What makes WOW popular is that people like it and enjoy playing it. Its not that difficult to understand. Simplicity is not a quantitative value, its qualitative. Just like everything else when dealing with opinion. And yes why someone likes something is an opinion. I find WOW simple but I have also played MMO for 10 years and played WOW for about half of that time. So I should find it simple at this point. However, I found LOTRO to be as simple as well as other games. What one person finds to be simple can be complicated for another. I find math (algebra) to be complicated but I find statistics simple. I find history simple but foreign languages complicated. The person next to me can be the exact opposite. That is why these "I know why WOW is popular" threads ultimately fail. There is NO SINGLE answer and also because every reason why someone likes something (i.e. its popular) is different. It comes down to their opinion and in some cases, many opinions as to why they play WOW. I could give you 10 reasons right now why I do and simplicity is not one of them. In the end, people play what they like and enjoy and have fun doing. And if they don't, then they miss out of the true reason why so many play games in the first place (my opinion).
Haters on this site will always make up things about why is so popular. But there is only 1 reason, game is brilliant.
Not a reason. The game is brilliant to you because it provides most of what you like and want out of an MMO. However, it only provides YOU with this satisfaction. I on the other hand enjoy a more challenging MMO with a fun endgame that doesn't rest on who's character is the prettiest. However, this is simply MY opinion. We could argue this thread until we're blue in the face but it all boils down to the fact that everyone has an opinion, everyone loves to express it and everyone wants to believe that their opinion is fact. But still just my opinion :P.
Actually, you're right. It has more than 11 million.
That site is talking about a interview with Rob Pardo who's VP of Game Design for blizzard. The only thing thing they state on that page is the questions they ask and one of them is them is about sub numbers.
"John Funk of WarCry recently interviewed Blizzard's VP of Game Design, Rob Pardo, about WoW's five-year anniversary, and he shed some light on a number of topics, including their total subscriber numbers (twice to three times as much as its current 12 million), what audience their new MMO is meant for, and what he thinks WoW's greatest successes were."
Maybe if you took the time to read the interview, you would know what exactly he said. The only time in that WHOLE interview, where he really talks about subscribers, is when WoW launched. He says that numbers now are no where near where they were before.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
Those of you who think World of Warcraft is only simplistic and always simplistic have not played at the highest level. Yes, you can completely ignore the complex mechanics of min/maxing and do just fine. HOWEVER there is an element to the game that 95% of players never see because they never play on the high-end level of world ranked raiding. If you want to get the most out of your character and your gear, then it is a very complex game. For everyone else, it's simplistic.
As for this:
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
You took it out of context sir. He's talking about the people who have subbed and quit at any given time, not the total number of concurrent subs at any one time.
The funny thing about this thread is that to an engineer like myself 'simple' is a very desirable quality in things. The simpler a solution to a problem, the better it is. Given two suitable, working solutions the simpler one is the one you choose. Complexity for complexity's sake is a major design flaw.
The funny thing about this thread is that to an engineer like myself 'simple' is a very desirable quality in things. The simpler a solution to a problem, the better it is. Given two suitable, working solutions the simpler one is the one you choose. Complexity for complexity's sake is a major design flaw.
I pretty much agree. The reason people play WoW is that it's easy to understand, with a variety of ways to play and plenty of menial tasks to occupy your time.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
I can very strongly say after playing every p2p mmo but eve and planetside, that iv'e figured out why wow is so popular. Simplicity Why simplicity?
Look at All the MMO's that have come out since 2008 you need a up to date computer to play it.Most people i know have a Old Dell from the dude im getting a dell commercial.Which runs wow fine.
Then we have newer games which like for a person that does absolutely no fancy stuf on your computer (talking a P4 HT with no AGP or PCI-E slot here) they will make your computer explode... Also the game play is for lack of a better term "Jack of all trades" good at all master of none. PvP is good if you just play for the occasional break in leveling.PvE is pve lol not like grind alot(Aion) or do Quests till your Eyes bleed(Lotro)Raiding is fun on a casual basis,And the crafting isn't mega time consuming(Aion)being Being ganked (asherons call and aion <..>) Basically its your ultimate Pick up and Play MMO your old grandma can play it, without being super confused. Dont get me wrong if you past a Casual Gamer like the guys that delete thier Character on youtube no clue why or the dudes on CODMW2 who have prestige rank 10 which is like damn .... its probably gonna get kinda dry and boring after a while. Just so you know i play Age of Conan and other shooters and my Mother and sister play world of warcraft like a relaxed basis they just hit 80 after 5 months .This is no way shape or form a fanboy post cuz i like pretty much every(P2P) mmo ive ever played , just a opinion.
