LOl yet another "look how many players this game has" post when you know it doesnt have 1/10th that many players....... Kinda like the one game on here that claims it has 200 million registered accounts and there are 4 threads in its entire forum...... THese companies are always going to stetch the truth about how many accounts/subs they have.....The more it sounds like they have the more interested some people become in the game......Its kinda like eating at McDonalds...... People dont eat there because the food is so outstanding, they eat there because alot of other people eat there.........
Tons of haters. The childrens side of the market has only been tapped into with Toon Town up to now, and it has been a huge success. I expect to see more and more game like Free Realms hitting the market to get the whole family involved with mmo's. I expect the game to take it to the next level when it hits ps3 also.
"Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's azz by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it?" - Tommy Boy
John Smedley must be foaming at the mouth at the thought of dreaming up ever increasing ways to reach deeper and deeper in to the pockets of those who play with the micro payment system slapped to the back of it. He knows the weakness is the kid who will spend too much on their parents credit card with all those little purchases add up at the end of the month. Smed wants a bit of the Maple Story success grooming kids to buy more and more. Smed gaming is not about fun at it's core that's an after thought.
Dude seriously go outside....then run do not walk to the nearest therapist.
Daffidoll - this obsession you have with Free Realms is getting fanatical.
My 7 year old nephew plays Free Realms and he loves it. He also plays for about 6 hours a week.
Whats next for you Daffidoll? An inquisition of Toon Town?
Free Realms is an MMO aimed at young players and their parents. People who arent going to spend 6 hours a night every night in game. My nephew is only allowed 2 hours of video games a day and he also has a DS.
You are also forgetting that Free Realms is heavily instanced.
Im not trying to argue that Free Realms has 3 million active subscribers but Im also not on some crusade to prove Free Realms isnt a success.
I'm not saying the game isn't successful, but no where close to the ludicrous claims being made here. Even saying the game is instanced, does that really make the claims here look remotely plausable? New players don't start in instances and there is an average of 6,400 joining each server each day. Log in and look for yourself if you think I'm wrong.
Questioning my motives doesn't really alter the numbers or dispute what I have shown does it? Neither does having a 7 year old relative prove the game is a success.
Look, it's a free game. No account goes inactive so any numbers you see here is just accounts registered. I'm two of them because I created an account for both my Sonystation accounts.
I'm not saying the game isn't successful, but no where close to the ludicrous claims being made here. Even saying the game is instanced, does that really make the claims here look remotely plausable? New players don't start in instances and there is an average of 6,400 joining each server each day. Log in and look for yourself if you think I'm wrong. Questioning my motives doesn't really alter the numbers or dispute what I have shown does it? Neither does having a 7 year old relative prove the game is a success.
You are wrong. I just tried this game after seeing few threads about it and you start in instance.
Look, it's a free game. No account goes inactive so any numbers you see here is just accounts registered. I'm two of them because I created an account for both my Sonystation accounts.
Yep, and this will be the only time we hear from SOE on sub numbers for this game.
To be honest, I don't think reporting 3 million "registered users" is that remarkable. Not to sound mean, but its a game that appeals mainly to kids and parents and the registration process takes maybe 10 minutes including downloading and installing the game. I would expect it to be a lot more than 3 million at this point.
So in other words, I am counted. I tried the game the day it launched, played for an hour or two and then unistallled it. I rather download and play games like Peggle and such on my own. Besides, in my opinion, Wizard 101 is 1000 times better. But I guess I am still counted in the total.
I am also curious if SOE counted their Station subscribers (without actually downaloading the game) and also if a parent signs up for a family account, if that counts as multiple people as well.
But again, for a free game from SOE, 3 million is nothing.
It's completely nonsense for free games to show their registered account numbers as their e-peens. When you're talking about subscriber numbers it's valid as that's the main revenue for the game, but when any kid can create an account in 5 minutes and never play it and still be counted as a "registered account" and we're not even talking about bots, this really isn't a valid measure for a F2P MMO popularity.
