Frank Gibeau, the label boss of EA's games, has just got a degree in Advanced Propagandizing.
"When we launched the product back in December, it was an event launch," he said. "We brought in a lot of users, and with a brand like Star Wars, it reaches out much past the hardcore MMO fan base into the broader market.
"And as the service evolves from here, what we're seeing is that some of the initial casual customers have gone through a billing cycle and decided not to subscribe to the game."
I didn't know SW:TOR appealed to the hardcore MMO fan base in any way, shape or form. But now that I know, I feel enlightened.
"We are cognizant of competitors coming, but none of them quite fit in the same competitive category as Star Wars," he said. "They're just different fantasies. They're not the Star Wars fantasy. It's not the big expansive universe that appeals to so many people worldwide. And as you know with MMOs, every day you're in operation to get better and better and better. You continually perfect the experience. You continually improve the acquisition component.
I was also unaware of EA's intent of improving the products that have been published so far, again, I feel enlightened.
Discuss!
This basiaclly proves what ive been saying since late beta.
Whoever is making this game doesnt seem to know anything about either MMOs or RPGs let alone MMORPGs.
SWTOR is not geared towards hardcore players in any way shape or form and it doesnt even target casuals other than being solo friendly.
As for that last quote. Just being "star wars" does not mean star wars fans will like it. KOTOR was popular because of the OVERALL GAME...not just because it was Star Wars.
SWTOR has a great story, I dont know of many people that have quit because the story sucks...the GAME sucks. Its lacking in far too much variety and depth for an MMO.
Oh and BTW...ive said this at least 100 times but im going to say it again...having to group in mass for social level to be able to buy Role Playing costumes?!? thats WTFstupid...
I hope we shall crush...in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country." ~Thomes Jefferson
They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
/facepalm One more time for people that think because they say it , it must be true.
EA is counting free month give-a-ways, trials, and people that paid for multi month subs but stopped logging in long ago as part of that 1.3 million.
Anyone thinking their servers look desolate now just wait until the free time is over. You’ll actually hear some of the ambient life that we thought wasn’t added in. Crickets lots and lots of crickets.
CYA by blaming someone else as a first response in a corporate environment?
No wai!
Oh, wait--predictable first response where I work (and probably where you work) too. Not much revelation in this thread.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
Originally posted by Bardus Originally posted by lizardbones They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
/facepalm One more time for people that think because they say it , it must be true. EA is counting free month give-a-ways, trials, and people that paid for multi month subs but stopped logging in long ago as part of that 1.3 million. Anyone thinking their servers look desolate now just wait until the free time is over. Youll actually hear some of the ambient life that we thought wasnt added in. Crickets lots and lots of crickets.
It's in their financial reports. Investors have access to those and can double check the numbers. Those numbers have a much higher chance of being valid than assumed numbers from random schmoes on internet forums. Most especially if those random schmoes use XFire.
EA went from losing money last year to making money this year. They are profitable at a time when other companies are closing up shop. Put as much negative spin on their games as you want, it doesn't change the fact that they are making money. They've won.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
/facepalm One more time for people that think because they say it , it must be true.
EA is counting free month give-a-ways, trials, and people that paid for multi month subs but stopped logging in long ago as part of that 1.3 million.
Anyone thinking their servers look desolate now just wait until the free time is over. You’ll actually hear some of the ambient life that we thought wasn’t added in. Crickets lots and lots of crickets.
It's in their financial reports. Investors have access to those and can double check the numbers. Those numbers have a much higher chance of being valid than assumed numbers from random schmoes on internet forums. Most especially if those random schmoes use XFire.
EA went from losing money last year to making money this year. They are profitable at a time when other companies are closing up shop. Put as much negative spin on their games as you want, it doesn't change the fact that they are making money. They've won.
Trust me they will put a negative spin on it, so much hate over a fracking game company.
When a company spends a huge amount of time and money... has access to a top-notch IP... and only makes an unimpressive profit. That is not a good thing. Better than losing money? Sure. Any amount is better than $1 less - but investors will see a blown opportunity... a company that doesn't manage its resources correctly and they will look to the future and think things like - "if they couldn't make a killing off of this.. what CAN they make a killing off of?"