Thanks for telling us something we didn't know.
WoW is not for purists, its for people new to the genre.
Not true at all pal people who like mmo's in general. The only game that is more complicated than WoW is Eve.
Very true, "pal".
If you like the idea of solo questing to the level cap, completely ignoring the whole "enjoy the ride and pride yourself on the adventure" just so you can grind the same raids once a week with others, go right ahead. If you like go log out and wait patiently for skills to level up go play your game. See? Trying to diss a game by playing with words is very easy but totally unfruitful when it comes to meaningful exchange of words.
I on the other hand will choose other games that actually have a fun world and community to enjoy to you, not necessarily to anyone else, and definitely from the sub base, fewer agress with you than disagrees.
"The only game that is more complicated than WoW is Eve. "
I'm crying with tears of laughter from that quote. Don't talk about MMOs like you know anything, kid, just because you played WoW and EVE's trial.
First, stop flamming or provoking, he has his views, you try to push yours out as if yours has any better credibility. You see your game as fun, that does not make it a fact for anyone else. Calling someone else "kid" makes you what? More mature? Or more obnoxious?
Eve is a game, WoW is a game, none need rocket scientist skills to play. None makes the gamer inheritedly superior. You do not grow wiser if you put on a red under. Nor do you grow wiser playing a game over another.
Whats more complicated than wow then? EQ2? No. LOTRO? No. EQ1? No. AoC? No. EVE probably is, but I've never played it.
Complications being good, for the sake of being complicated? Or you have specific aspects of depth of gameplay you want to talk about? The most complicated MMO is one you play when blind folded and try to listen to teammates on vent.
I pretty much agree. The reason people play WoW is that it's easy to understand, with a variety of ways to play and plenty of menial tasks to occupy your time. Pretty much like Farmville.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
No, he is going a round about way to saying, for every 1 active sub now, there are 2 inactive ex-players. If Blizz launches another game that is good, the potential client base = active WoW + ex-WoW gamer = 3x current WoW sub.
Of course, no one knows what the current sub is, nor do we know if the ex-subs are going to be interested in the new game. It also hides the fact that ex-sub might also be in the current sub with a new user name. Sub =/= player. A player can have many sub, many active subs and maybe with some inactive cancelled stolen accounts (ex-subs).
Whats more complicated than wow then? EQ2? No. LOTRO? No. EQ1? No. AoC? No. EVE probably is, but I've never played it.
Complications being good, for the sake of being complicated? Or you have specific aspects of depth of gameplay you want to talk about? The most complicated MMO is one you play when blind folded and try to listen to teammates on vent.
Having complications just for the sake of making things complicated does not make for a good game if you ask me. However I found the shear amount of things I needed to learn along the way with EVE, kept my interest for the game at a high rate for a very long time. I still don't know everything about the game. I like that. But everything has purpose in EVE. It all fits together like an expertly well spun spider web.
Now if you take a glance at my new infatuation (Darkfall), even though it is nowhere near as complex, I find myself excited to log in just to explore, taking out some of my favorite mobs, or indulge in some great PVP. It's kept me me captivated for similar reasons, but it is a far cry from EVE.
My question to you is, what keeps you going in WOW? Are you still learning new things all the time? Is it the friends you have made, or perhaps things you can achieve down the line? Or is it something completely different that keeps you logging in? I'm genuinely curious as I havn't had a sub since approximately 2 months after BGs were introduced.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
I can very strongly say after playing every p2p mmo but eve and planetside, that iv'e figured out why wow is so popular. Simplicity Why simplicity?
Look at All the MMO's that have come out since 2008 you need a up to date computer to play it.Most people i know have a Old Dell from the dude im getting a dell commercial.Which runs wow fine.