It feels like a store saying it's popular and a huge success just because 3 million people passed on its front, feels like a logical falacy, after all they're not telling how many actually entered the store to take a look, and how many purchased something.
If they want to show something, tell us how many premium subscribers there are, and share data about those paying real money on the real-money currency.
I'm not saying the game isn't successful, but no where close to the ludicrous claims being made here. Even saying the game is instanced, does that really make the claims here look remotely plausable? New players don't start in instances and there is an average of 6,400 joining each server each day. Log in and look for yourself if you think I'm wrong. Questioning my motives doesn't really alter the numbers or dispute what I have shown does it? Neither does having a 7 year old relative prove the game is a success.
You are wrong. I just tried this game after seeing few threads about it and you start in instance.
If you choose the tutorial option, then yes you do. Otherwise, you start in a normal area. However, I think the area's might be copied like Age of Conan zones.
@ ElendilasX
All new players enter the main gameworld in the same exact location once they complete (or bypass) the tutorial instance.
That would defeat the purpose of having generic servers and giving players the ability to switch to any server they want. Remember the goal is to let people easily join up on a server. If there are instances of each zone within each server (like age of conan), then players would need an easy way to locate and join each other. Anything to difficult to navigate would place a significant barrier on players getting together which is supposed to be a major theme of this game.
The servers themselves serve as the instance each player joins since there are no restrictions on what server the players join. Just pick a number and go.
Originally posted by EricDani It's completely nonsense for free games to show their registered account numbers as their e-peens. When you're talking about subscriber numbers it's valid as that's the main revenue for the game, but when any kid can create an account in 5 minutes and never play it and still be counted as a "registered account" and we're not even talking about bots, this really isn't a valid measure for a F2P MMO popularity. It feels like a store saying it's popular and a huge success just because 3 million people passed on its front, feels like a logical falacy, after all they're not telling how many actually entered the store to take a look, and how many purchased something. If they want to show something, tell us how many premium subscribers there are, and share data about those paying real money on the real-money currency.
I agree with what you are saying, but there is another issue that I think is misleading about 3 million players comments. With those kind of number it presents the game with an image that tons of people would be playing. Considering how small the game world is, one would expect there to be lots of people everywhere. Logging into the game however displays a completely different picture and a rather empty game world.
Again more monsense numbers. When are these idiot developers going to wake up and realize we are on to them. If they have a 10th of this number currently playing they are lucky.
Again more monsense numbers. When are these idiot developers going to wake up and realize we are on to them. If they have a 10th of this number currently playing they are lucky.
Yes you are on to them They are laughing all the way to the bank,,,,but you are on to them.
To be honest, I don't think reporting 3 million "registered users" is that remarkable. Not to sound mean, but its a game that appeals mainly to kids and parents and the registration process takes maybe 10 minutes including downloading and installing the game. I would expect it to be a lot more than 3 million at this point. So in other words, I am counted. I tried the game the day it launched, played for an hour or two and then unistallled it. I rather download and play games like Peggle and such on my own. Besides, in my opinion, Wizard 101 is 1000 times better. But I guess I am still counted in the total.
many Free to play games make similar claims for publicity
Again more monsense numbers. When are these idiot developers going to wake up and realize we are on to them. If they have a 10th of this number currently playing they are lucky.
Yes you are on to them They are laughing all the way to the bank,,,,but you are on to them.
Actually SOE is not doing well at all. Since their halcyon days with EQ, their days of having any thoughts of dominance in this genre are long gone. While Free Realms is a well done kids game, kids at that level do not have access to that much cash, so I would like to know where you think all this money from Free Realms is flowing from?
While Free Realms is a well done kids game, kids at that level do not have access to that much cash, so I would like to know where you think all this money from Free Realms is flowing from?
probably similar sources as Puzzle Pirates, another kids game
only about 10% of his player base has ever paid him anything. As a result, he says, approximately 5,000 gamers are generating the $230,000 in revenue he sees each month.