They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state:
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis — that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
I see now why they scrambled to offer all those people a free 30 days for the legacy crap.
I wonder what the numbers will be once those 30 days are up. They can only give free time so many times. Hell just the once was enough for me to sit up and pay attention.
I really wish people would stop with all the PR B.S. and actually acknowledge that we're not stupid. Treating me like I'm an idiot makes me far less likely to buy anything from them.
Frank Gibeau, the label boss of EA's games, has just got a degree in Advanced Propagandizing.
"When we launched the product back in December, it was an event launch," he said. "We brought in a lot of users, and with a brand like Star Wars, it reaches out much past the hardcore MMO fan base into the broader market.
"And as the service evolves from here, what we're seeing is that some of the initial casual customers have gone through a billing cycle and decided not to subscribe to the game."
I didn't know SW:TOR appealed to the hardcore MMO fan base in any way, shape or form. But now that I know, I feel enlightened.
"We are cognizant of competitors coming, but none of them quite fit in the same competitive category as Star Wars," he said. "They're just different fantasies. They're not the Star Wars fantasy. It's not the big expansive universe that appeals to so many people worldwide. And as you know with MMOs, every day you're in operation to get better and better and better. You continually perfect the experience. You continually improve the acquisition component.
I was also unaware of EA's intent of improving the products that have been published so far, again, I feel enlightened.
Discuss!
wow he's an idiot.
if anything ti's the casuals who are going to stay, enjoy the game at their own pace. It's the hardcore players or those players who went into the game for the wrong reasons (i.e. seeing open pvp world and thinking it was a pvp game) that are going to leave.
Sov you are 100% correct, this guy is a complete IDIOT. I am a casual- soft core (he he) player and I have about 6 alts that I am running up throught the system, but my most advanced alt is lvl 33, it is people like me who keep swtor going not the hardcore who zoom through and than say what next. That guy should apologize or all of us will leave
I think the use of "casual" was used and heard in the wrong context. What I think he meant to say was "new to MMO players", but even that term could be misunderstood. The terms "hardcore" and "casual" are so over used that I don't think anyone here even really understands how they are applied nor the real definitions. Start a thread and ask what the definition of each would be and you will almost get as many answers as you get posts.
It's in their financial reports. Investors have access to those and can double check the numbers. Those numbers have a much higher chance of being valid than assumed numbers from random schmoes on internet forums. Most especially if those random schmoes use XFire.
EA went from losing money last year to making money this year. They are profitable at a time when other companies are closing up shop. Put as much negative spin on their games as you want, it doesn't change the fact that they are making money. They've won.
Trust me they will put a negative spin on it, so much hate over a fracking game company.
What are you guys smoking? They aren't in their reports and frankly same could be said for you trying to dismiss everything and put a good spin on it.
The reports are public record. You can check it yourself if you want.
You guys are bring critical over those talking about this yet seems you don't know much yourselves to be honest.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
theres literally no incentive to play at lvl 50 for more than a week or two, the game was small and quickly finished, it lacked original content (aside from the datacron hunt), the story line was linear no matter how you tried to change it, the same inevitable outcome was certain. This game is simply a single player game with a multiplayer feature
There are times when one must ask themselves is it my passion that truly frightens you? Or your own?
Originally posted by Wickedjelly Originally posted by lizardbones They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state: EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold. Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
Frank Gibeau, the label boss of EA's games, has just got a degree in Advanced Propagandizing.
"When we launched the product back in December, it was an event launch," he said. "We brought in a lot of users, and with a brand like Star Wars, it reaches out much past the hardcore MMO fan base into the broader market.
"And as the service evolves from here, what we're seeing is that some of the initial casual customers have gone through a billing cycle and decided not to subscribe to the game."
I didn't know SW:TOR appealed to the hardcore MMO fan base in any way, shape or form. But now that I know, I feel enlightened.
"We are cognizant of competitors coming, but none of them quite fit in the same competitive category as Star Wars," he said. "They're just different fantasies. They're not the Star Wars fantasy. It's not the big expansive universe that appeals to so many people worldwide. And as you know with MMOs, every day you're in operation to get better and better and better. You continually perfect the experience. You continually improve the acquisition component.
I was also unaware of EA's intent of improving the products that have been published so far, again, I feel enlightened.