Then we have newer games which like for a person that does absolutely no fancy stuf on your computer (talking a P4 HT with no AGP or PCI-E slot here) they will make your computer explode... Also the game play is for lack of a better term "Jack of all trades" good at all master of none. PvP is good if you just play for the occasional break in leveling.PvE is pve lol not like grind alot(Aion) or do Quests till your Eyes bleed(Lotro)Raiding is fun on a casual basis,And the crafting isn't mega time consuming(Aion)being Being ganked (asherons call and aion <..>) Basically its your ultimate Pick up and Play MMO your old grandma can play it, without being super confused. Dont get me wrong if you past a Casual Gamer like the guys that delete thier Character on youtube no clue why or the dudes on CODMW2 who have prestige rank 10 which is like damn .... its probably gonna get kinda dry and boring after a while. Just so you know i play Age of Conan and other shooters and my Mother and sister play world of warcraft like a relaxed basis they just hit 80 after 5 months .This is no way shape or form a fanboy post cuz i like pretty much every(P2P) mmo ive ever played , just a opinion.
Thanks for telling us something we didn't know.
WoW is not for purists, its for people new to the genre.
Edit: WoW has more quests to complete than LOTRO while leveling. Just read more of your post.
He's not saying LOTRO has more quests he's saying it's more quest based and he's right. There is no option to grind in LOTRO, the exp you get from mobs is so minimal for the most part spending time killing them rather than questing slows down your levelling exponentially.
Whereas with WoW you can choose to quest or grind. Or you could - back in Vanilla I grinded out 55-60 on my warrior as it was hard getting groups as there was minimal solo content back then. Of course it's all changed now, these days if you aren't permenently queued for a BG or random dungeon and doing 2 levels a night then you're doing something wrong.
_________________________________________ You can walk the walk but can you talk the talk?
Originally posted by Cecropia My question to you is, what keeps you going in WOW? Are you still learning new things all the time? Is it the friends you have made, or perhaps things you can achieve down the line? Or is it something completely different that keeps you logging in? I'm genuinely curious as I havn't had a sub since approximately 2 months after BGs were introduced.
I think the primary reason why I still play WoW after 5 years is that I still learn new things all the time. They might not be groundbreaking revelations but there are many, many smaller things you can learn about the game and yourself evry time you log on. There are 'flows' to the game that utterly fascinate me.
Originally posted by Cecropia My question to you is, what keeps you going in WOW? Are you still learning new things all the time? Is it the friends you have made, or perhaps things you can achieve down the line? Or is it something completely different that keeps you logging in? I'm genuinely curious as I havn't had a sub since approximately 2 months after BGs were introduced.
I think the primary reason why I still play WoW after 5 years is that I still learn new things all the time. They might not be groundbreaking revelations but there are many, many smaller things you can learn about the game and yourself evry time you log on. There are 'flows' to the game that utterly fascinate me.
Hmm, didn't expect that answer. Very interesting that you're still learning new things after all of these years.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
As much as people may hate it, World of Warcraft is just a solid game. It had a lot of charm about it. I've been around with my fair share of MMO's and I played WoW the longest out of all of them because it was good. It had just enough interesting things going on for it to make it not incredibly boring. It also helps that I had a group of five other real life friends that played it with me. To me, the game has lost that charm when everything became so standardized and I stopped playing it last May after playing it since release day. I have no desire to see the new expansion but I will never doubt that WoW was a good and fun game while I played it.
Those of you who think World of Warcraft is only simplistic and always simplistic have not played at the highest level. Yes, you can completely ignore the complex mechanics of min/maxing and do just fine. HOWEVER there is an element to the game that 95% of players never see because they never play on the high-end level of world ranked raiding. If you want to get the most out of your character and your gear, then it is a very complex game. For everyone else, it's simplistic.
As for this: "Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. " You took it out of context sir. He's talking about the people who have subbed and quit at any given time, not the total number of concurrent subs at any one time.
I was just pointing out that the only time he really talks about subs is that quote.
A) You (and others) have stated that the main reason wow is popular is because it can be played on the most simple computer on the market.
also, that wow is the jack of all trades and master of none.
Ok then.
Wow has withstood over 5 years of massive computing power increases combined with massive price drops of a typical home computer. Even a cheap budget computer today will power almost any mmo.
