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WoW Down to 9.6 Million Subscribers
Activision Blizzard's press release states that World of Warcraft is down to 9.6 million subscribers as of December 31, 2012. This is lower than the amount of subscribers from the "over 10 million" announced for Q3 2012. A few other interesting points:

  • Mists of Pandaria was the #3 best-selling PC game at retail.
  • Diablo III was the #1 best-selling PC game at retail, breaking PC-game sales records with more than 12 million copies sold worldwide through December 31, 2012.
This article was originally published in forum thread: WoW Down to 9.6 Million Subscribers started by chaud View original post
Comments 954 Comments
  1. Celista's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Harrus View Post
    Hilarious responses in the thread. As someone who never played WOW, I gotta ask:

    - to fans obsessed about WOW maintaining seventeen billion subscriptions: Why? We're talking about a game that will average 10 million subs for a DECADE. Nothing ever came close and may never will. Why do you care if the game drops from 13 million to anything less? At this rate, there's 0 chance the game will ever actually die completely within your lifetime (as in down to 0 players and all serves turned off), it is just too legendary. Stop worrying about numbers, just enjoy it, you know, have fun?

    - to people hating on WOW and celebrating "the failure": copy/paste - We're talking about a game that will avarage 10 million subs for a DECADE. Even if it drops to 0 subscribers on January 1 2015, it will still be legendary title and most likely a one time MMO-phenomen on such scale. Nothing you say at this point will ever make general audience think the game's a failure. Just accept it, enjoy either it (if you're a closet hater) or other games you like, you know, have fun?

    You haven't played the game so you don't understand the frustration that comes along with major game changes, imbalances, etc. People fall in love with this game, play this game too much for their own good, then ragequit and end up hating the game because, while Blizzard has done a lot of things right, they also end up doing lots of things "wrong", and it has a drastic effect on gameplay. Haters' glee about sub numbers dropping stems from these experiences.

    People obsessed with the numbers: mostly because they view the game as an investment of time, money and energy and want to make sure the game is going to keep growing and thriving for some time if they are going to keep investing time, money and energy into the game. Massive sub losses will affect gameplay, expansion + new feature output dramatically but massive sub losses are unlikely to happen anytime soon.

    There are actually people in the middle of these two extremes but there just don't happen to be very many in this thread, probably because threads like this pop up every quarter and it gets old after awhile...

    I know your questions were hypothetical-ish, but >.< .
  1. mmoc1ebe42b430's Avatar
    ´´just´´ 9.6 million....
    oh noo R.I.P WoW xD
  1. TheSweetness's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Chickat View Post
    I dont think theres anything blizz can do at this point if subs drop after 5.2. Mop is amazing, and if subs drop during it ,then i fear its not the xpac, but rather wows age killing it. I still think it will be around for another 10 years though.

    ---------- Post added 2013-02-09 at 04:15 AM ----------



    MoP has more content at launch then nearly all of cata not counting the 1-60 revamp. I think the speed of content is fine.
    I have to agree here. MoP is actually a really good expansion. I can't really blame any one thing that caused me to cancel my sub back in November. It was a combination of things, not all of them Blizzard's fault, and mostly due to it being a game I had played for 7 going on 8 years (though I will say CRZ issues were the nail in the coffin, for me). There is not much they could add now that would hold my attention for long enough that would justify a subscription. And to me that's not really a problem that can be fixed other than with a new game, or a new iteration. WoW is no where near dead. It's dead for me, as I just lost interest in it. It will probably continue to steadily lose subs, the older it gets, and at no fault of the expansion. Just age. Then plateau off at some point. But I imagine they will have enough subs to sustain the game, for however long they want to keep it up and running.
  1. nekobaka's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by quikbunny View Post
    The 500k are the whining bitches that didn't like to work for their epics, so nobody important left basically
    Personally I would not call doing dailies for raid level epics being called working for your epics, more like face rolling for your epics and not having to interact with other players. Also given that the majority are supposed to come from China the thought of having to work for your epics does not really line up.
  1. mmoc3c32484403's Avatar
    If they lost less people this time after a start of a expansion does that not mean a sign of a recovery? loosing fewer is still a +, another thing tho if they can keep up with the "healing" or if they will start to bleed more subs, nevertheless it still gonna take ages before they bleed out.
  1. Celista's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by nekobaka View Post
    Personally I would not call doing dailies for raid level epics being called working for your epics, more like face rolling for your epics and not having to interact with other players. Also given that the majority are supposed to come from China the thought of having to work for your epics does not really line up.
    In all fairness running heroics over and over again isn't exactly hard work either...