Discuss!
this EA label boss need to count subs (instead of sheeps) when he is about to sleep. a total complete idiot!!!!
They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state:
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis — that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
According to the article it was from EA themselves. They aren't the only ones to have said this.
Suppose you could ask them lol
I don't believe anyone is saying they aren't making money. The question is if it is a sustainable model which currently is highly suspect. Well...let me take back the "anyone" commnet. I'm sure there are some whackadoodles that probably do floating around here.
That doesn't mean it is doomed like some say either. But it certainly has some serious fucking issues.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Sov you are 100% correct, this guy is a complete IDIOT. I am a casual- soft core (he he) player and I have about 6 alts that I am running up throught the system, but my most advanced alt is lvl 33, it is people like me who keep swtor going not the hardcore who zoom through and than say what next. That guy should apologize or all of us will leave
but its very obvious u dont like the game much so u keep making alts instead of leveling up ur char to max first. Too boring at high level? same grinding quest past 30s? u c my point.
err have you played mmo's before? Part of the fun is playing alts, especially in a game like swtor where the story line is different for each character or even a game like WOW where each starting area is different. I am commenting on the original posters questions and comments so I dont see your point unless your point is to be a troll in which case you have succeded
I see no "blame", simply his explanation for the decline in subs.
When he talks about "expansive universe" he is not suggesting that SW:TOR is "expansive" but that the Star Wars universe is expansive ~ and that is the attraction to some people over less expansice IP's.
His use of "casual" is probably not a vey good one, or he simply isn't right on that score.
And yes, every day that an MMO is live, running and making money is another day 's worth of improvement, assuming they keep a dev team on the go.
Anyway, I'll leave the career haters to it now. Carry on flinging feaces and thumping on the glass.... You've all done very well!
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
That was to "break even". "Breaking even" does not mean it is a profitable and sustainable commodity.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state:
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis — that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
Their stock price certainly reflects the confidence investors have that EA will "make them rich" with a solid return on invested dollars. In fact, you can view the stock price history right on an EA website.
It's in their financial reports. Investors have access to those and can double check the numbers. Those numbers have a much higher chance of being valid than assumed numbers from random schmoes on internet forums. Most especially if those random schmoes use XFire.
EA went from losing money last year to making money this year. They are profitable at a time when other companies are closing up shop. Put as much negative spin on their games as you want, it doesn't change the fact that they are making money. They've won.
Trust me they will put a negative spin on it, so much hate over a fracking game company.
What are you guys smoking? They aren't in their reports and frankly same could be said for you trying to dismiss everything and put a good spin on it.
The reports are public record. You can check it yourself if you want.
You guys are bring critical over those talking about this yet seems you don't know much yourselves to be honest.
This, I am a fully registered hater, I read the q4 report in full and the Q&A session, random fanboyism and blind defence are pitiful when the actual facts are so easy to look up. 1.3m at the end of March from the Q4 report is possible as the original 3 month subs had not yet run out. The 1.3m at the end of April that Riccitello refers to in the Q&A includes all those people who were locked in to being an active sub by being given free time whether they wanted it or not and any trials open at the time.
When you have a HUGE IP like Star Wars, you make the game for the fans knowing you will attract new fans.
What these....lol....geniuses...do is the opposite. They make a game the fans don't want and then are surprised when subs start to evaporate. It's not the casuals, it's your lame market analysis that fails to realize the substantial numbers of fans willing to shower you with riches, fame and glory if you make a good game the fans can get behind.
Ah well. Call me next time, maybe I can save you a couple hundred million dollars.
Hey kiddies read the article again...he was describing what happen to 400 k subs, didn't blame anyone. Of course the me me me generation would think this way.
They've lost 400,000 of 1,700,000 people. They are still well above the profit line for the game. They're also doing much better than most games six months out from launch.
I get the dislike or even hatred of the game...I don't get the idea that they've somehow failed. They are probably rolling in more money that any of us will even see in our lifetimes, much less get to spend. They didn't just win, they bought the arena and painted it in their colors.
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state:
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
Their stock price certainly reflects the confidence investors have that EA will "make them rich" with a solid return on invested dollars. In fact, you can view the stock price history right on an EA website.
