso..demand of consumers... I just don't think it's all that easy to accomplish. This is why I find it hard to hold eternal grudges towards companies like Funcom and yes...even SOE. People act like developers prison-raped their first-born... I'm curious how you can watch the nightly news..with all the true injustice that exists in the world...wait...I think I understand...since you apparently feel helpless to change real world issues...you focus on combatting the little things that make you cry. Well then...good for you.
So barcrow if you saw some some jackass mugging some guy or a con artist on the corner selling fake Rolexes for 15 bucks you would not bother trying to stop them? Cheating someone out of 15 bucks through misrepresentation sucks any way you cut it.
I miss DAoC
You know Jack there is the other side to your argument, something which you don't even consider from your last few posts today. Acknowledgement in personal preference and tastes from those actually playing the game have to count for something as it is these people that are paying $15 over and over for a reason.
Let me assure you these people are not shills, fanbois, asshats, people that visit the website, all xfire users and so on.
What is better in asking the guy who just brought the watch from a fresh batch stock or asking the guy who brought the model a year before with the flawed bits? That one time review won't hold any weight now. As can we see the outcright against mmorpg.com review score.
You mention the critiques in another post earlier, yet they often get paid for that as well as reviewing from a set point in time, wouldn't it be better for periodic re-evaluation? something like the recent Eurogamer review shows correction for many wrongs with the game, or even all these I came back and things are better posts, than Tom, Dick and Harry "I played 8 months ago nothing has changed I promise you, because out of common courtesy from the bottom of my heart I really don't want you to give FC a monthly sub."
Difference is with your watch scenario, people can just DL the free trial and make sure things are ticking.
The fact that every website that carries this particular story all come to the same conclusion which is different from the fella's that pop up on these forums every 3/4 months pouting.
Well... guess I'm just one of those people that like to play AoC to be entertained, not because of the finances of the company behind the game.
What more is there to say. Keep it up, guys! without you there wouldn't be so many great threads:)
"nerf rock, paper is working as intended."
- Scissors.
Head Chop
I miss DAoC
You know Jack there is the other side to your argument, something which you don't even consider from your last few posts today. Acknowledgement in personal preference and tastes from those actually playing the game have to count for something as it is these people that are paying $15 over and over for a reason.
actually what I thought we were discussing was a press release from some one who presumably has a MBA and worded the press release so it appears that the game has a hell of a lot more subs than even the most optimistic fanboy would ever toss out.
And to say that conclusion is false based on:
Or is it more
These are just general observations about no one in particular.
I am not and will not say that the game has huge heights of population, but there really has to be a line drawn in that it is hard to disagree for me in that the game (financial figures aside) is a better product now which in turn is probably the best reason for getting new people to the game and FC seeing the ones already playing, playing for longer. I think that stands for something and shouldn't be easily dismissed no matter what the motive.
All I can see is things getting better and more people eager to see what is happening. Part of this is actually seeing 2/3rds more interest in this forthcoming patch on test live based on say patch 3, measured in metrics for posts and thread views.
Something is up with the game, might not be explosive but there is general interest around and that to some degree is being acted upon which results in this "I cam back" posts that tend to put some people in a miffed state.
Why is the dissection for AoC so important for those few whom don't play and the games that they do play don't get equal attention? The reasons are obvious for some, you know those that really want to know whats up, and then for others the tin foil hats come out every quarter.
Why is it the same things are said by the same people every quarter since release and those same things never materialize? I think there is an equal amount of wishful thinking on both sides of the fence. If your the type of person who picks the middle ground then you really aren't going to go wrong by logging in and seeing for yourself (just general statement).
At somepoint people will come to their natural end with a game, AoC is no different. Remember that quote of "we will have enough content for 900hrs play" - that kinda sums up to around 9 mnths for me.
You will always have a revolving door with people coming in and going out, what the statement implies is that over the last quarter they are seeing more people coming in based on this and this and this.
I understand your argument...as amazingavery stated....you can always wait for the trial. That's what I usually do...I never buy the first year of any model car....for the same reasons. That aside...i tend ignore what any company says a game provides....they always tend to bite off more than they can chew. That's why I usually wait. If and when I do decide to purchase...I always read the EULA....some statements contained within terms of agreement include...in most i've read...any responsibility of the company for "loss of goodwill" as well as their right to change ...well...pretty much anything at anytime. These Eula have been around for a while...anyone that doesnt agree with them...should stop buying games/mmos.
We make the decision as to which games we play....we need to research those decisions...even if that means waiting until after the launch of any game. If I like a game and it changes from what is desired...I stop playing/paying....simple. I played AoC...i like AoC...however I'm on hiatus until the new patch...because It sounds like it may change ...taking it into a direction I do not prefer. It may still be excellent and I will resume...or I may leave it altogether. The changes are within funcoms rights and according to the EULA. I have the power...at all times...to say "No".
Thankfully....con artists and muggers don't have the luxury of an EULA...because they're criminals....and though you have the power to say "no" to them as well...it may cost you more than a watch or a wallet. You voluntarily buy a game...but I know of no one who has volunteered for a mugging or con-job. In the case of game developers ....so far...disappointing consumer expectations is not a crime...despite wishful thinking. As for the financial postings... I just don't see any blatant dishonesty.
Answer this riddle Ninjaboy,
Funcom themselves are saying that revenues will drop from 7.7M down to 5-7M (20% drop)... how is it possible that AOC will have more subscribers this quarter than last quarter.
The percentage drop in revenues for Funcom is very close to the percentage drop in subscribers to AOC. Even if AO shut down completely this quarter (800k revenues to 0 revenues), it is mathmatically impossible for AOC to gain subscribers and Funcom to lose 20% revenues.
And it is rediculous to say that AOC is 'profitable' this quarter. They wrote off the game last quarter (23M loss)... so they got 1.4M of that back. Here is the analogy. I buy a car for 10,000 I deliver a pizza and get tipped $5 and spent $3 on gas. Can I really brag that I made a $2 profit off my car? The profit they made this quarter and in 3Q08 are tiny compared to the amount they spent to make the game. When the wrote off the game last quarter, they were basically saying they were never going to earn back that investment.