To be honest, I don't think reporting 3 million "registered users" is that remarkable. Not to sound mean, but its a game that appeals mainly to kids and parents and the registration process takes maybe 10 minutes including downloading and installing the game. I would expect it to be a lot more than 3 million at this point. So in other words, I am counted. I tried the game the day it launched, played for an hour or two and then unistallled it. I rather download and play games like Peggle and such on my own. Besides, in my opinion, Wizard 101 is 1000 times better. But I guess I am still counted in the total.
many Free to play games make similar claims for publicity
For Free Realms, we also need to remember all the beta accounts are counting as registered accounts. I was in beta, haven't logged in since launch, and counts as a user (according to my newsletter).
I'm not sure I mind that F2P games do this, but we readers need to remember the difference between registered accounts and subscribers (as several have already said in this thread).
So I'm not sure I see any reason to doubt SoE's numbers. 6400 new players each day (it is less though, if we subtract the many beta players), that is approximately 267 new players per hour. For a free game that gets good reviews and people talk nicely about, I don't think this sound so far out.
So Nadia and others bring up important points, it is 'just' registered users, not subscribers or players.
I love the way some people come on this forum....make accusations and cry foul...but it is up to someone else...generally someone that doesn't share the same opinion..to prove their statement wrong. Usually this is quite unnecessary...because no actual facts were given in the aforementioned rants. They don't even pose a question or reasonable opinion ...but mouth about spouting pure conjecture from overworked lips.
Regardless....companies have and will always shift their product spotlight toward the positive end of the spectrum...not necessarily...(again..necessarily)...lying ...but more like creative presentation and hopefully within legal limits (not too wise any other way). I doubt any company will release public sound bites stating "Please...we know it sucks and is unfinished...but please..please play it. Did we say we need the money...desperately?."...or even.."Subscribe now ...like tens of other satisfied players....for semi-entertaining content" or "you and the other 3 customers we have can play this boring shit for free". Remember , even if your baby is ugly...you still have to love it, feed it and keep it alive. At least I hope that's the case. I honestly think most of the spin is harmless. So what if there are a trillion subscriptions...you're either going to play it and like/not like the game...or you have no intention of ever installing the game...period.
Go Free Realms...congratulations. The more successful MMOs out there... the better. That is pure opinion. No fictitious math or facts pulled from my arse like rabbits from a prestidigitator's top hat. Just my opinion.
Actually SOE is not doing well at all. Since their halcyon days with EQ, their days of having any thoughts of dominance in this genre are long gone. While Free Realms is a well done kids game, kids at that level do not have access to that much cash, so I would like to know where you think all this money from Free Realms is flowing from?
Okay just point me to the Empirical evidence that they aren't doing well and you will have validity. They just hired a very good friend of mine away from DC Comics, and he is quite happy with the compensation package as well as the Five year contract....Companies that aren't doing well don't do things like that.
Actually SOE is not doing well at all. Since their halcyon days with EQ, their days of having any thoughts of dominance in this genre are long gone. While Free Realms is a well done kids game, kids at that level do not have access to that much cash, so I would like to know where you think all this money from Free Realms is flowing from?
Okay just point me to the Empirical evidence that they aren't doing well and you will have validity. They just hired a very good friend of mine away from DC Comics, and he is quite happy with the compensation package as well as the Five year contract....Companies that aren't doing well don't do things like that.
Comments
LOl yet another "look how many players this game has" post when you know it doesnt have 1/10th that many players....... Kinda like the one game on here that claims it has 200 million registered accounts and there are 4 threads in its entire forum...... THese companies are always going to stetch the truth about how many accounts/subs they have.....The more it sounds like they have the more interested some people become in the game......Its kinda like eating at McDonalds...... People dont eat there because the food is so outstanding, they eat there because alot of other people eat there.........
Tons of haters. The childrens side of the market has only been tapped into with Toon Town up to now, and it has been a huge success. I expect to see more and more game like Free Realms hitting the market to get the whole family involved with mmo's. I expect the game to take it to the next level when it hits ps3 also.