Comments
This basiaclly proves what ive been saying since late beta.
Whoever is making this game doesnt seem to know anything about either MMOs or RPGs let alone MMORPGs.
SWTOR is not geared towards hardcore players in any way shape or form and it doesnt even target casuals other than being solo friendly.
As for that last quote. Just being "star wars" does not mean star wars fans will like it. KOTOR was popular because of the OVERALL GAME...not just because it was Star Wars.
SWTOR has a great story, I dont know of many people that have quit because the story sucks...the GAME sucks. Its lacking in far too much variety and depth for an MMO.
Oh and BTW...ive said this at least 100 times but im going to say it again...having to group in mass for social level to be able to buy Role Playing costumes?!? thats WTFstupid...
I hope we shall crush...in its birth the aristocracy of our moneyed corporations, which dare already to challenge our government to a trial of strength and bid defiance to the laws of our country." ~Thomes Jefferson
/facepalm One more time for people that think because they say it , it must be true.
EA is counting free month give-a-ways, trials, and people that paid for multi month subs but stopped logging in long ago as part of that 1.3 million.
Anyone thinking their servers look desolate now just wait until the free time is over. You’ll actually hear some of the ambient life that we thought wasn’t added in. Crickets lots and lots of crickets.
CYA by blaming someone else as a first response in a corporate environment?
No wai!
Oh, wait--predictable first response where I work (and probably where you work) too. Not much revelation in this thread.
Self-pity imprisons us in the walls of our own self-absorption. The whole world shrinks down to the size of our problem, and the more we dwell on it, the smaller we are and the larger the problem seems to grow.
EA is counting free month give-a-ways, trials, and people that paid for multi month subs but stopped logging in long ago as part of that 1.3 million.
Anyone thinking their servers look desolate now just wait until the free time is over. Youll actually hear some of the ambient life that we thought wasnt added in. Crickets lots and lots of crickets.
It's in their financial reports. Investors have access to those and can double check the numbers. Those numbers have a much higher chance of being valid than assumed numbers from random schmoes on internet forums. Most especially if those random schmoes use XFire.
EA went from losing money last year to making money this year. They are profitable at a time when other companies are closing up shop. Put as much negative spin on their games as you want, it doesn't change the fact that they are making money. They've won.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
Trust me they will put a negative spin on it, so much hate over a fracking game company.
When a company spends a huge amount of time and money... has access to a top-notch IP... and only makes an unimpressive profit. That is not a good thing. Better than losing money? Sure. Any amount is better than $1 less - but investors will see a blown opportunity... a company that doesn't manage its resources correctly and they will look to the future and think things like - "if they couldn't make a killing off of this.. what CAN they make a killing off of?"
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state:
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis — that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
I see now why they scrambled to offer all those people a free 30 days for the legacy crap.
I wonder what the numbers will be once those 30 days are up. They can only give free time so many times. Hell just the once was enough for me to sit up and pay attention.
I really wish people would stop with all the PR B.S. and actually acknowledge that we're not stupid. Treating me like I'm an idiot makes me far less likely to buy anything from them.
Sov you are 100% correct, this guy is a complete IDIOT. I am a casual- soft core (he he) player and I have about 6 alts that I am running up throught the system, but my most advanced alt is lvl 33, it is people like me who keep swtor going not the hardcore who zoom through and than say what next. That guy should apologize or all of us will leave
QFT
What are you guys smoking? They aren't in their reports and frankly same could be said for you trying to dismiss everything and put a good spin on it.
The reports are public record. You can check it yourself if you want.
You guys are bring critical over those talking about this yet seems you don't know much yourselves to be honest.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
theres literally no incentive to play at lvl 50 for more than a week or two, the game was small and quickly finished, it lacked original content (aside from the datacron hunt), the story line was linear no matter how you tried to change it, the same inevitable outcome was certain. This game is simply a single player game with a multiplayer feature
There are times when one must ask themselves is it my passion that truly frightens you? Or your own?
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
this EA label boss need to count subs (instead of sheeps) when he is about to sleep. a total complete idiot!!!!
According to the article it was from EA themselves. They aren't the only ones to have said this.