    I still don't understand why Blizzard made dailies the only avenue for rep (and therefore vp spending) --it's an MMO for crying out loud, a game centered around group activity. If one activity should be "mandatory" in order to earn rep for valor items, it should be something involving group activity (scenario, dungeon or raid). You can group up for dailies I suppose, but not all dailies are more efficient when grouped up (gathering quests for example), nor do wow quests tend to encourage group play anymore.
  1. Polly Cronopolis's Avatar
    Frankly, it doesn't matter if there are 9.6 million people still playing or only one person. The loss of numbers is irrelevant because the game sucks regardless and it's way passed it's prime. Doing the same thing for 8 years straight makes Jack a dull boy. Doesn't matter how you dress it up, a raid is a raid is a raid, a dungeon is a dungeon is a dungeon, etc. I certainly hope that anyone defending WoW is a new player otherwise I pity you for being such a boring person.
  1. Suikoden's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Harrus View Post
    As someone who never played WOW, I gotta ask:
    Well you're certainly a rarity on these forums. o_O
  1. mmoc13b78d9e0b's Avatar
    Wow will never end NEVAH!
  1. MrHappy's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Grimetok View Post
    Wow will never end NEVAH!
    dunno if it has been quoted or not/seen but still worthy of a re-post if there is one on this thread.

    The daily blink summed up this thread in the most epic way possible
  1. Dch48's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Polly Cronopolis View Post
    Frankly, it doesn't matter if there are 9.6 million people still playing or only one person. The loss of numbers is irrelevant because the game sucks regardless and it's way passed it's prime. Doing the same thing for 8 years straight makes Jack a dull boy. Doesn't matter how you dress it up, a raid is a raid is a raid, a dungeon is a dungeon is a dungeon, etc. I certainly hope that anyone defending WoW is a new player otherwise I pity you for being such a boring person.
    First off the game does not suck, secondly, I've been playing since Nov. of 2005 and feel that in many ways, the game is in the best state it has ever been, third, anyone who can't see that 5.2 is probably going to be the best patch ever has to be blinded by hate for Blizzard. I feel sorry for you.
  1. Celista's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Dch48 View Post
    First off the game does not suck, secondly, I've been playing since Nov. of 2005 and feel that in many ways, the game is in the best state it has ever been, third, anyone who can't see that 5.2 is probably going to be the best patch ever has to be blinded by hate for Blizzard. I feel sorry for you.
    Your whole post did not agree with me but the underlined part was especially wrong. This is the first time I've ever had to say this, but you sound like a fanboy...not saying you are one, but this post certainly makes you sound like you are a blind devotee of Blizzard. >.<

    Nothing coming out in 5.2 looks to be exceptional, why are you so excited about it? I can name numerous other patches that had players writhing with excitement, this patch looks decent but certainly not amazing.
  1. Polly Cronopolis's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Dch48 View Post
    First off the game does not suck, secondly, I've been playing since Nov. of 2005 and feel that in many ways, the game is in the best state it has ever been, third, anyone who can't see that 5.2 is probably going to be the best patch ever has to be blinded by hate for Blizzard. I feel sorry for you.
    Wow, you've been playing the same video game for nearly eight years. You must be a super exciting individual. Honestly, didn't you pause for a second after typing out that you've been playing since Nov. of 2005 and realize how pathetic that is? 2005 - 2013 - YIKES! Also, pretty lol that you think 5.2 is going to be the best patch so far. Though, you probably say that about every patch since you appear to be a mega-fanboy.

    (Oh, and yes, the game does suck. Fact. Look it up.)
  1. Dch48's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Polly Cronopolis View Post
    Wow, you've been playing the same video game for nearly eight years. You must be a super exciting individual. Honestly, didn't you pause for a second after typing out that you've been playing since Nov. of 2005 and realize how pathetic that is? 2005 - 2013 - YIKES! Also, pretty lol that you think 5.2 is going to be the best patch so far. Though, you probably say that about every patch since you appear to be a mega-fanboy.

    (Oh, and yes, the game does suck. Fact. Look it up.)
    No not every patch. The current title holder of best ever would be held by 4.2, the Firelands patch, which with the exception of the overtuned Ragnaros encounter was awesome from beginning to end. I also am not aware of any objective reference material I can look up which will say that the game sucks as a proven fact. In fact the overwhelming consensus is completely the opposite. The fact that I and many others, have been playing it since 2005, or even earlier is proof in itself that it does not in fact, suck.