[(T+G=W)=Gr*Nf]-S=FoF
T=Time G=Gear W=Win Gr=Grind Nf=NoFun S=Skill FoF=FullofFail
"Hey, I'll tell you what. You can get a good look at a butcher's azz by sticking your head up there. But, wouldn't you rather to take his word for it?" - Tommy Boy
Dude seriously go outside....then run do not walk to the nearest therapist.
Daffidoll - this obsession you have with Free Realms is getting fanatical.
My 7 year old nephew plays Free Realms and he loves it. He also plays for about 6 hours a week.
Whats next for you Daffidoll? An inquisition of Toon Town?
Free Realms is an MMO aimed at young players and their parents. People who arent going to spend 6 hours a night every night in game. My nephew is only allowed 2 hours of video games a day and he also has a DS.
You are also forgetting that Free Realms is heavily instanced.
Im not trying to argue that Free Realms has 3 million active subscribers but Im also not on some crusade to prove Free Realms isnt a success.
I'm not saying the game isn't successful, but no where close to the ludicrous claims being made here. Even saying the game is instanced, does that really make the claims here look remotely plausable? New players don't start in instances and there is an average of 6,400 joining each server each day. Log in and look for yourself if you think I'm wrong.
Questioning my motives doesn't really alter the numbers or dispute what I have shown does it? Neither does having a 7 year old relative prove the game is a success.
Look, it's a free game. No account goes inactive so any numbers you see here is just accounts registered. I'm two of them because I created an account for both my Sonystation accounts.
You are wrong. I just tried this game after seeing few threads about it and you start in instance.
Yep, and this will be the only time we hear from SOE on sub numbers for this game.
To be honest, I don't think reporting 3 million "registered users" is that remarkable. Not to sound mean, but its a game that appeals mainly to kids and parents and the registration process takes maybe 10 minutes including downloading and installing the game. I would expect it to be a lot more than 3 million at this point.
So in other words, I am counted. I tried the game the day it launched, played for an hour or two and then unistallled it. I rather download and play games like Peggle and such on my own. Besides, in my opinion, Wizard 101 is 1000 times better. But I guess I am still counted in the total.
I am also curious if SOE counted their Station subscribers (without actually downaloading the game) and also if a parent signs up for a family account, if that counts as multiple people as well.
But again, for a free game from SOE, 3 million is nothing.
It's completely nonsense for free games to show their registered account numbers as their e-peens. When you're talking about subscriber numbers it's valid as that's the main revenue for the game, but when any kid can create an account in 5 minutes and never play it and still be counted as a "registered account" and we're not even talking about bots, this really isn't a valid measure for a F2P MMO popularity.
It feels like a store saying it's popular and a huge success just because 3 million people passed on its front, feels like a logical falacy, after all they're not telling how many actually entered the store to take a look, and how many purchased something.
If they want to show something, tell us how many premium subscribers there are, and share data about those paying real money on the real-money currency.
You are wrong. I just tried this game after seeing few threads about it and you start in instance.
If you choose the tutorial option, then yes you do. Otherwise, you start in a normal area. However, I think the area's might be copied like Age of Conan zones.
@ ElendilasX
All new players enter the main gameworld in the same exact location once they complete (or bypass) the tutorial instance.
@templarga
That would defeat the purpose of having generic servers and giving players the ability to switch to any server they want. Remember the goal is to let people easily join up on a server. If there are instances of each zone within each server (like age of conan), then players would need an easy way to locate and join each other. Anything to difficult to navigate would place a significant barrier on players getting together which is supposed to be a major theme of this game.
The servers themselves serve as the instance each player joins since there are no restrictions on what server the players join. Just pick a number and go.
I agree with what you are saying, but there is another issue that I think is misleading about 3 million players comments. With those kind of number it presents the game with an image that tons of people would be playing. Considering how small the game world is, one would expect there to be lots of people everywhere. Logging into the game however displays a completely different picture and a rather empty game world.
Again more monsense numbers. When are these idiot developers going to wake up and realize we are on to them. If they have a 10th of this number currently playing they are lucky.