Rob Pardo (as quoted above) says there are millions and millions of people no longer playing wow, so the market potential is huge.
Yet, there is no massive population explosion in other mmos. Even the ones you think have mastered mmo gameplay in comparison to warcrafts gameplay of jack of all trades, master of none.
How do you explain the lack of growth in other mmos?
Everyone is so quick to find excuses for wows popularity that point to anything other than its quality and gamplay, they do not see the other side of the subject.
It doesn't matter how popular wow is when so many other games fail to attract and retain millions of potential customers. Honestly, if their gameplay was on a master level in comparison, their login servers would be crushed under the weight of people rushing to join their game. (sound familiar to anything?)
Personally I think wow is dominating the market, because the majority of the market is filled with products that were rushed out incomplete, unfinished, busted, untested and filled with design choices that are often in direct contrast to their gameplay.
How about this. LINK Read how the reviewers talk about EQ2s release and Wows release which wer only 2 weeks apart from each other (same as the reviews). Listen to how they talk about the two games and note the massive difference in experiences each delivered and how the reviewer describes them. Just read the good/bad list for a quick summary. I think this really summarizes the entire mmo market right now.
In a nutshell, other companies are making it easy for one game to walk away with the market.
Any decent designer knows the value of accessibility. "minute to learn, lifetime to master" is a common saying, and rings true. If you look at Chess, it's a game whose basic rules can be printed on a single sheet of paper -- yet despite that simplicity it's a game with tremendous depth. That's the hallmark of a great game: describing how to play can be done on a single sheet of paper, but describing how to play well takes many full-length books.
Well said.
If you can maintain quality over time, you also get the benefit of momentum. WoW has had a lot of momentum for a long time. If you're looking to play an online game with your friends, chances are you know someone that plays WoW, so which one are you going to start with?
Something will surpass it (I'm sure Blizzard knows this), it's just a matter of time. It might even be another Blizzard MMO; that would be a shame if someone else can't beat them to that.
yay band wagon or what to say. soo many threads to a simple point of view.
WARCRAFT< the reason world of warcraft become the massive hit. WoW is the only reason alot of ppl even know about MMOs at all. have nothing to do with how easy or hard it is, its just a very popular game series, and because they succesfully steal 15$/month makes it a sensation for the world press. for anyone outside MMO player circles this is an insane price to pay for the same product month after month.
complex. WoW more than likely aint more or less complex gameplay wise than any other MMO, tho really HATE the idea of MMO battlegrounds, and the heavy focus on items. and this is a reason for me to hate WoW now, since EQ2 introduces battlegrounds....worse idea ever...way to make the progression flat and meaningless wtg
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Even though it's already been said, I wanted to clarify that you have misunderstood what he said in this quote. 12 million is the number of ACTIVE subscribers. The TOTAL number of subscribers (active and non-active) is somewhere between 24 and 36 million at least according to Pardo.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Even though it's already been said, I wanted to clarify that you have misunderstood what he said in this quote. 12 million is the number of ACTIVE subscribers. The TOTAL number of subscribers (active and non-active) is somewhere between 24 and 36 million at least according to Pardo.
Interesting, I've always felt that for every active WOW player there are about 2 who've played it and quit hence there is huge number of people with a negative opinion of the game right now.
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Even though it's already been said, I wanted to clarify that you have misunderstood what he said in this quote. 12 million is the number of ACTIVE subscribers. The TOTAL number of subscribers (active and non-active) is somewhere between 24 and 36 million at least according to Pardo.
Interesting, I've always felt that for every active WOW player there are about 2 who've played it and quit hence there is huge number of people with a negative opinion of the game right now.
Well I don't think that everyone who's quit has a negative opinion of it, most just got bored of it even though they enjoyed it while they played (you included I believe).
The other way to look at it is that 1/3 of the people who have purchased the game over the last 5 years are either STILL playing or have started playing again. Let that sink in a minute. That's an amazing accomplishment.
Comments
win.