    I play a Hunter and 5.2 is going to be the best patch for the class since 4.2 in terms of new tameable beasts and challenges. Aside from that, the storylines and progression will be great for all classes. It's shaping up to be similar to the Sunwell patch but without the huge mistake of the Sunwell raid itself. At least this time everyone should be able to experience everything instead of less than 2% of the participants. Warlocks also have to be very excited by getting something they have wanted for a very long time.

    If the negative Nancy's don't like hearing the facts, that is no fault of the vast majority who still enjoy playing the best game ever made.
  1. Celista's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Dch48 View Post
    No not every patch. The current title holder of best ever would be held by 4.2, the Firelands patch, which with the exception of the overturned Ragnaros encounter was awesome from beginning to end. I also am not aware of any objective reference material I can look up which will say that the game sucks as a proven fact. In fact the overwhelming consensus is completely the opposite. The fact that I and many others, have been playing it since 2005, or even earlier is proof in itself that it does not in fact, suck.
    Firelands was a pretty awesome patch, it's also one of my favorites.

    Still agree w/Polly in some regards but your love of Firelands redeems you somewhat.
  1. Mosotti's Avatar
    Anyone wonders why those WoW doomers are posting on a WoW related site? I wonder every second... Are they retarded? Are they insane? Are they unemployed, with no sexual partner or without even a cute cat to keep them occupied? Why the hell care and spend time on something they HATE so much?
  1. But I Hate You All's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Dch48 View Post
    No not every patch. The current title holder of best ever would be held by 4.2, the Firelands patch, which with the exception of the overtuned Ragnaros encounter was awesome from beginning to end. I also am not aware of any objective reference material I can look up which will say that the game sucks as a proven fact. In fact the overwhelming consensus is completely the opposite. The fact that I and many others, have been playing it since 2005, or even earlier is proof in itself that it does not in fact, suck.

    I play a Hunter and 5.2 is going to be the best patch for the class since 4.2 in terms of new tameable beasts and challenges. Aside from that, the storylines and progression will be great for all classes. It's shaping up to be similar to the Sunwell patch but without the huge mistake of the Sunwell raid itself. At least this time everyone should be able to experience everything instead of less than 2% of the participants. Warlocks also have to be very excited by getting something they have wanted for a very long time.

    If the negative Nancy's don't like hearing the facts, that is no fault of the vast majority who still enjoy playing the best game ever made.

    your opinion does not equal facts
  1. rhorle's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Polly Cronopolis View Post
    Wow, you've been playing the same video game for nearly eight years. You must be a super exciting individual. Honestly, didn't you pause for a second after typing out that you've been playing since Nov. of 2005 and realize how pathetic that is? 2005 - 2013 - YIKES! Also, pretty lol that you think 5.2 is going to be the best patch so far. Though, you probably say that about every patch since you appear to be a mega-fanboy.

    (Oh, and yes, the game does suck. Fact. Look it up.)
    Where do you look that fact up? Wikipedia, cause its not there. Ask the 9.6 million people subscribed? I'm sure they won't tell you it sucks since they are subscribed but some might. And why does it matter how long a person has been playing a game? I've been living in my same house for almost 6 years now should I get a new one? I've been driving the same car for longer should I get a new one just because?

    If a person is still having fun playing the game after any amount of time why is that perceived as a negative? What is pathetic about enjoying a hobby for a long period of time? I've been watching Star Wars movies for 20 years is that pathetic too?

    As for the topic of the patch, yes 5.2 is certainly going to be one of the better patches. How great remains to be seen on how good the actual raid turns out to be. But it has been compared to Ulduar alot and that instance has been considered to be one of the best raids Blizzard has done. Also it has a world boss that might need more then one 40-man heroic geared group to kill.

    It is going to be awesome, unless you no longer like WoW or play it. But if that is the case why even care about subscriber numbers or this discussion?
  1. But I Hate You All's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Mosotti View Post
    Anyone wonders why those WoW doomers are posting on a WoW related site? I wonder every second... Are they retarded? Are they insane? Are they unemployed, with no sexual partner or without even a cute cat to keep them occupied? Why the hell care and spend time on something they HATE so much?

    good old Flame bait and that same could be said about the Legion of Fanboys
  1. rhorle's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Alastaircrawly View Post
    your opinion does not equal facts
    Then why exactly do you think 5.2 isn't going to be an awesome patch?

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