Yes you are on to them
They are laughing all the way to the bank,,,,but you are on to them.
many Free to play games make similar claims for publicity
Wizard 101 announces 1 million players
www.massively.com/2009/02/13/wizard-101-teaches-wizards-how-to-count-up-to-1-million-players/
Runes of Magic announces 1 million registered
www.massively.com/2009/05/14/runes-of-magic-reaches-1-million-registered-users/
try any f2p game and you are counted forever
EQ2 fan sites
Yes you are on to them
They are laughing all the way to the bank,,,,but you are on to them.
Actually SOE is not doing well at all. Since their halcyon days with EQ, their days of having any thoughts of dominance in this genre are long gone. While Free Realms is a well done kids game, kids at that level do not have access to that much cash, so I would like to know where you think all this money from Free Realms is flowing from?
probably similar sources as Puzzle Pirates, another kids game
www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/4046/what_are_the_rewards_of_.php
only about 10% of his player base has ever paid him anything. As a result, he says, approximately 5,000 gamers are generating the $230,000 in revenue he sees each month.
EQ2 fan sites
many Free to play games make similar claims for publicity
Wizard 101 announces 1 million players
www.massively.com/2009/02/13/wizard-101-teaches-wizards-how-to-count-up-to-1-million-players/
Runes of Magic announces 1 million registered
www.massively.com/2009/05/14/runes-of-magic-reaches-1-million-registered-users/
try any f2p game and you are counted forever
Very true.
For Free Realms, we also need to remember all the beta accounts are counting as registered accounts. I was in beta, haven't logged in since launch, and counts as a user (according to my newsletter).
I'm not sure I mind that F2P games do this, but we readers need to remember the difference between registered accounts and subscribers (as several have already said in this thread).
So I'm not sure I see any reason to doubt SoE's numbers. 6400 new players each day (it is less though, if we subtract the many beta players), that is approximately 267 new players per hour. For a free game that gets good reviews and people talk nicely about, I don't think this sound so far out.
So Nadia and others bring up important points, it is 'just' registered users, not subscribers or players.
I love the way some people come on this forum....make accusations and cry foul...but it is up to someone else...generally someone that doesn't share the same opinion..to prove their statement wrong. Usually this is quite unnecessary...because no actual facts were given in the aforementioned rants. They don't even pose a question or reasonable opinion ...but mouth about spouting pure conjecture from overworked lips.
Regardless....companies have and will always shift their product spotlight toward the positive end of the spectrum...not necessarily...(again..necessarily)...lying ...but more like creative presentation and hopefully within legal limits (not too wise any other way). I doubt any company will release public sound bites stating "Please...we know it sucks and is unfinished...but please..please play it. Did we say we need the money...desperately?."...or even.."Subscribe now ...like tens of other satisfied players....for semi-entertaining content" or "you and the other 3 customers we have can play this boring shit for free". Remember , even if your baby is ugly...you still have to love it, feed it and keep it alive. At least I hope that's the case. I honestly think most of the spin is harmless. So what if there are a trillion subscriptions...you're either going to play it and like/not like the game...or you have no intention of ever installing the game...period.
Go Free Realms...congratulations. The more successful MMOs out there... the better. That is pure opinion. No fictitious math or facts pulled from my arse like rabbits from a prestidigitator's top hat. Just my opinion.
Care to prove anything you said? Lol
Okay just point me to the Empirical evidence that they aren't doing well and you will have validity. They just hired a very good friend of mine away from DC Comics, and he is quite happy with the compensation package as well as the Five year contract....Companies that aren't doing well don't do things like that.
Okay just point me to the Empirical evidence that they aren't doing well and you will have validity. They just hired a very good friend of mine away from DC Comics, and he is quite happy with the compensation package as well as the Five year contract....Companies that aren't doing well don't do things like that.
http://quicktake.morningstar.com/StockNet/quarterly.aspx?Country=USA&Symbol=SNE
Not pretty.
BTW...contracts don't mean anything anymore. Ask the corporate bond holders of Chrysler how much a contract is worth as of 2009.
--------
Ten Golden Rules Of Videogame Fanboyism
"SOE has probably united more gamers in hatred than Blizzard has subs"...daelnor