Not a reason. The game is brilliant to you because it provides most of what you like and want out of an MMO. However, it only provides YOU with this satisfaction. I on the other hand enjoy a more challenging MMO with a fun endgame that doesn't rest on who's character is the prettiest. However, this is simply MY opinion. We could argue this thread until we're blue in the face but it all boils down to the fact that everyone has an opinion, everyone loves to express it and everyone wants to believe that their opinion is fact. But still just my opinion :P.
WoW doesn't have 11m people playing so hush. Not to mention that how do you know 11m is 62% of how many people play mmo's.
http://www.wow.com/2009/11/13/blizzard-arenas-were-a-mistake/
Actually, you're right. It has more than 11 million.
That site is talking about a interview with Rob Pardo who's VP of Game Design for blizzard. The only thing thing they state on that page is the questions they ask and one of them is them is about sub numbers.
"John Funk of WarCry recently interviewed Blizzard's VP of Game Design, Rob Pardo, about WoW's five-year anniversary, and he shed some light on a number of topics, including their total subscriber numbers (twice to three times as much as its current 12 million), what audience their new MMO is meant for, and what he thinks WoW's greatest successes were."
Maybe if you took the time to read the interview, you would know what exactly he said. The only time in that WHOLE interview, where he really talks about subscribers, is when WoW launched. He says that numbers now are no where near where they were before.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/6773-Five-Years-of-Warcraft-Speaking-With-Blizzards-Rob-Pardo.2
Maybe read what you post.
Everyone has opinions, but does that make them the universal truth??? NO!
Those of you who think World of Warcraft is only simplistic and always simplistic have not played at the highest level. Yes, you can completely ignore the complex mechanics of min/maxing and do just fine. HOWEVER there is an element to the game that 95% of players never see because they never play on the high-end level of world ranked raiding. If you want to get the most out of your character and your gear, then it is a very complex game. For everyone else, it's simplistic.
As for this:
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
You took it out of context sir. He's talking about the people who have subbed and quit at any given time, not the total number of concurrent subs at any one time.
The funny thing about this thread is that to an engineer like myself 'simple' is a very desirable quality in things. The simpler a solution to a problem, the better it is. Given two suitable, working solutions the simpler one is the one you choose. Complexity for complexity's sake is a major design flaw.
You hit the nail on the head.
I pretty much agree. The reason people play WoW is that it's easy to understand, with a variety of ways to play and plenty of menial tasks to occupy your time.
Pretty much like Farmville.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/6773-Five-Years-of-Warcraft-Speaking-With-Blizzards-Rob-Pardo.2
Maybe read what you post.
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Please avoid personal attacks and stay on topic.
Thanks for telling us something we didn't know.
WoW is not for purists, its for people new to the genre.
Not true at all pal people who like mmo's in general. The only game that is more complicated than WoW is Eve.
Very true, "pal".
If you like the idea of solo questing to the level cap, completely ignoring the whole "enjoy the ride and pride yourself on the adventure" just so you can grind the same raids once a week with others, go right ahead. If you like go log out and wait patiently for skills to level up go play your game. See? Trying to diss a game by playing with words is very easy but totally unfruitful when it comes to meaningful exchange of words.
I on the other hand will choose other games that actually have a fun world and community to enjoy to you, not necessarily to anyone else, and definitely from the sub base, fewer agress with you than disagrees.
"The only game that is more complicated than WoW is Eve. "
I'm crying with tears of laughter from that quote. Don't talk about MMOs like you know anything, kid, just because you played WoW and EVE's trial.
First, stop flamming or provoking, he has his views, you try to push yours out as if yours has any better credibility. You see your game as fun, that does not make it a fact for anyone else. Calling someone else "kid" makes you what? More mature? Or more obnoxious?
Eve is a game, WoW is a game, none need rocket scientist skills to play. None makes the gamer inheritedly superior. You do not grow wiser if you put on a red under. Nor do you grow wiser playing a game over another.
Complications being good, for the sake of being complicated? Or you have specific aspects of depth of gameplay you want to talk about? The most complicated MMO is one you play when blind folded and try to listen to teammates on vent.
Facebook/Zynga have a lot to answer for
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/6773-Five-Years-of-Warcraft-Speaking-With-Blizzards-Rob-Pardo.2
Maybe read what you post.