Suppose you could ask them lol
I don't believe anyone is saying they aren't making money. The question is if it is a sustainable model which currently is highly suspect. Well...let me take back the "anyone" commnet. I'm sure there are some whackadoodles that probably do floating around here.
That doesn't mean it is doomed like some say either. But it certainly has some serious fucking issues.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
err have you played mmo's before? Part of the fun is playing alts, especially in a game like swtor where the story line is different for each character or even a game like WOW where each starting area is different. I am commenting on the original posters questions and comments so I dont see your point unless your point is to be a troll in which case you have succeded
i'll bite.
I see no "blame", simply his explanation for the decline in subs.
When he talks about "expansive universe" he is not suggesting that SW:TOR is "expansive" but that the Star Wars universe is expansive ~ and that is the attraction to some people over less expansice IP's.
His use of "casual" is probably not a vey good one, or he simply isn't right on that score.
And yes, every day that an MMO is live, running and making money is another day 's worth of improvement, assuming they keep a dev team on the go.
Anyway, I'll leave the career haters to it now. Carry on flinging feaces and thumping on the glass.... You've all done very well!
Far as ive seen and read, the game doesnt offer enough for hardcore gamers to invest their time in, with more competitive games out their.
That was to "break even". "Breaking even" does not mean it is a profitable and sustainable commodity.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
I blame this forum group. If you guys would play TOR, their sub numbers wouldn't be dropping...........
I want a mmorpg where people have gone through misery, have gone through school stuff and actually have had sex even. -sagil
Their stock price certainly reflects the confidence investors have that EA will "make them rich" with a solid return on invested dollars. In fact, you can view the stock price history right on an EA website.
http://investor.ea.com/stockquote.cfm
Trust me they will put a negative spin on it, so much hate over a fracking game company.
What are you guys smoking? They aren't in their reports and frankly same could be said for you trying to dismiss everything and put a good spin on it.
The reports are public record. You can check it yourself if you want.
You guys are bring critical over those talking about this yet seems you don't know much yourselves to be honest.
This, I am a fully registered hater, I read the q4 report in full and the Q&A session, random fanboyism and blind defence are pitiful when the actual facts are so easy to look up. 1.3m at the end of March from the Q4 report is possible as the original 3 month subs had not yet run out. The 1.3m at the end of April that Riccitello refers to in the Q&A includes all those people who were locked in to being an active sub by being given free time whether they wanted it or not and any trials open at the time.When you have a HUGE IP like Star Wars, you make the game for the fans knowing you will attract new fans.
What these....lol....geniuses...do is the opposite. They make a game the fans don't want and then are surprised when subs start to evaporate. It's not the casuals, it's your lame market analysis that fails to realize the substantial numbers of fans willing to shower you with riches, fame and glory if you make a good game the fans can get behind.
Ah well. Call me next time, maybe I can save you a couple hundred million dollars.
Hey kiddies read the article again...he was describing what happen to 400 k subs, didn't blame anyone. Of course the me me me generation would think this way.
Not sure I woould say well above. If you look at the article or several others that state:
EA had projected that the game would "approach break-even" at 1 million paying subscribers on an operating basis that is, the cost of running the online game and developing new content for it, not including the initial cost of creating the game.
So 1.3 million that includes an unknown variant of trial accounts doesn't sound that great considering what they assessed as being their projected minimum profitability threshold.
Does it spell doom or failure? No, I don't think so. However, it is a huge matter of concern that can get out of hand and turn this into a failure if they don't start making some serious changes to the game and probably at this point at least some that are manageing aspects of it.
I'm not sure where they got that in the article. I'd like to see the references. According to EA and some investor articles at launch and just after, they needed 500,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. This was noted because an MMO that spent a less insane amount of money would need 300,000 regular subscribers to be profitable. They did estimate 1 to 2 million initial subscribers though. Maybe that's what they meant.
In any event, whatever the actual subscriber number is, they are making money. They can flub the subscriber numbers, but not profit numbers.
Their stock price certainly reflects the confidence investors have that EA will "make them rich" with a solid return on invested dollars. In fact, you can view the stock price history right on an EA website.
http://investor.ea.com/stockquote.cfm
SWTOR is only a small part of the EA stable, things like The Sims and Sim City and the sports franchises are far more important to EAs well being.