WoW Expansion Breaks PC Game Sales Record

Labyrrinth · 01-23-2007, 12:52 PM

It probably comes as no surprise to most of you, but Gamasutra is reporting that “ Representatives from Blizzard Entertainment have announced that The Burning Crusade, the first expansion to its enormously successful World of Warcraft MMO, has broken day-one sales records to become the fastest selling PC game in North America and Europe.”

That’s a lot of sales.

Bregalad · 01-23-2007, 01:34 PM

I am surprised it's that low. I'd think about anyone actively playing WoW would have BC pre-purchased long ago.

I'll venture those first-day sale numbers represents number of people actually playing. Makes you kinda wonder what the rest of those 8 million are doing...

Trillis · 01-23-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bregalad

I am surprised it's that low. I'd think about anyone actively playing WoW would have BC pre-purchased long ago.

I'll venture those first-day sale numbers represents number of people actually playing. Makes you kinda wonder what the rest of those 8 million are doing...

2.4 million sales....and 5.6 million gold farmers!

The farmers have planty of gold stored and can afford to wait a while before they get the expansion. Plus you can farm gold in the old content almost as easy as the new!

DaWolf · 01-23-2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bregalad

I am surprised it's that low. I'd think about anyone actively playing WoW would have BC pre-purchased long ago.

I'll venture those first-day sale numbers represents number of people actually playing. Makes you kinda wonder what the rest of those 8 million are doing...

3.5 milliion of them are in China where TBC hasn't been released yet.

RedRider · 01-23-2007, 03:04 PM

I know people look for any reason to bash WoW, but 2.4 million sales in 24 hours for an expansion is incredible. This is off the 3.5 to 4.5 millions players in NA and EU only. So over 50% got the expansion in the first 24 hours, I wonder how many expansions in other games even hit the 50% mark in their lifetime.

I expect they will hit 9 million for the game in a very short time. Its not a game its an phenomena.

Zahrim · 01-23-2007, 03:43 PM

I like the other story...where someone hit level 70, 24 hours after it was released.

Atoyota · 01-23-2007, 04:44 PM

pretty amazing, and I hope Blizzard makes some more great games with the revenues

Vorta03 · 01-23-2007, 05:00 PM

While not a huge fan of WOW--I think it's great news, and it's success can only mean good things for Vanguard and the MMO market.

Vorta

markusan · 01-23-2007, 05:06 PM

I really hope blizzard makes diablo 3 soonish.. Would be perfect when the vanguard server goes down

Zahrim · 01-23-2007, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markusan

I really hope blizzard makes diablo 3 soonish.. Would be perfect when the vanguard server goes down

Are you kidding, with the cow being milked of the Warcraft franchise, they'd be stupid not to make World of Starcraft.

vylo · 01-23-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zahrim Thoth

Are you kidding, with the cow being milked of the Warcraft franchise, they'd be stupid not to make World of Starcraft.

And that would be a bad thing? WoW isn't the greatest MMO to ever hit the market IMO, but it is definitely good, it just is like most of blizzard's games, awesome in the short run, lackluster or just plain bad in the long run (Diablo).

Really the only Genre Blizzard does perfectly is RTS, but the have shown they can at least hold their own in RPGs and MMOs.

Of course Sigil also has nothing to worry about. They have some of the oldest greats in the business that crafted old world EQ. They just have to keep Sony's hands off the game other then marketing. Sony is great at selling things, but actually crafting a game is another matter. They don't do that well at it, and the fact that Blizzard is wiping the floor with them is evidence of that.

Eldahir · 01-24-2007, 05:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vylo

They just have to keep Sony's hands off the game other then marketing. Sony is great at selling things, but actually crafting a game is another matter.

Actually, SoE is a pathetic example of how NOT to market and advertise a game. EQ2 is pretty good in it's current state, but SoE has absolute no frigin clue whatsoever how to market a game. If they did, EQ2's subs would probably be twice higher. At least in Europe, their marketing is right next to nonexistant.

I fully expect same to happen with Vanguard if Sigil leaves marketing and advertising to that crap company.

Anyway, about the OP news there, I think it's great that TBC has high sales numbers. Chances are the kids are staying in WoW then, good for us.

vylo · 01-24-2007, 03:05 PM

Sadly, the "wow kid" stereotype is something that I have found to be all too accurate. Most of the people I have met, and/or guilded with have been under the age of 18, which isn't to say that is inherently bad, but the maturity level was severely lacking. I'm all for jokes and silliness, but knowing when to stop is good. Having it sound like a circus during a raid is frustrating to say the least, and they get very vindictive when they receive punishment for poor behavior, even if they were warned several times in advance to desist.