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
No, he is going a round about way to saying, for every 1 active sub now, there are 2 inactive ex-players. If Blizz launches another game that is good, the potential client base = active WoW + ex-WoW gamer = 3x current WoW sub.
Of course, no one knows what the current sub is, nor do we know if the ex-subs are going to be interested in the new game. It also hides the fact that ex-sub might also be in the current sub with a new user name. Sub =/= player. A player can have many sub, many active subs and maybe with some inactive cancelled stolen accounts (ex-subs).
In sum, its total guesswork in that quote.
Complications being good, for the sake of being complicated? Or you have specific aspects of depth of gameplay you want to talk about? The most complicated MMO is one you play when blind folded and try to listen to teammates on vent.
Having complications just for the sake of making things complicated does not make for a good game if you ask me. However I found the shear amount of things I needed to learn along the way with EVE, kept my interest for the game at a high rate for a very long time. I still don't know everything about the game. I like that. But everything has purpose in EVE. It all fits together like an expertly well spun spider web.
Now if you take a glance at my new infatuation (Darkfall), even though it is nowhere near as complex, I find myself excited to log in just to explore, taking out some of my favorite mobs, or indulge in some great PVP. It's kept me me captivated for similar reasons, but it is a far cry from EVE.
My question to you is, what keeps you going in WOW? Are you still learning new things all the time? Is it the friends you have made, or perhaps things you can achieve down the line? Or is it something completely different that keeps you logging in? I'm genuinely curious as I havn't had a sub since approximately 2 months after BGs were introduced.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
Thanks for telling us something we didn't know.
WoW is not for purists, its for people new to the genre.
Edit: WoW has more quests to complete than LOTRO while leveling. Just read more of your post.
He's not saying LOTRO has more quests he's saying it's more quest based and he's right. There is no option to grind in LOTRO, the exp you get from mobs is so minimal for the most part spending time killing them rather than questing slows down your levelling exponentially.
Whereas with WoW you can choose to quest or grind. Or you could - back in Vanilla I grinded out 55-60 on my warrior as it was hard getting groups as there was minimal solo content back then. Of course it's all changed now, these days if you aren't permenently queued for a BG or random dungeon and doing 2 levels a night then you're doing something wrong.
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You can walk the walk but can you talk the talk?
I think the primary reason why I still play WoW after 5 years is that I still learn new things all the time. They might not be groundbreaking revelations but there are many, many smaller things you can learn about the game and yourself evry time you log on. There are 'flows' to the game that utterly fascinate me.
I think the primary reason why I still play WoW after 5 years is that I still learn new things all the time. They might not be groundbreaking revelations but there are many, many smaller things you can learn about the game and yourself evry time you log on. There are 'flows' to the game that utterly fascinate me.
Hmm, didn't expect that answer. Very interesting that you're still learning new things after all of these years.
"Mr. Rothstein, your people never will understand... the way it works out here. You're all just our guests. But you act like you're at home. Let me tell you something, partner. You ain't home. But that's where we're gonna send you if it harelips the governor." - Pat Webb
As much as people may hate it, World of Warcraft is just a solid game. It had a lot of charm about it. I've been around with my fair share of MMO's and I played WoW the longest out of all of them because it was good. It had just enough interesting things going on for it to make it not incredibly boring. It also helps that I had a group of five other real life friends that played it with me. To me, the game has lost that charm when everything became so standardized and I stopped playing it last May after playing it since release day. I have no desire to see the new expansion but I will never doubt that WoW was a good and fun game while I played it.
I was just pointing out that the only time he really talks about subs is that quote.
Everyone has opinions, but does that make them the universal truth??? NO!
@original poster
A) You (and others) have stated that the main reason wow is popular is because it can be played on the most simple computer on the market.
Ok then.
Wow has withstood over 5 years of massive computing power increases combined with massive price drops of a typical home computer. Even a cheap budget computer today will power almost any mmo.
Rob Pardo (as quoted above) says there are millions and millions of people no longer playing wow, so the market potential is huge.
Yet, there is no massive population explosion in other mmos. Even the ones you think have mastered mmo gameplay in comparison to warcrafts gameplay of jack of all trades, master of none.
How do you explain the lack of growth in other mmos?
Everyone is so quick to find excuses for wows popularity that point to anything other than its quality and gamplay, they do not see the other side of the subject.