Suraknar · 01-24-2007, 04:08 PM

Well..one thing is for sure, Blizzard knows how to turn any news to positive news, and they know how to appeal to the uninformed crowd that is not always made up of kids, yet most always impressionable.

For instance, when they announced 7 million subscribers, I was part of that number, yet I cancelled my account a month later, they did not announce "hey we are down to 6,5 million now" (assuming I as not the only one that cancelled), so everyone remains with the impression that they have a huge customer base.

Same with this announcement, they say it exceeds their expectations, while in reality, this very same announcement is used to get more to buy TBC.

I learned that in the server I used to play 44 hours post launch there were already characters at level 70, with flying mounts...and then what?

That is why i quit that game, it has no continuity or tools to permit continuity, its about leveling toons, and gearing them but nothing else. In reality, they dont really need that cntinuity because younger players are not seeking it, they are content with having reached the podium and then are pleased to walk around as Celebities, little do they know it is but an illusion, but even that does not matter, because there is pleasure for as long as it lasts for them.

Vanguard, has much post-leveling content, in terms of in-game community, it has continuity, yet that appeals to more mature audiance, it will be a while before it becomes big as WOW, but it will.

freyaldo · 01-24-2007, 06:18 PM

2,4 mil out of 8 mil

I need more info but only 33% of all gamers buying an exp from an mmo feels very low to me, sure it's first day, but still.
People that want it pre-order it, and still have it from day 1.

Just because they have sold 2.4 mil wich is more than eq2, doesn't mean much to me if they claim to have 8 mil subs.

niack · 01-24-2007, 10:35 PM

"Most of the people I have met, and/or guilded with have been under the age of 18, which isn't to say that is inherently bad, but the maturity level was severely lacking."

They did a survey awhile ago adn the average age was around 24 to 26 years old.....Yeah they have their share of younger players but its not as much as you think.....As for BC someone said earlier that it is not avaialbe in Asia yet so taht is like half their subscribers....Vanguard will do OK at launch but I would ahve liked their chances better 2 months later after BC has died down a little and Vanguard was more settled.

Marzguitarz · 01-24-2007, 11:16 PM

I'd love to see World of Starcraft. We need more sci-fi MMORPG's. I was thinking that sooner or later someone smart is going to make Star Trek online. How many people would LOVE to play a KLINGON?

Dreezer · 01-24-2007, 11:59 PM

http://www.startrekonline.com/
http://www.stargateworlds.com/

xphenix · 01-25-2007, 05:17 AM

Released plans for World of Starcraft : http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2006/06/16

Vanguard won't be able to reach WoW numbers for a simple fatal flaw : the required specs are too high even serious people which I know are interested and would buy it back off when they see all they need to update in their comlputers, the others are just buying new ones but that's only a part of Vanguard customer base.

Jaraqcole · 01-25-2007, 10:04 AM

I have played World of Warcraft since it's beginning and find some comments interesting at best. The comment I find most interesting is about age. I am not really sure what age one becomes where it becomes important to bash younger ages. I have been in Vanguard since beta 2 and have visited with many people and listened to conversations. It is mind boggling to me that many use "age" as a way to degrade or step on someone else. What does age really matter? I know 12 yr olds that would fool you by their show of maturity and respect in game to you thinking they are much older. I know 40 yr olds that are the epitamy of immaturity.

It is always stated World of Warcraft is filled with kids and alas it probably is and yet in all my time playing the average age of which I play with in 3 guilds was upper 20's. The average maturity lvl was average to poor. I guess this speaks volumes to putting a human being behind the protectiveness of a keyboard and no real way to hold em accountable.

My experience in Vanguard has been quite similar to Wow. I have grouped with and spoken with average age lvls of later 20's. The average maturity lvl in Vanguard has been average to poor. One of the most immature people I have met in any MMO, I ran across in Vanguard. He stated he was age 51. Now grant it, who really knows his age but my point is this... why make the age thing a way to try to step on and above people to try and hold yourself in some way better than the rest? I propose to the age complainers, let your conduct and respect of people around you in this environment hold you up and seperate from the rest. Act as if you actually could be held accountable and that it really was you in game.

I will be switching to Vanguard on the 26th and look forward to the game. I know I will run across the same kind of people in Vanguard that I did in Wow and that is not even remotely a part of the equation as to why I am moving to Vanguard. I look forward to new experiences, perhaps a more complex game, and maybe a different end gaming experience than Wow offered. This once again is not because Wow was bad, in fact, I had fun with Wow, but rather I just need something else.. more perhaps.

Just for the record, I am in the 30+ category in terms of age. It would be my hope that my maturity lvl is in the 70+ category.