It doesn't matter how popular wow is when so many other games fail to attract and retain millions of potential customers. Honestly, if their gameplay was on a master level in comparison, their login servers would be crushed under the weight of people rushing to join their game. (sound familiar to anything?)
Personally I think wow is dominating the market, because the majority of the market is filled with products that were rushed out incomplete, unfinished, busted, untested and filled with design choices that are often in direct contrast to their gameplay.
How about this. LINK Read how the reviewers talk about EQ2s release and Wows release which wer only 2 weeks apart from each other (same as the reviews). Listen to how they talk about the two games and note the massive difference in experiences each delivered and how the reviewer describes them. Just read the good/bad list for a quick summary. I think this really summarizes the entire mmo market right now.
In a nutshell, other companies are making it easy for one game to walk away with the market.
Well said.
If you can maintain quality over time, you also get the benefit of momentum. WoW has had a lot of momentum for a long time. If you're looking to play an online game with your friends, chances are you know someone that plays WoW, so which one are you going to start with?
Something will surpass it (I'm sure Blizzard knows this), it's just a matter of time. It might even be another Blizzard MMO; that would be a shame if someone else can't beat them to that.
yay band wagon or what to say. soo many threads to a simple point of view.
WARCRAFT< the reason world of warcraft become the massive hit. WoW is the only reason alot of ppl even know about MMOs at all. have nothing to do with how easy or hard it is, its just a very popular game series, and because they succesfully steal 15$/month makes it a sensation for the world press. for anyone outside MMO player circles this is an insane price to pay for the same product month after month.
complex. WoW more than likely aint more or less complex gameplay wise than any other MMO, tho really HATE the idea of MMO battlegrounds, and the heavy focus on items. and this is a reason for me to hate WoW now, since EQ2 introduces battlegrounds....worse idea ever...way to make the progression flat and meaningless wtg
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/6773-Five-Years-of-Warcraft-Speaking-With-Blizzards-Rob-Pardo.2
Maybe read what you post.
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Even though it's already been said, I wanted to clarify that you have misunderstood what he said in this quote. 12 million is the number of ACTIVE subscribers. The TOTAL number of subscribers (active and non-active) is somewhere between 24 and 36 million at least according to Pardo.
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/6773-Five-Years-of-Warcraft-Speaking-With-Blizzards-Rob-Pardo.2
Maybe read what you post.
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Even though it's already been said, I wanted to clarify that you have misunderstood what he said in this quote. 12 million is the number of ACTIVE subscribers. The TOTAL number of subscribers (active and non-active) is somewhere between 24 and 36 million at least according to Pardo.
Interesting, I've always felt that for every active WOW player there are about 2 who've played it and quit hence there is huge number of people with a negative opinion of the game right now.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
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Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
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"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
"Another thought I have is that you have to also remember that the subscriber base of WoW today is not just the one we had when we launched. There's a whole bunch of people who tuned out of WoW two years ago or four years ago, but who really enjoyed it, and when another MMO comes out that tickles their fancy, they'll jump into it. I don't know what the exact number is off-hand, but the total number of subscribers we've had is easily more than double - maybe closer to triple - the current subscriber base. "
http://www.warcry.com/articles/view/interviews/6773-Five-Years-of-Warcraft-Speaking-With-Blizzards-Rob-Pardo.2
Maybe read what you post.
So with what was said and considering the 12 million number to be the total number they have had, could one say that WOW currently has 6-8 million subs? Ive seen these numbers posted here on this site.
Even though it's already been said, I wanted to clarify that you have misunderstood what he said in this quote. 12 million is the number of ACTIVE subscribers. The TOTAL number of subscribers (active and non-active) is somewhere between 24 and 36 million at least according to Pardo.
Interesting, I've always felt that for every active WOW player there are about 2 who've played it and quit hence there is huge number of people with a negative opinion of the game right now.
Well I don't think that everyone who's quit has a negative opinion of it, most just got bored of it even though they enjoyed it while they played (you included I believe).
The other way to look at it is that 1/3 of the people who have purchased the game over the last 5 years are either STILL playing or have started playing again. Let that sink in a minute. That's an amazing accomplishment.